I cannot believe that we've reached the last day of May already! I hope you've been well and enjoying life this past month. I have a sweet little newsletter for you this month, plus I have an exciting announcement to share. So be sure to read all the way to the end. First though, let's start with some themed book and film recommendations...
One year of being vegan
Earlier this month on the 12th of May, I celebrated my first anniversary of being committed to a fully vegan lifestyle. Prior to this year of being an imperfect vegan, my Wife and I spent a couple of years experimenting with a plant-based diet. Since the beginning of my journey, I've been educating myself on the history of veganism, the philosophy and social movement, as well as re-learning how to cook. It hasn't always been easy, and I've definitely made some honest mistakes along the way. One of the most beautiful things I've gained from going vegan is healing my relationship with food. So this month's recommendations are inspired by some of the books and documentaries that I've found along the way.
Make it Vegan by Madeleine Olivia is one of the first cookbooks I bought to help me become better at making plant-based dishes. Olivia's approach is all about simple and comforting recipes. She takes inspiration from many different cuisines, and (as the title of her book implies) she makes them vegan. I really love her 10-minute Mac 'n' Cheese!
I stumbled across the official trailer for The Game Changers on YouTube shortly after becoming vegan, and I ended up streaming the film online. This documentary really intrigued me as it examines how a plant-based diet can improve one's health in so many ways. There are lots of great interviews with vegan athletes, including Olympians. Even though my reasons for going vegan were ethically based, I really enjoyed this film and felt stoked about the nutritional power of plants.
I finished reading Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World by Jordi Casamitjana earlier this year. This book is part memoir along with a short history of veganism. One of the things that really stood out to me was how Casamitjana described being vegan as being deeply connected to one's compassion. I also really liked how he talks about the intersectionality that many vegans bring to the movement that goes beyond just considering the food on our plates. If you've ever been curious about why someone might become an ethical vegan, then I highly recommend reading this book.
During those couple of years before I went fully vegan, I did lots of research and consumed a lot of content on the subject. I've included the official trailer for Cowspiracy in this list, because it radically changed how I relate to animals, our planet, and the food I choose to consume. I do want to give a content warning, as there are some graphic scenes of animals being slaughtered. I will say though that the importance of acknowledging the harm that factory farming causes to animals, people, and the planet cannot be understated.
Another amazing cookbook that my Wife got for me last year is Big Vegan Flavor by Nisha Vora. This book is colourful and filled with over 100 recipes that will make your mouth water! One of the things I love about Vora's approach to cooking is how she "veganises" many traditional Indian dishes. In all of her recipes she breaks down the steps clearly and helps you master the art of vegan cooking. If you're wanting to learn or improve your techniques in the kitchen and want to eat more plants, then this book is your comprehensive tome.
The Lovely & Cosy
Book Club
In honour of Pride Month we'll be reading Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Our club very much operates on a "read at your preferred pace" model. We have fun discussions in dedicated chapter rooms, so you can avoid spoilers. Also, if you ever want to revisit a book we've read previously, you totally can! Come share your bookish thoughts in June and beyond by joining us on the Fable app*.
It's strawberry season here in Ireland. As we entered Spring, I started hearing great things about Wexford Strawberries. So naturally I was excited to try these locally grown varieties. It's not an exaggeration when I say that Wexford Strawberries are the BEST that I've tasted in my entire life! The first time I had the pleasure of making their acquaintance with my palate was earlier this month, when I ordered some brunch at Hungry Bear, a café in Gorey.
Vegan waffles with Wexford Strawberries and berry compote. Yes, that is vegan ice cream on top. 🤭
Wexford Strawberries are a vibrant red colour throughout, perfectly sweet, and have just a hint of tartness. One juicy bite and you will think, these are how strawberries were meant to taste! I honestly cannot get enough of this delicious fruit, and I intend to eat as many strawberries as possible during their peak season.
While I don't have a specific plant-based recipe for this issue, I'd like to encourage you to seek out fruits and vegetables that are currently in season where you live. If possible, opt for locally grown produce, as this will definitely taste the best. One of the ways I've been enjoying my new favourite strawberries lately is by incorporating them into my breakfasts. I love adding them to my porridge or slicing a few to top some peanut butter toast.
An exciting return!
Back in 2023, when I first envisioned Erin Janda Creative, I thought that (one day in the future) in addition to my YouTube channel I'd want to build an audience on Patreon. In case you aren't familiar, Patreon is a platform for artists, musicians, and creatives where they can build a community with their fans. There are tools to help content creators "turn [their] passion into a lasting creative business."
Just over a month after launching my YouTube channel, something completely unexpected happened that was definitely not part of my working-life plan. I lost my full time job with a company I'd been with for nearly a decade. I was still a very green content creator and trying to feel less awkward on camera. Whilst reeling from my layoff, I figured that I had very little left to lose. So in early 2024, I chose to take a chance on myself by fast tracking my plans for my Patreon page. As a self-taught videographer, I experimented with my early made-for-Patreon content. I learned a lot in my first year, and I created posts and videos that I'm quite proud of.
In 2025, as my family and I were preparing for our eventual international move, I quickly realised that—between my new day job, my content creation across several platforms, and other personal responsibilities—I'd spread myself way too thin. I had to get realistic with myself. I made the decision to "sunset" my Patreon, because I didn't want to create lacklustre content for my generous supporters. It was absolutely the right decision at the time, but I had this niggling feeling that I hadn't been able to realise my full potential. Over the past several months, I've continued to come up with ideas or themes for content that would be just perfect for Patreon.
I'm delighted to announce that after polling my "OG" patrons and receiving lots of great feedback and encouragement from them, I'll be relaunching my Patreon! You can expect to see updates on my Patreon over the coming days and weeks. I have so many amazing plans for this rebirth and feel immensely excited to be returning to this platform to grow even more as a content creator. I'd like to invite you to join as a member, which you can do here.
The official relaunch date will coincide with the Summer Solstice on the 21st of June. Leading up to that day though I'll be sharing more details on my Patreon page as well as my other social media platforms. I would be so honoured if you signed up as a paid member and supported the exclusive content I'll be making. My newly reimagined membership tiers will be published very soon, so please stay tuned over on Patreon.
Until next time...
Thank you so much for being here and for reading this far! I hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosy Cottage. As always, if you have any requests or suggestions for topics you'd like me to cover in a future blog or newsletter, simply reply to this email.
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I'm a writer, content creator, and visual storyteller. I love books, tea, and cosy cottage life. Subscribe to my newsletter and get monthly updates delivered directly to your inbox.
