Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself ...

Hi, I’m Melissa — and I’m so glad you’re here. Have you ever had to start over, to rebuild from the ashes of something you once loved, wondering what could be saved? I’ve been there. This is my quiet return — a space to rediscover creativity, connection, and myself. A humble, hopeful new beginning.

Somewhere under the Tuscan sun with the Getway Co.

I started this journey long before “food blogging” or “influencing” were things—back in the early Tumblr days when being vegan still meant “hippie,” not “hip.” The vegan scene in San Diego was just beginning to bloom, and as a lifelong vegetarian inspired by the documentary Earthlings, I felt ready to be part of that shift.

In 2009, during a time of personal transition, I found healing in the kitchen. I joined a CSA, began experimenting with new ingredients, and shared my creations online under the name Vegenista. My little blog grew into a creative outlet that connected me with the local vegan community, brands, restaurants, and readers around the world. It gave me purpose, friendship, and a sense of belonging.

Then life shifted again. Between heartbreak, graduate school, and career changes, the blog fell silent. In 2019, I let it go completely—deleting everything in an effort to move on. But as the years passed, I realized how much I missed that part of myself.

A 2022 trip to Italy reignited something in me. Surrounded by vibrant vegan food and inspiring people, I remembered why I began in the first place. I recovered fragments of my old site, revisited recipes and photos, and decided to start anew.

This space is my fresh beginning—a blend of old and new, inspired by compassion, connection, and creativity. I’m not a perfect vegan (is anyone?), but I strive to live consciously, eat mindfully, and make sustainable, ethical choices. As Colleen Patrick-Goudreau says, “Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything. Do something. Anything.”

That’s the spirit behind this space. Progress, not perfection. A life of balance, kindness, and authenticity. All are welcome here.