Meet Udenie Wickramasinghe | Vegan/vegetarian cook

We had the good fortune of connecting with Udenie Wickramasinghe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Udenie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I grew up in a traditional culture with set values, no one ever questioned anything! Being a woman in such a culture had put me off balance because my mind always questioned everything I felt. I had to seek approval from everyone even when I wanted to wear anything I liked. I was scared of being judged all the time based on my gender..this made me question everything around me and it was heavily in my mind when I immigrated to America. Suddenly, I could say things like “I am sad” “I deserve better” “I am able”. If I ever wanted better for myself I had to do something I have never done. The best thing I have ever done to myself was accept all the faults in me, question my purpose and wanted to do better..it was the riskiest thing I have ever done! Going inward without seeking protection from outward. When you really think about it, everything we do in life is a risk..sometimes we win, sometimes we don’t.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a private vegetarian cook and am currently working on my own organic spice brand. When 2020 took a toll on most of us, my life wasn’t any different. I lost my job I loved so much due to restaurant closing and was out of work for at least another three months. I was glad to have sometime off as my two kids were doing online school. I planted a garden, took walks, read books till dawn. Once all that was done, I wanted to offer my services as a private chef, any work was ok honestly! I just needed something to do. That’s how Mindful Eats was born. I was hired by a family in town to make healthy weekly meals. I’d never done anything like that before and I had to be creative every week. Suddenly I was making all kinds of meals, it was inspiring! I wasn’t cooking a set menu as I used to do at the restaurant. I was nervous to be self-employed but I knew that feeling was normal. I was scared of this new challenge but I knew nothing will stay the same, life is fluid so as challenges..I worked hard as much as I could because that’s how you achieve anything. If it doesn’t scare me enough, makes me nervous to the point I have to bite my nails, it’s too easy! and I knew in order to push myself to achieve anything, I should feel that discomfort. I am focusing on teaching people to eat more vegetables, not just salads only. Cooked vegetables are irresistible. And people should not judge vegetarian food just because they don’t know anything about it or never had good vegetarian dishes. So breaking down such mental boundaries is what Mindful Eats does.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Miami is full of fun places to visit. You don’t really have to drive far to get to a nicer beach, restaurants in Coconut Grove are charming and brimming with life. I love pasta at Lulu’s. A drive through in Coral Gables is such a treat! Tree lined streets, Spanish architecture, the Venetian Pool, a tour in Historic homes, a quick bite and a movie in Miracle Mile, a picnic at Viscaya Gardens or The Fairchild Botanical Garden…romantic outing at the Barnacles! These things won’t cost much in Miami. And of course if you are looking for the time of your life, there is always Maimi Beach!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I read The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks years ago, and I followed most of the steps he has mentioned in his book to create a life that is sustainable and fulfilling. “My Life in France” by Julia Child – Love, passion, food, art, having likeminded people around you made me want to find that in my life. “Show your work” by Austin Kleon – says exactly what it means in the title – “where is your work?, show it!” Edible Cleveland, Edible South Florida for sharing my food stories.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind_full_eats/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MindfulEats

Image Credits
Udenie Wickramasinghe