**Introducing California Vegan!**

It's March, and that means spring—when the sun lingers a little longer, there's a hint of blossoms in the air, and temps are warming—I just love it! Spring is definitely here in sunny California, but even if winter is still lingering where you live, I've got just the thing to bring the season into your home. My new book, California Vegan, which comes out this month, is sure to inspire the California plant-based spirit in you! This book is the culmination of the past three years spent in my kitchen cooking up a variety of open air, seasonal, diverse plant-based recipes, based on ingredients and traditions from my home state. I share my own photographs of my recipes and influences in California, as well as dozens of personal stories I gathered, weaving together a picture of the quilt that is this state's plant-based food story.

The plant-based vibe is a natural here in California, with its year-round produce, global influences, Mediterranean climate, and fresh attitude about food. In California Vegan, I take you on a road trip of plant-based eating in my Golden State home, where you'll experience the sights, tastes, smells, and stories of the places and people who've impacted healthful plant-based eating, along with more than 100 recipes. Wherever you live and whether you're vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, or just dabbling in plant-based eating, I just know my book will inspire you to further this delicious eating journey. To celebrate the launch of my book, I have lots of fun events coming up!

First of all, I'm doing a giveaway on social media March 1-14, and you can win a copy of my book California Vegan, plus these gorgeous bowls from Anthropologie which are perfect for dishing up recipes, such as the Pomegranate Farro Bowl pictured on the cover of my book. All you have to do is go to my Instagram post, like it, tag people in the comments, and follow me. I'm also going to be hosting a Book Launch Party on Instagram Live on Thursday, March 18 at 4 pm PST/7 pm EST. I'll be answering your questions live, cooking up a recipe from the book, and hosting a fun giveaway. Make sure to join in the fun.

With Love and Gratitude,

Spring signals it's time to plant your own farm fresh produce. You'll dig the satisfying experience and lower food costs and carbon footprint. Get my FREE Grow Your Own Food Toolkit for a fresh start.

In honor of St. Patty's Day, paint your plate green! Favor green produce like asparagus, avocado, cucumbers, green beans, and leafy greens for good luck. Start with this Jade Edamame Rice Bowl.

Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RD is The Plant-Powered Dietitian. She is an award-winning food and nutrition journalist based in Ojai, California. Sharon speaks, writes, and blogs about her passion for delicious, healthful, sustainable plant-based foods every day. Check out her three books, and don't forget to follow Sharon on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and her blog. If you'd like to work with Sharon, please contact her here.

Cook along with me in my Instagram Live Plant-Based Cooking S how! Live from my kitchen in Ojai every Thursday at 3 PST @SharonPalmerRD. This month we are going to learn how to make savory oats, use canned beans, create smoothie bowls, and cook from my new book.

Learn about the differences between different types of plant-based diets in my interview in Vegetarian Times here.