Traveling Vegan- DC/Virginia/West Virginia Edition
1st Leg Virginia/DC
A trip with my boyfriend back to his hometown of Virginia and to his parent’s current location in West Virginia has become a new tradition that I’ve happily added into my annual holiday festivities.
Last year was my first adventure to a state far different than my own. I was able to experience new surroundings with new individuals–both family and friends– who welcomed me like I was one of their own. I couldn’t have been more thankful.
Now another year has crept along and I was once again graciously invited back to spend the holidays with his family and to enjoy some time with his friends. This time, we changed it up and added a day trip to DC before heading into West Virginia.
I also brought with me NEW products and snacks! Each trip I take is unique and each trip deserves its own attention to detail when it comes to what I bring. Yes, there are some consistencies, but for the most part there will always be something new in my luggage–it not only keeps it interesting, but it keeps me on my toes in exploring what’s out there.
My Traveling Vegan Snacks:
Navitas Naturals 3 berry trail mix and maca cashews for hearty, nutritious sustenance
Teeccino delicious caffeine free coffee alternative
My girl Bites of Luv oatmeal cookies for that sweet tooth
Beanfield’s chips for the salty crunch
Four Sigmatic chaga tea packets to boost my immunity while traveling
and Thrive Magazine for reading material.
A big bonus when traveling somewhere rural; limited WIFI access. This led me to “unplug” from social media.
Not completely, but a good start.
It allowed me to engage more with family, friends and my surroundings. As much as I appreciate social media for what it does and how it connects individuals, brands and communities, it’s nice to take breaks when you can. Being present is important and it’s an essential part in staying grounded.
With that said, let the adventure begin!
The first part of my Traveling Vegan experience began at Wolfgang Puck’s Express restaurant in Terminal 7. I had my snacks accounted for as well as my reading material, but I was running late and needed to make do with the food options in the terminal.
I walked around a few times, assessed my options (fried, fried and more fried) before settling on Wolfgang Puck’s Express. I spoke with the chef before ordering to see if it was a possibility to veganize a breakfast dish. I wanted a simple dish that would consist mainly of veggies–basically an omelet sans eggs, cheese and butter. A mushroom and spinach sauté with a side of toast would do. Simple, right? Chef said no problem, but it apparently took three attempts to get it right.
First-it had eggs, second- it had cheese, third-butter on the toast.
Finally attempt four proved to be the winner.
It did the trick and I was off!
The morning after landing I awoke to what was the bone chilling East Coast weather. It was cold, but it was wonderful. I was starting my vacation across the country and I couldn’t have been more excited. I decided to take in my surroundings–the morning stillness you rarely come across in Los Angeles– and enjoy the cold by sitting on the porch with a hot cup of Chaga tea by Four Sigmatic.
I’ll get back to the tea in a moment, but I first want to showcase my Traveling Vegan Essentials for this trip.
Some of my favorite items (including a few new ones) I brought with me ended up being life savers.
This year I knew not to overload my luggage with food items because, as I learned from last year’s trip, his mother is a cooking genius.
She has every vegan ingredient in her pantry, makes phenomenal homemade vegan food and has a commercial size dehydrator perfect for making delicious kale chips.
My Traveling Vegan Items:
Flora Udo’s Omega 3-6-9 Blend-It has recently come to my attention that I need to up my Omega levels. I find that crazy to learn. My diet consists of plenty of seeds, nuts, leafy greens and oils, BUT due to long term digestion issues, I apparently do not absorb as much nutrients as I should. Through years of trial and error, I am constantly learning more and more about my body and what works and doesn’t work. Either way, having more Omegas’ is never a bad thing as it is an essential fatty acid necessary for healthy skin, heart and memory functions. For vegans looking for a complete Omega that does not contain fish your choices are fairly minimal. I am a fan of Ora Organics for their potent Omega 3 spray, but for a blend I’ve recently been leaning on Udo’s. My only negative is their use of soy. I’m hoping in the future a soy-free option will become available.
Now that Udo’s creates capsules, it’s easier for traveling.
Enzymedica Digest Gold-Ohhh digestive enzymes where do I begin! Your body can not always break down all the complex enzymes in certain foods, notably when it comes to cruciferous vegetables, beans (fiber), nuts (proteins), glutens and sugars. Most vegan meals have some or all of these components present. This can lead to bloating, indigestion, lack of absorption and flatulence. I already have suboptimal digestion so I know keeping these on hand are essential ESPECIALLY while I’m traveling. No consistency and lots of leniency during the holidays…Yup, enzymes are a go.
Sovereign Silver First Aid Gel-Prior I only packed this item for international travel, but I recently realized; why? It’s a great product used for multiple reasons. As well, this company creates Colloidal Silver that is a must when I travel international. It’s a great immunity booster used since the 1800’s.
Original Sprout Miracle Detangler-Lately my hair has been unmanageable when it comes to knots; truly a pain. I already have the adult size at home, but while traveling I like to take miniatures if possible. I was fortunate enough to find this little guy, before my trip, while I was doing my travel ritual–meandering Whole Foods aisles. It was the perfect size.
Four Sigmatic Chaga Tea-Everyone around me is getting sick, is sick or just was sick. I was not going to allow this to happen to me on my trip. Nope Nope Nope! I have leaned on mushroom supplements for years as I have personally felt and seen the magical benefits (see my recent write up “What have you done for your immunity lately.”) Recently, I stumbled upon the tea version. For someone who loves hot tea, I wanted to try this version. The taste is great (earthy, yet mild) and I believed it saved me from getting sick. I’m currently still drinking it daily.
Acure Day Cream-In general Acure has fantastic, natural products. I love their face SPF, shampoos, conditioners, detangler and creams. This particular day cream truly moisturizers while still being lightweight. It contains incredible properties like Gotu Kola Stem Cells to protect against radical and environmental damage. Added bonus; it smells divine.
Borage Therapy Hand Cream-During my Whole Foods meandering I found this wild card. My skin has been uber dry lately and I hate the feeling of cracked skin ESPECIALLY while traveling to an even colder climate so my goal was to find a truly moisturizing, natural lotion. This is an item that’s been on my list for a while and Borage proved to be a blessing in disguise. The minute I got back to LA, I purchased the mondo sized bottle.
Death by Lavender Deodorant- As I evolve, so does my choice in deodorants. It’s one of those necessary evils–personal to each individual. I grew up wearing the hardcore, aluminum based deodorants that stocked every shelf, everywhere. Mitchum, Dove (don’t be fooled by advertising, Dove still contains enough aluminum to clog the pores) and Secret. Over the years I’ve been experimenting with all non-aluminum based deodorants including; Crystal, Tea Tree, Tom’s, Schmidt’s (fantastic if you are not sensitive to baking soda), Lafes (still using) and Pit Paste. Currently I was looking for a mild, non-irritating, yet actively hard working deodorant that also provided a gentle scent. Death by Lavender has all of the above and I’ve been using it since my trip. Depending on the occasion, I still like to switch it up.
Nature’s Gate Toothpaste-For years I’ve been using a slew of their products, but the toothpaste is the one I’m most attached too. If I can’t find a Tom’s of Maine travel size, I’ll just bring along my regular sized non-gmo, fluoride-free, sulfate-free, very minty Nature’s Gate toothpaste!
So there you have it!
My list of traveling essentials for my West Virginia/Virginia/Washington trip.
DC for the day, here we come!
Washington DC Edition
I’ve been to DC briefly once before. A super quick trip years ago that only allowed for historical sightseeing.
This time, I had two things on my list; the Smithsonian (just one of the museums within the Smithsonian umbrella would do) and a vegan restaurant.
You’ll be happy to know, both happened.
The minute my beau, his best friend and his best friend’s wife stepped of the metro we immediately saw a row of food trucks. Funny enough we were already heading to lunch (I was given the opportunity to choose), but as you know from my previous posts, once you see vegan food while traveling, you try it...and report back of course!
And what food truck do you think was smack dab right in front of me?
Woodland’s Vegan Bistro! I tried not to run. I casually, yet excitedly moseyed on over. The rest begrudgingly followed suit not understanding the vegan food bloggers excitement. I knew I had to control myself in front of company so I only ordered a side of homemade mac and cheese to-go.
It almost doesn’t seem fair to judge a restaurant by a single, DIFFICULT vegan dish, but I had faith and they did not let me down!
The cheese was fluffy, savory and mouthwateringly delicious and the pasta cooked perfectly. I was sold! But most importantly, it sold the non-vegans in tow.
It was the perfect traveling dish to wet our DC appetite for the next spot I had chosen–Busboys and Poets.
A little backstory. When I had researched what ONE restaurant to chose for our DC lunch, I had thought Busboys and Poets was a single, non-franchised location. Upon arriving in DC, I found there were multiples. Not many, but more than one. I was slightly disappointed…until we arrived at the restaurant.
For a chain, it still felt unique. It exuded the vibes I was looking for and the menu was rampant with options.
I wanted to try something fresh, green and savory.
I ordered the Vegan Cobb Salad with arugula, crispy tofu, tempeh, avocado, tomatoes, cashews and hemp vinaigrette.
It was refreshing, light, but flavorful and layered with texture. I loved it. As well, my dining guests loved their options.
It was a solid choice and a positive check mark for the vegan from California choosing the restaurant.
After lunch we hit up the Spy Museum-a must if you are in DC looking for something fun and interesting to do. We had a blast!
-There’s always been a special place in my heart for Aston Martin’s-
The time had also finally come for me to step foot in the Smithsonian Art Museum. We took our time meandering about, enjoying ourselves and even sat in the indoor patio to celebrate both our friend’s anniversary and ours.
Day 1 vacation was euphorically in the books and Day 2 was waiting patiently for the West Virginia adventure to begin.
I work early. Really Really Early.
I need my to-go breakfast to either be made the night before or right before I’m heading out the door so I can consume it at work. I don’t like to stop at Starbucks or something like Starbucks because 9 times out of 10 you usually end up with something void of nutrients, over priced or both.
It should be a last, last minute option if you really have nothing to throw together at home. You know, for those days where 1 of 2 things have either happened.
1. You’ve been on track with nutrition and finances so you decide to give yourself this one little splurge.
or
2. You wake up and realize your pantry and fridge are bare so a quick acai bowl or latte with oatmeal pick up will suffice until you go to the market that evening.
or secret #3. You say screw it, it’s Friday and I’m menstruating. Hand over that chocolate brownie and no one gets hurt. Just me? Ok cool. I’m fine with that.
If you currently are in neither of those three categories (especially #3) and are looking for a quick, at-home, highly nutritious, filling option; well here’s your Energizing Morning Oats.
Morning Oats
1 Mason Jar
1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Oats
Filtered Water
1 tsp Navitas Natural Maca Powder (or whatever brand you prefer)
1 tsp Navitas Natural Lucuma Powder
Cinnamon Powder
1 tbsp Chia Seeds
Extra Optional Add-ins:
Almond or Peanut Butter
Navitas Natural 3 Berry Trail Mix
Vanilla Extract
Navitas Natural Superfood Blend
Four Sigmatic Foods Princess, Digestion or Detox Blends
Pour 1/2 cup of oats into your mason jar.
Cover the amount of the oats with filtered water. Make sure not to overdo the water as the oats and the chia seeds will expand.
Add your maca, lucuma, cinnamon and chia seeds (as well as any extra optional add-ins).
Mix all ingredients together, especially the chia seeds.
My Personal Routine
I make Morning Oats at home. Pack it in my lunch bag. Bring it to work and store it in the fridge for about 15 minutes. After, I take it out and warm it up with a little hot water from the automatic hot water dispenser. I only add enough water to warm, not enough to make it watery. Personal preference. You may eat it cold if that’s the way you prefer it.
Another option is to make the above in a large batch, store in your fridge for three days and portion control it out into a smaller jar to take to work. This helps for those who really have no time.
I have been a huge promoter of mushroom supplements ever since I went on a two week, fast paced, multiple flights, 30 kids packed into a charter bus for half the time, international FUN FILLED trip and I was the only one who didn’t get sick.
Its been 4 years since that trip and I still talk about it regularly. I believe in order to promote a product you have to try it, test it, understand it and believe in it.
I was my own test subject and I believe in the powers of this super food.
We share more DNA with mushrooms then we do plants! Crazy sauce.
We are so closely connected to mushrooms that we have the ability to absorb, digest and utilize their nutrients for an array of reasons.
Of course I believe in eating my mushrooms (mmm mmm good), but as with most super foods (turmeric, ginger, etc) if you want a more potent dose, finding a high-quality supplement can be a great addition to your regimen ESPECIALLY when you need that extra immunity boost. You can’t knock a supplement where cancer patients have been given it during treatment!
On my last recent vacation, I was heading out of for the holidays (Traveling Vegan Write-Up Coming Soon!) and I knew necessary measures needed to be procured. I was NOT going to succumb to what everyone around me had–I wanted to enjoy my holidays sans sickness. I needed an easy travel option that could ignite my energy (caffeine substitute) and boost my immunity.
Enter Four Sigma Foods with their plethora of options.
I was heading back East so warm tea sounded divine. My first go at a mushroom tea option for traveling and I chose Chaga–a mild, earthy subtle flavor. It was right on the money. I had it every morning for my entire trip and I haven’t stopped since I’ve been home.
Did I get sick? No I did not.
Was it all due to the tea? Who knows. But I will say I’m sure it didn’t hurt. It provided me nutrients I wasn’t receiving while traveling as well as energy that was greatly needed.
I also have in my possession the Princess Blend for hormonal balance, Digestion for improved digestion/bloating and Detox–an excellent blend of mushrooms and herbs needed for the holiday aftermath.
They are available at Sprouts and Whole Foods as well as online and on Thrive where, luckily, I have an account! I can’t stress enough how valuable Thrive has been in helping me save money throughout this year. If you would like to sign up us my code here and you will get a 15% discount.
As well, if you’d like a discount on Four Sigma Foods here is a discounted link.
MUSHROOM READING
I highly recommend reading books by Paul Stamets or taking a look at his articles and his Ted Talk. He is an mycologist, author and advocate of bioremediation and medicinal mushrooms.
Host Defense Paul Stamets
The Mushroom Renaissance
TED Talk
Mushroom Supplements I also use:
Host Defense
Mushroom Science
As 2015 was winding down, M Café was revving up for a strong year end. They are heading into 2016 with a new look, new menu items and an expanded to-go section.
M Café is a macrobiotic restaurant with four locations in Southern California –Melrose being the flagship. Currently the only one to undergo an interior revamp is Melrose, but the other locations have introduced the new menu items and the revised branding design.
In accordance with macrobiotic cuisine, M Café serves dishes without refined sugars, eggs, dairy, red meat or poultry. Before jumping to conclusions they are not a completely vegan restaurant, they do serve fish–per the fundamentals of a macrobiotic diet, but everything on the menu can be made vegan or has a vegan alternative option.
M Café has taken the basics of macrobiotic cooking and elevated it to a contemporary, indulgent affair while still holding true to their morals of quality and nutritious ingredients.
-Kelp Noodle Salad-
The simple, yet spirited styling from Creative Director C.S Valentin, has molded the restaurant into a pleasantly inviting garden-themed brunch, lunch, snack and dinner spot–a multifaceted place where you can venture after a hike or for a cozy dinner for two.
From the front of the house to behind the scenes, Chef Atsushi Kenjo is not only kind; but also a genius in the kitchen. His attention to flavor profiles and textures is excellent. What he can do with cha-shu style home made seitan is just magical.
Along with the addition of cha-shu seitan, other new menu items I favored were:
Thankfully personal past time favorites like the M Chopped Salad, the Madras Tempeh Wrap, The Big Macro and the Kale Salad with Peanut Sauce all made the new menu cut.
I’m elated to see a go-to spot of mine making advances in the competitive Los Angeles scene.
M Café Melrose –Flagship
7119 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90046
323.525.0310
M Café Beverly Hills
9433 Brighton Way
Beverly Hills, 90210
310.858.8459
M Café Brentwood
11678 San Vicente Blvd
Brentwood, CA 90049
310.207.1122
Well I see my theme loud and clear-FOOD!
Delicious, unique, progressive dishes from some of my favorite locations and books!
A fully loaded burger from@cafegratitude
A feast of new dishes from the revamped@welovemcafe
A literal donut cake from @donutfriend
My favorite sandwich-Puerco from@organixla
My own Klean-Slate Kitchen Greens on Greens Wrap
Savory Corn Cakes from @vegetable.la
Buddha Spring Rolls from@vestationkitchen
A Build-Your-Own Plate from one of my favorite speciality markets@erewhonmarket
and the two most recent editions to my shelves @miyokoschinner The Homemade Vegan Pantry and@jonimarienewman The Complete Guide to Even More Vegan Food Substitutes.
Of course this year has been phenomenally progressive in the vegan department, but it has also exceeded my expectations in getting to know so many wonderful individuals I now call friends.
Lots of love, lots of compassion and lots of heart is what I will bring with me into 2016 along with pushing the limits and forgetting the boundaries.
Happy New Years!
Klean-Slate
Extra research will be needed on my end, but it has come to my attention that a few local, known to be fresh juice shops, are using a heating method to preserve and elongate shelf life with their juices. We know this is the case when it comes to store bought options, but for fresh juice shops charging a premium, well, that’s a no-no.
This helps the companies with their overhead, but it diminishes the benefits of the juice.
What’s the biggest problem?
The price of the juices stay the same, but you are not getting the benefits promised, which I find this extremely disappointing.
By being Klean-Slate, I try my hardest to seek, showcase and support the best products from sustainable businesses because I believe that's the direction our health should take in order for us to evolve, thrive and live healthy lives without destroying the beautiful world we live in.
This may seem a little dramatic and I'm not naive to believe all sustainable companies are honest, hard working, wanting to change the world for more than just profit companies BUT if you know me, you know the love for what I do runs deep.
I want to steer my followers correctly and true, I don't always get it right and yes, I like French fries, but I will always bring it back to the hours of personal time I devote to researching, sourcing and trying (the best part) products.
One company that IS NOT going that that route is Paleta.
They work hard to make each juice daily, by hand, without the use of secret heating methods.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"
This is just one aspect if we want to kreate the shift, but it's a great place to start.
Two Moms in the Raw are at it again, but this time they have altered their ingredients...FOR THE BETTER! Taking a page from the progressive book, they have taken out agave and replaced it with coconut nectar.
Coconut nectar is still processed, but it is far less processed than agave. Agave may rank low on the glycemic index making it a suitable option for diabetics, but it ranks very high in fructose content. So high in fact that it is on par with high fructose corn syrup, which is a really big no no.
Coconut nectar does not spike your blood sugar and it is considered a low glycemic, nutrient-rich alternative. Coconut nectar does costs more than agave, but as the saying goes,
“Don’t as why health food is expensive. Ask why junk food is so cheap”.
As well, think about the consequences. That hospital stay or that medical bill won’t care that you saved an extra $3 by going with the less expensive option, it just cares about what you ended up putting into your body.
Take a look at these ingredients because they are on point.
Two Moms in the Raw considered our health in the creation of their new products. Each ingredient and each process would make the most critical of individuals not need to judge.
New Bars
I hike, I gym, and I work–I’m an active woman. I need energy to sustain me throughout my hectic work days and I’m not one who tends to lean on caffeine. Enter alternative sources.
These bars were yummmmmyy; I especially liked the goldenberry. Tons of antioxidants, healthy fats, proteins and carbs. The “Bring on the Blueberry” is only 100 calories and worked well for a midday snack. The other bars I used more while on-the-go or after a workout.
New Almond Protein Crackers
Mmmm gluten-free RAW crackers with zing! I can always appreciate a good cracker, especially when they meet my dietary needs.
My favorite flavor was Italian Herb. It's well spiced, but not overpowering and it’s hearty enough to curb any extra cravings for carbs.
I have come across the bars at my local Sprouts and Whole Foods Markets, but I have yet to see the crackers. I’m hoping they will make their debut shortly. Until then you can purchaser here
13 Delicious Vegan Options for Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
I’m excited to inform you that my first Time Out piece is live and ready for hungry eyes.
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for the holidays to begin! Scrumptious fare is all around us and here I bring to you 13 Delicious Vegan Options for Thanksgiving in Los Angeles!
When the show goes on the road, you either stay behind and watch forlornly at all the pictures being posted OR you book a flight and get your butt to Portland!
The Vegan Power Rangers Crew and I loaded up and shipped out.
Some of the crew were even able to make it a few days ahead and sadly, I became the one watching forlornly at their posts; wishing I had bought a ticket for a day earlier.
With that being said, I managed to push forward and make it one of the best damn Traveling Vegan trips to date!
Now get ready for an onslaught of droolworthy pictures, beautiful foliage shots, the all vegan grocery store and much much more!
Welcome to my first trip to Portland!
Before even getting to Portland a few of us mapped out specific places we wanted to hit outside of the festival. Two big ones on my list were A.N.D Cafe and Vtopia Cheese Shop.
The day of Beerfest, Plant Based Fat Kid and Beet X Beet joined me on a lovely Fall walk to A.N.D Cafe.
We decided to go right when it opened to secure an easy breakfast sans lines and overcrowding.
We couldn’t have timed it more perfectly. We achieved our goals. Perfect table, no lines and wonderful service. We ordered two dishes; A decadent, rich, perfectly fluffy Pumpkin Cheesecake Waffle
and a Mushroom Melt Waffle (one of my favorite dishes on the entire trip)
There were pieces of mushroom and spinach WITHIN the batter of the waffle! Genius and excellent. To add, the herbed tofu scramble on top was one of the best I’ve ever had.
If I could transport one restaurant to LA, it might have to be this. Thankfully, I don’t live close. That would be way way too dangerous.
After having a fantastic breakfast, we were close enough to Voodoo Doughnuts, it only seemed fitting to walk there.
En route, the feeling of leaving the city finally melted away and I was immersed in the vibes of Portland. The light breeze of Fall, the slower pace of the city and even cherishing the sheer fact I was walking to different locations brought back memories of New York. Not so much Manhattan, but more so Astoria–where I lived while I worked in New York.
In LA we sometimes forget the beauty that surrounds us. We get lost in the comings and goings, the commuting and our own personal daily angst's.
At that moment; I felt fortunate for the entire experience I was having and about to have.
Next stop: Voodoo Doughnuts.
Even though I’m not the biggest doughnut fan, I knew I wanted to try as much of Portland as I could.
There you have it. A doughnut! Or donut; whichever you prefer.
After morning shenanigans, we were ready for BEERFEST!
We had arrived!
Second order of business (after staking claim) was getting to as many vendors as possible before general admission passed the threshold.
First Up: FOOD
Portobello Vegan Trattoria
Beer Battered Mushroom Slider. This was delicious! The bread was perfectly toasted and flavors outstanding!
Sizzle Pie
Spiral Tap- caramelized onions base with tomato sauce and nutritional yeast
Death to False Pizza-shredded buffalo jackfruit, daiya cheese, onions, scallions, vegan ranch and wing sauce
Out of the two I tried, Spiral Tap was by far my favorite.
Blossoming Lotus
Thai Tacos (best thing I had at Beerfest). This dish was a chain reaction of sorts. PortlandVeg shared it with Vegan_Glory WHO THEN shared it with me WHO I THEN shared it with PlantBasedFatKid and KellyBone. It deserved to be tried by all.
Petunias Pies & Pastries
Apple Pie Donut
I know above I said I’m not a big donut fan. I’m not BUT I will make an exception for an exceptional cake donut ESPECIALLY when it’s a fancy cake donut that’s more reminiscent of a cake in a donut form then a traditional donut. This Apple Pie Donut did just that. It was delicious, moist, textured and cakey.
Of Roots and Blooms
Ooey gooey mac and cheese with coconut bacon, kale chips and fresh spinach. This looks insanely appetizing, right?! And it was. I really enjoyed this dish BUT it didn’t knock my socks off like some have proclaimed. The sauce was thick and creamy which is a big plus for me, but I felt it was lacking in a standout flavor.The other ingredients carried the dish, but the mac and cheese by itself fell flat. Again, my own personal opinion here. I’m never opposed to giving any mac and cheese another shot.
The Grilled Cheese Truck + A Sneak Attack of Vegan Food Share
The Grilled Cheese Truck is always a classic at vegan festivals. No matter how many times I’ve had it, it doesn’t seem like a real festival until I get one. This time I was able to try the Chick’n and Waffle Grilled Chao Cheese. A first for me! IT WAS DELICIOUS. I barely used the maple syrup because I couldn’t stop eating it. I also had to eat fast because Vegan Food Share was creepn’ around.
Plant Food For People
Having one of my LA favorites make a trek up to Portland so my stumptown buddies could enjoy what us LA’ers get to do on a daily, was very gratifying. I love LOVE having others experience eats that I deem craveable. Plant Food For People’s jackfruit is marinated for hours upon hours with a special seasoning blend and then made into carnitas style tacos with different slaws, sauces and salsas. They also offer other jackfruit menu items like the Torta, mulita (pictured above) and sometimes nachos!
Another LA favorite that made the trek was Charlie’s Brownie’s! These scrumptious bite sized brownies are decadent, rich, moist and beyond craveable. Anytime I can get my hands on some, you bet I do!
Second Up: KOMBUCHA
SOMA Evolutionary Refreshment and Kombucha
This year the kombucha game was STRONG. The Kombucha Hunter did a hell of a job procuring over 11 kombucha vendors! I myself am not a beer drinker (not since my lost college years) and I was very very grateful for the alternative option. I not only enjoyed re-trying tried and true favorites like Health-Ade, Brew Dr. and GT’s, but also oodles of Portland brands. My favorite was a bold Colloidal Silver Kombucha by SOMA. Colloidal Silver on it’s own has many health and immunity boosting benefits; BUT THEN combine it with a valuable digestive aid like kombucha and you have yourself one hell of a powerhouse combo! Sadly, at the moment, they won’t be selling to California. I’m hoping they will change their minds in the future, but I respect why they chose not too.
Humm Kombucha
Another favorite was Humm. Their flavors were robust and not overly sweet. While speaking with the rep I found out I’ll be seeing them hit the California market even more then they have been. Whoohoo!
What a phenomenal time! I had warm reunions with ones who have fled LA (three friends this year alone have moved to Portland), I enjoyed Portland’s finest treats, I spent time with dear friends who came from near and far and I finally met face to face Instagram friends who I now consider just friends and not “instagram friends”.
Plant Based Fat Kid and I knew the festival was just one aspect of our day. Many many more adventures were to be had.
We began our 45 min trek to Vtopia Cheese Shop–the perfect way to include fitness into our Day O’Eating. Actually, pretty much any chance we got; we walked.
When we arrived at Vtopia Cheese Shop, we may have fist pumped.
In the past I have conversed with Mark and Amber (sweet sweet owners) when it related to VWS events and/or shipping some delicious cheeses to friends, so I was very happy to finally meet them both in person AND to finally eat at Vtopia.
Plant Based Fat Kid and I ordered the 5-cheese platter
We chose; Vtopian’s Peppercorn, Caramelized Onion, Cranberry Brie, Chive and Dill and Punk Rawk’s Original Cashew. The 5-cheese plate comes with kalamata olives, grapes, crackers, house made tapenades and preserves.
Oh man! We could of used extra help on this. It was plentiful! Defreaknlious, but a ton of cheeses. Go big or go home right? In the end, we enjoyed trying each and every option multiple times and indulging in a traditional pastime. Cheese plates date way back in my family. It may even be one of my earliest memories with my father. He loved setting up a well curated cheese plate on the outside table while listening to music and watching the dogs play. I’m positively beside myself that I can recreate that feeling with a plethora of vegan cheeses.
We also decided there was no way we could leave Vtopia without trying a panini. We ordered the New Bacon Camambert.
Well remember how I said earlier that the best thing I had on my trip was the Mushroom Melt Waffle from A.N.D Cafe? Well, this came in at #2. This was everything I hoped it would. I don’t indulge in panini’s, sandwiches and/or seitan very often, so this was an extra special treat. The Bacon Camembert had everything! The cheese melted beautifully, the seitan bacon was perfectly flavored and added the necessary texture, the arugula and tomato added an element of lightness while the housemade mayo and dijon sealed the zing deal.
It didn’t last long on our plates.
After leaving cloud 9 we walked our way to Departure. I know, you must be thinking “HOW??” We are impressive, determined creatures. When there is a will, there is a way. Share, share share. We shared our way through the day.
When we arrived at Departure (very under dressed) we were seated outside on the patio. This allowed us to finally take in the Portland skyline from the top of The Nines Hotel. It was breathtaking. Simple and breathtaking–no overcrowding of twinkling lights here.
The vegan menu looked fantastic and I’d love to go back, but for that evening we chose one sushi roll to split. We were there to try, not to over indulge. We were torn between two rolls, so we asked the waiter to surprise us!
He chose the crowd favorite: Sweet Potato Tempura with spinach, ginger and spicy miso. It was very tasty. Not too spicy–just enough heat.
Next Stop: Meeting up with part of the gang at Hungry Tiger for some pool, drinks and you know, tater tots and corndogs.
Hello to childhood! I never had corn dogs in the house. It was always a treat to get them at friends. So here’s to my adolescence!
This, my lovely friends, is where the night comes to an end. I think we pretty much rocked the day and night with no regrets!
Third Up: SUNDAY
Come Sunday Morning we arose to enjoy a lovely brunch with Vegancatman, Vegancatgal, Vegan_Glory, Sapling_Vegan and Beet X Beet at Harvest at the Bindery.
I again ordered something I wouldn’t normally indulge in (hell I’m on vacation)
Seitan Biscuits and Gravy and a side order of their infamous hash brown casserole
Both dishes were delicious, savory and filling. This was a quality brunch with a fantastic group of friends. I’m beyond grateful we were able to sneak it in at the end our short Portland trip.
We had a few hours left in Portland after brunch and I really wanted to check out the vegan mall where four vegan shops in a row call home.
1. The original Herbivore Clothing
2. Food Fight-the all-vegan grocery store
3. Scapegoat Tattoo an all vegan tattoo parlor
4. Sweet Pea Baking Company.
At Food Fight I was so impressed with their mix of staples, uniquely curated product finds and homemade goodies that I wish I could of spent more time roaming the aisles.
One very unique find was the refrigerator O’cheese.
All hail vegan cheeses! They had many of my favorites as well as a few I’ve never come across. Ahmazing!
I also found this perfect tote.
When it came to Sweet Pea I purchased a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie to take back for my flight home.
I believe there is a reason you need to indulge every now and then (or for a weekend straight). Being able to give yourself the freedom to try different restaurants, different dishes, different chefs interpretations is a way of keeping the balance. Sure, I probably shouldn’t have indulged as much as I did on gluten items, but it was a spontaneous choice I made at the time. I left knowing I engrossed myself, I walked a ton, I bonded and I LIVED. I set up my Portland trip knowing the shift I had to make when I returned. Come Monday morning I knew what had to be done. Detoxing and balancing. This doesn’t work for everyone and at different points in my life this doesn’t always work for me, but this time I look back at my Portland trip with no regrets.
I’ve thought about trying a meal delivery service plenty of times—I’ve always been curious, but I've never taken the time to seek out which delivery service would fit my dietary needs and wants.
My thoughts on the subject have always been that it seems like a great way for one to stay on track, to facility productivity and to introduce variety into ones diet. At the moment all the reasons above pertained to my current situation, which made the timing perfect to sample Veestro-a plant-based, non-gmo meal delivery service.
On top of providing well-rounded, plant-based meals they offer an array of programs to choose from:
Gluten-Free (what I chose)
Weight Loss
21 Day Kick Start
Juice Cleanse
High Protein
A la Carte
and one specially designed plan by The Healthy Voyager.
It helps that within each option they offer a range of meal choices giving you the feeling that you are not on a limited, tasteless, generic fruits and vegetable program that you could of put together yourself.
I sampled 6 items; 2 juices, two lunches (one was suppose to be for breakfast, but worked better as a lunch option) and two dinners.
Upon receiving my delivery, the dry ice was fully committed and my items were still frozen. This was fantastic, but proved to be a bit difficult when it came to enjoying my juice the next day. I stored the juice in the fridge overnight and it was still frozen the next day!
but I will say once it defrosted, it was delicious.
A great addition I rarely see is Sacha Inchi Protein Powder. Sacha Inchi or “Inca peanut”is a superfood amongst superfoods. The benefits range from high in protein to being an incredible source of Omegas.
When it came to the meals, I took to work as my first lunch option the Kale and Quinoa Salad
It seemed fairly simple. I let it thaw overnight and then tossed it into my work lunch bag. When I went to open it, it was uneatable and needed to be heated. As the kale was soggy, It seemed it didn’t thaw completely. I couldn’t eat it as it was. I thought it was a salad, but it acted more like a saute. I really had no option, but to reheat it in the microwave. Aside from the reheating salad/saute issue, the dish had great, simple flavors and the tempeh bites were a great addition.
In the end, the kale ended up being a bit tough and chewy and I had to cut it into small bites.
That night I was able to take advantage of my oven and cook up the scrumptious looking Eggplant Casserole. My impatience for it to re-heat was evident while I kept checking on it to make sure it was thawing and not overcooking.
My only issue with the dish was I wanted more! It was delicious! The portion was the right amount and ultimately it helped me become more conscious about my portion sizes.
The next lunch I brought to work that, yes; had to be reheated in the microwave was the Mediterranean Skillet.
Sooooo here’s the thing; great veggies, great tempeh, BUT there was no olive oil, nutritional yeast or garlic (per description). This made for a pretty dry dish and I felt extra healthy that AM.
For my last dinner I saved the heartiest for last–The Moroccan Melange.
Not the prettiest dish, but one of the best entrees I had. It was full of flavor and absolutely tasty. I loved it.
From what I chose and what I sampled, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I genuinely liked the dishes. Even though there were some mishaps, it’s a well-rounded viable option for those needing a nutrition jump start and a quick meal for a relatively low price.
For myself a complete plan like this doesn’t work, but for a few dishes here and there its a novel idea as I really enjoyed the variety. Currently on a daily basis, I prepare my own meals and I don’t use a microwave. Even when I cook steamed vegetables the night before, I’ll eat them cold the next day at work–almost like a salad. Personal preference and not for everyone.
I can contently exclaim that I have now tried a meal delivery system that caters to all my dietary needs and is available if I ever need one in the future. I also like the fact that I can personally present this option as viable to others who are in the market.
Orchard Flats Cold Pressed Juicery vanilla almond milk—I was feeling exceptionally lazy after yoga and I couldn’t bring myself to make fresh almond milk OR succumb to buying a store bought brand. So instead I stopped at a fresh pressed juicery on the way home and bought a special treat for my smoothie.
Woodstock Foods coconut shreds
Navitas Naturals raw cacao
One frozen banana
1/2 packet of chocolate Ka'Chava protein powder
1 tbsp hemp seeds
A couple of ice cubes all blended together in my Vitamix
*For added decadence I added a few cacao nibs and a sprinkling of coconut shreds on top. I'm a fan of a little texture in my smoothies.
For those times you crave it all, but want to walk away feeling fantastic.
Our 2nd VWS-Vegan Wine Social event was a memorable evening filled with an unwavering amount of adult glee. From each guest entering Buzz Wine Beer Shop, I could sense the anticipation for our sold out event. Sneaking watchful glances as we finished our last minute prep; I could see the guests patiently waiting until we were ready to grant them access to cross the invisible line and into the allocated event area.
Once our prep was completed, Alice and I were proudly ready for the event to begin.
The sommelier had prepared a well thought out wine list to pair with our exclusively selected vegan cheeses–the stars of the show needing their best supporting partners in attendance to enhance the experience of course.
As the guests crowded around to listen to the sommelier breakdown the wines for the evening, I couldn’t help but look about the event at all the individuals; vegans, non-vegans, “vegan-friendlies”, vegetarians, etc…each one in attendance for their own reason, but all unifying to learn more about vegan wines and the assorted vegan cheese accompaniments.
At that moment, the biggest smile crossed my face and it failed to leave for the entirety of the evening.
As the sommelier continued the breakdown, he listed the selected wines of the evening; Dubrovacki Podrum, Maison Angelot, La Berta, Amplify Wines, Eric Kent and Bagrationi–all available for purchase at Buzz Wine Beer Shop.
After the sommelier’s breakdown, Alice and I did our own breakdown of the selected cheeses to be paired.
Treeline Cheese
6 cheeses; 4 soft and 2 hard–all in attendance.
One of my best parts of the evening was seeing many in attendance trying new vegan wines and cheeses for the first time. No matter if they were die hard winos or proclaimed cheese lovers; we always seemed to have at least one flavor or vendor in attendance that escaped them.
Treeline, an artisan cashew nut cheese with both a soft and an aged option was a huge hit. The serving size was plentiful for the price tag and provided more than enough for seconds, thirds, fourths....hell; I think I saw one person polish off a whole one!
My favorite flavor was the Herb-Garlic soft and the Cracked Pepper for the aged.
Virgin Cheese
Virgin Cheese is a Vegas based artisanal, soy-free, GMO-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free and dairy-free cashew cheese company that has won our hearts over. Their extensive list of interesting daily and seasonal flavors is impressive, making it way hard to narrow down!
The special three we ended up choosing were; Shallot Truffle (because who can resist a name like that?), Sriracha Cheddar (a popular spicy condiment + cheddar cheese, why the hell not?) and Bleu (in my opinion one of the hardest vegan cheeses to get right).
Each option exemplified its name with such robust flavor. Bleu, won the race. The distinct pungent flavor and the spot on Blue cheese texture were so impressive, it was a fast hit. The first cheese to vanish off the trays.
Vtopian Artisan Cheeses
Vtopian was the crowd favorite at our last VWS event, so it was only fair to bring it back for round 2! They are a Eugene and Portland, Oregon based cheese company that now totes a brand spanking new Vtopia Cheese Shop!
I recently had the pleasure of visiting for the first time and it was a glorious experience that I will be writing about (check my IG for quick peek). If you have the opportunity to go, GO!
Their cultured cheeses are organic and hand made (check their website for the breakdown on which are gluten-free and soy-free).
For VWS we opted for; Chive & Dill, Aged Black Garlic and Cranberry Brie. Without shock or surprise, they knocked it out of the park again. Their solid, yet creamy textures with distinct flavors, set them apart. Absolutely dreamy.
The type of experience where you uncontrollably reach for another bite...and another...and another...
Dr. Cow Tree nut Cheese
Dr. Cow is a New York based, raw, organic, Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free cashew cheese company. Their cheeses cater to those with many allergies (except nuts) by sticking to a strict code; which I can appreciate and respect.
Out of all the vendors we chose, they tipped the scale on price versus quantity.
We decided to stuck to two options; Aged Cashew and Aged Cashew & Hemp Seeds.
The consensus on texture was it settled somewhere between spongy and solid; not creating the most palatable option. On top of the texture, the flavors were dull and faint.
I commend the company for their approach on using quality ingredients with minimal processing, but I feel flavor and texture could both be up’d to make the product truly shine.
Nary Dairy
It is with a very heavy heart that I have to write these words. Nary Dairy ( a beloved local cashew cheese company) will be discontinuing their cheeses. The dynamic Lois and Allen duo are favorite vendors of mine. They are beyond kind, lovable, passionate and dedicated. Even with all of the above mentions, the small business game is no joke. Competition is fierce and sadly, big business usually wins. One of the reasons why I started Klean-Slate was to bring to light the smaller companies that are not skimping on quality, not skimping on ethics and ARE creating something for the betterment of ourselves, the environment and the animals. Nary Dairy did just that. They dedicated years to a product they themselves made by hand to feed the community, themselves and their children. My hope is for the day to come when companies like Nary Dairy thrive and never have to fold.
With that being said, we were able to enjoy the evening with Nary Dairy in tow for a final send off.
It was wonderful to meet new individuals, as well as enjoying the company of return guests.
It was truly an amazing evening. We like to thank all in attendance, our wonderful vendors and Buzz for hosting.
Keep an eye out for the next VWS event because we'll be changing it up AND introducing some incredible new options and themes!
Klean-Slate’s Healing Puree
with a special guest star!
We are miraculous creatures, we have the ability to feel when our bodies crave healing foods, herbs and minerals. Sequentially, we can then heal ourselves.
Yesterday I heard mine loud and clear and in turn, I acted. I knew I needed to give my body the nourishment it was craving.
These past few weeks I’ve been running around and my body has been doing a hell of a job trying to keep up.Throw in a best friends bachelorette party, my time of the month and working more than normal; one could say my balance was less than 50/50.
Yesterday I hit my peak and my body was aching. On top of hitting my peak, I still have another upcoming weekend of traveling vegan shenanigans (don’t get me wrong, I am very excited) which means I need some healing powers this week before phase 2 commences.
Enter Klean-Slate’s Healing Puree
3 large carrots
2 zucchini
1 bunch kale
1/4 sheet of Maine Coast Sea Vegetable Atlantic Kelp
SPECIAL GUEST: 1 container of Kite Hill Plain Almond Yogurt
handful of soaked almonds
1 tsp of turmeric (may use more for the extra anti-inflammatory benefits)
1/4 tsp Himalayan Sea Salt (I sprinkled a little more afterwards)
1/4 cup of filtered water or alternative milk
-Soak almonds overnight or at least 4-6 hours
-Rinse kelp, then slice and throw in steamer with carrots, zucchini and kale
-After steaming for about 15 min, leave the lid open and let the ingredients cool slightly; unless you have a high power blender like a Vitamix, Ninja or Blendtec.
-Throw the ingredients into the blender and add the rest of your ingredients, except all of the water or alternative milk. Add the water or alternative milk in slowly while blending.
*If you’d like a smoother texture, blend longer and/or add more yogurt.
-Pour puree into bowl and serve with avocado and crackers. I used the hearty Mary’s Gone Cracker for added crunch and nourishment.
I proceeded to comfort my body with a bowl of my newly created healing puree, Netflix and pj’s. My body was very appreciative.
Side Note: I also recommend taking Turmeric supplements for daily anti-inflammatory relief. When it comes to homeopathic remedies, it is still as useful today as it was years and years ago. I am currently taking Organic India Turmeric Formula.
You can purchase a bottle on the Thrive Market banner ad on my homepage for less then retail price.
I love being in the heart of fig season in California.
Simultaneously, it happens to be the same time as my birthday; which is a very lovely coincidence.
This year, one of my favorite dishes during this beautiful season is the Fig and Tempeh Pizza from Sun Cafe Organic in Studio City.
Delicious gluten-free rice crust from Rising Hearts Bakery with their signature mac and cheese sauce for a base is then topped with smokey homemade tempeh, luscious figs, fresh arugula and thick balsamic glaze.
Perfecto!
I was also lucky enough to snag some GIANT fresh figs off my friends fig tree.
These babies are organic, sweet, juicy and freeeessshhhh.
This summer, the LA heat has been no joke. Instead of going out and indulging on guilty desserts to cool down, how about making your own?
Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
2 frozen bananas
handful of raw cacao nibs
handful of pre-soaked raw almonds (overnight in a mason jar add almonds and just enough water to cover the almonds. In the morning, rinse the almonds and store in mason jar)
1tsp of pure vanilla extract
1tsp of coconut nectar
3tbsp of coconut shreds
Blend in a high speed blender; moving the mixture carefully while blending. If its too thick add a touch of alternative milk or water.
I prefer to keep it chunky for texture, surprise bites and heartiness.
25 Mouthwatering Vegan Desserts from all over the World!
The mastermind Veggie Visa, brought together some of her favorite vegan travel bloggers (including yours truly) for a truly fantastic cause.
Vegan Desserts!
25 amazingly delicious, creative vegan desserts from all over the world in one post!
A collaborative effort manufactured for the sole purpose of getting me to dust off my suitcase and start marking destinations on my map.
I am currently bookmarking this page to reference for my future travel adventures. Now, I won’t hesitate to know where to go for tasty vegan treats abroad!
Check out the post here!
Who just received (and already opened) their Follow Your Heart package?!
This gal!
I have already proclaimed their provolone to be the best over the counter (versus cashew cheeses) on the market. Why? Because it's adult and kid friendly approved, seriously tasty, realistically textured, nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, as well as not containing a laundry list of ingredients; it's an all around great alternative.
If you noticed, you can even eat it cold. Actually, the majority of the time I eat it cold!
But right along with provolone is garden herb. I haven't had this flavor since ExpoWest. Wow! I'm definitely loving it. My least favorite is still American. It has an almost metallic flavor to me, but than again I never liked American cheese when I wasn't vegan.
Either way, this gal and some of her lucky friends are going to engage in a delicious cheese smorgasbord.
