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Woman finds refuge in eastern Idaho with vegan meal-delivery business – East Idaho News

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Woman finds refuge in eastern Idaho with vegan meal-delivery business – East Idaho News


Delphia Bradley owns a vegan meal-delivery service in Idaho Falls called Delphia Vegan Cajun. Watch her make two dishes in the video above. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

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IDAHO FALLS

New meal-delivery business serves popular southern dishes vegan-style

Vegan etouffee with a fried mushroom instead of crawfish is one item available at Delphia Vegan Cajun. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS – Delphia Bradley has only lived in the Gem State for a month, but she’s already running a business out of a longtime barbecue restaurant in Idaho Falls.

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The 38-year-old Seattle woman owns Delphia Vegan Cajun, a meal-delivery service inside Grandpa’s Southern BBQ at 1540 West Broadway. It delivers fresh, organic, plant-based meals anywhere in the state. Items include a vegan spin on etouffee, a type of stew normally served with shrimp, crawfish or chicken. Watch her make it in the video above.

It also offers po’boys (a sandwich from Louisiana usually served with beef, chicken fingers or fried seafood), beignets (a French pastry), vegan wraps and freshly-pressed juices and smoothies.

Bradley opened a similar restaurant in Seattle several years ago. Vegan items are a frequent part of her diet, and she felt this type of service was needed in Idaho.

“I thought it would be interesting to share what I eat personally with the public. I (eat this way) because it’s a good way to cleanse, detox. It’s a way for me to get myself back in shape, and so I wanted to share that with people,” Bradley tells EastIdahoNews.com.

The meal-delivery service is a fundraiser for her nonprofit, Blessings from my heart to your table, which provides resources to victims transitioning out of domestic violence and human trafficking. The two are often related, she says, and her nonprofit provides counseling, legal services and other immediate needs. She also helps victims financially by providing employment at her business for as long as they need it.

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Bradley’s cause is a personal one. The woman of African-American descent came to Idaho to escape abuse, harassment and racism in her own restaurant in Shelton, Washington. She says white men employed by her landlord sabotaged and damaged equipment in her restaurant, causing a significant financial burden that made it difficult to operate.

Years of constant attacks made her fear for her safety and it forced her to close, she says.

Though she had no ties to Idaho, Bradley felt “led by God” to come here. In a hotel room on her first night in Idaho Falls, she saw a local magazine article about Grandpa’s Southern BBQ.

RELATED | Local eatery ranked one of the best ‘black-owned restaurants’ in the country

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“I called on a day that they were closed, and Miss Loretta Westbrook (who owns the restaurant with her husband, Lloyd) answered the phone. She said, ‘We’re going to do Bible study tonight, so come and stop by.’ I said, ‘Yes, absolutely! We’ll come!’” Bradley recalls.

The Westbrooks treated her to dinner at the restaurant and eventually invited her to set up shop in their kitchen until Bradley could get a place of her own.

Loretta says she felt an instant connection to Bradley, like she was a member of the family. For that reason, helping her out was a natural response.

She says it’s been mutually beneficial to have her work in the restaurant on Monday and Tuesday when it’s closed.

“When you have the ability to help somebody, and you don’t do it, then shame on you,” Loretta says. “Not only are we (fellow) sisters, but we’re God’s people. And it’s like, yeah, this is what we do … and I get some good food (out of the deal).”

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Bradley hit the ground running and has continued to make connections with people in the community. She officially launched her business on Dec. 10 and says it’s been a great experience being an entrepreneur in eastern Idaho.

Idaho Falls has been a pleasant location for her to expand the nonprofit, and she wants the business to be a place of refuge for those who need it.

“I think more people will come and flood the area that are very diverse … and they need to feel that they can come here and feel at home. That’s the purpose of Delphia Vegan Cajun,” Bradley explains.

She wants to eventually have her own brick-and-mortar store and have additional locations to deliver meals to customers. She’s grateful to the Westbrooks in helping her out while she works to achieve that goal.

“We welcome all the health fanatics that come our way and give us a try. We’re honestly vegan, honestly healthy and honestly organic,” she says.

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To learn more or sign up for a meal subscription plan, click here.

BIZ BITS

Idaho Falls Chukars hire new manager

percival screen shot
Former Major League Baseball player Troy Percival is the new manager for the Idaho Falls Chukars. | Courtesy KPVI

IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Falls Chukars announced last week Troy Percival has been hired as the next manager of the team.

Percival will join Bob Milacki, returning as pitching coach, and Billy Butler, returning as bench coach, on the Chukars coaching staff.

Percival brings additional Major League playing experience to the Chukars coaching staff, which has been a staple of the team since the move to the MLB Partner League format before the 2021 season.

Percival replaces Dave Clark, who was announced in December as the 2024 first base coach of the Houston Astros. Percival previously played 14 seasons in the Major League, primarily with the Angels, accumulating 358 saves, which ranks 13th all-time.

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Most recently, Percival was the head coach at his alma mater, UC Riverside, from 2014 to 2020.

The Idaho Falls Chukars 2024 regular season will begin May 21 against the Missoula Paddleheads. Season tickets are on-sale now at Melaleuca Field.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Pizza chain awards Rexburg $25,000 grant for snowplowing efforts

Reeds Dairy owner grateful for community support following fire that destroyed production building

This Idahoan became the youngest Bitcoin millionaire at 18. Now he wants to give the Gem State better cell phone coverage.

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New details emerge about clinic forced to pay $2 million judgment

Idaho’s average gas price below $3 for first time in nearly 3 years

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Idaho

Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon


There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.

Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.

Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.

Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.

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Idaho Costcos

Where to find Costcos in Idaho.

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!

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Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!

Look at those chicken tenders:

 

 

 

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Costco Foodcourt’s New Item

It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts

Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

 

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist


You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people.  The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams.  Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.”  One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school.  His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus.  Some of our early leaders were devout Christians.  Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service.  They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.

They Mock Good People of Other Faiths

I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke.  She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!”  Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people?  Or would God prefer a gentler approach?  For instance, you could pray for conversions.

Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?

Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument.  “We’re all going to be judged,” she said.  What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates.  A group of liberal women demonstrated outside.  I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational.  They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event.  If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered.  Let me add a caveat.  Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple.  I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people.  Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.

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Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists.  Do we need to draw them some pictures?

Brad Little Through The Years

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller





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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho


KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.

The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.

Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.

“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.

WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”

Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.

“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.

ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength

Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.

“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.

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This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.

Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.

Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.

The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.

“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.

Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.

“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.

The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.

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The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.

The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.

To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.

Send tips to neighborhood reporter Brady Caskey

Have a story idea from South Boise, West Boise or Kuna? Share it with Brady below —

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