and then, i wrote a book

February 7th, 2011 - filed under: Furthermore » Inspiration

When I became pregnant, the first thing I did was head down to the Herbivore store in search of good reading material. I remember that Michelle asked if I needed anything, and me, sort of puzzled, wondered aloud where the books on vegan pregnancy were. “NOWHERE” she exclaimed. “You should write one!” We had a little laugh about that, then had a good squeal about babies and pregnancy. That was the beginning of our friendship.

And now, almost 2 years later, well . . . I took her advice! I wrote a handbook to help plant-eaters navigate their pregnancies, and Herbivore is going to publish it!


amazing art by Leslie Magee



The Vegan Pregnancy Survival Guide is a comprehensive reference book that covers it all – from straightforward nutrition and strategies for maximizing meals, to choosing cruelty-free antacids and how to throw a vegan baby shower – and *everything* in between!

I am thrilled to be working with such amazing, inspiring people on this project, and I’m honored to be able to share this information with the world. Look for The Vegan Pregnancy Survival Guide to hit the ‘shelves’ in early summer 2011!

  • http://www.postcardsandphotography.blogspot.com sj

    YAY YAY YAY!!!!! SO exciting! I’ve tried to tell friends that you CAN be a healthy pregnant vegan, and there is hardly ANY info out there, in one consolidated place, to reference! SO happy for you! Such a great idea! I’m so glad you followed through! Can I pre-order? lol!

  • http://www.postcardsandphotography.blogspot.com sj

    oh and i TOLD you i’d been obsessively checking all day! lol!

  • Viv

    Ah! This is so terribly exciting! My mother, who is an OB-GYN, will be thrilled to hear about this – she’s a supporter of vegan lifestyles, but has little to no reference materials for her vegan moms-to-be.

  • http://seizufrieden.blogspot.com Michaela

    This is awesome! My bestie is Vegan and will love this for when the time comes.

  • http://herbivoreclothing.com Michelle Schwegmann

    congratulations to YOU sayward! i cannot wait to share this book with all the vegan mamas to be!

  • http://without-a-map.com April in Autumn

    Congrats! Writing a book’s a huge accomplishment, especially from someone who obviously has so much great info to share.

  • Sarah

    Congratulations!! How awesome!

  • Kate in SB

    Awesome! So proud of you! Go, girl!

  • http://www.mishakaudi.com Marissa

    So great! I have a four month old, who grew in my vegan body throughout my entire pregnancy and was born happy and healthy…She is the calmest easiest baby ever and I contribute it to my peaceful vegan lifestyle! I am so happy you are putting this book out there!

  • http://thymebombe.com/ Alayna @ Thyme Bombe

    That is wonderful! I’m coming up on my baby years and intend to eat really veg heavy during pregnancy. So glad to know there will be a guidebook out there when the time comes!

  • http://teanytinystar.livejournal.com/ TeanyTinyStar

    Omg this is awesome! When I have a baby I’m definetly reading this :)

  • Moira

    Congratulations! I’m not pregnant and probably won’t be anytime soon, but I do want to read about your cruelty-free antacids!

  • http://www.thedomesticvegan.com Jess – The Domestic Vegan

    Congratulations!!! This is super exciting & MUCH needed! I have quite a few friends who will be interested in this, and I will certainly buy it for when I decide to have children! Yay!

  • Shannon

    I’m so excited you’re writing a book on the subject! It’s definitely much needed and I just know it will be great (since your blog is so great! Congrats!

  • Eleni

    How wonderful, what a great resource. I’m not going to be pregnant again but I’ll still get this to peek through and lend to folks.

  • jenny b

    amazing!!!

  • http://kiwimartini.wordpress.com/ Beens

    I am so recommending this to vegan patients when I start my obstetrics training :)

  • Serenity

    Good for you! I hope to need it soon!

  • Sandra

    Congratulations! That is so amazing! I already have two children, but I’ve been thinking about a third (the younger one will be five in May, they’re five years apart) and I’m getting married in October…oh it would be wonderful!

  • http://www.windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    This is so awesome Sayward – a much-needed resource for anyone considering a vegan pregnancy! I remember what a pain it was to do research every time there was a question – and oh, there were SO MANY questions. It was like constantly putting out fires, and as soon as one ridiculous (or the occasional thought-provoking) question was answered, another one was thrown my way. So thank you!!

    Now, if any of my vegan friends ever decide to have children, I’ll know what to get them. :D

  • Kathryn

    AHHHHH! This is so exciting! I’m not planning on being pregnant for a long, long time, but oh man I am definitely buying this when it comes out. How awesome, great for you!

  • Stephanie

    I have no intention of having a baby any time soon, but I know I will buying this the second it hits shelves.
    pre-order anyone?
    Congratulations Sayward, this is beyond amazing.

  • http://spaceshipnola.blogspot.com/ Bridget

    Exciting! I looked for a vegan pregnancy guide and couldn’t find one (except for the Skinny Bitch one). I hope your book comes out before my baby does (also due this summer)!

  • http://www.wantless.net Krisann / Want Less

    Congratulations!!! I’m sure it is jam packed full of really helpful and interesting information. Can’t wait to see it!

  • http://elilaiann.blogspot.com Carissa

    Let us know once it’s published, I would love a copy of it!

  • http://www.sweetpeabaking.com Lisa (Sweetpea)

    Congrats Sayward! Can’t help but wish I had it right now! So exciting!

  • Shelby

    Congratulations!!!!

  • http://amongtheknights.blogspot.com Sara

    Congratulations, this is so exciting! I can’t wait to buy it. I’m way too young to be having babies but I can’t wait for that either.

  • Minna

    Congratulations! :) The book cover looks so good! I hope to read that book one day!

  • http://www.shesgotaknife.blogspot.com Lenn

    Congrats! Happy you got it done, and the cover is adorable!

  • http://wwwmelissalehman.blogspot.com/ Melissa L.

    Sayward!!! How awesome!!! What an awesome surprise! Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it!

  • http://miraz38.livejournal.com Mandie

    Congrats Sayward!! I’m so excited and proud of you! I don’t plan on being pregnant any time soon, and I’m not vegan, but I’m sure there is a ton of good info in there! I’ll probably get it :) So happy for you!!!

  • http://facebook.com/amandoid Amanda

    How awesome!! Congrats! I’m not vegan or pregnant, but I might want to be after reading your book! Can’t wait!! :]

  • http://www.roy-joy.blogspot.com Jessica

    Sayward, this is amazing!!! Congrats!

  • http://bluknotsoriginals.blogspot.com @tishushu

    Wonderful news! If my gf and I decide to have a baby, I will definitely be turning to your book. For now, I will recommend it!

  • Kathryn

    Fantastic idea! We are all behind you!

  • MorganInJapan

    I’m not vegan (yet) or pregnant (yet), but I can’t wait to read it!

  • Adrienne Audrey

    Wow! Congrats! Can’t wait to read it!

  • Julie

    I don’t plan on having children, but I would totally buy this book! And if I ever do decide to have kids, I would be thrilled to have *your* advice.

  • Melisa

    So so so so so so SO so exciting!! Congratulations!! And thank you from the future me, who is both vegan and pregnant!! (;

  • Tenise Rae

    You have once again floored me with your brilliance! I love how ambitious you are! Reminds me of a lyric from that P!nk song “Stupid Girls”: “Outcasts and girls with ambition, that’s what I wanna see!”
    DUDE! You are my hero. I’m so excited for you!!! Congratulations and I just LOVE the cover. You rock, sistah!!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    THANK YOU everyone! Your support means so much to me and I’m so thrilled I can finally share this with you! Also, really glad the cover art is a hit because I friggin LOVE it! =D

    Thanks again guys! Oh yeah and yes, we will be taking pre-orders starting in a few months. Squee!!!

  • http://joyfulyogawithtara.blogspot.com/ Tara

    Ah! How exciting! As a current mama-to-be I look forward to reading it and enjoying all of the grace, style, and insight of your inspired writing. It must’ve been hard to keep such a big part of your life a secret for so long! Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment!

  • Lacey

    Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment. You should be so proud, and just know, you are so incredibly inspiring. YAY for you!

  • Kiki

    I don’t have kids, but as a long-time vegan I’m excited to buy yr book and absorb its wisdom! It is a much-needed resource, which will help so many parents and help us parent-supporters have more info to pass along. (A side note: a friend took a community college nutrition class and the teacher told her that raising children vegan was child abuse. WTF?! So crazy. Thanks for putting the time and effort into giving the world some positive, reality-based vegan parenting skills.) So cool!!

  • Rebecca

    Total ‘awesomeness’! There is simply no other way to describe it!

  • http://www.truthbody.com Alisha

    Right on, girl, i’m glad you stuck with the curvy “Vegan” the way you like it… it looks really great! I’m so proud of you and excited for this next phase of your book. I loved eating vegan with you guys this weekend!! Although I’m a health conscious gal, it was a great reminder of some of the ways I can get a little closer and more connected to what i eat, and perhaps integrate more vegan food into my life.

  • http://www.growingraw.com GrowingRaw

    I’m just thinking about how busy you’ve been… well, we knew you were busy, but… a BOOK! You take the cake!

    Baby, blog, book… I’m wondering where all your energy comes from? Does Waits sleep through the night? Do you think it’s your diet, or being inspired by life?

    Producing a complete product while living such a balancing act is a major achievement – I can imagine the satisfaction you feel. I look forward to seeing your book on the shelves and even without reading it I’m sure it’s resourceful and uplifting, just like your blog.

  • http://eksperymentatorium.blogspot.com zannie

    I’m already checking if Herbivore shipps to Poland and I’m not even considering pregnancy yet;)

  • Pat

    Congratulations! wow, what a great achievement!!I am impressed, how do you manage? do you sleep at all? I have a near 7 month old baby, and I am glad when I get through the day, with just the household, the baby and the dogs and cats…
    if you now start feeling bored ;-) I have an idea for a part two and three…vegan breast feeding and how to raise a vegan baby and later a vegan kid one…