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

Hi Alicia, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
If you would have asked me 3 years ago if I thought I would own a growing plant-based meal delivery service, I would have thought that was highly unlikely if not impossible. I’ve always wanted to own a business with a focus on nutrition, but the idea of a potentially high-stress environment or anything resembling a restaurant was the last thing I had in mind.

In early 2020, I received my Integrative Health Coaching certification then immediately picked up my first job as a private chef merely as a “stepping stone” to a greater vision I had to work as a wellness coach. However, one thing led to another and I found myself really thriving as a chef. My clients LOVED the food, and I felt a great sense of fulfillment that I was nourishing people on such an individual, high-touch level. Clients were assuring me they had never felt better, never had better food from home, and they certainly wouldn’t have done it on their own. I began expanding and finding more clients to meal prep for all around San Diego.

Over time, I began to realize how many individuals I turned down because they were seeking a delivery option, which I did not offer at the time. When I maxed out on my time and ability to expand my clientele further, I decided to take the leap and create something bigger and more expansive. I allowed myself to dream up and create a service that makes organic, plant-focused nutrition more accessible to everyone. Thus, Mindful Culinary Creations was born!

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?
Most meal delivery services help individuals continue to live a fast-paced lifestyle. Quick meal delivery typically allows people to focus on work and less on food. It removes the responsibility of tuning in to ask oneself, “how do I feel today?” Mindful Culinary Creations is unique because we offer a paradox where ordering a fast delivery service encourages individuals to slow down and be more mindful, quiet, and still with your meal.

My personal battle with endometriosis, eczema, and past disordered eating have taught me more about mindfulness and slowing down. The more stressed I feel, the more flare-ups I experience. The more gratitude I have, time I take to savor each bite, and focus on listening to my body’s needs, the better I feel!

Mindful Culinary Creations is designed to make this process easier for you because preparation is the first step. Clients no longer have to worry about how to create delicious meals every day. We do the hard part for you so that plant-based eating can be at the foundation of your lifestyle and you can enjoy the longterm effects that mindful nutrition will have in your life.

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?
San Diego is one of those places that you can visit again and again and never run out of things to do. After 4 years of living here, I still haven’t done or seen all that this city has to offer! When friends and family come to visit, my husband and I love taking them on a walk through Balboa Park and along the harbor to get a beautiful view of the city while enjoying the ocean breeze. The zoo, local farmer’s markets, and La Jolla Cove are all great choices too; but I can’t wait to take them to a symphony concert at the Rady Shell next time around! We also wouldn’t miss the opportunity to take someone to eat a meal at Harumama, Pho Duyen Mai, or Cava then finish off with coffee at Blue Bottle, Leap, or Café Virtuoso. One of the most exciting things about San Diego is there is SO much good food, coffee, and happy vibes and you’ll never run out of new places to try!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
They say to marry someone who brings the best out of you, and that’s why my husband, Kyle, is the one who has helped me the most. He is not only my biggest fan, but my partner. He has helped me take leaps and risks, overcome internal doubts, and has even stepped in at times to help me accomplish what I couldn’t do on my own. Kyle lights my inner fire on a daily basis and brings out my greatest potential. I’m thankful to God that he is the one by my side in this wild business adventure!

Local plant-chef friends like Kaitlyn Kinder from “Rooted in Raw” and Sarah Considine from “Eat Clean With Sarah” are among many business owners who have gone out of their way to help me learn the ropes of running a meal delivery service. Several chefs have been open to answering questions that I had after failing at things and getting back up to try again. If I’ve learned anything from these individuals it is that there is room for everyone, and it’s a beautiful thing to share a mission with other business owners!

Website: mindfulculinarycreations.com

Instagram: @mindfulculinarycreations

Facebook: @mindfulculinarycreations

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.