The Sweetest Vegan
Tasha Edwards, MPH
My vegan journey started in the summer of 2009 when, after reading the book Skinny Bitch, I decided to give the vegan lifestyle a chance. I challenged myself to 30 days, succeeded, and lost 10 pounds. That 30 days, solidified my choice to live a vegan lifestyle, but it was not as easy to transition as the 30 days had made it seem.
I would relapse, start over, relapse, start over, relapse, sta . . . .you get the pattern. I had to think to myself, what keeps tripping me up? Fried chicken and dessert. I figured out quickly that it was not the chicken I loved, it was the deep fried – ness and the seasoning. I added a few more spices to my cupboard and bought a deep fryer, and ta-da, I was a vegetarian. Not healthy, but vegetarian. (Update: I loved the deep fryer but we have since parted ways)
Dessert was an entirely different monster. With its butter, milk, eggs, and heavy cream, I knew I would never be vegan if I could not conquer my vegan sweet tooth. One day, during one of my many sugar withdrawals, I mustered up the courage to experiment. I adapted my grandmother’s easy cobbler recipe by replacing the milk with soy milk. And, it worked . . . I wanted more.
I started looking for more recipes that I could make vegan and made my first vegan cheesecake. Then, I started searching for vegan cookbooks and bought what would become my Holy Grail, The Joy of Vegan Baking. With the help of Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, Google, trail and error, product taste test, and bakery reviews, I became The Sweetest Vegan – Vegan Dessert Connoisseur.
On August 2, 2010, I decided to apply my knowledge and love for vegan dessert to create a web show and blog; The Sweetest Vegan. Although Video Blogger was never a result on my career quiz, I have found a future in my love of health, food, and digital media. My audience, The Sweet Vs, is now more than 25,000 strong and growing every day.
Turns out dessert was my vegan road block, but other people get tripped up on junk food, cheese, comfort food, and the like. I am going to help them break their plant based barriers too. Let’s go.
The Sweetest Vegan : )
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I just found you via Twitter and I’m loving your posts.
I just recently eliminated dairy from my diet and my body has never felt better, but I am still on the hunt for great recipes to incorporate in my new lifestyle and your blog has plenty of them. Thanks!!
Your welcome, I’m so happy you found me!
You are so awesome! There are so many recipes I want to try. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Your so welcome. My experiences are your experiences.
I’m new to the vegetarian lifestyle too. Love your blog and recipes!
Thanks so much, I really hope my blog helps you along your journey.
May I have a recipe for frosting and color decoration on baby shower cake? I just didn’t see it after you gave us recipe for cake only. By the way, are you from Michigan? I am from Howell, MI.
Thanks,
Sandy
I am in Michigan, Ann Arbor. The decoration was made with Satin Ice Fondant, but the under layer of buttercream can be found on the site.
I was looking for a vegan lemon cake recipe and came upon your cupcake on Youtube. Fantastic! Thank you for your joy and your great recipes. I look forward to more! Sala
I am so glad you found me!
hi
I like your site i found you via Brown Vegan
I just tried you Coconut Cupcakes. They are perfect! I’ve tried Chef Chloe’s recipe and yours is much better. I can’t wait to try other flavors. By the way, have you used Earth Balance Coconut Spread? I substituted that for the margarine in both the cupcake and icing. It’s fantastic!
I have tried the coconut spread, but I never bought it. That sounds amazing though!
I love your videos – they are just too cute! Lots of helpful information with humor. Keep it comin!
Hi there! Great job! I’m trying the cinnamon rolls, when you heat up the soy milk to melt shortening how hot do you let the milk get…I fear I let it get too hot. Yeast is so hard for me…In Peace
Excellent story! Love your site and can’t wait to try some recipes!
I enjoy watching your various recipes via this blog and youtube. Could you consider doing more of the following recipes:
Raw vegan entrees
More raw vegan desserts
Wheat-free desserts and entrees
Gluten-free desserts and entrees
Lunch and dinner entrees
snacks
Just saw one of your Youtube videos and had to watch more … I LOVE them! Vegan recipes are always great, but you really make them special with your enthusiasm and style
Hey TSV:
I just watched three of your videos on YouTube. Thank you very much for your hard work. The videos were informative and entertaining.
Thanks again,
Ken
Thank you for you great posts and videos!! I am so excited about the fried “chicken” recipe, and can not wait to try it. You need a food network show!
Hello,
I love all of your recipes!
Keep up the good work!
I just love your blog, your tasty recipes & your viedeo’s! You just rock, girl!
They never fail me!
Many greetings from a foodie fan from Belgium!
I went vegan because of reading Skinny Bitch too, I did it with all my 5 sisters actually(all but 1 gave up-she was already veg and organic-and they’re meat eaters now) and I was the second youngest-12. It was hard considering I had to go to school and I wasn’t the smart shopper I am now so I became veggitarrian. But now I am 17 and back on my vegan path as of march and all I can say is thankyou and that you inspire me. It’s nice to have dessert again.
I absolutely love love love all of your video’s. I was super excited to learn one you’re black like me
, two your love for sweets but tweak them to fit a healthy lifestyle and 3 you live in ann arbor just like me yay!!! Keep up the amazing work and you have a fan for life. Tootles!
I’m so glad I found you. I’m trying to stop my pattern of relapsing and go totally vegan. I live in the UK, and I love your recipies, especially the mac and cheese. I am black caribbean / african and I was nervous that I couldn’t replicate my favourite foods in a vegan way, but your website has shown me the light!
I love your channel and the enthusiasm you bring to your videos. I am not a vegan or a vegetarian but your recipes have encouraged me to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet in a creative and tasteful way. Keep up the good work!!!
I just found your you tube page. i can’t wait to make your collard greens ive missed them so much. Thank You!
Oh you are soooo cute and beautiful! I love all of your videos and post. You really are an inspiration.
So glad i found u. Im not vegan yet but def thinkin bout transitioning to healthier diet. Love your blog
You are delightful! I just got your recipe for vegan royal icing and can’t wait to try it out as I want to make sugar cookies this Christmas. Stay well and stay vegan!
My husband and I went vegan for the month of Oct. I stumbled upon your vegan collard greens recipe on youtube and am SO glad I found you! You are wonderful and a delight to watch. I will be trying the greens recipe today and look forward to trying many others. Thank you for promoting healthy and delicious eating. God bless you and much success!
Hurray!! I’m glad I found you.
Your journey sounds similar to mine, except I haven’t even gotten very far at all, and have relapsed alot. :/ But here I go again. 
So happy I found your site.
You are adorable! I just found your posts and I love them! Thank you for being realistic about things like vegan cheese. You are an inspiration – thank you so much for taking the time to do this!
I just watched Forks Over Knives and I was searching for some vegan recipes, just to give it a try. I stumbled on your website and I’m so happy I did! I’m going to try a few recipes and see how it goes. Thanks!
I just discovered you by accident when I was looking for a kale chip recipe. I recently began a vegan diet after watching the documentary Vegucation, and I’ve been struggling to find flavor and variety. I love your web site and will be a frequent visitor there!
Im about to sound like everyone else above me…….Im so, so, so, happy to have been introduced to you by a friend on FB, I watched most of your paula dean Bible cookbook shows and was hooked! How is your Grandfather, has his health improved? I pray for him. I just shared your website with my Noom community, (a socialnetwork,mostly free.It’s for weight loss). I’ve been a part of it since Nov.2012 and have lost 20 pounds and 20 to go, and feel amazing! So, yeah, now on our forum, where we share our highs and lows to losing weight and food addiction or any addiction, because it’s like a support group. I see people on from California to the Northpole (you get what I’m saying). I guess within seconds you’ll get more hits, and I can’t wait to hear from somesweet v’s when I go the the forum section. By the way if you check out this free App(Noom). In the Forums I’m in Food Confessions as (me), God bless you, thank you and continued success!!!
Hey Leslie,
My Grandfather has recovered, but he is still elderly. Thank you for prays.
Tasha
I am so happy that I found your blog. You are an inspiration.
My husband and I just watched Forks over Knives and decided we would become vegan. I’m68 and he is 72. I’m so pleased to have found your website, and videos. Just subscribed on this site after a couple of failed tries from the videos, so I hope it works. You make it look easy and I love your enthusiasm. Keep up the good work.
Here’s hoping I get a video in my inbox in a day or two.
Rena
Love this!! I am not a vegan but I am not eating dairy or soy right now. I just tried one of your cupcake recipes and it is FANTASTIC!!! I too enjoy cooking and eating but due to my daughter’s food allergy, my whole culinary world changed. A vegan friend if mine pointed me in your direction and I am so glad she did.
I’m so glad I found your website! I love it so far and have only read a few posts. I’m going to try your vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting very soon!
I was listening to TJMS and heard you talk about your show. I really wanted to how much stuff you had in your kitchen. Lol. I am wanting to change my life and I am a fan. Sweet!
Miss sweetest vegan, you completely rock. I plan to begin my journey once my obsession of your site calms a bit lol. I am not big on meat…..so I think this would be great for me without converting my carnivourous husband!!
Hi!
I too heard you on the TJMS and decided to look you up. I tried a couple of your recipes and loved it! My husband tried the finished product and came back for more!!! That says a lot about your recipes because he is a true meat eater and tries his best to avoid anything vegan or vegetarian!! Thank you for all you do and keep doing it!!!
You are just the cutest, sweetest thing. I love your videos and your personality. The food recipes are awesome and easy! Great stuff!!! I’m looking forward to seeing more great videos, and trying out more of your great recipes. Keep up the great work!!! Love your smile!!!
So your next project should be…your very own self-published vegan cookbook. I think you are ready!
Thank you so much. I may be ready to make a cookbook, but I really don’t want to. I am a YouTuber. We all have our path.
Please make sure you copywrite your recipes. They are amazing.
I just discovered your blog today and am so excited. I made the corn pudding tonight and it is deelish. I’m looking forward to learning, with your great info., to veganize/make healthier the many traditional American dishes (aka southern, bbq…) that my husband, family & friends love. Next dish will be the creamiest mac n cheese. Your journey sounds like my journey, thank you for your inspiration.
I love every single recipe I have tried from you! I am so happy I found you on youtube! You are always serving up tasty, heartfelt recipes!
Love.Your. Recipes!
I love how down to Earth you are and I’ve tried some of your recips and holyyyyyyyy moly! Mouth watering AND cruelty free! Delicious! Keep it up wonder-woman!
How cute are you? I just baked my first vegan carrot cake and was looking for a frosting recipe – will definitely try yours tomorrow and plan to subscribe! Thanks for putting together a nice site!
I’m a huge fan. I’m a professional by day and an amateur runner the rest of the time. I’m trying to find every possible way to stay healthy and I can’t wait to start trying your recipes.
I’ll be trying them with a South American twist. I’m Guyanese so I love my S.A. flavours.
Stay blessed!
I just found your channel and I am overjoyed! I’ve been wanting to be vegan for quite some time and I wasn’t quite sure where to start. There are costs associated with many sites that I’ve searched. I am glad that you are offering free information. I look forward to making some of the recipes you’ve posted.
I really should be vegan – I’m lactose intolerant and love cheese, a horrible combination – but I’m still trying to be vegetarian! I’ve tried a couple of your delicious recipes and love them. More importantly, my husband (meat and potatoes guy) loves them too. So keep it up and I’ll keep watching your videos and trying your recipes. Great site!
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Hi! I just started watching your YouTube channel a few weeks ago. I was already on a vegan diet for about 2 months but your recipes made things soooo much easier for me. Thanks!
Right here is the right site for anyone who wants to understand this topic.
You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been discussed for
ages. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!