AT LONG LAST
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 4:39PM When you're on a swing, without a push start from the ground, you begin pumping your legs to get the thing moving. Leaning far back to move the swing forward, and then bending the knees back trying to generate some momentum. At first it feels like you're going nowhere, that people are watching you laboriously thrust yourself back and forth, barely off the ground. Awkward as it is, you are moving, you are gaining energy. We started this cookbook nearly two years ago, and in just a couple weeks it will be out in the world. It started with lots of work and food and research and mistakes and emails and more food - the pumping of our legs. With a blog, you get a response almost immediately, but you have to sit on a book for awhile before it generates feedback. That time that we've been sitting with it has made me anxious, so I'm thrilled to set it loose. We are no longer flailing our legs to get off the ground, we're moving, really swinging, on this ride of writing a cookbook. I have a big stack in our office for family and friends, copies are in the mail to my recipe testers, and there are a number on the desks of media folks. This is the part where you just allow the momentum to take you. And even if it's been years since you've found yourself on a swing, you know that feeling - once the cadence takes over, the woosh of speed, the moment of weightlessness, arcing back again - and the freedom of giving in.
Below is our homemade promo video. We improvised some material and Hugh did a fabulous job of teaching himself how to shoot and edit, if I do say so myself. It's so "us," incapable of taking ourselves too seriously, and it makes me happy.
Ten Speed Press also put together a great sampler of a few of the recipes from the book so you can get a taste of what's inside.
Reader Comments (119)
SO MANY HIGH FIVES RIGHT NOW. xo
Gosh, this video is all kinds of adorable. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I love it!
You two are hilarious. Good job.
We are SO very thrilled for this book to come out this month. I swore off buying cookbooks, and yours is THE ONE that I will gladly, happily and thoroughly relapse with. Bite by bite, one happy meal after another. We love you in Montana!
Congratulations!! Reminds me so much of making my first videos! Sending TONS of great wishes to you both, I know the cookbook will ROCK! You both are so genuine and really have a gift. So glad more people will have a chance to access it :)
congratulations to you both. i trust you are living fully in the satisfaction of a job so well done. oh! and i loved that bit about the swing, totally get it. all the best. xo
YAHOOO SISTER MO! SO PROUD OF YOU IT LOOKS AMAZING AND I LOVE THE VIDEO WE ARE ALL WATCHING IT NOW AT WORK!
Once again, you have managed to express yourselves in such a fun, lighthearted, authentic and beautiful way. Thank you for being your authentic selves, it is so inspirational... I can't wait to get my hands on your wonderful book and taste the foods that make you so happy.
@jaleen - hi! Glad to know I'll see you in SF! We filmed at my parents and my mom has a large collection of bowls/plates. She gets most at homegoods/tj maxx if you have one near you.
What a charming video. After reading your post I jumped over to Ten Speed Press to get a sneak peek at your book and some of the recipes. Then, I immediately ran (drove) to Trader Joe's to get some fresh almond meal so I could make the Almond Meal Cookies with Coconut and Cacao Nibs. I am eating one right now as I type this comment. They are delicious and came together in a snap. I am looking very forward to seeing the book in its entirety. Congratulations to both of you!
Ooof! Why is the book not out today... when I desperately need some guidance about what kinds of delicious things I could do with my collards, which are going crazy at the moment. (Thanks Vancouver rain!) I can't wait, and have been spreading the news far and wide.
Bravo Sara & Hugh. Aside from of course being crazy talented, you two are seriously too cute. I know so many have gained so much from your blog (speaking from personal experience) and I know the book will only add so much more to it. Hope I can make down to Huntington Beach to meet you both & get my copy in a few weeks! Congrats!
@yumi - please do! Pretty please!
@Keri - thanks so much. Only one recipe with collards but it's one of my faves!
I've pre-ordered the book 2 months ago and I'm way beyond excitement to receive it! The trailer is absolutely great, I'm so glad you opted for a funny way to introduce your believes, style of cooking and of course the book. It's so unconventional, more close to heart and makes it real. xoxo
Loved the video promoting your new book! The pictures are fabulous!
SO excited to get my hands on my pre-ordered copy. Can't imagine what that felt like for YOU. The preview is breathtaking and that video is timeless. A treasure for years to come. I hadn't swung on a swing in ages...until my sweet boy came into my life. It's his favorite outdoor activity these days. I've joined him more times than I count in these past few summer months and that woosh feeling you mentioned is JUST as exhilarating as I remember ;) Cheers, sweet girl.
I would love to have the book as soon as possible. Good video I just can't wait.
Discovered your blog recently and am so thrilled about your cookbook. Can't wait to get my copy! Hugh's photography is stunning - makes my mouth water reading through each post. Would love to have a few of his photos on the walls of my kitchen. Does he sell his art?
Sara, This is fantastic! I'm a long-time reader from Michigan, and I pre-ordered your book as soon as I could - I love your approach to food and cooking and can't wait to sample each and every recipe! Thank you!!
how fabulous. i am so psyched about this book!
sara and hugh - this video is so beautiful, and honest, and pretty and sincere. it really gives us a peek into your kitchen and your home. you could never tell it was your first time going video. the lighting, composition and rhythm was very similar to your blog pictures. i can't wait to see the book already!!!!!
good luck from Maya, your biggest fan in Israel
I am beyond excited for this book. It is rare that to find cookbooks that not only have excellent healthy food, but also stunning photography. I can't wait to own this book and work my way through every recipe. Thanks for inspiring me with my own food journey, I hope that this book will be even more rewarding than your blog.
you're so friggin cute, i could put YOU in a tortilla and gobble YOU up my sweet sara!
congratulations.
love,
katie
Cant wait to get my copy in the mail! I pre-ordered a copy the second I saw you could! So excited!!! And the video was adorable! :)
Thanks for pouring your heat and soul to what looks to be an amazing cookbook. Can't wait.
OHMYGOSH! Can you two be any cuter? Holy cow. 1. You look stunning (you too, Hugh) 2. Such an awesome video 3. I'm so utterly proud of you. 4. I need to see the book again and asap. 5. Now I'm hungry.
so inspiring!!! great work, congrats :)
you can tell how much love went into making this cookbook - I am preordering mine today! Looks absolutely amazing :)
Just pre-ordered it. Can't wait!
Such a beautiful way of describing this process, Sara. Swing on, you two! Can't wait for your book to be out in the world.
Love love love this video - I've forwarded it to all of my friends and family who've been hearing about your lovely book for the last year. Cannot wait to receive my copy. :-) Congrats to both of you!!
I am so happy for you, and so excited for your cookbook! Also, your video is great.
I just pre-ordered the book. I cannot wait until it arrives in the mail!
p.s. my tofu never browns up like that. It looked so tasty.
wow - well done on your video - its gorgeous and soo cute!!! :)
and fun too!
I love it!
congrats on the book - all your hard work paid off :)
hugs
Betty Bake
from South Africa
Most honest, cutest video ever. Immediately downloaded the pdf. Everything sounds perfect. I can't wait to get my hands on you & Hugh's work of art :)
Wow. I wasn't letting myself buy the cookbook, because my shelves are overflowing, but after looking through that sampler by Ten Speed I went directly to Amazon and preordered. Those sampler recipes are exactly what I am looking for. I can't wait for the book to arrive! Congrats.
So excited for you and Hugh! The images are beautiful and the food looks delicious!
So excited for you both! What a huge accomplishment. We can't wait to check it out! XO Sonja & Alex
Just beautiful! Can't wait to see the rest of the book!
Love the video. Looking forward to the book! Congrats!!!
"Let the momentum take you" ... yahoo, Sara! So, so thrilled for you. As I've already told you, the book is beautiful and I so appreciate the hard work and time (and am SO excited to start cooking from it a great deal). xx
I'm gonna grab a copy as soon as it hits the ITunes store! I hope the ingredients are easy to find from where i live :). Exciting!
What an adorable (and so well shot!) video! What program did you guys use to edit? I just made my first video on my PC and. . . feel like I need to find a better program.
I just found out about your blog and book in the latest issue of Whole Living Magazine and I'm so excited! I pre-ordered the book today and will be checking out your blog now. Good luck!
I love this video!! I'm a longtime reader who has never commented, but I will now to say that I can't wait for my copy to arrive and you guys should DEFINITELY do more videos!! Thanks for all you do!
i just stumbled across your site for the first time, and wow. let's just say, i can't wait to get a copy of your book! i browsed through some of your old posts and was blown away by the beautiful images, delicious-looking food, and your candid words and stories. congrats on your book, i'm sure it will be a joy to cook from!
You are really amazing. I am going to purchase your book. Thank you.
Amazing! I can't wait.
So excited to have your cookbook! Looks wonderful.
I freaking LOVE this.. Good work Hugh...you are just a natural behind any lense. Speaking of organic!..This is SO you guys.. so real.. and SO perfect to set the tone for your masterpiece. The sneak peeks of the pictures make me want to lick the pages :) YUM!