Lavender Chia Lemonade from 'YumUniverse' + Cookbook Giveaway!
Chances are, you've been to Heather's beautifully designed website YumUniverse. If you haven't- drop EVERYTHING and GO NOW! Everything she does is gorgeous. Her plant-powerful, gluten-free, whole food recipes are always thoughtfully presented and beautifully photographed- definitely drool-worthy. Her website is a treasure trove of over 500 recipes, meal plans, do-it-yourself projects, and brilliant e-books. Heather is NAILING it! Her new cookbook, YumUniverse, is a testament to her skills as a chef and her creativity in creating delicious, exciting new recipes- like Skillet Crusted Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Quinoa 'Cinnamon Toast' Cereal with Toasted Pecans, and Mexican Unfried Ice Cream! This book is teeming with amazing looking and sounding recipes that keep a focus on whole foods and flavor, and aren't just for plant-based people. Heather began her journey into healthy cooking and eating as a way to help heal her body of health issues that started in her early 20's. As someone with a lot of unexplained sickness, I totally understand- that's why I went plant-based, too! Heather keeps it real and is super relatable in her writing and her simple approach to creating meals that appeal to everyone. These are meals I feel like I could confidently cook for my meat-eating family with no complaints. I said it before and I'll say it again- Heather is NAILING it!
Her cookbook is one of the most well-designed I've ever seen. Nearly the entire first-half of the book is dedicated to food prep, tips, proper technique, and just some simple things that we should all know but rarely remember or practice in everyday cooking. Even as a pretty confident cook, its always nice to get back to basics sometimes. Not only does Heather start at the beginning with cooking tips, she does back to basics on what eating plant-based really means, how to do it healthfully, and how to be successful at it. She tells you how to stock your kitchen with the right tools and foods and explains proper food prep. Its more than a cookbook- its a plant-based BIBLE. The last half of the book is filled with bright, fresh recipes to make your mouth water and keep you full + satisfied. The recipe we chose to share from Heather's cookbook is her refreshing, hydrating Lavender Chia Lemonade. We love the health benefits of chia seeds and it's been getting VERY warm in Southern California lately, so this was the perfect treat to keep me cool all week. Just a little sweet, and a beautiful shade of pinky purple- YUM! Scroll down to get the recipe and enter to win your very own copy of YumUniverse!
Before we get to the recipe though, a note from the Heather herself on this sweet, refreshing drink:
I enjoy this drink for its nostalgic taste without all the dyes and processed sugars in the store-bought stuff. It’s hydrating (chia) and boosts energy (honey), which makes it a powerful endurance drink for sustained fitness. The main reason I love this recipe though is because it reminds me of my friend Paul, who once said to me when he saw it on my desk at work, “Whatcha got there, Crosby, some seahorse eggs?” I can’t deny it. Lavender-Chia Lemonade is a showstopper with a lovely taste to match.
Print recipe
LAVENDER CHIA LEMONADE
INGREDIENTS 8 cups water ¼ cup lemon zest 1 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons culinary lavender buds 2 tablespoons chia seeds ½ cup raw honey (to keep it vegan, we used Bee Free Honee- made from apples! You can sub whatever sweetener you like.) STEPS 1. In a pot filled with 8 cups of water, add zest, juice, and lavender buds. Bring to a boil. 2. Turn off heat and allow to steep, like tea, until cool. Refrigerate for about 4 hours (or overnight). 3. Strain into a pitcher. Stir in chia seeds after you strain out the lavender and lemon. 4. Sweeten with honey if you like. Serve chilled or room temperature. psst! Feel free to enjoy this lemonade without the chia. You’ll need about 5 – 6 large lemons to make this recipe. 2 + servings.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You made it! If you're sipping on a cool glass of Lavender Chia Lemonade, you're extra lucky. If you aren't, treat yourself by entering to WIN your own copy of Heather's book in our giveaway! Don't wanna wait? We can't blame you! You can buy a copy here on her blog. Thanks again to Heather for sharing this perfect summer recipe with us AND letting us give away a FREE copy of her cookbook to one of YOU! She rocks. Entries open to US & Canada only please. Sorry, mates. Contest ends 4/22/15. Good luck!
42 Comments
Stephanie Kirkos link
4/13/2015 06:23:39 am
GORGEOUS!! Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful website and cookbook, I'm gluten-free and trying to follow a more plant-based diet, so I'm excited about this find! Regarding the giveaway, do you mean the deadline is 4/22/15 and not 3/22/15?
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Amber link
4/13/2015 06:48:12 am
Hi! Oops- yes! Fixed it :)
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Juliann Paige link
4/13/2015 06:25:26 am
This looks so divine! I used to grow lavender on my back porch when I lived in San Fran, but now that I moved to South Florida it's just too hot! Recently bought culinary lavender from amazon and I have so much I don't know what to do with it. This recipe seems perfect for summer! Would love to add this cook book to my collection, I have about 4 other cookbooks and I'm slowly trying to build up the library! :)
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Terri Cole
4/13/2015 07:17:49 am
I recently counted my vegan cookbooks and I'm up to 19, but I have dozens more that are vegetarian and omni. This would be a good one to add to my collection. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Erika Killmon
4/13/2015 07:23:33 am
This would be a tremendous addition to my cookbook collection because as someone who recently transitioned to being vegan, I have none! :-)
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Jennifer Ryan
4/13/2015 07:25:01 am
I've been wanting to add that cookbook to my collection, it would be even better winning it ;) I have at least 10 cookbooks in my libraby and counting... So fun to discover new blogs and/ or cookbooks!!
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Ayaka
4/13/2015 09:34:04 am
I love Heather's recipes!! They are all so yummy :D
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Ashley Reich
4/13/2015 09:36:16 am
I had to start eating GF about a year ago after developing severe stomach pains when eating anything with gluten. I was devastated since I love pasta and bread but have embraced this new challenge. As a foodie and one who adores cooking, I am always looking for creative recipes that I can eat. I would love to have the chance to win a copy of this amazing book!
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sarah
4/13/2015 10:20:37 am
just 7!
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Debi Cole
4/13/2015 11:38:04 pm
Oh!! I just found your blog thru Yum's instagram!!! Thank you for this giveaway..i would love to have this cookbook!!! Now on to reading more of your blog!! Have a wonderful day!!
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Amber
4/14/2015 12:55:41 am
That lemonade looks and sounds divine! :) I own 7 vegan cookbooks at the moment, technically 9 if you count the ones I've given to friends that haven't been returned! Haha, gotta spread the love!
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Leah M @ love me, feed me link
4/14/2015 01:48:14 am
I don't own too many cookbooks, I usually just borrow a ton of them from the library!
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Holly E
4/14/2015 04:14:33 am
Not certain how many cookbooks I have, but it's probably about 30 as well. I love finding and cooking new recipes.
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Jill
4/14/2015 10:03:00 am
I am newly vegan and only have four vegan cookbooks! That is all! I need more to enjoy more yummy foods!
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Agnes link
4/14/2015 10:20:05 am
What a great giveaway. The YumUniverse Cookbook looks amazing!
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Elle
4/14/2015 01:50:20 pm
Would love to have this cookbook!
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Cindy Villegas
4/15/2015 04:29:45 am
I been through a lot of different program of cleansing, but i would love to get new ideas and recipes for summer season :) love it !!
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Shanté
4/15/2015 02:47:26 pm
I own at least 7 raw/vegan cookbooks. I'm looking forward to what this cookbook could teach me in the future.
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Casey link
4/16/2015 01:28:27 am
I probably own about 30 cookbooks as well, and not all of them are vegan (however I have veganized many of them).
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Jeanette link
4/16/2015 01:54:41 am
About 12!
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Vegyogini link
4/16/2015 02:59:38 am
Goodness, I have well over 100 cookbooks on my shelf. Would love to add this one to it. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Carolyn
4/16/2015 03:00:01 pm
I recently started a new shelf of cookbooks after the other 2 overflowed. I have too many cookbooks to count.
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Krista F
4/16/2015 09:42:43 pm
I have 6 or 7. I love cookbooks! I have a problem just looking at them--I love just reading recipes. I only cook a few times a week because of health problems, but I sure do read a lot of recipes. :)
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sarahem
4/17/2015 12:44:45 am
I think I have 20ish cookbooks, but I really only use about 5. The rest just take up shelf space. :)
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Julz
4/17/2015 01:31:55 am
Wow. How had I not seen her site? Thank you! I love yours as well, easily one of my faves. I own about 20 cookbooks, but I donated several after going vegan a couple of years ago. I am ordering the bee-free honey just for this beautiful drink, and I grow my own lavender, so I can't wait to try it.
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paige c
4/17/2015 02:15:32 am
I have like 10 cookbooks of my own, just starting my collection! Cannot wait for more!
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Ashley
4/17/2015 04:40:39 am
I have them stuffed everywhere! At least 20 or so. :) Thanks for the giveaway!
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Jessica link
4/17/2015 07:12:54 am
I actually don't own many cookbooks. Maybe 4?
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Susan Wright
4/17/2015 11:13:30 pm
I have 10 cook books and a folder that is so thick of recipes love recipes
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Sylvia link
4/18/2015 06:33:34 pm
I love your vegan recipe blog! And this cookbook looks really great.
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Kim%20Henrichs
4/19/2015 05:44:58 am
I own probably...50? A lot it feels like but all I love!
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Rosanna
4/19/2015 06:07:19 am
I probably own 10!! Some are in my kindle but I'd rather have a book in my hands! I hope I can win this one!
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itzia
4/20/2015 12:47:15 am
i think i'm getting close to 30
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Natasha
4/20/2015 12:47:18 am
I only have 5 cookbooks, time to add another one to my collection :p
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Jenny K
4/20/2015 07:39:48 am
I definitely have over 30 (don't judge!)
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cyndi
4/21/2015 04:14:03 am
I REALLY want this cookbook. Heather is such an inspiration.
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cyndi
4/21/2015 04:23:44 am
Oops, I only have 6 cookbooks.
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Jessica Molčan link
4/21/2015 02:23:02 pm
This cookbook looks amazing!
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Jessica Molčan
4/21/2015 02:24:39 pm
As for cookbooks, I currently own three. I donated all my omni cookbooks when I went vegan.
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Dahiana F.
4/21/2015 11:27:52 pm
Sadly I do not have any Vegan cookbooks, I have a few regular cookbooks just not vegan ones. I will have to check this one out.
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Amy Katz
4/22/2015 12:49:42 am
At least 15 vegan cookbooks, maybe more!
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Crista link
5/2/2015 02:06:26 pm
I love the YumUniverse site, and Heather is an awesome chick - you're right, she's NAILING IT!!
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