My story began in 2004 when it was discovered I had a brain infection that took me to the point of near death. My life spiraled downhill and I found myself writing my obituary and making funeral plans.  After consulting a third specialist, it was determined that my condition could be treated with medication. The medication, however, nearly killed me and in turn created many other conditions that I had to endure. One morning in prayer, I cried out to God and told Him something had to change! I could not go another day in the condition and state I was in. I turned on the television and there she was - Dr. Lorraine Day, the beginning answer of my prayer. I ordered her tape series and the following week I began to change my eating habits. I eliminated everything in my old diet and began eating 80% of raw fresh foods and juicing. Over a few weeks and months, my body began feeling stronger and better and the doctors were eventually able to reduce my medication dosages and intake.

Over the course of the next three years, things were going well and I was still amongst the living. However, in April 2007, my doctor discovered a growth in my jaw the size of a large gum ball. I’d had it over 15 years and decided since I was in the mode of getting in shape and building my health, I would have it removed. The removal was a routine procedure and went well. As fate would have it, three days afterwards, I received a call from my doctor stating the biopsy of the growth showed that it was cancerous and needed to be resolved immediately. I was sent to a specialist and was told my only option was surgery because the cancer was in an area that would not be effective with Chemotherapy or Radiation. He also insisted that a portion of my left jaw and lymph nodes would probably need to be removed to ensure all the cancer was removed. After much prayer and seeking the direction of the Lord, I had the surgery but did not allow removal of my jaw bone or lymph nodes.  After the surgery, and various test, the doctor informed me I had made a wise decision not to have the jaw bone and lymph nodes removed because the cancer was only confined in the jaw.

As part of my health regime, I was eating a lot of salads. Unfortunately, I discovered the dressings I was using were filled with loads of unhealthy ingredients, chemicals and MSG. Realizing that I had to find a healthier dressing I ventured out in search of a good, tasty and satisfying organic dressing but nothing I found was exceptionally appealing in taste. I experimented with mashed tomatoes, olive juice, pickle juice, and lemon juice but nothing stood out.  This disappointment of being unable to find a healthy, great tasting dressing eventually led to me cutting salads out my diet, which in turn reduced my food variations.  One Saturday evening in August 2007, I was sitting at the dinner table pondering what I could eat. I really wanted a salad but didn’t have a dressing I liked. I went into a day dream and begin to whisper a prayer to the Lord that I needed something to put on my salad. Much to my surprise and amazement, the Lord responded and divinely instructed me to mix the items that were on my counter top. I was a little hesitant at first, but proceeded to do so. Once my mixture was complete and I tasted it - I was pleasantly surprised at the great taste.  I prepared it for several occasions and received rave reviews as well as several requests for the recipe. I then realized that this was the beginning of my very own organic salad dressing.

In December 2008, I began praying for the Lord to give me a plan like he had given Jacob and Joseph in scripture. I didn’t want just an ordinary plan, but one that would bless the children of God’s Kingdom as well as the children of the world’s kingdom. I began a fast preparing myself for an extended fast in January 2009.  A few days into my fast, I was distracted by some financial needs. I stopped and again told the Lord that I had to have a plan. In a small still voice, I heard the audible voice of the Lord say, “I’ve given you a plan with the salad dressing.” All I could say was, “okay Lord - I will do it.”  Later that day, as I was driving, God gave me confirmation thru a message I was listening to on CD. As I did further research on the ingredients used in my dressing, the Lord revealed the final ingredient needed to produce a complete dressing product. I was able to locate this ingredient at a local store and when added to the other ingredients…it was like a touch of heaven…absolutely WONDERFUL!

In an effort to make sure I consulted my director (God) in all aspects of this plan, I began to pray about a name for the dressing. My daughter and son-in-law helped me bounce around some names and shortly thereafter, my daughter suggested the name: Tropical Vinaigrette.  Without any reservation, I felt agreement in my spirit and the process began. The Lord began to give me direction on the right places to go and led me to the right people with whom to connect. With each step taken, God worked things out and opened doors for the plan to be fulfilled. Looking back at illnesses I deemed as a curse, God knew all along what would come out of it - Tropical Vinaigrette!

I would like to thank and give all glory, honor and praise to GOD for ordering my life and giving me a plan! Thanks to my partners – without you, I could not have done this alone: My husband, Lester Lee; my daughter and son-in-law, Latanya and Andwon Gobin; my Pastor, Alonzo Terry and the Solid Rock Pentecostal Church family; my sister, Joann Bishop; Ruth Smith and Xavier Williams. A very special heartfelt thanks is extended to Janis Holliday, my very own Cheerleader, Encourager and Prayer partner.

Inspiration and Personal Mentor, Dr. Myles Monroe.