Information on vegan lifestyle.
Before leaving home, I got warned by several people that Russia is not the most vegan-friendly country to travel in. It’s funny how people who are not even vegan and have probably never been to Russia become experts on unknown territory. I must admit that I was happily surprised about the veggie situation in this gigantic country. I have committed to not paying for any sleep, so CouchSurfing is just…
Low budget traveling as a vegan requires some preparation and time, but it is totally worth the trouble of course. Leaving my kitchen-laboratory in Belgium was rather difficult, since I was afraid that cooking on the road would be impossible. Yet I soon adopted kitchens around the country as if they were my own. Here is how I ate while traveling the Trans Siberian Express: I carried some basics with…
A few years ago, I was facilitating a group of medical students in a self-reflection exercise. After sharing, listening, weeping and hugging, we stood in a circle and pressed the palms of our hands together and brought them to our hearts. I looked deeply into the eyes of each student in the circle and said, “Namaste. The light in me sees the light in you. The sacred in me sees…
Most people experience some amount of anxiety when coming home for the holidays, whether it’s because you’re bringing home a significant other to meet the folks for the first time or you may not be on the best terms with a family member. Most people typically don’t think “dietary issues” would make a family gathering stressful, but for vegans this is often times the case. Having to explain to family…
I live on the island of Mallorca, a Spanish island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. People here regard themselves as the Chosen Ones when it comes to diet. After all, numerous scientific studies or at least their press accounts have told the whole world that the Mediterranean diet is the winner. For those living around this body of water, this is a source of pride (“we are the…
This is a great hummus to bring to parties around the holidays, because of its festive cool green color, and good taste. I like to pair it with a crunchy veggie (like sliced cucumbers) and a spicy cracker (like Mary’s Gone Crackers – Hot and Spicy Jalapeno flavor). The spiciness of the cracker pairs very nicely with the coolness of the hummus. CILANTRO HUMMUS Ingredients: 1 15 oz. can of…
As a registered dietitian for 25 years, I know a thing or two about nutrition. And not so long ago, a vegan diet was cause for concern among the health care community because of concern regarding potential nutrient risks. Flash forward to today, and growing research points out that a well-planned vegan diet can not only meet your nutrient needs, it can offer a range of benefits, such as a…
Watch our highlight video of Portland VegFest 2015 in Portland, Oregon. Interviews by HappyCow’s Ken Spector. Locals talk about Portland’s favorite vegan restaurants, products and other vegan tips. Watch our video highlights here: For more info see: https://nwveg.org/vegfest…
Traveling vegans not only have to worry about culture differences, language barriers and navigating new cities, they also have to worry about where to eat. After living in Asia for over 2 years, and constantly finding tiny shrimps, fish sauce and bits of meat in my “vegetarian” labeled meals, I found a plant-friendly oasis in Chiang Mai. After living and eating my way around the city for 7 months, here…
Watch our highlight video of Toronto Veg Food Fest 2015 in Toronto, Canada, and learn some tips from locals about Toronto’s vegan hot spots! Interviews by HappyCow’s Ken Spector. For more info see: http://www.vegfoodfest.com…
World Vegan Day 2015 has come and gone. It was celebrated in Hong Kong with the Meat Free Hong Kong meetup group enjoying a fabulous, fabulous, fabulous hot pot meal at the city’s Pure Veggie House. HK has 7+ million people and 200+ all vegetarian restaurants. It’s thus maybe slightly surprising that so few of those vego restaurants purport to be 100% vegan. This is thus a quick run down…
Hong Kong can be a real nightmare for veg*ans trying to eat in omnivorous eateries. For example Chinese omnivorous places often use chicken stock in food they bill as vegetarian. As per tons of other omnivorous places around the world (as mentioned before in this blog), many HK places to eat have no serious detailed understanding of vegetarian terms and concepts. This is regardless of the ethnicity of the cuisine…
I am a recent convert to Sriracha sauce. Not unusual, since I tend to slowly get on the bandwagon with things. But I really love it. It adds a great kick to things, without being overpowering. My favorite so far is the Trader Joe’s brand of Sriracha sauce. Even if you don’t like Sriracha sauce, I guarantee you’ll like these mushrooms. The Garlic Cashew Cheese and fresh basil add a…