Edible Endeavors

Prosper Me! Networking Mixer

2010-03-10T14:20:00.006-05:00

This past Saturday I had the great pleasure of meeting with a wonderful group of entrepreneurial minded individuals such as myself and it was an inspirational & motivational experience! Thanks, Prosper, for allowing me to experience the power of this level of fellowshipping! Hopefully soon I'll co-host a Prosper Me! Party and share the possibilities with others! I'll keep you posted!

uuuuhhhhh....

2010-03-06T06:53:00.003-05:00

SOMEBODY needs to help me understand why it's five minutes to 7 (yes, in the morning), I haven't been to sleep yet, I'm on my THIRD Yudu emulsion screen attempt AND I have to be up in 35 minutes to prepare for this event?!?

Might as well go ahead and finish up solid. I guess I'll see if this attempt works, print a few tee's and look crazy until I'm able to get back in the house this afternoon and catch a few moments of sleep.

I think I may need an intervention.

Yudu.. and so I do.....

2010-03-06T03:26:00.003-05:00

Ok, so it's been a while since I posted but I have GOOD reason! So much has transpired and we will definately get into all of my ongoings but right now let's get to the point. I made a promise that I intend to stick to (much like my "resolution" to lose 30 pounds this year), to make this blog my outlet so here I am. I am a firm believer in failure being when you stop trying, even if you start over 24 times a day - don't give up!

The point of this post is the Yudu machine. I know it's not new to a lot of "seasoned" crafters but for me - it's just come into my life in the last month or so. I learned about the machine one night, about 3:00 in the morning while I was up sleep-cooking or creating a recipe or something of the sort, when I saw the infomercial. I was dumb-founded! The people were smiling and laughing and creating BEAUTIFUL images onto shirts, paper bags, cards, etc and I wanted one. NOW! But I know it's hard to resist grabbing the credit card when you're half asleep but I did. I texted my girlfriend later that morning and told her of my new-found revelation! She told me to go to sleep and talk to her later.... Needless to say, it remained in my subconscious for the next 2 weeks.

I knew I was going to get it but I needed it to be on sale, locally. For those of you that know me, understand. If I need to take it back I don't want hassle, returned shipping fees, a 30 day wait for it to post back onto my credit card, yadda yadda. It FINALLY went back on sale at Joann's last week! I was stoked but there were only TWO left at Joann's in the ENTIRE Metro Atlanta area! Y'all know I wanted it even more now! I called the store that had them (Alpharetta, at that!) and bought it over the phone. I drove the 45 minutes from my home to get it, brought it home and looked at it for 2 days. You know what it's like to get what you want and not know what to do with it...uuummm hummm, and we're not talking about the Yudu at this point.

So, on the eve of the second day, my same girlfriend came over to see if we could tackle it. NOT! We ended up ruining the two emulsion sheets that come with it and were stuck. No one had the replacements. I called Michaels, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, the dude down the street... Everyone was sold out! I couldn't buy it if I wanted to! This went on since TUESDAY, folks! It's Friday (well, actually Saturday, now)! I had to find an alternative. I searched the internet and found Yudu screen emulsion alternatives and I'll have to admit- I was a bit intimidated by what they were telling me to do and thus intrigued me to delve deeper.

I had to FIND and MIX emulsion (which I thought was only mayonnaise), apply it to my Yudu screen with an emulsion coater and then take the Yudu process from there. Are you kidding? I guess we never know what we're able to do until we are required to do so.

In the last 24 hours, I've learned to do much more screen printing techniques that I would have EVER imagined! I’m so YouTubed out that I don’t know what to do! I have now mixed the emulsion, applied it to the screen, burned my image and am now waiting on the screen to dry so I can FINALLY print my logo on my t-shirts & boxes for my event tomorrow and it’s 4:00 a.m…. WHEW! I'm excited but exhausted. I'm in it for the long haul so I'll be blogging again as soon as I get a good print. But if I don't....

Pray for me, folks.

Collards, Cabbage & chicken.... whew!

2010-01-18T00:17:00.003-05:00

Ever wondered what 125 pounds of collard greens, cabbage and 40 pounds of chicken look like? Me, either but I sure found out today! WOW! Such a chore ahead of me but it's for a such a great cause! Cleaning and cooking for me but I'm glad that I've been appointed such a task! Want to come clean some greens with me? Come on, I'd welcome the help!!!!!

Ok, so what now!?!

2010-01-16T23:03:00.004-05:00

Wow! The initial auditions are done! It was today at the Viking Cooking School, here in Atlanta and I made it, by the skin of my teeth and my Lord's Favor, because of course I didn't leave the house until the last LAST possible moment and it was raining cat, dogs and small horses. They actually LIKED my dishes; I didn't do the broiled chicken, though. It came out well, good flavor but it just didn't do it for me visually so I decided to do an Herb Crusted Pork Loin with a Chocolate Port Wine Reduction, Braised Balsamic Kale & Chived Sweet Potatoes... that was a mouthful figuratively & literally! I had a great time; definitely a life-changing moment and I got the validation that I didn't realize I was seeking. I'm on to the next round, folks! I'm going to keep praying, be myself and take it all in stride. Thank you, Lord for making it all possible.

For all the people I was SUPPOSED to email today for numerous reasons, forgive me. I'll make it up in the A.M.

Much love,

ShaVonne

It's already January 14th! Wow!

2010-01-14T12:47:00.003-05:00

Two weeks down and a little more than two weeks left to go in January 2010.Somebody has me on fast forward and I did NOT co-sign to that arrangement! But, even so, it makes me think- what were my goals at the beginning of the year? What have I already forgotten? Did I really “write my vision and made it plain”? Time is of the essence and it was never promised to anyone. I've vowed to not let another year go by without keeping my commitments to myself, my life, my body and to others (maybe even in that order!). I've realized that everyday is a new day to start over and even when I screw up- tomorrow is still a new day! While I can’t get a “re-do” for yesterday, I don’t have to continue to beat myself up over not doing enough, doing too much…yadda, yadda, yadda (you know how we do). My only failure would be in giving up- everything else is a well earned experience. Get it going, find your motivation and keep it on the forefront of your mind! If you don't do it for you, who will?

Ok, so that's my little nugget of insight for the day... but really, have you ever embarked on an idea and was completely at peace with it? No, me either. Not even with this endeavor. Until now! I am SO good with my decision to throw myself head-first into my passion and I pray that my God keeps me in favor and in high spirits to continue doing my work so I can continue to do his!

Life is short, decisions are hard, ignorance is easy but finding purpose is profound.

Yeah, I kinda feel like Confucius now but I hope someone got a message from my outpouring. Onward and upwards.... I'll post about this whole chicken audition menu later. I'm off to the kitchen!

I've posted tonight but this is SOOO worth re-posting for!

2010-01-13T23:25:00.001-05:00

Homeless Soup Drive
02/06/10

As we embark on the beginning of a new year, many of us reflect on the impact of our personal presence, not only on our immediate families, but also on those that we may touch briefly only in passing or even of those that we pause on in our heads as a thought from time to time. We make resolutions… we break resolutions, but we all know that change, at some level, is necessary.

For me, there will be no resolutions, only goals to accomplish this year. One of the goals that I am committed to achieve is to give more than I take – starting with those in need and those less fortunate than I. Most of us understand the devastation and hardship caused by this recent snow storm and we, as everyday individuals, can’t envision being in the cold for more than a few minutes without a coat, never-the-less sleeping in that same weather, without even so much as a pair of shoes! With that insight, I‘m starting early for 2010 and I fully intend for the gift of giving to be a constant and impactful one.

How can you help?

I’m committed to providing a Soup & Crackers meal to at least 500 homeless individuals on February 6th, 2010 at the Homeless Shelter on Pine & Courtland in Atlanta and I can’t do it alone! I’m asking for donations of time, money and soup ingredients to make sure we can pull this off.

For those that have helped me with prior food drives, you understand the importance of “bodies” in the preparation of the food and more importantly, “bodies” at the shelter during the food delivery. Our service is important but safety is paramount! Anyone that can be there, please do! Besides by just knowing that your efforts are making a difference, actually seeing the gratitude and appreciation is life-changing!

If you can’t provide the gift of time, you can still help in other ways! We will be accepting non-perishable food item donations at the Mailbox Etc/UPS Store on W. Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta between the hours of 8am-7pm or Get Nailed! Nail Salon on Austell Road, near the East/West Connector in Austell, between the hours of 10am-7pm until February 5th. See the list below for items that can be accepted at the drop off location.

Contributable Ingredients List:

 Cartons or cans of Chicken or Vegetable broth
 Packages of medium or large Egg Noodles
 Canned Chicken
 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
 Saltine Crackers
 Canned Carrots
 Canned Beans (any type)
 Ziploc ColorSeal sandwich bags (or other brand “zip seal” sandwich bags)

And, of course, money always helps! Monetary donations can be made via an online donation by going to www.PayPal.com, click on “Send Money” and put in my email address of Shavonne@EdibleEndeavors.com (the purchase is for “Services”) and place your donation! Every ¢ent helps!

Any donations received after February 6th will be used towards future Food Drives to be held again later in the month and the months to follow so keep an eye out for upcoming Drive dates.

Suggestions? I’m open! Please, email me at Shavonne@EdibleEndeavors.com! Questions? Call me directly at 678.472.6892.

Thanks for your continued Support!!!

Time is winding down!

2010-01-13T23:11:00.002-05:00

Ok, it's the week of the reality show cooking contest and I'm a bit flustered but still yet confident in my skills and who I am. I'm taking this day by day, relying on my friends and family to guide me in the right direction. I think I've finally settled on a meal for the audition - Rosemary Chicken Quarters, Braised Balsamic Kale & Chived Sweet Potatoes w/Streusel Topping. I want to stay true to my Southern roots but still put my "gourmet" twist on it. That's AS OF TODAY! Now, tomorrow may be a different story but I think that's it! I'm testing my recipes this week (whomever is hungry and don't mind eating my samples, give me a buzz- I have MUCH TOO MUCH to eat over here!) and making sure all is in line so keep me in prayer, good people!

I'll post pictures this week and definitely update you on the actual audition, no matter how it goes. It's all a learning curve and the experience is worth it! Success is a ladder that cannot be climbed with your hands in your pockets - trust me, I'm grasping on to every rung in front of me!

Have a GREAT night, folks!

In love & with a full belly....

ShaVonne

They Like Me.... They Really Like Me!

2009-12-17T23:30:00.003-05:00

Ok- I got the ok to audition for the MasterChef Reality Show in January! God is SOOOOOO good! Now... time to figure out my meal strategy! Please, please, please, if you've EVER eaten ANYTHING from ShaVonne, let me know what you enyoy, what you didn't and what you think I should display as my signature dish. Lord knows I need help and much prayer! My experience in this culinary endeavor definitely shows me that persistence and belief in self is bigger than talent, skill and/or the word of the naysayers. It's been only my God that has walked me and KEPT me while I try to figure this thing out. If He is for me, who can be against me? I've claimed and proclaimed it! It is mine!

Shoot me an email and let me know your thoughts. Thanks all & keep me in prayer!

Night all!

ShaVonne

Biscuts at 5:30 a.m... I must have been "sleep baking..."

2009-12-17T12:12:00.003-05:00

Ok, even though I think I was slightly delirious, I have FINALLY and successfully made good, flakey, fluffy biscuits from scratch!!! Lord knows I've been trying forever and they always have come out like little play-dough discs or dry doggie treats! I added my own spin to a Paula Dean recipe, remixed the time and temperature and I think I've got it down packed! I'll be trying them again in the a.m. with my homemade orange-ginger marmalade. So good!

December 17, 2009

2009-12-17T02:25:00.005-05:00

OK- So I've had this blog for over six months and I've yet to post anything - not even a recipe- so I have a LOT of catching up to do!

For those of you that are just finding your way to m y site, I'm ShaVonne. I own and operate Edible Endeavors, a business that provides a myriad of culinary based services, from personal chef services, small event catering, interactive dinner parties and even instructional cooking classes.

I've chosen today to finally start writing my blog because I have SO much going on that I felt a need to put it into words and hopefully I can figure it out in my mind and make it make sense in text, as well.

For any that know me, they understand - in part anyway- with my addiction and passion for all things food. They also know that my 9-5 job is NOT creating the positive energy flow I need to continue to be happy and creative so I'm on a quest to be successful in a field of MY choosing.

I know this has probably been blogged on 90 million times since the movie aired but I'm seriously considering taking the Julie & Julia cookbook challenge! It was an amazingly insightful movie and I can only image the original blogger going through the book, along with all the frustrations and victories that come along with preparing a dish for the first time. I'll see if I get the book & the movie from my babes for Christmas before I buy it myself. If I get them then I may start my challenge with the turn of the New Year. I'm excited!

Now, on another note...I've been given the opportunity, even though the Lord knows I don't always feel like I deserve it- to be the proprietor of my own mobile food unit at a very reasonable cost and on an owner financed payment plan (Thank You, Lord once again!) At this stage in the game I'm trying to figure out Cobb County permits, rules & regulations of mobile cooking, menus, inventory requirements, yada yadda yadda an this is proving to be a very challenging task. Keep tuned in on the life & times of the Edible Endeavors Mobile Food Unit escapades. Hopefully there will be more answers than questions but we'll see..

So... today I came upon a casting call seeking "kitchen taught" cooks to be on a culinary training show led by GORDON RAMSEY himself! I'm so excited! I sent my interest email tonight and I'll be doing my audition video this weekend but now the question is what do I prepare?! I have to prepare, plate and serve a signature dish that speaks of me personally and I'm at a loss! I think I'll conduct a pole to see what others think. I want to do a "kicked-up" southern dish on a bed of rice (of some sort) but I don't want to be typical. If there are suggestions floating in the world wide web atmosphere, please get them to me! I'd love to hear them!

I'm making it a point to post consistently and give an accurate (as I can muster) account of my endeavors so stick with me! It's going to be interesting!

Night all!

New Look & Feel - EdibleEndeavors.com

2009-04-01T10:27:00.004-04:00

We are so excited about the new look and feel of our website -- EdibleEndeavors.com. Please feel free to browse our website and explore the world of having your own personal caterer and chef.