Today we’d like to introduce you to Priya Narayanan.
Priya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hey there! My name is Priya and I am the owner, cook (or cooker as my son calls it), stylist, photographer and content creator for everything you see behind Spices ‘N Spoons (SnS). Even though I am a computer engineer by profession (holding a Master’s degree in Computer Science, currently working for a Tech organization HQed in Atlanta), it didn’t take me long to realize that my true passion lies with food and mindful eating. I started SnS as a way to document my journey, transitioning from vegetarian to vegan, along with inspiring anyone to embrace and understand the benefits behind a vegan lifestyle.
Also, as an Indian origin, the love for food and having good food is deeply embedded in my DNA. Those who have eaten my food often say that LOVE is the secret ingredient in what I cook. I have learnt from ancient Indian life sciences that cooking has to be conscious, filled with positive energy and happiness. Personally, cooking for others aligns with my love language – acts of service. It’s nurturing, PURE, thoughtful and mindful.
“SPICES” is the true STAR of any dish and cooking with them is an ART… Understanding the flavor, texture, sizzle, smell, taste, feel. where all five senses come together… The joy of discovering new spices, excitement in bringing them to life, creating dishes bursting with flavors – it RIGHTFULLY represents my style of cooking… “SPOONS” represents the serving, the act of feeding, a selfless gesture that goes way beyond just nourishing your own but also another body and soul. So here I am, two years into my vegan journey and about a year into starting Spices ‘N Spoons where it’s a place beyond recipes, on the internet and outside.
Has it been a smooth road?
Staying motivated without losing your energy and intention is the biggest challenge. Food blogging might seem like an attractive hobby to pursue; but that one picture you see on social media requires hours of hard work in terms of planning, cooking, testing, styling, photographing, editing, writing, sharing, entrepreneur-ing.
As Stephen King rightly said – “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” There are times when you can get lost with social media pressure, negativity, keeping up with expectation (v/s reality), days, when it feels like everyone you meet, is a food blogger and that their work is better than yours. So everyday I remind myself to trust in my uniqueness, the purpose, intentional, measuring growth not by numbers but by the influence I have and to feel GRATEFUL for this journey where FOOD is more than just a meal. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Please tell us about Spices ‘N Spoons.
Spices and Spoons is more than just a recipe blog. What started as a creative outlet/hobby has grown into much larger and purposeful: 200+ flavorful, whole food, plant-based easy to make recipes, cooking videos, pop-ups, partnership with organizations to promote and raise vegan awareness, health/cooking/nutritional tips,vegan travel posts and more.
It’s a place where you can learn about all aspects of choosing a vegan lifestyle – nutrition, animal welfare, and the environmental impacts of factory farming along with learning to cook and eat flavourful food that can spice up your life!! As I often say, it’s hard to take the Indian food lover in me, so I strive to make traditional Indian recipes vegan, everything else Indian!!! You’ll find that a lot of Indian food has many vegetarian options, so it’s a safe bet for vegans quite often if you omit the yogurt and the occasional cheese.
Last year, in Sep 2019, I did my first pop up that was a major success and which gave me motivation and clarity to grow SnS as more than just a recipe feed. Ever since, I have done pop-ups at festivals, food truck parks, private events, etc. as a way to promote Vegan food with Indian flavors. Through SnS, I also partner/collaborate with animal welfare organizations and nutritional groups to promote plant-based whole foods and mindful eating.
I have huge goals for Spices ‘N Spoons, 1 yr, 3 yr, 5 yr and beyond. I am not much of a dreamer when it comes to most things in my life, but I BIG dream for SnS and that’s how I reassure myself that I have found my passion. A cookbook curated cooking events, vegan packed food, advocating plant-based lifestyle and nutrition and even owning a wellness space to rejuvenate your body, belly and soul! It’s a world of endless possibilities.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
It might be surprising for many, but Atlanta is, in fact, the No. 6 city in the whole country for people who maintain a plants-only diet. Fastest growing vegan demographic is African Americans and there is a heightened awareness of food/nutritional benefits marginalized/minority communities. I have been fortunate enough to work with many wonderful vegan entrepreneurs in Atlanta and its a wonderful city to invest and grow meatless lifestyle.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spicesandspoons.com
- Email: contactspicesandspoons@gmail.com
- Instagram: @spices_and_spoons
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