I love layers of food. Like 7 layer dip. I need to create some kind of 7 layer dip ASAP. Sounds exhausting, but I need to do it.
These trifles are delicious. How could they not be? I made them with Goodbody Baked Goods Chocolate Brownie Bites. And even though my magic brownie bars would be great in this recipe, I was way too lazy to bake. And these things are too easy to get a hold of. I just drive to any of the 4 Whole Foods that are near me, then stuff my face. But if you don’t have a Whole Foods near you, be sure to pick up at Abe’s Market online!
There is something else I need to do. I need to address a situation I’ve run into recently. As you may know, I published a cookbook this year. I used a publisher that I felt I could trust and I hoped she could do a great job finding a designer for the book that would put something together that I was proud of. I wanted to create a book that had my favorite blog recipes within it as well as some new recipes for people to try.
Well, once the book came out, it was something that I was not completely satisfied with. Even though I love the feel of the book and it really is me with the writing style and even how the book is laid out, I wasn’t happy with the paper quality or how some of the photography looked on the paper. I did the photography myself, which is definitely not the best photography out there, but I know it looks better than how some of it looks within the book. Some pictures are stretched or even slightly cut off. It’s been upsetting hearing some people talk about not loving the book, not because of the content inside, but because of the quality. It’s embarrassing, honestly. Especially because it is something I was not able to control, but it still has my name written all over the entire book.
Here’s the thing. I am 25 years old and still learning A LOT. Learning who to trust, learning to read between the lines, and learning what real world business is really like. I really have no clue what I’m doing half of the time, but with the guidance of some amazing friends and bloggers, I have begun to understand business a bit more. It’s a process though. A sometimes upsetting process.
These comments above are not me throwing anyone under the bus or pointing fingers at others. It’s me stating my feelings about the book and acknowledging some of the upsets about it, because I honestly agree with most of them. And from the bottom of my heart, I am incredibly sorry if you have not been satisfied with your book. I really am. I’m hoping some of these issues will change in the future. But I can promise you one thing, learning from the upsets in our lives leads to bigger and better things. And bigger things are on the horizon.
Thank you for all the support through my living and learning. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I hope to make everyone happy one day. That’s not possible, but it’s worth a try.
This dessert made me excessively full tonight. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Pumpkin Custard Chocolate Brownie Trifle
- Yield: 2-3 1x
Ingredients
- 1 (14 ounce) can full fat coconut milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup pureed pumpkin
- 1/3 cup raw honey, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- pinch of salt
- 1 bag of Goodbody Bake Goods Brownie Bites or Magic Brownies Bars (minus coconut topping)
- chopped pecans, for topping (optional)
- dark chocolate chips, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Place the coconut milk, egg yolks, pumpkin, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, ginger, and just a tiny pinch of salt in the food processor or blendtec (like I used) and puree until completely smooth.
- Pour into your ice cream maker and churn until you have smooth and creamy custard.
- Now pull out a pretty glass or be lazy and put it in a bowl. Add some brownies, then custard, then brownies, then more custard. Top with chopped pecans and chocolate chips.
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Girl, your cookbook is awesome! I have been making recipes off of your sight for a year now and was so pumped when my copy of the book came in a couple of weeks ago. I have already made 9 recipes out of the book. The fam (including a 4 and 2 yr old) has been loving it. Thank you!!
You are absolute class, Juli. Seriously. Amazing lady.
life: it isn’t perfect. sucks sometimes–okay, most of the time when it’s not the way we want it–but it’s all we have to work with, so we might as well embrace the quirks.
i’m sorry you are disappointed in part by how your “baby” came out. that’s disheartening. but you’re learning, and not just stewing in your frustration. that’s beautiful!
i can tell that your photography has improved exponentially just since your time in the Dominican Republic (i should get extra points for spelling it out!). this shot is proof of that–gorgeous!
keep after it, girl! you’re loved!!
Juli. I pre-ordered your cookbook, and I love it. What is most important to me is that the recipes rock my tastebuds…color me crazy (and lotsa people do) but I could care less if the pages are glossy or there are typos or whatever if the recipes are good. And when my totally un-Paleo husband takes a bite of one of your creations and looks at me incredulously and says, “Are you SURE this is healthy?” , you have a successful cookbook on your hands. Not just blowing smoke up your ass…we really enjoy your cookbook…more so than a lot of the recent Paleo releases! And I made that most recent hash for breakfast. My gawd. Yum.
I haven’t ordered your cookbook but I live for this blog and I don’t mean that in a creepy way. I am much older than you and I am learning in life now matter how great you think you are doing there is always some “hater” out there poised to bring the strong ones down. You aren’t required to put out a cookbook of whatever quality for all of us seekers of help. Continue to learn and grow and although you can’t trust everyone there are still really good people left in this crazy world. I love your blog. On some of my darkest days it makes me laugh and as a blogger myself I share your recipes maybe more than I should! (i do always give you credit :)Keep on Keepin on you are doing a great! Tell the haters to step off
As many have said, I bought your book to support you in what you’re doing. I did notice the pics but not so much the paper, but it’s ok. I hope no one holds those things against you and use it as a reason to not buy your book because it’s the content that matters :O)
It definitely won’t stop me from buying your next one :O)
Oh, and this custard looks delicious!! too bad i don’t have an ice cream maker and don’t have any room in my kitchen to store one :O(
I LOVE your book. I laugh and then I cook a great dish from the book. My family is loving eating Paleo because everything I fix taste amazing. I heard a saying that I thought was funny…I eat Paleo 100% , 80% of the time….that made me laugh.
I have your cookbook and I LOVE it lots! I love the writing style and the photography.
I’m a graphic designer, so when I opened it up, I immediately knew the problem was in the stock that was selected. An uncoated or matte stock is definitely an unconventional choice for a cookbook. It has a great tactile feel, but isn’t really practical when you take into consideration it might have to deal with spills.
Also, when ink hits and uncoated stock it immediately spreads out. This causes darkening and blurring. If your designer was unaware of the stock of the finished product, he or she might not have accounted for it while editing the photos (they need to be lightened up quite a bit in that instance).
It sucks that people are upset with your book over this. I bought it because I wanted to support you because your free recipes (and stories) have brought me so much happiness over the past year or so. Your recipes are still wonderful, even if the photos are dark or blurry.
The next time you publish a book, you should be sure to request a production sample or see it as a press check before the book ever goes to full production. This will avoid such a major surprise when you see the final product. Anyhoo, best of luck and keep on truckin’! Your book is amazing!
There are ALWAYS going to be people who criticize, regardless of how you feel about your work (or in this case, not your work, but work you are associated with). It’s hard not to carry the negative comments with you, but seriously, the people who appreciate a good paleo recipe are going to appreciate your book. Period. 🙂 I know you post many links to other great paleo sites, but yours is my favorite. 🙂
People will find fault in everything! Don’t let it get to you – the content (recipes and writing style) is what matters and you did a GREAT job! The book is amazing and something to be proud of!
Agreed!