Hello there, welcome back to my Vegan Family Kitchen. Things slow down a lot around here as the kids are on winter break for two weeks but... we still have to eat really good food! And I love to use the quieter hours to reflect back on the past year and set an intention for the new one.

Videos that you liked most in 2024

This was the first year I seriously engaged with YouTube creation and... it was fun! I posted 17 new regular videos plus a bunch of shorts this year. Here is the top 10: how many of my most-watched videos have YOU seen?

1. ​4 lessons from a healthy vegan meal planning pro​
2. ​No need to press your tofu! (short)​
3. ​The 4 required power moves for healthy vegan cooking every day​
4. 👉 Tiny and specific habit goals you can do every day (short - very timely!) (this might be my personal favorite!)
5. ​Tofu masterclass ​
6. ​The essential ingredients you need for everyday healthy vegan cooking​
7. ​One hour batch cooking session for healthy vegan building blocks​
8. ​Why (and what!) I cook on vacation (the time I joined cooking club from a Hawaii rental)
9. ​Cooking plants against inflammation with Linda Tyler​
10. ​My routine for strong bones as a healthy vegan​

My final video of 2024 - The 7 Habits of Highly Nourished People - is all about living with intention. Make sure to watch it before turning the page of the calendar:

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📝 What videos would you like me to create in 2025? Hit reply and let me know!

Make those good habits sticks with cooking club accountability

Did you know that 99% of people who came to cooking club say, on the exit survey: "I'm so glad I came to cooking club!"

Here's what they love about it, in their own words:

• Have a fridge chock a block with healthy meals for the coming week 💚
• Delightful conversations, and suggestions for recipes
• camaraderie, I learned new things about cooking, laughter, ideas and easy meals all week!
• I was late, but still got a ton done in a very short amount of time
• Wonderful conversations and recipe sharing! I love having company and the added challenge of finding a new vegetable to cook was fun!
• amazed that I managed to prep and cook so much food despite not going grocery shopping this week!
• Hanging out with fellow vegans. I always learn new things. I will have good food to eat for the week.
• Always so much fun so I'm motivated to always come when I can.

You should join us! I bet you'll love it too.

On Sunday December 29th at 2 pm Pacific we have our Cooking Club Gala - wear your best apron! - to celebrate the end of an excellent year in the kitchen.

We then continue meeting almost every other Sunday through 2025. The schedule will vary this year, with meetings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Pacific, depending on the week. Sign up to get the reminders and Zoom link: it's free! There will be prizes again this year, as I'm working on a BINGO CARD for you!

Podcasts to listen to while you cook Holiday meals

I'll be making baked beans, my sparkling farro and kale salad, a mushroom wreath (wish me luck!), and some sort of chocolate dessert for our family's Christmas dinner. That should keep me in the kitchen for a couple of hours!

If you'll be cooking up a storm, too, you may enjoy these interesting podcast conversations to keep you company:

• Did you know that my family had a dairy, then a pig farm when I was a child? Listen in to my wide-ranging, deep exchange with with Carly on The Consciously Carly Podcast. We talk about my transition to plant-based cook then ethical healthy vegan, the challenge of deciding what's for dinner, and what would happen if everyone enjoyed greens instead of dairy products.

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• Simple habits, repeated most days of the week, add up to big changes. As a digital habit coach on the coach.me platform, I chat with Lidia Chmel of the Better Habits Podcast about what it takes to run a tiny business, and how it fits in my life as a mom and multi-passionate person.

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Canadian checkout now available

Though I live in Vancouver (Canada), because all the software and services I need to support my website are billed to me in US dollars, I have long had a policy of charging for my online services in that currency. Recent fluctuations in the Loonie's value have brought me to reconsider this stance; I still want Canadians 🍁 to be able to enjoy my services! I am now offering Canadian-dollar pricing as an experiment. 🦆 If you live in Canada and would like to sign up for the Vegan Meal Plans, my 100 Days of Flow in the Kitchen, or my new Plan, Prep, and Relax course, just reply to this email to request the Canadian-dollar payment link.

May you find a fire within during this dark season, and use it to cook some really good food to eat and share with those around you.

Brigitte

p.s. Speaking of my sparkling kale salad, it's on the meal plan for this last week of 2024! Many of these building blocks make great contributions to a Holiday potluck spread. For the complete recipes, shopping list, prep steps, and direct access to me when you have questions (including late on Christmas eve... I'll be up wrapping presents anyway!), consider subscribing. Canadian checkout now available, email me to request the link.

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