In this episode, we chat with vegan chef and author Timothy Pakron, in the wake of releasing his latest cookbook Mississippi Vegan. If you are veg-curious and love southern-inspired food, Mississippi Vegan is the only cookbook you need. Fried pickles, tofu po’ boy, gumbo!? Oh my! You’ll also love all of the tips he provides for honing your skills a a home chef. My favorite detail from this chat was noticing Tim’s talent for describing exactly what he wants in his life, with elegant sensory detail. His approach to living his best life is to surround himself by beautiful, meaningful things. What experiences do you envision for your life? What do those experiences look like, taste like, smell like? Topics The evolution of ingredients in southern cuisine and the undercurrent of plant-based living in southern cooking. Why southerners are embracing their roots and refocusing on the importance of buying from local farmer’s markets and home garden grown produce. The basics of foraging and how beginners can get started. “Vegan” vs. “plant-based” … defining the difference and discussing label use. The importance of keeping an organized, beautiful kitchen as a home chef and food photographer. Envisioning your dream life and making it a reality. Practical tips for beginner gardeners! “In Mississippi Vegan, Timothy Pakron invites you to explore the vibrant tradition of plant-based cooking that exists within Southern cuisine. Inspired by the landscape and flavors he grew up with on the Mississippi gulf coast, as well as his passion for healthy and sustainable ingredients, Pakron offers 125 approachable recipes rooted in Cajun, Creole, and Southern food, along with essential tips for creating vegan dishes with deep flavor. From classic gumbos and savory rice dishes, to biscuits and pecan pralines, these reinvented Southern dishes will become favorites in your kitchen. Filled with evocative storytelling and photography on every page, Mississippi Vegan is a celebration of eating beautiful food and cooking from the heart.” - Mississippivegan.com http://www.mississippivegan.com Mississippi Vegan Cookbook on Amazon Mississippi Vegan on Instagram Listen to the Kind Kitchn Podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kindkitchn/message

Annie Oswald, a Charleston-based chef, “cookie dealer” and amateur MMA fighter, has created an insanely delicious line of vegan and gluten-free granola, cookies and cheesecakes appropriately named Annie O Love Granola. A newly realized flood of creativity to create a conscious business has not come without a cost. Annie’s experience with with drug and alcohol addiction is what she describes as a gift, without which she wouldn’t be able to live her current life in full color, creative expression and spiritual peace. She teaches us through her beautiful journey that suffering is always met with equal love, for those willing to take a deeper look within themselves. “You were perfect the day you were born. Life’s struggles, fears, and the need to fit into society’s constraints can make you lose that — and if you have, remember what brought you joy as a child, do those things. She’s still there with open arms, waiting for you.” - Annie Oswald Check out Annie’s product line by visiting www.annieolovegranola.com or follow Annie on Instagram or Facebook. Topics The cost of eating out, an insider’s perspective to the restaurant industry The inherent nature of addiction and Annie’s personal path to healing Annie’s take on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle and how someone that is “veg-curious” might take small steps to try it on for size A breakdown of Annie’s amazing products and insight into her creative process Annie’s perspective for those “stuck” in their careers, relationships or health -- how can we begin taking small steps to live our best life? SHOW NOTES Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol, by Ruby Warrington What is Sober Curious?  Sunday Brunch Farmer’s Market, Charleston SC Charleston Farmer’s Market, Marion Square Charleston SC Listen to the Kind Kitchn Podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kindkitchn/message

Rebecca healed herself of an autoimmune disease with a whole food, plant-based diet. Now she's passionate about helping other achieve their best health through her nutrition coaching services.  Topics What is this plant-based diet everyone's talking about and why is it special? How does eating a plant-based diet impact the environment and the animal agriculture industry? What are simple small steps one could take to give this lifestyle a try? Follow Rebecca on Instagram or through her website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kindkitchn/message