behold my new project: an e-cookbook!
I’ve been working on a very exciting project. Can’t say too much yet…
Sprung! Delirious! Fuzzy, Marija, me and Lee eating dessert after 15 hours shooting
…Oh, OK, then. In a few quick points:
It’s a follow-up to I Quit Sugar: a sweet 8-week program.
It’s an e-cookbook of super simple sugar-free recipes.
It features a number of incredible contributions from some famous chefs and food folk I know you love, plus some e-tricks that will make the experience quite a bit of fun to read.
It will land on virtual “shelves” in a few weeks; you won’t miss it. But if you’d like advance notification, and to receive an introductory offer, sign up here (I promise we won’t be emailing you about anything else if you do!).
There is one other thing I’d like to share for now….about the making of the book…the way it’s just flowed into place. It went a little like this…
For the past year I’ve been experimenting with sugar-free dishes and ideas…really just because it’s been fun to do so…
Around the time I realised I was ready to write another ebook, I also realised I had enough great recipes to share with everyone. Also around this time I met two great women: Faustina and Marija Ivkovic. I’d e-met Faustina (Fuzzy) on Twitter ages back…she and Marija were visiting Byron and looked me up…they cooked gluten-free dumplings for me…and we chatted about how we loved working on projects with good energy…and I mentioned my nascent cookbook idea…and they said, “We want to help you”…and…I resisted at first because I’m not used to such generous offers…but…
Draw breath.
I trusted. And booked a flight to Melbourne.
Prepping in Rokeby's SMEG kitchen
It all came together. And beautifully so. We shot the book last week at Marija’s Rokeby Studio in Collingwood (above). Fuzzy filmed video of the shoot and Marija shot the whole thing. And Lee Blaylock styled things. She is the best damn “plonker” of food I’ve ever come across.
We didn’t fuss. We played.
Fuzzy and one of my sugar free biscuits
Props!
We didn’t plan too much. We let it evolve. Although Lee set us up with enough prop options to shoot an encyclopedia. And the “story” unfolded.
I have a history of “forcing” things. Over-planning and generally jamming stuff into slots, even if they’re not the right size or shape…I find ways.
But all this jamming of square pegs into round holes has tired me. And abrased my edges.
Of late, though, I’ve been choosing to sit back more and let things find their way to their slot…I just provide a nice current from behind.
Direction and intention.
I’m sitting back to see what happens when I don’t chase, and let life find me.
I tell you, things work out better this way. The right people join the current from random rivulets to the left and right because the river looks so inviting and smooth. Smooth attracts smooth. You just get the river flowing, that’s all you’ve got to do. And trust that the smoothness will unfold as it needs to.
The project’s been a lesson for me. It was a bit of an experiment in this “new” way of letting life find me. I’m experimenting EVERY day with it, even when it terrifies me and I just want to grip life harder.
We’d lined up another stylist earlier on. I had a bad feeling about it. But I sat with it. A week later, she pulled from the project herself, for personal reasons, making way for Lee. Who was perfect. And has an AI. And “gets” what I’m trying to do.
Marija works this way naturally. She’s stepped into the river over and over in her life. She is possibly the best example of an artist who gives her art without thought to whether she’ll be paid or rewarded, a theme I explored here last week. She tries things, then sees what happens. And slowly, slowly her creations and projects have turned into successes. Like her inflatable photobooth. Which she invented (seriously) because she was curious. TheCoolHunter saw it, plugged it on his site (he can spot original creative energy when he sees it)…and now the damn thing has taken off. She didn’t force. She allowed life to find it. Curiously.
I’m curious to see how this next ebook goes. Stay tuned, and let me know your thoughts…and let me know your thoughts on this “letting life find you” thing…
Fabulous!! Cannot wait to get my hands on it.
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How exciting! I like the sound of ‘simple’ recipes, they’re usually the best. Can’t wait for it.
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I’m at lost on how to start a Paleo diet, ie what to eat
Waiting in queue for Paleo Diet Cookbook library book
Is your new book a paleo based one too?
Thanks
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Congratulations Sarah and good luck with the book, although I suspect it will take on a life of its own. I totally believe in this approach to life you’re experimenting with and for the past few years it’s how I’ve lived my life – with great results. Letting go of our grip is absolutely terrifying but, when we do we let go, we create room for something bigger than us to step in and create something so much greater than we could have come up with for ourselves. Most of the time, we walk around with blinkers on, so determined to have something pan out the way we desperately want it to – or to jam stuff into slots as you said – and wearing these blinkers blinds us to all the other opportunities on the periphery. I don’t think it’s coincidence Fuzzy, Marija and Lee turned up on this project the way they did, you just had created enough space for them to step in. Good luck!
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Yay! This will be fun
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Oohhh….awesome!! Sounds fantastic, Sarah
thanks for the sneak peek… Love the photo of you guys eating dessert. Was totally impressed with the pannikin (the greeny sort of aluminium cup in the photo) I use them all the time. Can’t wait for the cook book. So cool xox
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Fantastic! I’ve been hanging out for this. My recipe scrapbook is getting out of control. Thanks Sarah
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Awesome! Can’t wait to see your next creation Sarah x
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That’s great news! Can’t wait to see it!
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How super-exciting!!
I have to say, I found your blog, and thanks to a random comment on your post once, I changed my life 180 degrees! So in a way, you were the river… And your journey to health has unfolded as I found my own health. Love your work! Xx
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April 5th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
This blog has changed my life too! Crazy.
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Looking forward to it Sarah! Ever since I started on IQS I’ve been trying to find different ways of making sugar-free recipes, mainly desserts. Pulled off some great coconut flour muffins but more recipes would be great
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Sounds awesome Sarah and I can’t wait to get my hands on it! I’ve used the lovely Fuzzy for an event with kids before and she certainly does have an awesome, authentic energy.
Can’t remember what I was listening to, or reading, the other day (quite possibly an IIN lecture – will be very embarrassing if it was one of your blog posts!) and the author said “the universe has a WAY BETTER imagination than we do”. I loved this. If we let things unfold the results often far exceed what we could ever have ‘planned’.
Well done you x
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Can’t wait Sarah
And love your “let life find me” philosophy… I’m trying to strike a balance myself, between doing something great, letting go, riding the wave, having faith.
On another note, I finally heard this “Sarah Wilson subway” ad on the radio today… bizarre! They are talking about you, right? So strange, it doesn’t even make sense.
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Hi Sarah!
I’m going to give the ‘letting life find you’ experience a go too.. i’m always rushing around after other people and creating chaos in my brain about things so i’m up for sitting back and ‘seeing’…. x thanks for being an inspiration Sarah!
YAYY! Super excited to get my hands on it also! I’m quitting sugar on MONDAY – have been absorbed with your blog for weeks and am now taking the plunge! Having been Celiac for 2 years now i’m bored of the usual gluten free things, really love your ideas and recipes. Can’t wait to see how i feel post-sugar quit!
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Yippee!!!! On all counts x
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Yeh! Sure it will be great.
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Love you blog Sarah!
I too tend to force square pegs & round holes with such determination. Love the idea of smooth attracts smooth. It’s hard to let go but once you do it’s amazing the way things just fall into place.
Can’t wait for your cook book – keep doing what you’re doing! X
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Is Agony Aunts a follow on from Grumpy Old Women on the ABC?
And nice dress btw.
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April 5th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Oh, and please don’t lose too much more weight. Visible bones are not a good look.
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I love everything you are doing Sarah and can’t wait for your new book. I have really loved being sugar free too except I’ve given in to the Easter temptations… I love the concept of letting life be. It’s amazing how things work out when you go with the flow rather than always pushing for things. I started my own business 1.5 years ago and I haven’t really wanted to spend too much money on marketing and business development. However when work gets quiet and I think I need a new project , something always seems to pop up, sometimes out of the blue and it is always such a nice surprise.
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[...] And how lovely that it all came just as I found myself in Melbourne (see my smooth flow rant from yesterday!). Morning mistiness at Hanging [...]
looking forward to the book, Sarah, would love to do one myself! congratulations!
Anne-Marie
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I love this story of a group of passionate people coming together and truly working from the heart – really inpiring!
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As another AI sufferer who used to force square pegs into round holes … I was thinking this whilst patting my cat … I find slowing down incredibly easy when patting an animal. Time slows and you are ‘in the moment’. I think pets are very beneficial for people with AI issues, but you also need to ‘let go’ and trust that the pet will come to you, if that is what you need in your life. For example, we had to give away our gorgeous golden retrievor when I divorced (and went back to ‘renting’) & my daughter kept nagging for another dog. We couldn’t have a dog as we were living in a rented townhouse. So what about a cat? she says. I resisted. Didn’t like cats. And the only ones that have ever liked me have been black. So I eventually relent and we visit the local pound. The only cat that rubs itself against me is a black cat! Male, desexed, 5 years old and had been at pound for 7 months in cage. She doesn’t want it, she wants the cross-eyed kitten. We go home. Am day-dreaming when wham! I get a kick-in-the-guts moment and KNOW we have to get the BLACK cat. So 6 years on, he is very lovingly and happily part of our family and we couldn’t imagine life without him. Listen to the universe – it knows what you need. When I have ‘bad AI’ days, he is the one at my side, God bless him.
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A sugar free and gluten free cookbook – BRILLIANT! Cant wait!
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Rihtaš mal? Rihtaš?
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I am new reader who found you last week, and I am popping in every day from America. Since 2003 I have suffered from acid reflux that was debilitating. Even water made me ill. After saying goodbye to meds, I began my healing journey. I am now about 95% sugar free and follow the SCD diet. It has changed my entire life and restored my health and even my singing voice. All this to say, I am very very excited about your cookbook! Best of luck in creating it! I am glad to have found your site.
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Looking forward to your recipe book, am very excited to know it’s complete. Cheers Pepita
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how exciting sarah! I was just going to suggest/ask you to please release a cookbook!
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Lookign forward to the new e-book and some more yummy recipes
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Yum, i’m counting down the days.
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looking forward to it!
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In the flow… love it! Resistance is futile.
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Can’t wait! Congrats on your second ebook.
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Yay, bring it! Would also love to see some recipes specifically for kids. Trying to find lunch box ideas that offer some variety & are truly sugar free. Just a suggestion
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[...] the kind of recipe I’m packing my forthcoming I Quit Sugar Cookbook with. Simple, moorish, minimal-ingredients-required “assemblages”, brimful of [...]
[...] cookbook, as I’ve explained here, is a follow-up from I Quit Sugar: A Sweet 8-Week Program. It’s a behemoth of a book: more [...]
Just done it! Pre ordered your book! Ohhhhhhh I can not wait!!! Love and hugs Jess xx
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[...] whole-food eating ideas. It’s been a labour of love and much taste-testing. It’s been a team effort and an experience that has humbled me rather a lot (so many people wanted to just…help me and [...]
Ohhh how exciting. I purchased your I quit sugar book recently and it is everything I have been looking for, I have suffered from hormone imbalances and gut problems all my life. Thanks for your down to earth advice! Will you be publishing a hard copy version of your new book?
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