small business – My Life Runs on Food

Appetizing Events: The Taharka Brothers Summer Ice Cream, The CookUp, Takes the Take Cake

September 16, 2016September 17, 2016Sanura

Taharka Brothers' "The Cook Up" Ice Cream Flavor — Photo by Carde Cornish

A few years ago, I wrote about the Taharka Brothers raising money for an ice cream truck in Baltimore, Maryland. Later, NPR.org voted Taharka Brothers as one of Maryland’s best Ice Cream shops to visit. Since then they’ve received numerous local awards. A few years ago, I wrote about the Taharka Brothers raising money for an ice cream truck in Baltimore, Maryland. I continue to follow them online to stay up-to-date with their creative events. Their initial press release and story stood apart from everyone because of the name of their ice cream flavors. The names are inspired by Cornel West, Langston Hughes and August Wilson. And, my design eye love their brand image: an ice cream sundae on top of a fist pump as the arm uses political books as a foundation.

Appetizing Thoughts: Warm Up to a Cup of Gullah Girl Tea

January 14, 2015March 20, 2015Sanura

Gullah Girl Tea Strawberry Ginger Tea | Photo Credit: Gregory Costanzo

When South Carolina native, now New Yorker, Charmaine Bee, of Gullah Girl Tea reached out to MyLifeRunsOnFood.com about her Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for equipment and supplies to accommodate her growing business, I instantly became one of her many cheerleaders. Bee’s healing tea blends have whimsical names in tribute to her childhood memories in South Carolina. In the interview below, Bee reminisces about her family and Gullah culture, discusses health concerns in our community and talks about her Kickstarter campaign. Make a pot of tea and read below to learn more about Gullah Girl Tea.
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SCRATCHBread, Bed-Stuy’s Bakery

November 16, 2010January 7, 2022Sanura

The neighborhood is in need of a bakery. It seems like a half-bake idea. One day, I’m perusing New York Magazine’s ‘Grub Street’ section online. There’s an article, First Look: SCRATCHbread Rises in Bed-Stuy, about someone having the same dream, for they’re actively trying to open a bread shop in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York. Out of excitement, I sent an email to them requesting an interview. In between making the dream of having a bake shop in the neighborhood a reality, Alyssa Alpine and Matthew J. Tilden of ScratchBread agreed to answer a few questions. Read more →

The IT Bag of the Season

September 25, 2010January 7, 2022Sanura

Hand-Sewn and Printed Sankofa bag from JesPlayin.etsy.com

Let’s hope the food, such as the vegetables and fruit, from the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and the farmer’s market doesn’t dirty this pretty new grocery bag. Of course, someone else might have cleaner alternative motives for this hand-sewn and a printed bag. Maybe, YayToonDay Designs might have some more available or be sold out. Go ask her! Read more →