Vegan Living: Interview with Joni Marie Newman, Vegan Chef & Author of 'Vegan Food Gifts'

This month and the first of 2013, I have a fab giveaway on offer which is vegan author Joni Marie Newman's new book, 'Vegan Food Gifts'. 

If you take a peek at her website too, you'll see the many other wonderful books she has written. In this interview, I thought my readers would be fascinated to hear more about how Joni got published, why and how she went vegan, and how much she loves vegan junk food! Joni is definitely an inspiration.

What is your 'becoming vegan' story? (How long have you been vegan, did you go vegan slowly or overnight, what triggered you going vegan, etc?)

I had been a half-assed off and on vegetarian since high school (I am now 37 years old) and was always fascinated by vegetarians, animal rights activists, and vegans.  When I was in the tenth grade my friend, Kayt, and I did a very graphic presentation in our English class about animal testing and vivisection.  Complete with a 'zine handout and "Meat is Murder" as the soundtrack in the background. 

I met my first real life vegan, Paul, when I was 17.  He was so nice and interesting, and I learned so much about the lifestyle from him.  I don't know why it took me so long to commit to going vegan.   I guess my official "veganing" happened on the fourth of July in 2004.  I embarked upon an eleven day Master Cleanse, followed by six months of following a completely raw diet. 

I admit, I had originally set out on this journey for my health.  But I already knew, deep down, that eating animals and animal byproducts was morally wrong.  I wasn't perfect and I had a few slip ups.  But being vegan isn't about being perfect, it's about doing the best you can, and after awhile, it was so second nature that my cravings for cheese and bacon were replaced with cravings for nutritional yeast and seitan.

Did you already know how to cook before being vegan, and how have you developed and grown your cooking skills?

I had very, very limited cooking skills before going veg.  I relied heavily on store bought mixes and packaged dinners.  I did love spending time in the kitchen, however, and I did try to be creative even with my semi home made meals.  Unfortunately for my husband, Dan, I used the same set of spices for just about everything.  My "secret ingredient" was Lawry's Seasoned Salt.  I put it in spaghetti, on rice, on scrambled eggs, and anything else I cooked.  Dan walked into the kitchen one night while I was fixing dinner and said, "Did you just put that in the spaghetti?  No wonder everything you make tastes the same!" 

Once I made the switch to veganism, I was cooking mainly from two cookbooks The Native Foods Cookbook and Vegan with a Vengeance.  I really learned a lot from both of those books.  From there I really started experimenting and started recreating my family's favorite meals into vegan dishes.  I became active on the internet in vegan chat rooms and forums, and started my own blog documenting my kitchen adventures. 

I always tell people that I am self taught and still learning.  I will always be learning.  I also work in a commercial kitchen (as my day job) so I am always honing my skills.  I work with a lot of talented people with a lot of creativity, so I am always learning from them as well.  And, I still have a giant jar of seasoned salt on my spice rack.

Do you have favourite recipes that you cook up a lot, or do you try to make something new every time you eat?

Believe it or not, I hate following recipes.  I just like to throw in a little of this and a pinch of that and cook just to cook.  If it weren't for writing, I'd probably never make the same thing twice.  My kitchen has a row of clips and a couple of felt tip pens hanging on the spice rack, so that I  can jot down measurements and notes in case whatever I am making at the time comes out good enough to fully develop it into a cookbook or blog worthy recipe.

Do you ever eat convenience food or vegan junk food, or is it always home-made goodness?

Oh, man, I love vegan junk food!  I work full time, in addition to writing, so it's so awesome to be able to just order up a veggie burger, vegan pizza, or any other delicious vegan treat without even lifting a finger.  I am also culinarily curious and buy just about every new vegan product that shows up on the market. 

Vegan cheeses, fake meats, new types of milks, Soyrizo, fake cream cheese and sour cream, marshmallows, ice cream, whatever the newest thing is, I have to get my hands on it.  Right now, I am really digging on Beyond Meat.  That stuff is crazily realistic!  It makes a really great transition food for new vegans and it is super quick and easy to prepare.

Is your hubby vegan and does he share your passion for cooking (and the kitchen!) with you?

I am happy to report that after 18 years together, my husband has finally gone veg!  I wish I could say it was me who turned him, but, alas, it was our cat.  Cuddling up with our little dude sparked an, "Aha!" moment that turned him off of meat for good.  I know it won't be long before I can get him to commit fully to veganism.

You've got an impressive number of vegan cook books already published, included The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet - what spurred you into seeking to get your first book published?

I self published my first book, Cozy Inside, more as a hobby than anything else.  The whole thing was actually written on Powerpoint.  It was about a year after that, while I was working on Veggie Burgers (which I had also planned on self publishing) when I received an email from Fairwinds Press asking if I would be interested in partnering with Celine to write 500 Vegan Recipes.  We worked fabulously together and went on to write two more books together. 

Both she and I are now great friends, and we both continue to write,  although it's been a little while since we wrote together.  She is a pretty talented lady both with her recipes and with her amazing photography, and took the photos for Vegan Food Gifts and Veggie Burgers.  I can honestly say, I was very lucky to have been given that first opportunity.  Otherwise, I would probably still be plugging away in the self publishing world!

Vegan Food Gifts is your newest book to be published, and a great one just in time for Christmas. What are your personal favourite gifts featured in the book?

The booze!  Haha.  But seriously, there are some pretty tasty cocktails in that book.  PLus, Simple Syrups, Bloody Mary Mix, Margarita Mix...all made at home with all natural ingredients.  When packaged up in pretty bottles and tied up all pretty with bows and ribbons, they make amazing gifts. 

My husband's favorite recipe from the book is the Tofu Jerky.  I'm partial to the Peanut Butter Balls, and the "Pot" Brownies.  But asking me to pick a favorite is like asking me to pick my favorite child!  I love them all equally.

You can buy Vegan Food Gifts from Amazon, or up until 28th January 2013, be in with a chance of winning a copy in the prize draw!

Also, find some of Joni's fabulous recipes on her blog!