GET TO KNOW ME

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Hi, I'm Shantelle, the creator of Let's Be Vegan. I'm a mother, recipe developer, herbalist, cooking instructor, self-taught food photographer, and the creative force behind everything you see at letsbevegan.com (grammar mistakes included, haha)! Originally from the Southside of Atlanta, I now live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with my son Izzy. He serves as my live-in recipe critic, photography assistant, biggest supporter, and an endless source of entertainment.

 

I stopped eating meat long before it became trendy. At that time, there were very few options available, and they mostly consisted of tofu or soy-based meat alternatives, which I couldn't use after discovering that soy triggers my lifelong battle with eczema. This situation pushed me into the kitchen to create my own recipes and ideas. 

 

People around me were curious about my lifestyle and frequently asked, "If you don't eat meat, what exactly do you eat? Salad?" My favorite was always, "I love food too much to stop eating meat." To respond to this curiosity and to share my own journey, I decided to create Let's Be Vegan, showing how easy it is to incorporate more plant-based foods into our diets.

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WHY I BECAME VEGAN

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I’m a real hippie at heart, and I love nature. I’ve always been fascinated with plants and plant medicine. When I first transitioned to a vegan diet, I didn’t do it for health benefits or because I particularly liked fruits and vegetables; I was actually the girl who ate Popeyes chicken and Dairy Queen Blizzards all the time. However, the more I learned about animal agriculture, the more committed I became to not eating meat. I love animals, and I couldn't stand the cruelty I discovered.

 

As I began to learn more and spend even more time in nature, I started studying herbalism. I learned how to forage for wild food and identify and gather wild herbs to make my own medicine. I would literally pack a supply bag and spend hours getting lost in the woods with my son, collecting wild food and herbs. I felt better than ever, looked better than ever, and felt content with my new lifestyle.

 

The challenges I faced while transitioning my diet stemmed from always focusing on what I could no longer eat instead of embracing all the things I could enjoy. This shift in perspective forced me to be creative with food and share what I was learning along the way.

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MY WORK WITH FOOD

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My journey with food began in childhood. As the oldest sibling, I frequently found myself in the kitchen, as my mother wasn’t much of a cook—sorry, Ma! With limited resources, I had to get creative and make meals exciting for everyone. 

 

Fast forward to my unexpected role as the owner/operator of a soul food restaurant in West Georgia. At the peak of business, I was thrown into the kitchen after losing the head chef. I found myself constantly cooking and developing new recipes, which sparked a true passion for the culinary arts. Although it was one of the most exhausting periods of my life, it deepened my understanding of the intimacy involved in cooking for others.

 

I made it a point to frequently add new items to the menu and would take the time to sit down with customers to gather their feedback. Now, I’m thrilled to connect with people through my website. If I can inspire someone to adopt a vegan lifestyle, reduce meat consumption, or incorporate more plant-based foods into their diet, I feel accomplished.

 

Since launching Let’s Be Vegan, I’ve been fortunate to be featured on TV shows and in magazines. I have traveled the country teaching plant-based cooking and herbalism. It truly has been a dream come true!

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ON A PERSONAL NOTE

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Aside from food, I'm a pretty down-to-earth, cool person. I've been told that I curse too much, but honestly, I just don't care! I love art, and when I'm not spending time in nature, I would spend most of my time in museums if I could. I'm lucky enough to live in Cambridge, MA, which is a small, very pedestrian-friendly, storybook-like town. It is also home to Harvard University, MIT, Lesley University, and is just a quick walk to Berklee School of Music. This means I'm literally within walking distance of some of the most amazing museums in the country, and I visit them often, especially when I need an escape.

 

I also love healing crystals, and they are everywhere in my home. My son has a pretty nice collection too. I'm obsessed with cats, even though I currently don’t have one. I recently got a puppy that we named Rico.

 

Music is super important to me, and I constantly blast music in my home, especially while I work. I love and appreciate all genres and listen to everything. I know some of my neighbors probably think I'm a little nuts when they hear my playlist jump from genre to genre for hours on end. Like everyone else in the world, I believe that I make the best playlists ever! You can find my playlists on iTunes and judge for yourself, but just be warned: I leave no genre behind!