On your first visit, she’ll make your plate and get you settled.
After that, you’re at home and should know where things are.
She does this and so much more all with an effusive warmth and giant smile.
Credit:Andrew Eccles
Here’s a glimmer of insight into how she does it all so seemingly effortlessly.
Q: When you’re hosting or entertaining, do you want the kitchen to yourself?
Or are you okay preparing the meal with people around?
Credit:Andrew Eccles
I want to do things by myself.
I don’t mind guests being in there talking and stuff.
But I don’t really need your helptoo often it can just slow things down.
Credit:Andrew Eccles
I like to get everything prepared myself.
But sometimes I might let you come in and like, chop-up some stuff for a salad.
But when Im really cooking, honey, youre in my way.
Credit:Andrew Eccles
Oh yes, I still enjoy cooking.
I dont do it as much now with my schedule, but I do enjoy it.
And I say, No I’m just at home in paradise.
I know what you mean.
The previous owners favorite place was Hawaii.
So, he designed the outside of the house and the landscape to remind him of Hawaii.
People see it in the background of my calls and theyre like, Where are you?
And I say, No I’m just at home in paradise.
Both, but it depends on what I’m making.
Q: Which are you?
I dont want to have to call the people to come and fix it.
Q: Are there any rules around your house that you strictly enforce?
The second time you come home honey, youre at home.
By then, you should know where everything is, go on and get it yourself.
Here are some of the ways she does it.
Q: What are some important lessons youve learned after becoming vegan?
I used to love chicken and burgers and things like that, so I was looking for those replacements.
I ate a lot of processed vegan food.
But as time went on, my body is like, I don’t want that anymore.
So now I look for more whole foods.
I don’t really crave that stuff anymore.
Like the fake meats and stuff.
Q: How much do your Southern roots affect how you create new dishes?
Back in North Carolina, my mom’s meatloaf was one of my favorite things she made.
Oh, she made the best.
I had to figure out how to make meatloaf the way my mom used to, but vegan.
I was so proud of myself.
I was like, Oh my lord.
Q: Whats a go-to recipe for entertaining?
I love to entertain.
They are always a tradition, especially making them around the holidays with my daughters.
But now we call them angel eggs since I made them vegan.
I pickle white mushroom caps so they get a texture like boiled eggs.
Then I stuff the inside with the yolk, which is a seasoned chickpea mash.
And then top them with paprika.
Q: Whats a good tip you give people for eating healthy?
Especially if it’s possible for you to’t understand what the ingredients are.
Look for less-processed food where you dont have to read anything.
You know what a potato is, you know what rice is…etc.
Q: Besides being vegan, how else do you take care of your health?
Im a big juicer.
I venture to incorporate a lot of raw foods in my diet just for health benefits.
And I drink a lot of water.
Just trying to be very intentional about my health.
No one is present anymore.
They’re present in other people’s lives on social media.
People they don’t even know.
