PlantEd by the Bay introduces Charley Pena, the founder, owner and operator of Sun Sweetened Vegan. Ms Pena is a member of PETA. She is a supporter of our local animal shelters and an advocate for the Surfrider Foundation. Sun Sweetened Vegan is the vehicle by which Charley promotes a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. We welcome Charley to PBnJ. In this interview, Charley shares her personal journey from ecological awareness to adaptive response which lead her to her brain child, the Sun Sweetened Vegan.
Q: Whole food, plant-based (WFPB) nutrition has the power to prevent, treat and in some cases actually reverse disease. Living WFPB improves the health of us, as individuals, as well as the health of the plant. What does this mean to you?
Plants provide the purest form of energy and nutrients available. Consuming primarily a plant based diet will lead to large amounts of nutrients, vitamins and energy. This improves all aspects of life, including medical conditions.
Q: What type of business do you own and what services do you offer?
I am the owner of Sun Sweetened Vegan, a 100% plastic free, vegan food delivery service. I provide homemade, nourishing meals and treats to the Coastal Bend!
Q: What inspired you to become involved in cooking vegan dishes?
When I was 19 years old, I decided to convert a van into a home on wheels to travel the US. During my travels, I had more time to think about things I had never thought about before, such as: my diet and waste. Living in a van forces you to have a small footprint because there is no room for trash. Zero waste and plant-based lifestyles go hand-in-hand, so of course that was the next step. I grew up lactose intolerant and always felt red meat was too heavy, so I was already halfway there! I was also extremely inspired by many other travelers who I met along the way who where plant-based. When I return home to Corpus Christi, I quickly realized what little options there were when it came to plant-based food. So, I decided to do something about that! That was how Sun Sweetened Vegan was born.
Q: Looking back at the time you have spent creating recipes and building your business, what are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the fact that I continue to keep my food plastic free. Most people use plastic for the convenience. It was difficult to find perfect alternatives for plastic, but I never gave up and I will continue to be plastic free. I also take pride in the fact that all my produce is locally sourced and never from a grocery store.
Q: What is your biggest challenge in your business and how did you overcome that?
My biggest challenge, so far, has honestly been all the criticism I get for choosing a plant-based lifestyle. So many people are so against it. It is so hard for me to see people eating meat without saying something and trying to convince them to make the switch. With the support of the community, and my amazing partner, I power through the negativity and remember the reasons why I do what I do. It is not only for me, but for the animals and the planet.
Q: Where do you see your business in two years?
My dream is to have store front locations on beaches all over the USA and Hawaii!
Q: What is your favorite meal to cook and why?
I absolutely love to make bowls: the possibilities and combinations are endless!
Q: Successfully adapting a business is always a challenge, and doing so in a crisis on short notice requires much thought, flexibility and creativity. How have you adapted your business during Covid-19?
I actually didn’t start my business until the Covid-19 began. Before this time, I was cleaning sailboats and houses and had to stop working for the sake of my health. I needed to find a way to make money during the crisis. So, I started with a stand mixer and began selling vegan cookies. The cookies were a success and this quickly escalated and grew into a full time vegan kitchen business!
Q: What are some ways clients can support you during this time?
Clients can support Sun Sweetened Vegan by sharing on social media, leaving reviews and, of course, ordering some of my amazing treats!
Q: What is your number one piece of advice for individuals trying to transition to WFPB eating?
My number one piece of advice for people wanting to transition to a plant-based lifestyle is to keep it fun and do not view it as a punishment. I like to say “Eat the Rainbow” and try to incorporate as many colors as you can into each meal!
Thank you Charley for sharing your story and unique talents with our readers. We appreciate your eco-friendly, plastic free efforts and look forward to your creative and tasty plant-based meals. PBnJ strives to promote whole-food, plant-based lifestyle for our community through our resources. It is our mission to incorporate the practical knowledge of community members, like our interviewees, in our journey for stronger, healthier and sustainable living.
Check out Sun Sweetened Vegan for satisfying, tasty plant based, vegan meals and treats. We are adding to our WFPB living resources, one post at a time, PlantEd by the Bay!
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