Roots & Early Influences

Born in Shelbyville, Tennessee—a place better known for walking horses than walking through spice markets—Shivani Patel grew up surrounded by family, culture, and community. Food at home carried the quiet strength of tradition, even as her environment reflected modern American life.

Motherhood & Family Support

Shivani is the mother of two—ages 5 and 7—both born in the U.S. Her pregnancies were shaped by the strong presence of her husband, parents, siblings, cousins, and friends. Sour candy was her guilty pleasure during those months, a craving that still makes her smile.

When the children were young, she had family support, both emotional and practical, to ensure she and her toddlers were well-fed and cared for.

Raising Kids: U.S. vs. India

Shivani’s perspective bridges two worlds:

Home life in the U.S. involves more daily chores due to the lack of affordable household help.
Family proximity in India means multiple generations often live together, making childcare more collaborative.
Food culture in India offers fresher vegetables, fewer processed options, and the vegetable vendor who brings the market to your doorstep.
Schedules differ too—India’s later mornings and nights contrast with the U.S.’s early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine, which she believes benefits long-term health.
Play and activities are more structured and abundant in the U.S., and American culture prioritizes family time that includes fathers.
Childcare systems differ, with daycare being far more common in the U.S., while India leans on extended family and home help.

Feeding the Next Generation

From the beginning, Shivani focused on homemade meals, steering clear of processed foods. Her approach was shaped by a dietary course she took during pregnancy for gestational diabetes, where she learned to balance the carb-heavy nature of traditional vegetarian Gujarati meals.

She occasionally found herself caught between the advice of medical professionals and the food traditions her family upheld—but she’s learned to adapt, blending the best of both.

Nutrition Philosophy

Her children eat traditional Indian meals with thoughtful modifications—extra veggies on the side and avoiding rice and chapati in the same sitting.

Favorite family meal? Enchiladas—proof that the Patel household embraces flavors beyond the subcontinent. Adults and kids enjoy the same foods, and eating out is reserved for about twice a week, usually on weekends.

Cooking Skills for Life

Cooking at home is a shared effort between Shivani, her husband, and hired help—but she places strong importance on her children learning to cook for themselves. That training has already begun, laying the groundwork for independence and health when they grow older.

Vegetarian by Choice

The family is mostly vegetarian, with eggs as a daily staple. While her children were raised vegetarian to learn balance in plant-based eating, they now have the choice to eat meat. Her son occasionally opts for chicken nuggets, while her daughter prefers to stay fully vegetarian.