It's not like me to take an extended amount of time away from the blog (let alone an entire summer), but you can see from the above picture that I have had a very good reason.

I'm very happy to announce to all those who have not yet heard that Paul and I are expecting our very first little Soybean in February!

The hiatus began because I spent most of the first trimester completely unadventurous in the food department. I'm very fortunate that the Morning Sickness Fairy never showed up, but all the same I was  sticking to more plain comfort foods that I've been making for years. Not exactly the stuff of great blog entries.

Now that I'm in the second trimester I've got some of my mojo back and am happy to be experimenting with new recipes once again.

The little soybean and I are both happily and healthily plant-strong and my midwives are very supportive and encouraging of my vegan diet. There have been absolutely no concerns with anything, in fact, after my first set of bloodwork came in with exceptional iron levels, I was told to not even think about changing a single thing. I'm also pleased to say that I have experienced very minimal mainstream backlash over my choice to have a vegan pregnancy. Truthfully, this is what I was most nervous about - not whether or not having a vegan pregnancy was safe and healthy (because I knew this to be true), but more so having to constantly defend myself and my choices to a society that has very little understanding of what it means to be plant-based. I'm hyper-emotional these days and I take everything personally, including attacks on veganism and attacks within veganism that used to not even phase me.

Another reason for the hiatus.

I hope to return to my pre-pregnancy sanity someday soon, but until then I have a very important decision to make.

At this point, I have to decide if I continue on blogging throughout my pregnancy and into the new realm of motherhood, or if I decide to keep this a more private time for my growing family.

At this point, I've decided to take the private route.

But never fear!

ThisIsVegan.com archives will always be available to you. I will also always be accessible via email [email protected] should you have any questions about the posts, questions about veganism/animal activism or if you just want to chat!

I will also continue posting all of the delicious foods I try, but on a much smaller scale, as well as any articles and other information I think it's important for me to know about. Rather than blog posts, you'll get a picture, a blurb and always a reference regarding where you can try this food too! Pick your source:

Twitter - HelloMaryCakes
Facebook - ThisIsVegan.com
Instagram - HelloMaryCakes

I hope to come back to traditional blogging someday (soon!) but for now I think it's best to just sit back and enjoy the incredible process of pregnancy that I'm so fortunate to have been given the privilege to participate in.

Thank you all so much for your support and understanding, and I hope to continue to interact with you via the sources I've posted above.

All the best in health and happiness!