Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Letoiya Clemmons and I am the Lifestyle Blogger for Southern Garden Kitchen & and entrepreneur. I’m a military brat that has landed in the great state of Georgia.
You can find me online here:
Facebook: Southern Garden Kitchen
Instagram: @southerngardenkitchen & letoiya_clemmons
Website: http://www.southerngardenkitchen.wordpress.com
What lead you to veganism? How long ago?
In January 2020, I had the “unction” to go plant-based but I wasn’t mentally ready yet. Fast forward to August if the same year, and my then-husband asked me to do a 30-day vegan challenge with him. I dove in headfirst and never looked back.
When you first went vegan how did you phase out your non-vegan food, clothing and other items?
I have a black or white personality so I phased out of non-vegan foods and other items immediately.
Do you make any exceptions for yourself or if you are married with kids – your family, when it comes to veganism?
I have 3 children. One is a full-blown vegan and the other two will eat what I cook, but I do make allowances for them because I want them to come into this lifestyle on their own.
Do you believe we should show children the process of how animals are turned into meats?
I think that depends on the age and the maturity level of your children. I don’t believe in scare tactics. That can be scarring on their psyche.
What does being vegan mean to you?
To me, veganism is about being pro-active about my health. I don’t currently have any health issues and I don’t want any. I will kill a bug if it is in my home but I won’t step on a bug outside. I still patronize non-vegan companies, just not as often.
Is it every vegan’s duty to become an activist?
I don’t believe it’s every vegan’s duty to become an activist because we all came to this lifestyle for different reasons.
How compassionate or empathetic are you towards non-vegans?
I’m empathetic towards non-vegans. There’s an old saying that states, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I have not “arrived” and it’s not my job to judge others, but to educate them.
Any recommended Vegan books?
I recommend Dr. Bobby Price’s book, “Vegucation Over Medication.” It’s affordable and a good read.
Any recommended social sites, blogs or pages?
The social media accounts I follow are: @tierragoesgreen
@doctorholistic
@badassvegan
@jonny_juicer
@plantbaseddrippin
Do you have a favorite movie or videos or your own media that you want to share?
My favorite documentaries are “What The Health” and “The Gamechangers.”
What’s your favorite Vegan restaurant?
My favorite vegan restaurant hands down is the Slutty Vegan in Atlanta.
Please share your favorite vegan recipe.
My favorite vegan recipe is hard to narrow down, but my go-to is a veggie stuffed sweet potato.
Some encouraging words for new Vegans?
I always encourage new vegans to stay away from negative nancies, don’t compare their journey to others, & always, always, always have some fruit on nuts on hand. If you get caught hungry, you’ll end up in somebody’s drive-thru window.
What is the vegan scene like in your city?
The vegan scene in my city is subpar but if I drive into Atlanta it is definitely growing very quickly.
What personal recommendations can you make for people to meet other vegans?
The best way to meet other vegans is via social media. You can find vegan restaurants and events in your area.
What does living cruelty-free mean to you? Does it extend to the way you as a vegan treat other humans too?
Cruelty-free living to me means treating all living things the way that you would want to be treated.
What are you favorite Vegan non-food products or companies?
My favorite vegan company that is a non-food is Tierra Goes Green. She handmakes and sells skincare and supplements. The skincare will have your skin glowing and body smelling like dessert.
What is the toughest Vegan item to find that you need?
The toughest vegan items for me to find are exotic mushrooms.
Talk about a time when you struggled with your Veganism?
I’ve never really struggled with veganism because once I made up my mind I was locked in for life. The benefits far outweigh the taste of any meat or dairy dish.
I agree about not using scare tactics on your children. While I am not vegan, my teens stumbled upon the Netflix videos themselves and were grossed out and chose not to consume dairy anymore.