Hi! I’m Tiffany, child of two Jamaican immigrants although American raised. Welcome to learning more about Ital Eats and Treats and the creator of this space.
I’m a self taught plant-based chef and grew up with a passion for cooking. Every week, my mom would prepare classic Jamaican meals such as brown stew chicken, curry goat, oxtail and many other meals that are clearly not vegan. My transition to a plant-based diet began when I was a junior in high school and I started to learn more about the cruel animal industry in the USA. I started off my journey as a pescatarian then slowly took animal products out of my diet until I was able to become fully plant-based. 3 years later, I have been fully vegan and not only do I feel better physically, my mind is a lot more clear.
My cultural Plant Based Journey
There is a saying in Jamaica that goes, “eat dead, ya dead”! Dead flesh goes into cemeteries, not the bodies of Gods and Goddesses. Although my journey started off solely to save the animals (and part of my reasoning still is), I now remain on my strict vegan diet to honor my body as a temple. After reading from great Afrikan elders such as Queen Afua, Dr Sebi, and Liali Afrika, I learned more about how badly animal products affect our bodies and I want to keep my temple as pure as possible.
In the beginning of my plant based journey, I struggled a lot as my mom cooked for me primarily (I was in high school) and she oftentimes only knew how to cook beans and cheese.
Much love and appreciation was given to my dear mama for the meals she cooked in my early journey but I was craving new and different meals! Once I started to cook for myself and attempt to veganise the Jamaican dishes I loved to eat while growing up, my love for cooking increased.
Cooking became a free therapy for me; I would put on some music or simply listen to the light aesthetic of the chopping knife sounds or boiling sauce. Making familiar dishes such as and other dishes I’ve never tried before like Now I create new and delicious recipes every week to provide a healthier lifestyle for myself and also attempt to become a full time food blogger!
Of course the journey to veganism was a struggle in the beginning which is why I wanted to start this blog to show people just how easy it is to cook simple vegan meals if the right mindset is obtained. Want to view my creations? check them out here.
My Background
My kin always knew I was special because not only am I the only vegan in my family, I also did not go to college! After 12 years of school and studying topics I was not fully interested in, I decided it was time to take a break. The goal was to make enough money to travel the world as much as I pleased.
I wanted to give the world a chance to teach me as opposed to someone with a degree. Since graduating high school (I’m currently 21), I have visited over 10 countries and territories including Jamaica, Hawaii, U.S Virgin Islands, Tanzania, Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, United Kingdom, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Saint Lucia. Oh, did I mention I explored all of these places by myself? I enjoy sharing plant based recipes on my YouTube channel Ital Eats and Treats as well as my digital nomadic travel lifestyle.
Why “Ital” eats and treats? Are you Italian?
Haha no, I have no heritage coming from the southern european mediterranean region, it strictly Caribbean roots up in here. The word Ital actually comes from the Rastafarian community. Most of the rastas in the Caribbean follow a plant-based diet and eat and grow their own food. Ital simply comes from the word vital, plant foods are filled with vital and necessary nutrients that our body needs. Everything is irie (and vegan) here! I plan on sharing veganized Jamaican meals but also dishes from all around the world.
My goal is to show other people how capable it is to live the life of your dreams. This blog will obviously offer vegan recipes but also how to make money online, lifestyle content, digital nomadism, and traveling around the world as a solo Black woman.
Why I started a blog: Ital Eats and Treats
There are many reasons as to why I started this food blog. First is to share my plant based creations with people. I’ve always had a love for cooking. When I became more conscious about my health journey, I became obsessed with creating new delicious recipes.
My mom always told me that I needed to create a cookbook. She pressed me to focus more on developing my presence of sharing my food but I never took it seriously. I always had doubts and fear in the back of my mind. The doubt festered until one day I said enough was enough and decided to start sharing my creations.
Apart from vegan food, one of my other dear loves is traveling the world. As a young Black woman, we are not represented or seen nearly enough in the travel community. Being able to represent even a little bit for those who look like me is so important. I started my first solo trip to Los Angeles when I was only 18 years old. Attempting to find proper and relatable resources was extremely hard for me. Now that I’m older and wiser, travel has become easier. My passions and dreams turned into reality. I’m finally doing what I want to do- share my stories and create a blog.
