Posted on Feb. 25, 2003 --
"My body is a temple. My mind is a prism. My soul is light. I walk in harmony with nature always. I am one with the universe." Those are the poetic thoughts that greet visitors to actress/comedian T'Keyah Crystal Keymah's Web site. It's a mantra and way of life for this vegetarian, who currently plays Raven mother, Tonya Baxter, on the TV show, "That's So Raven." (Disney Channel) From memorable skits on "In Livin' Color," to playing Bill Cosby's daughter on CBS's "Cosby," the former Illinois Miss Black America stays busy. The actress is also selling natural hair products and working on several book projects that include cooking, natural hair care, poetry and meditation. "'Natural Woman/Natural Hair' is so much more then just a natural hair book," says the Florida A & M University graduate. "It has 40 [hair] styles with poems and stories to go with each. So much of my fan mail is about my hair. "We love you; your hair, how do you do that?' So I chose to write about it and how to do the styles." When she is not fielding orders on her Web site or looking forward to her second season of "That's So Raven," Keymah, has joined several dozen celebrities in submitting their favorite recipes to "The PETA Celebrity Cookbook." "I've been a member of PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] and supported it for many years," says Keymah. Just like the rest of us, Keymah knows what's good for you to eat and knowing what she enjoys. Read it for yourself
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1.)What's the one food that you hated as a child but now love? Or, do you still hate it?
I like broccoli if it's cooked right. My grandmother overcooked it and still does. If it is not overcook, it's my absolute favorite vegetable.

2.)What's your big specialty? Share recipe.
Spaghetti, when I was carnivorous. Then, rainbow potato salad, but I'm allergic [to potatoes].
Now, I realize home made sorbet is my specialty. (See the recipes below)

3.)Do you have a food aphrodisiac?
Hmm...other than the broccoli? (laughs) The first thing that comes to mind is pineapple. I tend to like tangy foods; it's really good. Pineapple is tangy and sweet; it makes you go ummmmm.

4.)What's your one guilty food pleasure? -One?
I just came back from a luncheon with my brother and sister. He's a diabetic and we had some ice cream on top of apple pie. I'm looking at him but I can't tell him not to eat it. Now, we both should not be eating this. Ice cream, that's why I'm not a strict vegan; I'm pretty good most of the time but this is probably the second time this year I had ice cream. It's [the] one really awful thing I have on occasion when I'm being bad. It has to be vanilla bean.

5.)What's the one thing that someone can cook for you that you'll do anything for?
I don't think there is such a thing. Maybe broccoli and red peppers. I'm not a food addict. I am a sugar addict; I am battling that.

6.)Are you allergic to any foods or deliberately stay away from? Is so, why?
I'm allergic to potatoes. They make me get the hiccups.

7.)Do you have a special eating memory you can share?
My fondest memory is when my grandmother used to take me to this popcorn shop in Chicago when I was really little. My eyes would be level with the counter. I would see the knife cut the fudge. It looked so good. The guy would put it in a bag for my grandmother and she would break off a piece it of and give it to me. That's a food moment that we share............................................. ..............................................................................................................................................>>>more