Thursday, January 6, 2011

La Befana and Party Vegan Giveaway!


While many of us know today is the feast of the Ephiphany or “trree kings,” as they used to say back home, today is also La Befana day.
LaBefana is an old woman of Italian folklore who delivers gifts throughout Italy on the night before Epiphany. La Befana is usually portrayed as an old lady wearing a black shawl and riding on a broomstick. She is often depicted as smiling, carrying a bag filled with gifts, and covered in soot because, like Santa Claus, she enters houses through the chimney, leaving toys and candy for the good children and coal or garlic for bad children. She is also said to sweep the floor before she leaves a house. Much like leaving cookies and milk for Santa, Italian families typically leave a glass of wine and a small plate of food for La Befana. In some regions, the food includes broccoli and sausage (!).
Just in case the legend is true, I made some pasta with broccoli and vegan sausage so I could leave a snack for La Befana, along with some good Italian wine – a crisp vernachia from San Gimignano. I don’t mind if LaBefana leaves me garlic (who can’t use more garlic?) instead of candy, as long as she sweeps my house before she leaves!

Cookbook Giveaway: In honor of LaBefana, I’m giving away a gift to one lucky someone – a copy of my latest book, Party Vegan! Much more than a “party” book, Party Vegan is filled with great recipes and menus for everyday meals as well as special occasions throughout the year, from a guy-friendly Super Bowl party to a New Year’s Eve appetizer party.
To enter: leave a comment at the end of this post.
For a second chance to win: link to this post from your blog, Facebook, or Twitter and then leave a second post, telling me you did so. That’s it! I’ll choose the winner at random (using Random.org) on Wednesday, January 12 at midnight EST. The winner will be announced here on Thursday, January 13.
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124 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    I've never heard of La Befana but I certainly wouldnt mind her popping round mine, especially as she'll sweep the floor when she leaves!!! I'd love to win a copy of your book please enter me :)

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  2. JulieJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    I would LOVE to win this book! I have fallen off the vegan wagon, but thanks to the current PCRM 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, I am back on! This book would be a great addition to my collection.

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  3. JulieJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    I also posted about this giveaway to my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/julie.sheridan2

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  4. UnknownJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    I've retweeted your tweet too for a second chance to win!!!

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  5. JulieJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Oh, I also tweeted the giveaway! http://twitter.com/#!/BrooklynJulie

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  6. Candy BeansJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Interesting! I'd never heard of La Befana. Sounds like a great tradition though.

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  7. Candy BeansJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    I linked in my blog and on Facebook :)

    http://veganshowdown.blogspot.com/2011/01/party-vegan-give-away.html

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  8. BenJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    My wife would love this book. Please let it be me!

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  9. Jess EJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    I would love to wing this cookbook, it's another one on my wish list. Thanks

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  10. Lizzie BordelloJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    I have long been a big fan of La Befana. And I would much prefer garlic to candy!

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  11. Veg-In-TrainingJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I have never heard of La Befana either! I must put this one on my calendar. I love any excuse to celebrate...especially with food!

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  12. AlerisJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    This book sounds great! I'm a more recent vegetarian turned to vegan and I'd love something I could throw together for some of my gatherings.

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  13. AlerisJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    I have posted about this in my facebook, go go second chance!

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  14. LaceyJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    I've never heard the story of La Befana, but its great! Thanks for sharing. I'd love to win a copy of Party Vegan as I'm transitioning to a Vegan diet.

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  15. LaceyJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    And I retweeted!

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  16. A bit of hodge podgeJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Thank you! Your giveaway's are awesome!!
    I posted you on my blog! (http://kudos2uwendy.blogspot.com/)
    I was an almost vegan, kept slipping a bit with some foods, but with the new year is a new commitment to myself and my health. No more slipping! 100% VEGAN!!

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  17. jayedeeJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    PLEASE throw my name in the hat! what an awesome giveaway!

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  18. sweetpeaJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    hi robin! i really need to win this one as i have the vegan on the cheap and the 1000 vegan recipes books. i don't know what i did before buying your books. now i can make delicious easy food that even my carnivore hubs likes. no more living on hummus and rice and beans.

    hugs

    shelley

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  19. jayedeeJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    posted the link on my facebook as well...and i'm heading to twitter to do the same!

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  20. saraJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    a witch who sweeps your house? how considerate! :) i'd love to win your new cookbook.

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  21. sweetpeaJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    robin, your blog is on my sidebar on my blog where it will stay!

    hugs,

    shelley

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  22. GenisisJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    I love your blog, and I've recently committed to the vegan diet. I'd love to have Party Vegan, because I think one of our most important missions is to get omni friends to try vegan foods... It's the first step to conversion!

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  23. HeyitsBethJanuary 6, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    I've never heard of her before... how cool! I love that she rides a broomstick :-)

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  24. ElizabethJanuary 6, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    I would love this book - I have almost all of yoru others. Fingers crossed!

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  25. SuziGJanuary 6, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    I would LOVE to win this book! My boyfriend and I need to get out of our vegan rut- spaghetti, vegan tacos, Chinese, rice, etc.

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  26. BlissfuLifeJanuary 6, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    You know, it wasn't until about a month after I had been following your blog that I realized I owned one of your books! Quick-fix Vegetarian. I love it! :) I would love to win another one of your books.

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  27. DoloresJanuary 6, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    I would love the book. I just purchased your 1000 vegan recipes and look forward to trying them.
    Dolores

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  28. mmmorgansJanuary 6, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Oh my, what I wouldn't give to have a copy of Party Vegan!!! My cookbook collection is still very small but slowly growing. All of the pictures I have seen from that book look amazing!!!

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  29. mmmorgansJanuary 6, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    I tweeted the link back to your contest

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  30. mmmorgansJanuary 6, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    I facebooked the link back to your contest

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  31. Tulip Tallulah January 6, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    What a great story! I will have to make some vegan sausage and broccoli tonight for dinner! I have been vegan for just over a year and love every minute of it! I would love to win you new book so I can entertain my non-vegan pals and blow them away!

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  32. Tulip Tallulah January 6, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    I also posted on my facebook to be entered a second time - http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000590027796

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  33. MaryJanuary 6, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Your book looks great, Robin. I'm excited to see it!

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  34. JennyJanuary 6, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I did not know anything about La Befana, but I love reading about new customs and traditions. I would also love to win this book because we love having parties!

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  35. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    I am Launching a new Vegan blog site very soon.. http://www.partylikeavegan.com
    sign up for newsletters, and get notified when its launched!!

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  36. Julia MayJanuary 6, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    I really want to win this time :))

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  37. Erica RoseJanuary 6, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    Never heard of La Befana, but it sounds like a wonderful tradition! I'd love a copy of your book, I could always use some omni-friendly recipes!

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  38. radioactiveganJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I looked through this book at the store last week and it looks amazing! I'm saving my pennies, but if I win the book I promise to spend them on something equally awesome :)

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  39. StephanieJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I am totally a party vegan - now I just need the book!! : )

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  40. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    This La Befana thing sounds like so much fun! I am going to consider her the feminist counterpart to Santa, lol.

    Party Vegan is the only book on my list that I didn't get for Christmas so I am hoping that I either win it in this contest or that La Befana brings it tonight! Either way, I will leave out some broccoli, sausage and wine!

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  41. StephanieJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    I posted on Facebook as well. Too bad it will just give me competition. ; )

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  42. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Partay time!

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  43. VeggieAmandaJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    I got this from Stephanie's page. I am about to post on Facebook as well! I am Italian and I had never heard this before. Thanks for sharing!

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  44. Chris & Ang's Weight Loss AdventureJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Cool! An Italian broom fairy who leaves gifts. Awesome. I would love to win this cookbook!

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  45. Sarah S.January 6, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Would love to be entered for this giveaway! I don't have a copy of Party Vegan yet, and really really want one :)

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  46. NicholeJanuary 6, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    ooh, I love your books!

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  47. GJanuary 6, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    I just contributed three wonderful vegan dishes to a NYE potluck, which were big successes! I would love to win this book to help me throw some parties of my own :)

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  48. Amanda @ Hungry Vegan TravelerJanuary 6, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    I've never heard of La Befana, either.

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  49. Just UsJanuary 6, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    I would love to win the book. I bet it's full of great recipes!!

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  50. UnknownJanuary 6, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Happy Three Kings Day! Vive la Befana!

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  51. LeahJanuary 6, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    I would love to be visited by the garlic fairy, I'm running a little low!

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  52. palindromeJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    I've never heard of La Befana before...really interesting tradition!

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  53. JodieJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    I'd really like to win this book!

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  54. JodieJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  55. JodieJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    I also tweeted this post! I'm pickyvegan on Twitter.

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  56. Jenni (aka Vegyogini)January 6, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing the La Befana legend; I hadn't heard of it before! And thank you for the giveaway!

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  57. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    I really want to win this book! PLEASE pick me random generator!

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  58. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Posted link on my facebook too!

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  59. ntrenisJanuary 6, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    La Befana vien di notte con le scarpe tutte rotte con le toppe alla sottana Viva, Viva La Befana!

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  60. ChrisJanuary 6, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    I'm vegan and I like to party!

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  61. veganJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Everything looks so delicious!

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  62. janet @ the taste spaceJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    I am eating more and more vegan foods these days and would love a copy of Vegan Planet!

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  63. Vegan in BostonJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    I am ashamed to say that I didn't know that today is the feast of the Ephiphany or La Befana day - I had no idea what it was! But it is so great to not only learn about great new recipes on your blog BUT cultural knowledge from around the world! Good deal!!

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  64. Vegan in BostonJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    I also posted this on facebook!! (This is me: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=910163)

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  65. UnknownJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    She sweeps the floor?! i think i love her!

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  66. BeccaJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    Your new book looks great!

    rebeccastar at gmail dot com

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  67. pysanki.blogspot.comJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    I'd love to get my hands on that cook book! :)

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  68. pysanki.blogspot.comJanuary 6, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    Your blog is always on my sidebar for all my visitors to see. :)

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  69. moonswordJanuary 7, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    yes, yes, more garlic please!

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  70. MonaJanuary 7, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Party Vegan sounds great. Please count me in.

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  71. VeganSoloJanuary 7, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    What a great offer...and now I can say I know what La Befana is all about. Please include me in the draw!

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  72. VeganSoloJanuary 7, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    I also posted it here...
    http://vegansolo.blogspot.com/

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  73. TeslacaJanuary 7, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    What a wonderful bit of folklore. How sweet that she sweeps the home before she leaves. I'd love to have a copy of your book. Hosting non-vegans for parties always leaves me looking for new ideas on what to serve. I'm sure your book is stuffed with great menus, recipes and ideas.

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  74. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    I would love to win a copy of your book! I believe I use 1000 Vegan Recipes daily..and that is no joke.

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  75. PattyJanuary 7, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    I would put this book to very good use. Thanks for offering this. I will be posting this to my Facebook page too.

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  76. RoeJanuary 7, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    La Befana sounds like fun!

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  77. RoeJanuary 7, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    La Befana sounds like fun!

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  78. UnknownJanuary 7, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    What a cool story! I would love to win your cookbook! Please enter me :)

    I just started a new vegan cooking blog you guys should check out!

    http://moreleaflessbeef.blogspot.com/

    I'm going to try updating everyday with yummy recipes! Thanks!!

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  79. BarbJanuary 7, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    I throw several parties a year, always serving vegan goodies, and would love a new batch of recipes to choose from!

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  80. UnknownJanuary 7, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    If I believed in luck I would say that it's been pretty bad lately... fortunately I try not to get tied up in that mindset. I know I have good Karma coming my way and maybe, just maybe, it will be in the form of a cookbook that will get me more good karma points because I know my friends and family will also love it if i win this!! Enjoyed Learning of La Befana - shared it with my 16 year old son - btw - he is a big fan of your recipes too!

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  81. panda with cookieJanuary 7, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Official entry here.

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  82. MichelleJanuary 7, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    I love Robin's "Vegan Fire and Spice" and would love a chance to "party vegan" (with a glass of La Befana of course!).

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  83. panda with cookieJanuary 7, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Second entry on my FB page which I don't know how to link to directly. http://www.facebook.com/PandaWithCookie

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  84. marshowlJanuary 7, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    I had not heard of La Befana,it is interesting. I will gladly put out any food and drunk she wants if she will sweep the floors before she leaves. I would love to win a copy of your book. thanks for the opportunity.

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  85. Bill (vegan8korean)January 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Just posted on my twitter feed. I'd love the book to help supplement my pre-football game feasts!

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  86. Tea and SympaticoJanuary 7, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I would love to win the book as I like to have parties and gatherings and feed guests lovely vegan food and I could do with expanding my repetoire of recipes!

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  87. KayaJanuary 7, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    I would love to win a copy as I love to play the roll of hostess with the mostest............yummy vegan treats that is, to try to convince all my carnivorous friends that they they can live without eating animals and their bi products!

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  88. kristinaJanuary 7, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    I've not heard of La Befana., but she sounds like my kind of Santa, one who brings gifts and cleans! wow. would love to have your new book.

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  89. Karen's Vegan KitchenJanuary 7, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    I made the chickpea-artichoke bites for New Year's Eve and I'd love to make many more of the recipes from this book.

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  90. DesinaJanuary 7, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    MMM, the dish in that photo looks yummy. I'd happily celebrate that!

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  91. AngieJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Always hoping for a chance to win!

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  92. Jennie KerwoodJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Party on! Thanks for offering us a chance to win!!

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  93. Jennie KerwoodJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    OK, I posted the link to my Facebook page. So I think I am all set to be entered twice in your contest. THANKS!

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  94. UnknownJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Enter me please!

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  95. UnknownJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    I blogged here:
    http://www.blogger.com/publish-confirmation.g?blogID=827148446326391014&postID=3000982432113475829&timestamp=1294447726897&javascriptEnabled=true

    perolasepingas@gmail.com

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  96. UnknownJanuary 7, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    I'm prety sure you could talk Santa into broccoli if you tried too. ;)

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  97. AmandaJanuary 8, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    I'd love to get this book! I just recently got 1K vegan recipes and love it.

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  98. AmandaJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    and i just posted this on my twitter! (@pearlgirl00)

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  99. Chef Amber SheaJanuary 8, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    I still don't have Party Vegan...and I need it! :)

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  100. CanYouReadMeNowJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    I enjoy your books, I enjoy your blog and I enjoy you on Facebook guess that makes me a big fan! Would love to win but I'm already a winner since I have quite a collection of your books already.

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  101. ReeJanuary 8, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Thanks for the contest. Looks like it would be a great book to win. Vegan parties are such fun and this would make them even better!!

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  102. RebeccaJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    Yay a vegan cookbook giveaway!

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  103. NiaJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    It woiuld be amazing to win this book! A lovely Befana present :)

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  104. NiaJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    I have linked this post on my twitter.

    Forgot to add in my previous post, one of my favourite ways to eat pasta was with broccoli and pork. I'm not vegan but I like your recipes so much, that I have limited animal products to a minimum. Now I eat my pasta with broccoli, figs and nuts.

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  105. RasmusJanuary 9, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Somehow, I always end up cooking at almost every party I attend, so getting this book would be really great so that I can give my non-vegan friends even better party foods.

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  106. PadmajhaJanuary 9, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Lovely give-away :)

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  107. laurelvbJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    La Befana - leaves presents AND cleans your house! Who needs Conde Nast's jolly old elf when you can get someone to gift you for cleaning up after you? I love her. I believe La Befana, I believe.

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  108. BonnieJanuary 10, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    I would love to win this book! I have your slow cooker and "Vegan on the Cheap" books and they have become "go-to" books for me.

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  109. katieJanuary 10, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    i adore garlic, so i'll be on my worst behavior :)

    i'd love to win this book - it'd be such a wonderful addition to my cookbook shelf!

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  110. E.January 10, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    What an AWESOME idea for a book! I have a hard time knowing what to make for parties that isn't a full entree! I'd love to learn how to make vegan party food!

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  111. lownleeeynjulJanuary 11, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    Hello, well as so many others I would love to get my hands on your book!

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  112. UnknownJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    I posted this on FB! Always lovely to have one of your books gracing my shelves :-)

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  113. SimonaJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Wow Robin, you know about la befana more than I do, and I'd lived in Italy for 30 years.....broccoli and sausage...

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  114. SimonaJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    linked on my fb

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  115. UnknownJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    I have a couple of your fantastic cookbooks, and would love to get my hands on this one!

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  116. An American in MeridaJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    the holidays, with all non vegan family visiting has not been kind to me. Back to the joys of vegan eating, and for the super bowl, its ALL VEGAN in this house!

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  117. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    I just found your blog, luckily since, I just became totally vegan. I would love a chance to win a copy of your book. Thanks Dianne

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  118. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Would love to win a copy of Party Vegan!

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  119. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    I already own 5 of your cookbooks. They are some of the most used ones on the shelves

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  120. LollyJanuary 12, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    I just discovered your blog and the first thing I see is this great giveaway! Count me in! Now I am off to read the rest of your blogs! Happy New Year!

    Lolly

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  121. JennJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    Haha. I'm with you on the garlic. Sometimes it pays to be bad. :-)

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  122. Heather D-HJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    La Befana looks and sounds an awful lot like a "witch" I wonder if there is an origin here to be researched...

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  123. apricotqueenJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    I love vegan cookbooks! I'd love to win it!

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  124. ElizabethFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    My cookbook shelf could always use another volume.

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I'd like to hear your comments What do you think?.