Meet Shafeeqa Small of PlantChicks in City Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shafeeqa Small.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
PlantChicks was birthed out of the need for tasty, medicinal, sexy-plant-based foods to support wellness events. As a Holistic Wellness facilitator/Kemetic Yoga instructor, I create space for people that are looking to heal from the inside out and food is the main source of disease/illness. My sister-friend Karen Boone and I share stories of food, flavor profiles, ethnic cuisine, and poor attempts at vegetarian dining experiences. Our energy attracted several requests for food at art events, children’s programs, and for individuals seeking tasty plant-based cuisine. This passion has always been a personal ministry of sorts. I LOVE feeding people and watching them enjoy their food experience and asking for more. My Southern & Caribbean heritage are both centered around food traditions and growing up a TEXAN means everything is bigger! Our daily family meals were always rich in color, texture, flavor, and fragrant.

We grew gardens annually and fed not just our family, but bartered and gave food to any and everyone. The connection with the earth and respect for all of her beings is all that I know. Many of the friends & family in my circle happily have eaten my “Vegetarian” food for over 20 years and all respond by saying that they are pleasantly surprised by the flavors and satisfaction from natural plants. As “Culinarians” Karen and I have taken this synergy and looked to transfer that connection in every recipe, description, class, and meal created by the ever-expanding conglomerate of Plant-based Consultants. We are grateful to deliver plant-based love to many community organizations, teach Food Science to our youth, and make a statement that truly represents a “Holistic Lifestyle” using food as medicine, culture, and as a social catalyst. PlantChicks is the evolution of social servitude, passion, and some FOODIES sharing our wildest dreams!

Has it been a smooth road?
Since we were answering a need for medicinal/sexy plant-based cuisine for wellness events; the vision was fairly unimpeded. Our greatest challenge has been in establishing our public face, social media leveraging, and bandwidth. PlantChicks is committed to supporting the awareness and education of balanced food relationships and that’s a huge vision. We get calls for food demos/cooking classes, tastings, large & small catering requests that all require creativity locally sourced foods, and time. It’s challenging to educate people that are conditioned to associate with titles, roles, and genres based on their perception of a lifestyle. Each time we share our holistic philosophy by feeding people, then some barriers are taken down. Titles, such as vegan can create perceptions that are associated with both social and political statements. PlantChicks is all arming people with the knowledge, assisting with sourcing good food, and creating “Plant Ambassadors” as a way of life. We welcome the challenge and have been encouraged by growing interest in holistic living as well as the promotion of local food producers that are committed to keeping balance and respect in their practices. Our struggle is in the number of people that we want to reach and teach to “Fish” for a healthy life and love of food!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
PlantChicks is a movement of Culinarians that provide “Plant-Based” food relationship services. We look to feed people medicinal foods that support Eco-friendly/organic practices, taste amazing, and heal holistically mind body, and spirit. Because of our journey’s as collegiate athletes, care-givers, and minority women usually in male-dominated spaces; our sensitivity is to ailments and traumas that plague our world. Preparing tasty plants is a love offering and a form of therapy, so we heal ourselves while healing others. Most foodies are drawn to food experiences that are shaped by either atmosphere (ambiance), sensory stimulation, socializing, and or all of the above. Total satisfaction is what we look to achieve in sharing food as art, culture, medicine, and as a tantric principle. People often are confused by that, but Tantra is the art of finding pleasure in all things, so food is an easy source of pleasure. Knowing that what you eat was thought out with you in mind is satisfying, so add great taste and no side effects to the mix for and that’s our goal. PlantChicks focuses on fresh herbs and spices for aromatherapy, combinations of textures, seeds, grains, and flavor profiles that spark a total sensory experience. We educate people on food combinations, the nutritional values of plants, and where to find affordable food for a lifestyle of holistic and pleasurable food consumption. What sets us apart are the vast and varied partnerships we have garnered through this food journey. PlantChicks considers our vision a driver in the “Love Revolution” that encourages self-care and a return to community. We have a network of local gardens that support our mission by providing organic produce for our clients. When food is donated, it’s used food for our community feeding initiatives like the youth “Plant Ambassador” programs. We’re passionate about our youth sharing plant-based knowledge in their homes & schools to promote healthy food choices. Non GMO, Vegan-safe, natural foods is our standard for creating nutritious and delicious food. Each dish we make for clients is customize for their needs. If you suffer from an ailment, seek to address your mental/emotional self, have food allergies/intolerant, love entertaining, and or just enjoy tasty plants with a sexy twist– then PlantChicks is happy to support!

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
After personally living in San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Kansas City, and being a San Antonio native; I believe Dallas is on fire with growth and the desire to expand culturally. This city has become more tolerant and seeking innovation, diversity, and slowly moving towards a better Eco-awareness. So YES, Dallas is and has proven to be a great city for a business like PlantChicks. We hope to see the city move away from these polarizing titles and practice diversity & inclusion, So many recent documentaries have improved awareness of the food industry in the USA, so we’re grateful for the curiosity of the DFW. Dallas metro is a sprawling and diverse land mass and population with so many food choices. The ratio of Plant-based or “Healthy” options is still dis-proportioned and not as well known. PlantChicks prides ourselves in building a network of Gardeners, Chefs, Foodies, Culinarians, and educators for the promotion and support of similar ventures growing in the DFW market.

Pricing:

• Plant-based Cooking Classes $45 per person
• Lunch and drinks for 4 guest $75
• Plant-based Party Trays $50 (Several options available)
• Gluten-free, Vegan safe bake goods (price depends on quantity)
• 90 minute Food Consulting session for lifestyle transitions plan $75

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.1kemeticyogini.com/plant-based-eating
• Phone: (214) 289-9745
• Email: plantchicks1@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantchicks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plantchicks1/

Image Credit:
Tyler Morgan

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