Hi and welcome!
I'm Connie Edwards McGaughy - a longtime vegan recipe developer, cookbook author, and creator of the vegan lifestyle blog The Carrot Underground🥕 based in San Diego, California.
From my coastal Southern California kitchen, I share nostalgic and classic comfort foods recreated with plant-based ingredients, along with practical tips for compassionate vegan living.
I created The Carrot Underground because I believe the most effective way to protect animals begins with changing our attitudes and appetites for what we put on our plates. When we replace meat and dairy with vegan ingredients, we are helping animals, the planet, and ourselves. It's a win-win-win! My goal is to inspire others to discover just how easy and delicious it is to enjoy plant-based, cruelty-free foods.
In addition to recipe blogging, a few of my favorite things are: Rescuing animals, creating art and my latest obsession - stand-up paddle boarding.
When I began my journey to vegan living more than four decades ago, I didn't want to give up the favorite dishes I grew up with. Over the years, my family & I have transformed oodles of traditional and popular comfort food recipes using all vegan ingredients, making them better than ever. My recipes are tried and true, each one fine-tuned & taste-tested until I know it's a winner.
Books & Media
I recently published my first two vegan e-cookbooks, and have been featured as an expert on vegan cooking and baking in the HuffPost and Chowhound. I am very proud The Carrot Underground is listed in the Feedspot 100 Best Vegan Blogs and Websites.
Some of my most popular recipes are:
- Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells
- Lemon Blueberry Bread
- Garden Zucchini Casserole
- Spinach Mushroom Quiche
- Applesauce Cake
- Gardener's Pie
Animal Advocacy
As an animal advocate, I've dedicated myself to be a voice for the voiceless. I am honored to have worked with the best selling author and animal rights champion, Cleveland Amory, in the rescue of domestic, wild, and exotic animals, including hundreds of feral goats and burros.
I've also helped care for starving and abused captive tigers, lions, and leopards - one of the most rewarding (and terrifying) things I've ever done.
I'm extremely proud to have served on the Board of Directors of the Zambia-based Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation, an anti-poaching organization working to protect elephants, lions, and endangered wildlife from extinction, while helping the local community rise from poverty through education and economic empowerment. I have been a featured guest on the Coexist podcast, where I shared my personal experiences as an animal advocate and vegan recipe blogger.
In my professional career, I've worked as a commercial and fine artist, interior designer, consultant and instructor. I'm married to the most gifted artist I have ever known. Like art, I believe food should be beautiful and appealing. I love to share simple tips for creating eye-catching dishes from preparation to plating.
When I'm not in the kitchen working on new recipes, you'll likely find me at the beach on my paddle board. Who knew I would discover my favorite recreational activity in my 50's? It's never too late to find a new passion!
🥕FAQ's
What is my favorite recipe?
Easy answer - my mom's fabulous lemon meringue pie. Yes, it's vegan and it's pure lemony-licious bliss!
How did The Carrot Underground get its name?
When my children were young, I started a journal called The Carrot Underground - Raising Compassionate Kids in a Carnivorous World. In it, I wrote about the challenges my kids faced as the only vegetarian/vegan students in their school. Years later, I ran across the journal tucked away in a drawer and was inspired to create a vegan recipe blog, titled The Carrot Underground. The rest is history!
How to work with me & The Carrot Underground?
I love collaborating with like-minded people and brands! If you have a product or service that would be a good fit for my readers and followers, let's chat! There are many ways we can work-together, including sponsored posts, reviews, social media, backlinks, guest blogs, affiliate links, promotions and newsletters. You can see my media kit here. Let's explore the possibilities! [email protected]
What advice would I give to encourage other people to be vegan?
After starting my journey to veganism more than four decades ago, I've learned the most effective way to influence change is living by example. By modeling the goodness of vegan living through the foods we eat, the products we consume, and the way we treat animals, our actions speak volumes about the positive aspects of being compassionate human beings.
We all take different paths getting here. Whether you've enjoyed being vegan a long time, or you're just starting out, I am sincerely happy for you, for the animals, and for the planet. Here's to you & your journey in vegan living!
Thank you kindly for being vegan . . .
Connie Edwards McGaughy is a longtime vegan recipe developer, cookbook author, and creator of The Carrot Underground, based in San Diego, California.