The Carrot Underground🥕

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About

Hi and welcome! I’m Connie Edwards McGaughy – a wife, mom, home cook, blogger and creator of The Carrot Underground🥕. My passions are sharing the goodness of vegan living, animals, art and my latest obsession . . . stand-up paddle boarding (aka SUP). Here’s my ‘CliffsNotes’ version about me.

Connie Edwards McGaughu

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. By replacing meat and dairy with all vegan ingredients, we are helping animals, the planet and ourselves. It’s a win-win-win! My goal is to inspire others about just how easy it is to enjoy delicious plant-based, cruelty-free foods. Our recipes are tried and true, each one fine-tuned & taste-tested until we know it’s a winner.

VEGAN LIVING

  • Dori Edwards and daughter Connie Edwards McGaughy.
  • Connie Edwards McGaughy San Diego Coordinator for The Fund for Animals in 1985.
For as long as I can remember, I have felt a connection and tremendous empathy for animals. Even as a child, I would question why we ate animals like cows, pigs, lambs, chickens, tuna and shrimp, but wouldn’t think of causing harm to our dogs, cats, parakeets, or tropical fish. I couldn’t understand why we ‘loved’ some animals, but not the others. Weren’t they all essentially the same?

I began my journey toward vegan living four decades ago. At that time, dining out was darn near impossible. Even my friends were reluctant to invite me over for dinner as they had no clue what foods to serve. I soon realized the only way I was going to maintain a social life was by creating meals my friends would enjoy. Fortunately, my beloved mom, aka “Mama Love”, was an amazing home cook. She taught me everything I needed to know to find my way around a kitchen. With her help, I learned to successfully replace animal-derived ingredients with entirely plant-based foods. 

  • What a vegan family eats.
Over the years, with the culinary wizardry of my husband and daughter, we’ve transformed oodles of traditional dishes into fabulous vegan recipes. We love preparing beautiful and deliciously satisfying meals everyone can enjoy – vegans and non-vegans alike. I can truly say that choosing to be vegan was the best decision I’ve ever made. Well, other than accepting my wonderful husband’s marriage proposal.❤️

ANIMALS

  • Connie Edwards McGaughy with goat at Charlie's Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sonoma California
  • Connie Edwards McGaughy with turkeys at Charlie's Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sonoma California
As an animal advocate, I’ve dedicated myself to be a voice for the voiceless. My volunteer work has involved the rescue of domestic, wild, and exotic animals, including hundreds of feral goats and burros. I’ve helped care for abused captive tigers, lions, and leopards. I’m extremely proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation, an anti-poaching organization based in Zambia. Our programs are all about protecting elephants, lions and other endangered wildlife while helping the local community rise from poverty.

ART

  • Logo for The Great American Meatout San Diego by Connie Edwards McGaughy
  • Original oil painting on canvas of a sailboat on Mission Bay.

The Great American Meatout – San Diego event logo by Connie Edwards McGaughy. Mariner’s Basin oil on canvas by John Stewart McGaughy.


The majority of my professional career has been in the visual arts. I’ve worked as a commercial and fine artist, interior designer, art consultant and instructor. Over the years, I’ve owned and managed several art galleries. I’m blessed to be 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.

SUP

  • Two stand up paddle boards on the sand in South Mission Beach
  • Connie Edwards McGaughy on paddle board in South Mission Beach
I grew up in coastal Southern California and live at the beach in sunny San Diego. It wasn’t until I was in my late 50’s that I discovered my all-time favorite recreational activity, stand-up paddle boarding (aka SUP). I guess it’s never too late to find a new passion! When I’m not busy creating a new blog post, you can often find me at the beach on my paddle board.

🥕My favorite recipes are:

I’ve got to go with my sentimental favorites – these beloved family recipes I grew up with:

and last but not least, my all-time favorite – honestly, it’s to die for:

World's best vegan lemon meringue pie.

Here’s to you & your journey in vegan living! We all take different paths getting here. Whether you’ve enjoyed being vegan for a long time, or you’re just starting out, you are on the right path. I am sincerely happy for you, for the animals, and for the planet!​

If you would like to learn more about my journey to vegan living, visit:  My Story – Why I Became Vegan

I absolutely adore reading all of your wonderful comments. It means the world to me to know that you love the recipes! I’m deeply grateful for your continued enthusiasm and interest in The Carrot Underground🥕. I welcome you to share your stories with me in the comments or by emailing me connie@thecarrotunderground.com

For the animals . . .

connie edwards mcgaughy