We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rhea Adkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rhea below.
Hi Rhea , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
When asked…”How did you find your purpose?”
Once we find self, purpose follows shortly after. I’ve always loved to cook and serve others. Never in this lifetime would I imagine it would be what I do now. Owning what I love led me on a bold and courageous journey.
With every opportunity to serve, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be.
Purpose comes with a fight. A fight through generational, rational and practical barriers. In order to see what’s on the other side it took-and takes a profound commitment to God, self and those I’m meant to serve.
Finding purpose meant asking myself the tough questions…”What keeps me going…What makes me thrive and truly feel present?” Truthfully, questions that I struggled to answer in the beginning. Sitting with self has to take precedence over moving and maneuvering through life just because we woke up…
Self reflection invoked my quest for change and my passions pushed me into purpose. Purpose for me came with a great deal of surrender. The surrendering of my ways, my thoughts, my ideas, my timetable but most of all my expectations. Those who know me know I wanted to go to Law School and only God knows how many times I tried to get in! LOL…
Creating moments for unity and inclusiveness through food experiences is a gift I will forever embrace.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I own and operate Vegan It IZ Eats located inside of 2nd Street Market in Downtown Dayton, Ohio. We operate as a vegan food space. Serving Jackfruit or Walnut Tacos, Black Bean Mushroom Burger, Desserts, Custom Drink Blends with a special weekly item. Catering, cooking classes, private dining and corporate team building trainings are also services we provide.
Vegan It IZ Eats was an idea on a drive home from Michigan with my Mother. We came up with a name and a menu before we made it back to Dayton. At this point we were just speaking into the atmosphere, little did I know it would become the start of my new life…The true definition of when passion pushes you into purpose…
In 2018 I participated in the Daniel Fast with my church. For 21 days we excluded meat, dairy, certain flours and sugar from our diets. It wasn’t until then that I realized how the foods we eat truly impact our ability to function. The first things I noticed; an increase in energy and clearer skin…I started creating delicious meals based on the approved list of foods. It allowed me to be creative and in control of the foods I ate.
Shortly after the fast ended we had a health scare with my Mother. The doctors thought she had two different types of cancers…After test results by the grace of God everything came back negative. However, the doctors said she needed to change her diet…I started working with my Mother to create work arounds for some of her favorite meals. While my Mother did not stay vegan, it became my way of life.
I found joy and excitement in creating delicious meals from raw and plant based ingredients…Veganism has expanded largely over the past few years. It’s been like a wave that everyone wants to ride but it’s so much more than the foods we eat or what we wear- it’s about who you are.
My brand not only expands palates beyond the Standard American Diet but it serves as a hub for spreading kindness, goodness and reminding others how valuable they are. It does no good to care more about animal cruelty than we do those we exist in community with…The very people we shop with at the grocery stores…The very people we work with, drive with and interact with on a daily basis… How are you treating them? One does not thrive on veganism because of what they eat or wear but they thrive when their decisions are rooted in compassion not just to self but others.
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A few of my written projects include; Beginner’s Plant Based Jumpstart (Easing into your vegan journey) 2 Devotionals His Masterpiece 31 Days of Devotion and Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is our Banner. All of which can be found on Amazon.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
This is a great question. I would say Faith in God, Determination and Drive. These three fuel me daily…They contribute to my why and they keep me going on the tough days…
Faith in God is key. My faith is what carries me daily, when life is up and when life is down. It’s the driving force behind my creativity and my entire being…
Determination and goal setting is what helps me see my way. If we don’t know what we’re going after then we will find ourselves meandering without any real direction. Being determined to succeed as an example and not a statistic has always been my focal point.
Lastly, drive…Drive allows you to navigate life and purpose even during moments where it’s imperative you rest. Drive is the gear that puts the plan into action and revs up the motion for the momentum.
The best advice I’d give for anyone is to start with what you believe to be true, then build from there. Life is a journey that’s meant to be enjoyed. Live for your right now and take everything else one day at a time.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my Parents did for me was reminding me my life still had meaning.
I’ve been a Mom since my Sophomore year of High School at age 15…One could only imagine the difficulties. I had a few teachers who made me feel like my life was ruined and that my decisions not only embarrassed my family but I’d never bounce back…Forget resiliency…I thought failure and disappointment was all my life would become.
My Senior year in High School, my Son was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy…A time when a diagnosis such as this was unheard of to us…
It was my Parents who loved us through every stage and instilled in me that no matter what I was up against, my life wasn’t over…
Without them, I wouldn’t be the Woman I am today…I wouldn’t be the Mother I am to my children ages 20 and 3…. I wouldn’t be the Friend, Sister and etc… It’s because they refused to let me give up that I’m able to even share in this moment. My life is a testament of faith, resiliency and the strength to overcome.
Thank you Mom and Dad for loving
me boldly, courageously and unconditionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.veganitizeats.com
- Instagram: Vegan It IZ Eats
- Facebook: Vegan It IZ Eats
- Linkedin: Rhea Monee’
Image Credits
N/A
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
