Why did you become vegan?   

I became vegan at first to tackle weight gain and to gain control of my health, but since then my mentality has changed and although it is still for health reasons, it has a lot to do with animal rights and the health of the planet we live on.

Why did you become vegan?  I became vegan at first to tackle weight gain and to gain control of my health, but since then my mentality has changed and although it is still for health reasons, it has a lot to do with animal rights and the health of the planet we live on.

How was your transition?  It wasn’t easy due to a lot of detox symptoms, but it was definitely worth it because now I feel a million times better.

What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans?    A misconception that I hear a lot of is that vegan food is tasteless and boring. This has to be the furthest from the truth though because there are so many different fruit, vegetables, and plants that you can use to create delicious food such as burgers, lasagnas, pastas, desserts and more.

What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan?

My favorite thing about being vegan is that every time I eat something I know that I am not harming my body, any animals, or the environment in the process

What Do you think makes a Bad Ass Vegan?  Anyone who is open minded to the vegan lifestyle ,tries it out and continues with the vegan lifestyle is a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan.

What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen?   

I love making raw vegan chilli. It is savory, delicious and quite filling,

Equipment :

Blender (vitamix)

Food Processor

Ingredients

1 large bunch curly kale

4 large tomatoes

2 avocados

1 medium sized carrot

2 red bell peppers (one diced)

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes

½ cup dates

1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)

3 roma tomatoes (diced)

1 yellow bell pepper (diced)

Juice of one lemon

2tsp cumin

3tsp chilli powder

2tsp Himalayan salt

2 garlic cloves

Step 1.) We are going to tear the kale away from stems and into bite sized pieces. Place into a large mixing bowl.

Step 2.) Prepare a dressing for this kale by blending one avocado, the juice of one lemon, 1 garlic clove and 2 tsp Himalayan salt until very smooth.

Step 3.) Pour this dressing over the kale and massage it in into the kale leave for about a minute or until the kale has softened up a bit.

Step 4.) Add halved cherry tomatoes, diced roma tomatoes, diced yellow pepper, diced red pepper or any other mix in you might like to the bowl with the massaged kale. You can set this bowl aside for now.

Step 6)   Make the sweet part of the chili base by adding ½ cup sundried tomatoes, ½ cup dates, and 3 tsp cumin to a food processor. Process this mixture until a ball starts to form. Then add 1 carrot and one whole chopped red bell pepper to this sticky mixture. Process again until the mixture resembles a smooth but chunky red sauce. Place completed mixture into a separate large mixing bowl than the kale.

Step 7) Make the savory part of the chili base by blending the 4 large tomatoes, with the chili powder, 1 clove garlic, cayenne pepper, salt to taste, and   ½ cup sundried tomatoes ( you may need to add more depending on how thick you would like your chili). Blend this until very smooth.

Step 8.) Pour the savory base over the sweet chili base and stir the two together to form one chili base.

Step 9.) Pour the finished chili base onto the massaged kale and the mix-ins and stir together

Step 10.) Top with more diced tomatoes and cubed avocado.

Step 11.) Warm in the dehydrator (optional)

What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at?   Luna’s Living Kitchen in Charlotte, NC is currently my favorite vegan restaurant.

What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle?   My advice for anyone who is thinking about transitioning is:

1.) Know that it is not going to be easy at first but still push through.

2.) Fruit is your friend. Eat a lot of it.

3.) Make sure to always always always stay stocked up on food and that you keep some with you at all times so you will never be tempted to run to something that is not vegan or unhealthy.

Do you have a website to share with the BAV nation?   RawandRadiant.com is my website which has recipes, more about my story, and some other interviews I have done.