As you’ll see from the photos here, I’m a big fan of Herbivore Clothing Company’s message t-shirts. I enjoy walking around like a pro-vegan billboard, spreading the word with cute graphics and messages shared with humor and heart. And the side bennie is that I’ve rankled many a family member and friend with shirts that say, “Wings are for flying, not frying,” and “Bacon Had A Mom.”
Michelle Schwegmann & Josh Hooten’s new cookbook, Eat Like You Give A Damn: Recipes for the New Ethical Vegan, carries Herbivore’s compassion and convictions into new and delicious territory. I’ve always believed that the best way to reach non-believers, naysayers, and skeptics is through their stomachs and from the recipes in this cookbook, I’d say Michelle and Josh wrote ELYGAD with this philosophy in mind.
This is one of those cookbooks from which one wants to cook and cook and cook – each recipe inspiring an “oh, I gotta try this one!” response. The appeal for me is that the food is homey, comforting and real. It’s the kind of food that you want to eat for 99% of your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners – yummy and satisfying without being fussy. Truly food to convince any omnivore that vegan cuisine is light years away from boring iceberg lettuce salads, steamed veggies, and bland blocks of tofu. Let’s just say it one more time with feeling: any food found in the non-vegan world has a plant-based equivalent. (Notice I didn’t use the word “substitute.”)
The shiny, full-color, full page photos are the perfect complement to the recipes, giving you a luscious visual taste of the treats to come. You will probably find yourself turning to the Baked Goods and Breakfast chapters just to drool over the photos. Recipes that sound especially good to me: Sauvie Island Strawberry Pancakes, Herbivore Chili, Crushed & Crispy Potatoes, Curry-Barbecue Soy Curls Bowl, and Cappuccino-Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies. To see what I’ve enjoyed so far, scroll down through the photos and be sure to print out the recipe for Roasted Beet Burgers. They are fantastic.
Giveaway ends September 25 and is open to those residing in the U.S. or Canada. Thank you Michelle, Josh, and Book Publishing Company for the opportunity to review, share a recipe and a copy of Eat Like You Give A Damn with my readers.
ONLY KALE CAN SAVE US NOW SALAD
ROASTED BEET BURGERS

Roasted Beet Burgers
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups quartered crimini mushrooms
- 11⁄2 cups coarsely chopped beet (see tip)
- 1⁄3 cup coarsely chopped onion 4 large cloves garlic,
- coarsely chopped
- 1 pound super-firm or
- extra-firm tofu, drained
- and pressed (see page 12)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium
- tamari
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 cup cooked quinoa, farro, or
- brown rice
- 1⁄4 cup nutritional yeast flakes 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground
- black pepper
Instructions
- PREHEAT THE OVEN to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Put the mushrooms, beet, onion, and garlic in a large bowl. Using your hands, crumble the tofu into the bowl, making sure to break up the pieces well, and stir to combine. Add the oil, tamari, and thyme and mix well. Spread the mixture on the lined baking sheet so it covers the whole sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Stir and spread out the mixture again. Bake for 25 minutes longer, until the beet is tender and easily pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Transfer to a food processor. Add the quinoa, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Pulse eight to ten times, stopping occasionally to scrape down the work bowl, until all the ingredients are well chopped and stick together. Return the mixture to the large bowl. Form into 6 patties, putting each patty on waxed paper as it’s shaped.
- Mist a large skillet (cast iron if you have one) with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. When hot, cook the patties until crispy (in batches, if necessary), about 5 minutes per side.
Notes
- Tip: Use a beet about the size of a baseball. Scrub it well so you can leave the skin on.
- Recipe reprinted with permission from Michelle Schwegmann, Josh Hooten & Book Publishing Company.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 403
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 41
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 64
- Protein: 23
- Cholesterol: 0

YELLOW ROSE PARMESAN
SMOKY CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH FENNEL, CARROT, AND POTATO
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Yes, one definitely can make a statement by what one eats. Just snacking on fruit makes a statement in my environment.
I’m just here to say I LOVE your super fun photos! (and all that stuff looks delicious) 😀
Hey, lady! Thank you! I had a lot of fun w/ these photos – let my hair down, so to speak :-)!
we LOVE them!!!
I have been so excited for this book and it looks fantastic! I most certainly believe my food choices make a statement! I often am questioned about why I eat the way I eat. The fact that I am adventurous with the vegan foods I eat shows my friends and family that hey, maybe that “boring vegan food” is actually kinda awesome!
Absolutely! Though more and more Americans are eating healthy and vegan is becoming more mainstream, in most circles I run in we are still in the minority so people notice. But that gives way to conversation!
Absolutely! Your choices make a difference,you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make!!
of course, you make a statement by what you eat, but it is so much more effective when you serve vegan food and people (read: omnivores or vegetarians) really like it. Conversion through food!
Yes, ma’am!!
You can make a statement with you food choices–sometimes even a stronger statement than telling people what not to eat!
That is SO true!
What a fun idea to wear your Herbivore clothing in the pictures!! Your pictures are so great in this post, and I love the style that you’ve developed over the years. Everything looks so “Annie” in the most inviting way.
I totally think so! Food is such a big part of your life, and what you choose and how you choose really can say a lot!
My food choices make a statement, especially in a small farming community where meat and potatoes are eaten at every meal.
such a great book, I am loving it! thanks for this detailed review – the photos are gorgeous, as always! 🙂
Thanks, hon!
Of course! Omnivores wouldn’t get so defensive in the mere presence of a vegan otherwise!
Ah! Excellent point, Kelly!! I love that!
I am totally getting those window clings for my car – so much vegan cuteness!!! And yes, we can (and do!) make a statement with what we eat!
The back window of my truck has, oh, one or two or six Herbivore stickers ;-)!
Definitely! Being vegan is the best thing by far you can do for the environment!
I definitely think we make a statement with the food we eat. Eating is traditionally a very social activity and food choices are highly personal. It comes as no surprise when people notice I eat differently than them and ask about my food.
Absolutely! The statement you live by can impact the world.
yes I think you can like I choose not to eat meat because of the environmental impacts it has
The food one chooses makes a statement about not only their commitment to health, but their commitment to the health of the planet.
Beautiful said, Stacy!
Wow! Thanks for all the kind words and love the photos. And yes, you are correct, we believe, like you, that the best way to sway non-vegans is with delicious food they can’t not like. We have plenty of non-vegan friends who love eating at our house. We definitely think of this as a form of outreach! -Josh Hooten
Hey Josh! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Your cookbook is wonderful! I’ve really enjoyed cooking from it. And obviously, I love your t-shirts ;-)!
Yes. The choices we make for ourselves speak volumes.
Yes, what I choose to eats not only says I give a damn about my body but I care about the world around me to!
One person can defiantly make a statement. They all add up to a movement
I don’t know if I’m making a statement with my diet, but I believe I am making a difference!
Just went to their site and those Ts are just too too cute!! I want them all!~~
When we choose to eat only plants, we are truly humans… Animals are meant to be companions not food!
Do you think one can make a “statement” with the food one chooses to eat? Yes, by virtue of being a vegan, I make a huge statement without having to use any words.
I love the clothes – just as much as the food!
Love your review, Annie. I made the burgers but they were very fragile and wonder whether I did something wrong. I am eagerly awaiting the Canadian release.
Oh absolutely! You are what you eat, right?
Absolutely! I love showing people how amazing vegan food can be.
Yes, absolutely! I think it’s a human thing to do. I think it’s very effective to make a statement by cooking, serving, and eating absolutely delicious food that just happens to be vegan—it opens their eyes to the possibilities and breaks down the stereotypes that they might have about vegan food. 🙂
Yes. For reasons that extend past a comment, yes.
Wonderful photos, Annie. The beet burger looks delicious. That’s one big kale salad, but it looks so tasty that I could imagine easily wolfing my way through it. I like how long the t-shirts are and how you’ve done the photos; you have such a knack for producing vibrant and interesting pictures that draw the eye.
I love the photos of you holding the beet burgers, those are awesome girl!! So fun!! Really catch your eye! The title of this cookbook totally reminded me of Thug Kitchen “Eat like you give a F&ck” lol since it’s such a similar title I thought it was the same people with their 2nd cookbook! Clearly I am clueless. The shirts are super cute too.
To show you how clueless I am – I never hard of the other “eat like you give a…” book!! Much more in your face than this one, and I’m totally okay with that ;-)! Hey, congrats to YOU, girl, on your interview/cooking taping! How exciting is that?!
We’ve all heard the expression, “you are what you eat.” In some cases, this is true, but I also think there are far more profound ways to make a statement than via the food we eat.
Such a lovely post! this book sounds very cool with many tasty recipes! I loved your cloths a lot too! 🙂
Thanks, Sophie! They make some cute things :-).
These beet burgers look fantastic too! MMMM!
I definitely agree! The kale salad looks so good too!
Everything I’ve made from the book has been delicious!
Thanks Annie for this wonderful giveaway. I really enjoyed all your pictures . To answer your question; of course, definitely. The best way to influence others is by giving the exemple and serving good and appetizing vegan food, full of color and freshness. Our food choices could have a greater influence then telling people what to eat or not to eat.
I think yes, but it doesn’t have to always been an in your face statement. People can see that you continually eat delicious and healthy food without having it shoved down their throats (no pun intended!) You can show kindness and compassion through example. Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
I think one of the challenges is that some of the vegan substitutes look so much like the real thing that unless you announce that it’s vegan, people might not even know. So while that can work with friends or open minded folks, others just don’t want to hear it.
yes, we can make a statement.. and it can be our voice for change.. where we shop also speak about our choices. education is the key
You can definitely make a statement with what you eat. It’s amazing how people really pay attention to what you are eating. I get asked questions all the time about my lunches at work.
Absolutely! The statement I make about what we eat for myself and for my two young daughters goes hand in hand with my Buddhism. All creatures- human, animals, insects, want to live a life that is free from suffering. By eating a vegan & vegetarian diet, I make a statement daily to do no harm, and respect the lives of all beings in this world, by not purposely causing them suffering.
My true first answer was, “maybe”. It’s really yes, or I want it to be, though occasionally cynicism gets the better of me.
I thought I was the only person who liked beets! Nom nom nom!
This is a great way to eat them and I’d bet would convert many a beet hater :-)!
Most definitely!!!! I think your choices in life definitely create a statement. Being from a small town many people I know don’t know much about vegan lifestyles and I truly think it creates a conversation. Be compassionate, kind, and healthy!!!!
i think you can. I started as a vegetarian in northern NH when i was 12 …. (early 80’s)lol. I know that some folks thought about it even back then. What i find funny today as a vegan is that most folks i meet think being vegan means i am also gluten free as well, like they go hand in hand 🙂
Absolutely! I think it says a lot about a person.
Definitely! Lead by example.
Wow…. I just want a serving of everything….. and a few t-shirts