Below I’ve listed books I’ve enjoyed and the podcasts I listen to regularly. I’ve organised these vegan resources based on the type of topics I write about on the blog. For each category I’ve also linked to my relevant Instagram highlights.
Not all books are specifically vegan, but they should all be vegan-friendly! I’m updating this list as I go, so bookmark the page and come back when you’re looking for what to read next.
I’ve provided links to the books on Amazon, but check your local library too! Some of the books might also be much cheaper to buy as ebooks or second-hand on Amazon or elsewhere.
(If you purchase the books via Amazon, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.)
Vegan family resources
From pregnancy through to raising kiddos, here are a few of my favourite resources. Find all the blog posts about raising a vegan family here. You can see the behind-the-scenes of our little family here.
Vegan family podcasts & YouTube channels
- THE vegan family YouTube channel everyone knows and loves is Ellen Fisher‘s. She’s expecting her fifth (!) kiddo now and shares behind-the-scenes videos of her family life. Think inspirational day-in-the-life and what I eat in a day kind of content.
- A YouTube channel I really enjoy tuning into is the Fun Cheap or Free channel by Jordan Page. Jordan is a mum of eight (!) – and runs her own business from home. She has great advice on productivity and keeping your sanity while looking after your family. Word of warning: she is not vegan (and neither are the hosts of the podcast below), so you might want to skip her videos on how she cooks meat, etc. I’m working on adding more specifically vegan resources to this page!
- A podcast I enjoy is Best of Both Worlds. The intro sets the tone: the two hosts love their families and love their careers. They explore various topics relating to managing both and don’t shy away from standing up for more equality, which I love.
Vegan family books
Vegan Pregnancy Survival Guide by Seyward Rebhal
This little book is a great resource if you are pregnant or trying to conceive… whether you’re fully vegan or not! My favourite parts are: the one on which foods to eat during pregnancy to ensure mothers/babies get appropriate levels of nutrients, as well as the one about homemade remedies for postpartum issues.
Your Baby Week by Week: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your New Baby by Caroline Fertleman and Simone Cave
If you’re expecting or know someone who is – this is one of the best books out there to buy! (Well probably, I haven’t read that many baby books…) It offers week-by-week guidance regarding the all-important aspects of caring for a new baby, such as feeding, sleeping and nappies. Crucially, it is a practical, reassuring and non-judgemental guide to the first six months of parenting, which is why I like it so much!
Vegan home resources
Here I group things together that are related to having a beautiful, vegan home. You can find my posts on this topic here. You can also follow me on Instagram for updates on our renovation here.
Home podcasts & YouTube channels
- As we’re currently renovating our house, I’ve been on the hunt for inspiration on what to do with essentially a blank canvas. Live Your Style – The Kinwoven Home was just that! I’ve watched so many of Sharrah’s videos that I can (almost!) predict what she’s going to do with a room.
- I’ve been listening to Young House Love Has A Podcast for ages now and I do not tire of it! John and Sherry are very funny and it’s lovely to follow the evolution of their family. Check out their show notes for inspirational photos of their DIY and decorating projects!
Home books
The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines and Mark Dagostino
This was one of those great “selfless” gifts for my partner, that I ended up probably enjoying more than he did. Chip and Joanna’s stories of decorating their own homes and flipping properties are so inspiring, writing this now makes me want to read it all over again. I challenge you to pick this book up and not wonder “hmm maybe I could do it too?”!
Make Life Beautiful by Syd and Shea McGee
In the same vein as the Magnolia Story, this book tells the story of power couple Shea and Syd McGee. Super inspiring and definitely worth a read if you enjoyed their Dream Home Makeover series on Netflix!
Vegan health and fitness resources
For all blog posts I’ve written about vegan health and fitness click here. You can also follow my fitness journey here on Instagram.
Vegan health and fitness podcasts
- A podcast I recommend on this topic is No Meat Athlete Radio, that you can also listen to on iTunes and Stitcher. The hosts have honest conversations about running very long distances and eating a plant-based diet. I use it as motivation to get back into fitness, as well as learning about how to fuel my body. I listen to this one religiously and it’s become a joke how often I refer to it! You can check out the interview I did with No Meat Athlete’s Matt Frazier here (a true pinch-me moment!).
- Another podcast I’d recommend in the fitness space is Another Mother Runner. It’s all about mums… running! Check out their website too for training plans and more! Please note that this one isn’t vegan-specific though.
Vegan health and fitness books
Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek
This is an autobiography of record-setting ultramarathoner Scott Jurek. He talks about emotional parts of his life such as his tough childhood and losing his mum, as well his running career. Interspersed in all that are some vegan recipes that I have yet to try. But hey, if it’s possible to run 100+ miles eating that kind of food, it’s probably worth a try!
Running the Edge: Discover the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life by Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher
This is an interesting book that combines running with personal development. The authors talk about their (sometimes crazy) experiences with running, while encouraging the reader to reflect on their own running and life.
No Meat Athlete: Run on Plants and Discover Your Fittest, Fastest, Happiest Self by Matt Frazier and Matt Ruscigno
It is no secret, as mentioned above, that I am a fan of the No Meat Athlete Radio podcast. The book, written by one of the podcast hosts, is a great no-nonsense resource for those who are veg-curious or who want to get started on their fitness journey. It also provides great reminders and recipes for those who are already veggie and active!
Upstream: Selected Essays by Mary Oliver
This book is a bit different from what I normally read, but quite a pleasant surprise! Mary Oliver pays great attention to the animals – big and small – that she sees around her home, as well as paying homage to the writers who inspired her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, which might make you feel like spending more mindful time in nature too! and on a more superficial note, the book cover is gorgeous.
Vegan business resources
I’ll be adding more to this section soon, so do make sure you bookmark this page for later!
How To Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup
This is a great little book! I have read the Kindle edition twice now and I think it gives a brilliant step-by-step introduction to monetising your blog. [If you don’t have a blog yet, but you’re curious and thinking about first steps, check out my Becoming a blogger series.] This book covers ad networks, affiliate sales and much more, including an important primer on creating great content.
Personal growth resources
For all blog posts I’ve written about personal growth click here. You can see my personal growth Instagram highlights here.
Personal growth podcasts & YouTube channels
- The Perfectionism Podcast with Sam Laura Brown is one of my favourite podcasts. Whether or not you identify as a perfectionist, her insights on self-discipline, habits and the growth mindset are very useful! She bases her podcast episodes on her own experiences and is very relatable, while also offering clear advice that can be implemented.
- Another podcast I recommend on mindset and personal growth is: The Life School Coach Podcast (which you can also listen to on YouTube, Stitcher and iTunes). The host, Brooke Castillo, is full of energy and wisdom. She shares insights into how to master your thoughts in order to direct your actions and reach your goals. This description doesn’t do it justice, it really is one of the best podcasts out there!
Personal growth books
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey
This is a life-changing book! And one of the original (and in my opinion best) in the personal development “genre”. Stephen Covey walks the reader through how to be a proactive person who acts with integrity and empathy. He goes pretty deep and has great examples to illustrate his seven principles.
Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life by Crystal Paine
This is a great practical book when you’re feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. I wrote a blog post about my lessons learnt from the book – check it out here! Anyhoo, I strongly recommend this as a well-rounded resource to figure out what you want and start working towards it.
The 5 A.M. Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast by Jeff Sanders
This book is a great introduction to how starting your day with intention can lead to great things. You don’t need to start at 5 am, the main idea is to find time for what you value most. Jeff Sanders walks the reader through how to develop healthy habits, starting with morning and evening routines. His daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual plans to keep progress on track are similar to the strategy I use for my big goals.
The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul by Danielle LaPorte
Now, this book was definitely a bit out of my comfort zone. The author writes in a spiritual – what some would call “woo woo” – way about things that can seem a bit too deep or abstract. However, it could be very useful to someone who is on the “goals treadmill” (like me): always trying to accomplish more, without taking time to pause about how the process and result make me feel. It’s probably also a good starting point for those who feel a bit lost and don’t have big goals that motivate them towards a better life. Give it a go and tell me what you think!
