I go through a major purging spree about three times a year. My first major overhaul took place last October, after I read this Japanese organizing book called “人生がときめく片づけの魔法” (Jinsei ga tokimeku katazuke no mahou) or “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying.” (It’s translated into English and will be available in October 2014.) This book – that suggests that we should surround ourselves only with things that truly make us happy and bid farewell to the rest that no longer serve us — truly changed the way I look at things, as well as people in my life. The book helped me unload what feels like half of my belongings, including more than 10 large cardboard boxes full of cookbooks that I once considered as some of my most cherished possessions.

While I was able to part with books that I once believed I could never live without with a surprising ease, there is one book that always manage to hang on! It’s a cookbook / tea guide / memoir (the real classification of this book remains a mystery) written by musician Moby and his then girlfriend Kelly Tisdale titled Teany Book. I’m not a fan of Moby (in fact, I’ve never heard his music) but I love teas, and I’m addicted to collecting delicious vegan recipes.

I think this book is worth picking up, just for Teany’s Top Secret Chili recipe. I recreated this delicious meat-free chili last night, and the result was as amazing as the one I tasted in the Lower Manhattan tea house.

The secret: coco powder, cashew nuts, and espresso!

I reduced the amount of garlic (1/4 cup seemed a bit too excessive), omitted seitan (because I didn’t have it on hand) and added one zucchini, but followed the recipe for the rest.  (You can find the recipe by clicking here).  I’m so in love with this healthy version of the classic comfort food, this will surely become a staple at our house!  I served the bowl with a dollop of yogurt, avocado chunks, and a splash of Tabasco, which made it even more delicious.