Chef. Entrepreneur. Wholistic Health Consultant. Partner. Mother. Bastet Ankh Re does it all. She is also the founder and owner, along with her mate, Nigel, of OC Vegan Foods, which serves delicious dishes and desserts from Jamaican, American, and Indian cuisines. Bastet has been a vegan for 15 years.

Tell me about your journey to becoming a vegan chef.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a nurse-midwife. I didn’t plan to become a chef. I just enjoyed preparing foods on my own. I attended school in D.C. and people would always ask me about my dishes, and encourage me to sell them. When I returned to the South, I was inspired to introduce vegan dishes to a region not historically known for healthy food.

What is the philosophy behind OCVegan Foods?

We believe that being vegan is a lifestyle. More than just a way of eating, it incorporates mind, body and spirit. The less a person intakes food made of flesh, the more they will raise their spiritual vibrations. When a person injests food with toxins, their spirit becomes heavy. It has been shown that eating a diet of fruits and vegetables improves concentration and increases energy, which translates to better health.

What advice would you give a person who has made the decision to eat healthier?

I emphasize that this is not just about altering the way you eat, but how you live. Most people, unless they have a very strong will, cannot change their eating habits immediately. I encourage people to transition—cutting beef and pork out of their diet first, then eliminating chicken and turkey. As they progress, I teach them healthy substitutes for substances like white sugar, iodized salt, and cow’s milk.

What has been your experience in raising a vegan family?

I became a vegan at a young age in order to provide a better environment for my future, unborn children. I believe that our children are empty vessels, and it is our obligation as parents to fill them up with precious jewels, which includes nutritious foods. Therefore, they do not have to battle with potential illness and trying to make the transition to healthier foods once they get older, like people in our generation. I have instilled the importance of a healthy lifestyle in all of my children, who have been vegan since birth. I also make sure to surround them with others in the community who understand and support our lifestyle.

For more information on Bastet and OCVegan Foods, check out the website at http://www.ocveganfooddistributors.com or contact her at ocveganfoods@yahoo.com. OCVegan Foods ships its products worldwide.