About – THIS SITE HAS MOVED
THIS SITE HAS MOVED TO WWW.ISLANDLOVEGOURMET.COM
Taymer Mason Copyright Jean Jarreau
Taymer at Market in Marigot St Martin Copyright Jacky Gotin
I grew up in the Caribbean island of Barbados and I went vegan in 2006 after a horrible experience with meat. Not the typical route for some vegans but it is not how you got there but where you are today. Since then I am an an animal rights activist and when I am not blogging I am always brainstorming new ideas to help with the cause. My cooking style is full flavoured Caribbean Vegan Comfort Food with a large Indo-Caribbean influence. I also cook a lot of Barbadian dishes that were not vegan but I have been working for the past two years to veganize most dishes from my place of birth. I like experimenting with seitan and tempeh but I tend to cook a lot of whole food and try to use organic ingredient when available.
The Blog
Vegan in the Sun was founded in 2008 after closing down my old blog mouth-watering Vegan Delights which explored my first experiences with vegan food. Vegan in the Sun showcases REAL Caribbean food and authentic recipes from the region(according to this lovely woman I met the other day “Foods that ya Aunt Mavis use to make”). I am an advocate for authentic traditional cuisine since what is usually shown as Caribbean cuisine is rarely a true representation of what we eat so , I decided to make this blog to show you what we really eat at home ,and why Caribbean cuisine is very unique as many of you may be unfamiliar with this cuisine. This blog is also an excellent resource for Caribbean nationals living overseas to come to get food references . The added bonus is that all the recipes are Vegan! I always assert that “There is more to Caribbean cooking than rice and beans, pineapples, coconut and tropical fruit ” Just take a look at my blog to see what I am cooking up. Now. are you ready for some real Caribbean food???
Caribbean Vegan The Book
Caribbean Vegan was published by The Experiment Publishing New York in Nov 2010. I decided to write the book after not seeing adequate representations of Caribbean Vegan recipes in the printed media and, I thought it would be a good opportunity to share with the vegan community what new foods are out there. Vegans eat from the world and are always looking for something new and exciting to add to their already colourful and flavourful plates so this is my contribution to the Vegan society. The book contains many everyday healthy Caribbean recipes all authentic and there are some feast recipes that are suitable to make on special occasions. There is a lot of street food in the book and I speak about each recipe in detail and the food culture surrounding it. The book also contains 25 full colour photos shot by Caribbean journalist Cynthia Nelson.
Professional Qualifications
I am a qualified and trained microbiologist and food technologist. I also have a diploma in Food and Nutrition from the age of 16 and received the top prize for getting a distinction that year at my institution. I worked at the largest food manufacturer in Barbados as a product developer for 3 years. In those 3 years I produced 4 products which are being sold in supermarkets on some islands. I also did many studies on increasing the shelf life on products and my special interest was house made spice blends. I also started to develop their vegan line of products . I am a writer ,Caribbean food specialist and consultant. I do recipe and product development freelance and hope to be a HACCP auditor in the future as I am passionate about food safety (wishful thinking as most plants still process meat). I am the author of Caribbean Vegan and another untitled book due out in 2011. Check back for more details.
Hobbies
When I am not blogging I am cooking or thinking about blogging and food. I also enjoy weight training, song writing and painting.
Recipes
Many recipes on this blog have been adapted or are already included in Caribbean Vegan which is available in bookstores in the US, Canada and the UK and also in the Caribbean. Sometimes I post new dishes to the blog and all recipes are posted on the Facebook Fan Page.
Camera
I am currently shooting with a Pentax K 200 and I always use natural light. I enjoy shooting against my lush background at home but enjoy doing close up shots as well.
All content on this Blog is copyright protected work. If you want to use photographs or information from this blog kindly send me an email at caribbeanvegan@gmail.com
Trackbacks
- Can’t Believe There is No Cheese- Bajan Macaroni Pie « Vegan In The Sun
- Holiday Test Run: The Vegan Ham Cutter « Vegan In The Sun
- Tweets that mention About Taymer Mason « Vegan In The Sun -- Topsy.com
- Vegan In The Sun
- Yam and”Cheese” Pie, Raw Christophene Salad and revisiting Coconut Bread « Vegan In The Sun
- And here we are | Matt Ruscigno True Love Health
The old Vegan In The Sun 
Your photos are so beautiful! I love Caribbean food and look forward to all the treats yet to come.
What a wonderful resource. Thank you for all your efforts.
We are two vegans and will be visiting Barbados in October.
Will def be trying out a few of your recipes.
Cheers,
John
Thanks so much John. I will be updating the site to give you some restaurant guides for Barbados so that your visit would be trouble free when it comes to eating
Great food and beautiful photography!
I’m so glad to have found your site. I’m not of Caribbean descent but I grew up in Toronto where I could still get the most delicious vegan Caribbean food including Trinidadian doubles!
Here in the U.S. it’s been really hard to find vegan Caribbean food so I’m definitely going to try making my own and will be following your blog.
Hi,
I found your blog from your comment on Cynthia’s, Taste Like Home Food Blog. I am not a vegan or even a vegetarian but I am from the Caribbean so I just had to come over and say hi. Wow your blog is great. Your photos are stunning and although I must confess to being a serious carnivore I will be making regular stops here as I love both vegetarian and vegan cuisine. In fact, if you have not already tried them you may like the Pecan-Crusted Vegan French Toast, of Skinny Bitch notoriety that I recently posted to my blog…..yum they are very good.
Great site and thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes, especially the stewed lentils. I have a terrible time doing vegan recipes and would love to have some of your dishes featured on my site at Caribbeanpot.com.
Keep sharing.
Chris
I am a regular visitor to Bim, and am thrilled to find your blog! I will be checking back often!
Hi!
Thanks for reading my blog! I LOVE your blog. Your pics are amazing. I’m waiting to get a decent camera then hopefully I can be half as good as you. I’m a blogger in training. 😉
lol my camera is crap . I am waiting for a camera myself. I am just lucky to have good light when I am ready to take a photo.
I really would love to have this no cheese macaroni pie recipe.
I like your new website. Especially the name Vegan in Sun. You have incorparte the Caribbean islands with that one word “Sun”. Taymer, has openend my taste for vegan cuisine. The gal can cook!! I am still a meat lover, but I will not object to a vegan dinner. Keep up the good works you webpage is great!!
Thanks Nicole You now get back online after all the time.Anyways thanks for coming back.You may have to come by me later to develop some Caribbean vegan cakes because baking cakes for the book is kinda in the crapper now to be honest.I am more of a breadmaker than cake maker. If you have any gooseberries be sure to bring some. Vegan in the Sun has a ring to it now but at first when I said it to my husband he has a blank look on his face.
I think I will take you up on that offer for the Vegan cakes. Only you will have to subsitute the eggs and milk. I have no clue on that. When the gooseberries are my reach (they are so high on the tree) I will bring you some. Tell later.
Tay, this is fantastic! I am totally proud of you I must try something one day soon and send you pics!!!! I am actually a much better cook these days than back in the day LOOOL… Will keep you posted and keep up the good work. XOXOXOXXXX
Wow! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog, about you, and about the Caribbean Islands! Your photography is great, but I see in the comments you’ve got a cheese-less macaroni pie. Excuse me, but the foodie inside of me says I’ve got to run off now and check that out, LOL!
Faith
Currently, the ANNU Institute is conducting a Fitness and Nutrition Course in conjunction with the Barbados Community Development Department. It is an attempt to reduce non communicable chronic diseases. Promoting Proper Exercise (Cardio & Conditioning) and , Nutrition and Relaxation (Tai chi , yoga etc) , are three areas we are attempting to make an impact with. I found your vegan information to be creatively informative. Great Job!
Qaasen Sealy
Director
ANNU Institute for Health & Human Development
1-246-243-0125 ( mobile)
email: annuinstitute@hotmail.com
well i think its nice that there is someone from bim with a good food blog. its hard to find them so i must admit it is refreshing. i also admire the way you did the pudding and fake chicken. it caught my eye cuz it looks exactly like pudding and souse and i love it. heck, i sell it! (sorry im not vegan), anyway it was VERY creative . Nice that you find your alternatives and you’re happy with that 🙂 so I just wanted to say im enjoying ur blog and wishing you the best in all ur endeavors.
Paulina from Barbados
hi thanks for checking out the blog Paulina. Well the pudding is made the same way as my dad use to make it and we always use to use margarine in it so i did not have to change it. It is just the chicken I had to work with a bit to taste a bit more porky. This will always be a favourite meal of mine. I am a true Bajan and when it comes to food I will be eating my Bajan meals. It is refreshing to have a Barbadian reader. Thanks again
Tay
I’m vegan except for seafood. I want to eventually get off fish as well so I’m really interested in some of your simulated fish dishes. Also, do have recipes for ital soup? I make a mean punkin ital but I’m always open to new ideas.
no I do not have a recipe for ital soup but I will post some soup recipes that are pretty close to it soon since I am developing soups and stews now for the book. Look out for future updates.
Tay
Hey, this is my first time visiting your blog. You commented on my blog some months back but my net was acting up and apparently I never read it. I would have visited your blog if I had; your name- CaribbeanVegan… I’m also from the Caribbean; Grenada to be exact. Your blog is very nice 🙂 I look forward to reading your future posts 🙂
Nice to meet you. I can’t wait for your cookbook….
Brenda did you get my email
I can’t wait for your cookbook….
I’m excited for your cookbook! I can’t believe I somehow never came across your blog before! I have added it to the blogroll for Vegans of Color.
Thanks for sharing a little about yourself. Now I just have to remember you on Valentines Day 🙂
I am so enjoying your blog! I came across it by Googling “pickled breadfruit” when I was studying for an exam. You see where my mind always is?
Keep it up!
Taymer,
Thanks so much for the blog! Seems to be my best source of information these days – the blogosphere. My husband and I initially decided on Barbados because it was one of the few Caribbean nations that had listings on happy cow…:) It’s our first trip to the Caribbean, if you can believe it. We have heard great things about Barbados.
I’ll let you know how everything went when we get back…sooo looking forward to it.
Stellar blog!
Peace,
Wonderful blog and beautiful pictures. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes. Would you mind sending me your recipe for coconut turnovers. Thanks much.
Shabazz
I am glad that I found your website. I am going to add you to my blogroll at http://www.yummyvegetariandelights.com God bless! 🙂
I just got back from explaining vegetarianism to a merchant at Dover Beach… made me wonder if there were any veg*ns on the island, so i’m glad i found this page! keep spreading the word… and so will I (Dave from Toronto)
of course there are loads of vegetarians and a few vegans in Barbados. Talking to that merchant is like talking to a brick wall because if we do not give people options that goes along with the culture it does not work. That is why I wrote the book because without giving choice and things that ppl want to eat we are fighting a losing battle
I really like this blog. Everything looks scrumptious!
thank you for visiting come back soon for more updates
I am really excited to have found your blog. I cant wait to try out your recipes… I look forward to visiting your site often.
Namaste!
Finally! A site for Caribbean vegans! Thank you!
OM Shanti
Jhoomer
thanks for stopping by
I am so excited to have found your website/blog! I am a Trini-African American who had decieded to go vegan just recently and I am so excited to finally be able to cook vegan caribbean style. Thank you!
Love the updated about me page. Sigh! It reminds me that mine is overdue. Maybe I should hire you to write a bio page for me. BTW You are gorgeous, great pic
Girl I have not updated that in ages I am suffering from some major fatigue so much to do in little time……….you blog is look great as usual
i am moving to st. maarten and so many people have recommended your blog to me!
I just sent you an email
Hi Taymer!
Thank you and congratulations!!! I just got your book last week after work. Congratulations for being one of the main display books in the vegan section in NYC Union Square Barnes and Nobles. This is a very high traffic area! And I only bought the book because it was right there standing out screaming at me to pick it up!!! =)
I LOVE the book!
I am a “second generation ‘half’ Basian” – born in Brooklyn,NY. Basically that means I have been very removed from my Basian culture. My grandparents literally eat daily at a greasy American diner and the only Basian food my grandma use to make was fish cakes. (BTW – the accaras are great and I’m so excited to share them with my family) I don’t even know what Basian music sounds like – except Rihanna! =/ lol ( which I can guess is not true Basian music)
When I met my Trini fiancee, he wanted the food his mom use to make. The rotis, the doubles, etc. So you have helped me so much to connect back to and take pride in my forgotten culture and cook foods that my future hubby loves.
Secondly, I really connect to your story of getting into your craft/career. I recently left a very prestigious college to pursue my career as a vegan chef/culinary entrepreneur and it is a challenging experience at times, where it is easy to get depressed and feel doubtful about your future success. So thank you for reaffirming that my dreams will be a reality very soon.
Thank you and much love and success!
-Jenee’
=)
This is the best news I got since the book came out a month ago. I am totally disconnected from what is going on in bookstores right now and would like to fly down to nyc right now to see that …lol I come a few times a year but I came a few months the book was released so I did not get to see to see it..maybe next year if it is still around I hope!
I am happy you were able to reconnect to Barbados. I admit I never appreciated it when I lived there but when I left and started to write some of my memoirs and visit as a tourist I really appreciate my place of birth. To hear a story from a 2nd gen bajan who happened to be marrying a Trini and to get this story connected around food is profound and that almost personal that is is so funny how a little cookbook I use to dream of when I was on my bed in Barbados actually had an effect on one persons life. This is what makes writing meaningful.
When I started to write Caribbean Vegan I thought there was no chance anyone would be interested in this even if it was great. Those stories only happen to the Rhianna’s (smile). I did it anyways so that my day would have some meaning and it happened. You would encounter some days that will be hard leading up to the wait to your personal success and those days are very hard. I hope to hear feedback from you on your future endeavours and there is always room for a unique voice in this world. Will save this note for my file…it inspired me as well as much as the book inspired you
I tried to send this to your email but it came back, please forgive for posting onyour blog!
Peace and Blessings,
I hope all is well with you, my name is Sharon and I live in Los Angeles. I have a friend that I am trying to partner with to open a health food store in Dominica, carrying predominately vegan food items and some specialty items, books as well. His name is Jamie Cornelius and he owns Naturalivity a Vegan Restaurant in Portsmouth Dominica. I have been looking at Natural Food Distributers in the U.S and the shipping cost to Dominica is so expensive. I have two question, first we would like to sale your books in the store when we get it up and running, so would it be possible to buy your books at wholesale, Second I am not sure if you have this information or if you have any contacts but any kind of resource that you can direct me to would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for Natural food Distributers that distribute in the Carribean, whom do you buy your products from while in Barbados, do you have a local health food store that you frequent and is there anyway that you could find out what company that store is buying there natural food products from. As you know Dominica is a small undeveloped island with not many outside resources, but it truly is one of those sacred places in the carribean, I mean next to Barbadoes! Here in California I have access to soo many natural food products and resources and If we must I will have to ship from the U.S, but if you have any leads please share. I believe its time that the we here really start supporting our black buisnesses in the carribean the best way that we can and work with eachother for the success of all. The independant countries in the Carribean uniques culture and traditions and food is a gift to all whom want to share and enjoy them. Thankyou again for anyhelp that you can give me.
Sharon I am going to get back to u by the end of the week with some solid references because I am asking supermarkets etc for u
thx
I sent off the email Sharon
Hi Taymer,
Is your book going to be available on the kindle anytime soon? Thanks!
Hey Tiana
I will ask the publishers as soon as possible and get back to both you and my other readers who have been asking about this. Please give me a few days to get back to you.
Wow. Your recipes look incredible. Yours is exactly the kind of food I like to eat. There is a Carribbean bakery here in Brooklyn that has a cassava pone I am addicted to. Have you ever made one? I want to give it a try!
I went to the Carribbean (Jamaica) for my honeymoon and I love how it is so easy to be vegan in that region of the world. Every town we stopped in had a different and delicious option for us. But ackees and callaloo were breakfast every day….I miss it!
Please check out my blog! This year I plan to reinterpret my Grandma’s Colombian recipes from a vegan perspective. I am so excited.
Hey here is my vegan cassava pone https://caribbeanvegan.wordpress.com/2010/11/25/barbados-week-cassava-myth-and-cassava-pone-with-black-pepper-ice-cream/
I have the recipe in the book so I did not release it on the site but it is very good with black pepper ice cream …it is addictive and if I pick up a cassava I never cook it I make pone.
I never been to Jamaica but I have heard it is nice to be vegan there..will go one day..
Will check out the blog.
Thanks for stopping by
Tay
Great to have found you! Wish we weren’t so far away from your book! Lots of vegans on this side of the world! One love from children of the Caribbean Sea!
I actually would like to bookmark this specific post, “About Vegan In The Sun” on my personal internet site.
Would you mind in case I personallydo it? Thanks -Camille
Taymer,
Great food blog….it brings back many fond memories of my single days traveling to Barbados in the 1970’s.
Thanks for sharing your recipes with others.
Regards
Bill
Great site! I can wait to try some of your recipes
Thanks Paulette. I just browsed through you blog in 5 mins because I am on the go but I love it and your kitchen. You live in my fave place in the world..really! I try to come over for a few days when I can because of the same reasons you mentioned. Really happy to have connected.
Tay
Vegan in the Sun drew me in as I’m in sunny Australia! I have never tried Caribbean food and can’t recall even seeing a Caribbean restaurant where I live.. some of the ingredients I’m not sure I can get here but I’m looking forward to trying out your dishes. Friska
It will give you the necessary freshness towards your bolg and which will results in more and more traffic towards your blog. This is a great blog dedicated to parents of children with special needs.