In this series we stop people along the bike lanes in Vancouver and have chats with them about their thoughts on cycling, their bikes, and more. Have a look at the archive HERE.
Name?
Laura
Does your bike have a name?
Debbie. I was trying to find a name for so long and then I stopped because nothing was sticking. Then the little three-year old that I nanny had named something of hers Debbie, and I felt like it fit as it is a "workhorse sounding" name.
Tell me about your bike trailer. Who made it for you?
My friend David made it for me. He is a carpenter, and makes beautiful raw wood items, so I asked him if he could make a custom piece for me. Inside there is a shelf that lifts up so I can have all my heavy items like my Vitamix, pots and pans in the bottom, and then on the upper part I can have all my groceries. It's well designed and it's a real quality piece - I just wish it was a bit lighter to pull. I can detach it quite easily and attach a kids trailer. I think it's actually the best way to bring kids around. It's a bit of a pain because it's so bulky but it makes up for that with its convenience. I love having a trailer on there, even though it's hard with Vancouver's hills.
What do you do for work?
I've started my own business called Veggie Doula, where I work as a personal chef for postpartum families. I've been doing this for about a year now, but I've really been pushing it forward in the last few months. Actually, I have been doing this kind of work for almost 2 years - coming into peoples homes as a nanny and cooking for the whole family. The only difference was that I wasn't calling myself a personal chef back then.
How did you get into nannying?
I have a kitchen background from culinary school, but I got into nannying because I was tired of working in someone else's kitchen and working under other people. I find cooking is an art and I don't want to be doing someone else's artwork. It was when I was nannying that I realized that I missed cooking and wondered how I could somehow incorporate the two. I was also doing postpartum and Doula work at the same time that I was nannying. I needed to bring all of that together into one. It would be crazy if I didn't take on this venture because it is perfect for me. I have all the resources to do it - my bike and strong legs to get me around the city, and now this awesome trailer for my bike to carry my gear.
Do you have to carry your pots and pans around with you on all your jobs?
For every client I would do an interview and an assessment of their home beforehand so I can make an inventory of what they already have. I do have a lot of things like spices and oils that I like to take with me just in case, because I can't rely on them having it all.
Do you have any electronic assistance on your bike?
I've been talking to a woman at Sidesaddle about getting one, because the trailer is already 50 pounds when empty. With all the gear in it it's about 100 pounds. I can do it because I am strong and determined but it would be nice to have some assistance.
How far do you think you would travel for your business?
I probably wouldn't go to North or West Vancouver, and Marpole might be a bit far. I have thought about going to Kitsilano, or to Kerrisdale, or the border of Burnaby, but that would be as far as I would go. I have to factor in the time that it would take for me to go there and back. Eventually, I would like to have my own commercial kitchen where I could just deliver the meals by bicycle.
Do you have any favourite biking spots in Vancouver?
Well anywhere that has cherry blossoms right now, and also obviously flat surfaces for my trailer. I really like 10th all the way because it is fairly flat. I bike from East Vancouver to the West End every day. I do like to bike to Burnaby Mountain as I also enjoy long distance biking. I biked to Marpole the other day, which was such a nice gradual downhill. I would like to bike to Portland on my bike, and just camp out every night.
Have you biked all through the winter?
Every day. Even when I am sick I bike, because if I am sick and I take the bus I feel even worse. It's just the best way to get around in my opinion.
For more information on Laura and her Veggie Doula work, check out her website or on Facebook.
