As you may have noticed, I travel quite a bit in the summer. Oh! Speaking of that, I posted a second dining experience at Everybody’s Cafe (can you say vegan jambalaya?!) yesterday but my server was down all morning so, here you go: Everybody’s Cafe, take two.
Anyway, Monday morning, after arriving home from a 3-day weekend in Pennsylvania late Sunday, I was up at 3:00 and on a flight at 6:00 a.m. for a three-hour meeting in Baltimore. By the time I reached the resort –where the meeting was held–I was famished. I went directly to the restaurant and explained that the chef needed to work with me. He did.
He simply sautéed vegetables in olive oil. The veggies, with multigrain toast and fresh fruit hit the spot. Lesson? Ask.
The meeting concluded at noon. My return flight to New York was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. so in the wee hours of the morning I managed to grab a swimsuit and sunscreen, fingers crossed that I could park myself poolside. I did.
I had lunch at the resort (a Boca burger and…wait for it…sweet potato fries!) but didn’t bother to take a picture. By the way, the Boca burger wasn’t on the menu. When I walked in I teased the host and said “so, you guys can whip me up a tofu burger back there?” To which he said, “no, but we have a Boca burger.” Lesson? Ask.
I hadn’t planned to eat diner at the airport but my flight was delayed two hours and I wouldn’t land until 9:30 or 10:00. What to do? I found a coveted seat at Gordon Biersch Brewery, ordered a glass of pinot noir and made pals with my server. Keep in mind, this was their airport menu so there were zero vegan options and one vegetarian option. I asked if they could whip me up a salad that included the best of the vegan items from all of their salads. They did.
Lesson? Ask.
I got home, later than expected due to travel delays, and crashed. Which is why I had to make you wait for the big giveaway news! We have a “Vegan for Life: Everything you need to know to be healthy and fit on a plant-based diet” winner!
From lucky number 15:
It seems as though every time I counter some mis-information about being vegan, (and if everything I was told about how bad a vegan diet is my brain would be leaking out of my ears by now), there is some new thing. This week I had to, among other things, counter the protein myth, (again), the “humans need cows milk” thing, again, (from my wife … again), and even with a daily multivitamin and a weekly b12 pill how I don’t get enough B12. It would be nice to have one reference for all of this nonsense.
Marty from Marty’s Flying Vegan Review
Congratulations, Marty! Email me your address (jlATjlgoesveganDOTcom) and we’ll get that signed book out to you right away!
I want to thank everyone who left such thoughtful comments. Many of you are new vegans or vegan-curious and have lots of questions. I encourage you to pick up a copy of Vegan for Life from your library or the bookstore. Jack Norris, RD and Ginny Messina, MPH, RD offer really great insight into the vegan diet and lifestyle. And, please, keep reading here. Questions on your vegan / vegan-curious journey? Ask!
Ginny, my dear, Ginny! Thank you for being so generous to my readers!
8 thoughts on “Vegan on the road / “Vegan for Life” Giveaway WINNER”
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I am getting slightly better about asking, especially in a town with very few vegan options. Like you I have had some good results. Those veggies and fruit look quite tasty!
Keep asking! I feel like in some ways it’s vegan activism. It’s good for chef’s to know we’re in their restaurant and we want to be fed appropriately!
I think some people get discouraged from asking to change menu items because they feel embarrassed or like they’re being a hassle. In the restaurant business, they are there to serve you! Litreally! I’ve felt ashamed to ask for different items in the past but no way do I feel that way anymore. I have no problems asking if they can make a few changes for me. Most times they’re happy to do so. Very rarely do they get angry, which is a good thing 🙂
When all else fails I order a side salad with a side of sauteed veggies and maybe a grain if they have that as a side also 🙂
That’s a great way to order — I always forget to ask for a grain — thanks for the reminder!
I have been going a lot of asking lately and get some great creations. Most nice, local restaurants with no vegan options on the menu can create something off the menu. But my luck has been spotty with chain places like getting a salad with cheese on it that I was told was vegan.
Wow, you’re a busy traveling lady! Not sure I could function on such a lack of sleep!
Girl, I’m dragging!
I’ve always found that asking for vegan food off the menu works every time! People always ask me how I eat out, and I tell them I can go almost anywhere and find something….even on fast food menus. When I was on the road and starving last week, I had Wendy’s make me a delicious berry-almond salad last week sans the chicken and cheese.
I actually learned many of my road dining tips from you, Bianca. You remind me that it’s not all that complicated!