Martha McQuaid - chef and creator behind Sunshine & Bloom  

I've been vegan since January 2000, but my journey wasn’t about fitting into a single category — health, environment, or animal welfare.  It was an internal pull, a deep knowing that guided me to make a change.  I planned to try it for just one month, but as I educated myself, experimented in the kitchen, and listened to my body, it became clear — this was the path for me. 

Within a year, I had transformed our entire household to a vegan lifestyle, recreating all of our family’s favorite dishes — only to hear again and again that the plant-based versions were even better than the originals.  

Cooking has always been a part of me.  I grew up in the kitchen with my southern mama in rural Mississippi, learning the magic of homemade meals.  

Now, in my little Florida beach (inspired) home, I cook six nights a week for my family — because even chefs take Friday nights off!  ;)

~   For me, being vegan is not about perfection.  ~

It’s about awareness, about making mindful choices that align with your values and nourish your body.  

I know that change can feel overwhelming — after all, most of us grew up eating the way we were taught, never questioning it.  

Just remember, every meal is an opportunity.  

An opportunity to choose something better for yourself, for the planet, and for the future.

So what’s on your plate?

If you’re curious, I’d love to show you just how incredible plant-based baking can be.