I'm going to try my best not to get back up on my soapbox for this post, but it's going to be hard.
I just finished reading Whole by T. Colin Campbell, the mastermind behind The China Study. This is another of those life changing books if you let the information in.
Oh, where to begin. There is SO much fantastic information in this book. Campbell has been researching nutrition for 50 years and at this point he is fully in the camp of eating a whole food, plant based diet (WFPB). Notice I didn't use the word vegan. Neither does Campbell. That isn't what he is proposing. His "aha" after years of research shows that when we eat foods as close to their natural state as possible, we get the greatest benefit from them. For example: Oranges have vitamin C. Vitamin C is good for us. So, lots of people take a vitamin C supplement. Or drink some OJ. But what Campbell's research has shown is that we are better off if we just eat the orange. Why? Because our bodies are much smarter than we are. If we just give our bodies the vitamin c without all the other components of the orange, our bodies do not utilize it as efficiently. If we give our bodies the orange in it's natural state, our bodies will utilize what it needs at that moment in time. Taking supplements for certain nutrients is all part of what Campbell terms the "reductionist" approach. It's huge in this country and it's a big problem for our health.
Campbell addresses the protein myth and our fascination with it in our country. I mean, what vegetarian or vegan has NOT been asked "But where do you get your protein?". Did you know that spinach and kale have about twice as much protein, per calorie, as a lean cut of beef? Did you know that animal protein has been linked to increased cancer rates in rats? A link has also been shown between cancer growth and the protein found in cow's milk.
We have been fed the line so much in this country that we MUST have animal protein to grow and maintain muscle mass. But Campbell points us to chimps, gorillas, elephants and hippos, all of whom eat a 100% plant based diet and don't seem to be all that weak or scrawny.
Campbell also gets into the sticky subjects of our reductionist medical system, where we treat the symptoms but don't really do anything to prevent them in the first place. Why is this? Because our medical system is driven by profit and profit is reduced by preventive medicine. Campbell states, "...health information is controlled, and has been for a long time, by interests that are not in alignment with the common good--industries that care much more about their profit than our health. And those industries feel deeply threatened by the possibility of mass adoption of a plant-based diet". What are these industries? The medical, pharmaceutical and supplement industries. Scary information about the power these industries have over our food information and choices.
Campbell goes into our food choices and how they affect the planet. How the production of so much meat affects fossil fuel use, water consumption, deforestation, and global warming.
And of course Campbell also goes into the hell that is factory farming. As he states, "Choosing plant-based foods over animal-based foods reduces pain in so many ways. It alleviates our bodily pain. It minimizes the pain animals experience by reducing CAFO farming. It also reduces human suffering associated with global poverty and hunger".
I've only hit a few high points in this review. The point I really want to come across is that the information presented in this book is valuable for all of us. It is not an easy read for many reasons. It makes us confront long held beliefs that just aren't true. It shows us how discerning and skeptical we have to be with information that is presented to us about our health, which is scary. There are parts of the book that are a little too scientific for me, as in, my eyes glazed over a bit when I tried to read about certain studies that were a little too detailed for my non-scientific mind. But do not let that deter you. Skim it, move on and get this valuable information.
This man is on a mission. He has fought against our current thinking on nutrition for many years. I can only hope that his message will be the catalyst this county needs to change our current unsustainable path.
And, unfortunately, Mr. Campbell is already happily married.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
I May Be Standing on an Elevated Surface Known as a Soapbox.......
I don't get super serious in my posts usually. And I don't usually talk about why I choose a plant based diet (ok, there was that one time). And I certainly am not THAT person who tells others why they shouldn't be eating the standard American diet (SAD).( Although I do look at some of my co-workers lunches at times and judge the hell out of them in my head). But I don't say anything. But in this post, I'm going to say some stuff. Get ready.
Warning!!!! To my friend Robin, probably the only regular reader of this blog; you may want to stop here. It's going to get ugly. Ok, really, just skip the part about the chickens.
I just finished the book, Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. Powerful stuff friends. This book isn't new, originally published in 2009. The information in it isn't new, I already knew or had a general idea of most of the stuff he writes about. But Foer spent 3 years of his life with this subject as he was trying to decide whether to be a vegetarian, and I'm in love with the way he presents his facts. He doesn't really argue for or against eating animals: he presents the facts as they now exist and lets you make up your own mind. He also discusses the environmental aspect of eating animals, something most people don't even consider.
Americans choose to eat less than .25% of the known edible food on the planet
-Foer
America is a nation of carnivores, where meat is eaten, on average, 3x per day, every day, without a second thought. It is usually the star of the meal that everything else revolves around, the "side dishes". I mean, we gotta get our protein, right? This country is obsessed with protein, which apparently is more important to our survival than water.
Foer gets into the uncomfortable subject of why we eat some animals and not others. Why is it "ok" to eat a pig and not a dog? Both are meat. Dogs are plentiful, local and we euthanize millions of them each year. And look out: the euthanized dogs are then made into feed for the animals that are eaten. As the author points out, "why not just eliminate the inefficient and bizarre middle step". Why? Because these are our companion animals that share our homes, beds, lives. We would consider this crazy. But how is it really any different than eating any other animal?
Foer states: Eating animals has an invisible quality. Thinking about dogs, and their relationship to the animals we eat, is one way of looking askance and making something invisible visible.
If I wasn't already committed to not eating animals out of compassion, reading about the horrific conditions of factory farming,(the cruelty, the drugs, the genetic modifications made to these animals), would turn me off meat completely. And the current fact is that we get 99% of our meat in this county from factory farms. The problem is that people have a large disconnect to how we get the meat. Right now, the meat industry in this country is horrifying. I don't know how else to describe it. Once you have this knowledge, I don't know how anyone can not be affected by it and make radical changes to their diet based on it.
As one former factory worker writes in the book: "Factory farms calculate how close to death they can keep the animals without killing them. That's the business model. How quickly can they be made to grow, how tightly can they be packed, how much or little can they eat, how sick can they get without dying".
Let's just take one animal as an example. Did you know there are only 2 kinds of chickens now? One that is genetically modified to be raised as a broiler and another to be a layer. There used to be dozens of different chicken breeds in America. Now we have 2.
In a factory farm situation, the chicken will be lucky to have 8/10's of a square foot to live in. That's about the size of a piece of printer paper. Now imagine this full grown bird on this space, then imagine 33,000 of these sheets of paper in a grid. This grid will be enclosed with windowless walls and a ceiling.
The chickens are engineered to grow big and fast on as little feed as possible, which leads to deformities and disease. The birds become overstressed. They are jammed together in their own filth. 95% become infected with E.coli. 8% will have salmonella. The birds must be given a chlorine bath to remove slime, odor and bacteria when killed, but not to worry, to counteract all the nastiness and lingering bad taste, the birds will be injected or "plumped up" with broths and salty solutions to give them the chicken look, smell and taste that consumers demand.
I won't even go into the processing of the chickens, expect to say that chicken slaughter is exempt from the USDA's Humane Methods of Slaughter (?) and that turnover rates at slaughter house's are 100%. But you need to read about this, to know what these animals must go through, all so this country can have cheap, plentiful meat at all times.
Let me say it best in Foer's own words:
What we do know, is that if you eat meat today, your typical choice is between animals raised with either more (chicken, turkey, fish, and pork) or less (beef) cruelty. Why do so many of us feel we have to choose between such options? What would render such utilitarian calculations of the least horrible option beside the point? At what moment would the absurd choices readily available today give way to the simplicity of a firmly drawn line: this is unacceptable? Just how destructive does a culinary preference have to be before we decide to eat something else? If contributing to the suffering of billions of animals that live miserable lives and (quite often) die in horrific ways isn't motivating, what would be? If being the number one contributor to the most serious threat facing the planet (global warming) isn't enough, what is? And if you are tempted to put off these questions of conscience, to say 'not now', then when?
I'm blaming this post on Jonathan Safran Foer. I guess I just needed to say some of the stuff I don't have time to say when someone asks me why I'm vegan. Or when someone tells me we are supposed to eat animals. Or when someone just has zero understanding of why a plant based diet is a viable alternative and not insane! All the above words are really just a small part of why I'm vegan, but I used Foer's words because he says it much better than I ever could. And I'm not expecting everyone to immediately stop eating meat. I know that will never happen. But I do think we need to end the disconnect and make conscious choices about what we put in our bodies and about what companies and their practices we want to support with our money. Because as long as the demand is there, these practices will continue.
I will leave you with these words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., writing about a time when "one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular". Sometimes we simply have to make a decision because "one's conscience tells one that it is right". (Foer, pg 259)
Read the book friends. And let your conscience be your guide.
Stepping off the box now.........
Warning!!!! To my friend Robin, probably the only regular reader of this blog; you may want to stop here. It's going to get ugly. Ok, really, just skip the part about the chickens.
I just finished the book, Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. Powerful stuff friends. This book isn't new, originally published in 2009. The information in it isn't new, I already knew or had a general idea of most of the stuff he writes about. But Foer spent 3 years of his life with this subject as he was trying to decide whether to be a vegetarian, and I'm in love with the way he presents his facts. He doesn't really argue for or against eating animals: he presents the facts as they now exist and lets you make up your own mind. He also discusses the environmental aspect of eating animals, something most people don't even consider.
Americans choose to eat less than .25% of the known edible food on the planet
-Foer
America is a nation of carnivores, where meat is eaten, on average, 3x per day, every day, without a second thought. It is usually the star of the meal that everything else revolves around, the "side dishes". I mean, we gotta get our protein, right? This country is obsessed with protein, which apparently is more important to our survival than water.
Foer gets into the uncomfortable subject of why we eat some animals and not others. Why is it "ok" to eat a pig and not a dog? Both are meat. Dogs are plentiful, local and we euthanize millions of them each year. And look out: the euthanized dogs are then made into feed for the animals that are eaten. As the author points out, "why not just eliminate the inefficient and bizarre middle step". Why? Because these are our companion animals that share our homes, beds, lives. We would consider this crazy. But how is it really any different than eating any other animal?
Foer states: Eating animals has an invisible quality. Thinking about dogs, and their relationship to the animals we eat, is one way of looking askance and making something invisible visible.
If I wasn't already committed to not eating animals out of compassion, reading about the horrific conditions of factory farming,(the cruelty, the drugs, the genetic modifications made to these animals), would turn me off meat completely. And the current fact is that we get 99% of our meat in this county from factory farms. The problem is that people have a large disconnect to how we get the meat. Right now, the meat industry in this country is horrifying. I don't know how else to describe it. Once you have this knowledge, I don't know how anyone can not be affected by it and make radical changes to their diet based on it.
As one former factory worker writes in the book: "Factory farms calculate how close to death they can keep the animals without killing them. That's the business model. How quickly can they be made to grow, how tightly can they be packed, how much or little can they eat, how sick can they get without dying".
Let's just take one animal as an example. Did you know there are only 2 kinds of chickens now? One that is genetically modified to be raised as a broiler and another to be a layer. There used to be dozens of different chicken breeds in America. Now we have 2.
In a factory farm situation, the chicken will be lucky to have 8/10's of a square foot to live in. That's about the size of a piece of printer paper. Now imagine this full grown bird on this space, then imagine 33,000 of these sheets of paper in a grid. This grid will be enclosed with windowless walls and a ceiling.
The chickens are engineered to grow big and fast on as little feed as possible, which leads to deformities and disease. The birds become overstressed. They are jammed together in their own filth. 95% become infected with E.coli. 8% will have salmonella. The birds must be given a chlorine bath to remove slime, odor and bacteria when killed, but not to worry, to counteract all the nastiness and lingering bad taste, the birds will be injected or "plumped up" with broths and salty solutions to give them the chicken look, smell and taste that consumers demand.
I won't even go into the processing of the chickens, expect to say that chicken slaughter is exempt from the USDA's Humane Methods of Slaughter (?) and that turnover rates at slaughter house's are 100%. But you need to read about this, to know what these animals must go through, all so this country can have cheap, plentiful meat at all times.
Let me say it best in Foer's own words:
What we do know, is that if you eat meat today, your typical choice is between animals raised with either more (chicken, turkey, fish, and pork) or less (beef) cruelty. Why do so many of us feel we have to choose between such options? What would render such utilitarian calculations of the least horrible option beside the point? At what moment would the absurd choices readily available today give way to the simplicity of a firmly drawn line: this is unacceptable? Just how destructive does a culinary preference have to be before we decide to eat something else? If contributing to the suffering of billions of animals that live miserable lives and (quite often) die in horrific ways isn't motivating, what would be? If being the number one contributor to the most serious threat facing the planet (global warming) isn't enough, what is? And if you are tempted to put off these questions of conscience, to say 'not now', then when?
I'm blaming this post on Jonathan Safran Foer. I guess I just needed to say some of the stuff I don't have time to say when someone asks me why I'm vegan. Or when someone tells me we are supposed to eat animals. Or when someone just has zero understanding of why a plant based diet is a viable alternative and not insane! All the above words are really just a small part of why I'm vegan, but I used Foer's words because he says it much better than I ever could. And I'm not expecting everyone to immediately stop eating meat. I know that will never happen. But I do think we need to end the disconnect and make conscious choices about what we put in our bodies and about what companies and their practices we want to support with our money. Because as long as the demand is there, these practices will continue.
I will leave you with these words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., writing about a time when "one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular". Sometimes we simply have to make a decision because "one's conscience tells one that it is right". (Foer, pg 259)
Read the book friends. And let your conscience be your guide.
Stepping off the box now.........
Monday, August 19, 2013
Art, Art, Everywhere
Hit up a local art fair this weekend that is within walking distance of my home. It seems to have doubled in size from last year. SO good for people watching, one of my fav activities. This year also appeared to be good for dog watching, as everyone seemed to bring theirs. Except me.
All areas of art were covered: fabrics, paints, glass, metal, wood, jewelry, pottery. I was only tempted by pottery and jewelry this year, but walked away from any purchase when I was tempted. I'm so weird this way: some times I spend money without a second thought; other times it's like that $5 is coming out of my very soul. Anyone else?
It was fun to talk to some of the artists, see how far they traveled to get here (Chicago won), and compliment them on their work. Some will allow pictures to be taken of their work, others will not, so I always asked.
This was one of my favorite things, had to walk by it twice before I even noticed it. Nice that they are honoring and showing the tree some love, but I'm sad it's going to be cut down soon. I HATE when trees are cut down. I'm talking to you dad........
There is just something about a bonsai tree......
Lots of food trucks this year and 2 beer gardens! That's right, 2! Each one sponsored by a local brewery. So, to be fair and supportive of each local establishment, I had a brew from each. Not gegan, but good. Don't judge. This is when I cheat--craft beer. And if I keep it in moderation, I feel ok. Plus it's not an everyday thing. Thank goodness there was one place that had some great vegan/gegan options.
And I didn't buy one piece of art. Not one.
All areas of art were covered: fabrics, paints, glass, metal, wood, jewelry, pottery. I was only tempted by pottery and jewelry this year, but walked away from any purchase when I was tempted. I'm so weird this way: some times I spend money without a second thought; other times it's like that $5 is coming out of my very soul. Anyone else?
It was fun to talk to some of the artists, see how far they traveled to get here (Chicago won), and compliment them on their work. Some will allow pictures to be taken of their work, others will not, so I always asked.
This was one of my favorite things, had to walk by it twice before I even noticed it. Nice that they are honoring and showing the tree some love, but I'm sad it's going to be cut down soon. I HATE when trees are cut down. I'm talking to you dad........
There is just something about a bonsai tree......
And sorry, I couldn't resist. Blame it on the beer gardens.
And I didn't buy one piece of art. Not one.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Scenes from a Run
I haven't written in a while because I've been in a bit of a funk. I won't bore you with most of the reasons, but one of them was due to a strained muscle in my left leg that made running, hell, even walking, an unpleasant experience. So after running in pain for a week, I took a week off, did yoga, iced, taped and rested. It helped. Got back on the horse this week and it's rough. I'm still so new to this that taking a break throws me completely off. I felt my motivation wane, had those thoughts of "who do I think I am, trying to be a runner!", or "you can't be a runner, you are always hurting yourself", or any other negative thought you may want to insert.
It's as I've said before, running is so mental! Your head will SO try and talk your body out of doing the run. You wouldn't believe the number of reasons my brain can spew out at 4:30am as to why I should not get up and go for a run. It's amazing. You just have to go on autopilot, put your clothes on and just not think about it. My new favorite quote about this is: Commitment is more important than mood. You ain't kidding.
So I just got up this morning and did it. Tried to get out of my own head. It was threatening to rain the entire time, but I got in 30mins. And it felt decent. And I was glad I was out there. And here are some things I saw along the way.....
It's as I've said before, running is so mental! Your head will SO try and talk your body out of doing the run. You wouldn't believe the number of reasons my brain can spew out at 4:30am as to why I should not get up and go for a run. It's amazing. You just have to go on autopilot, put your clothes on and just not think about it. My new favorite quote about this is: Commitment is more important than mood. You ain't kidding.
So I just got up this morning and did it. Tried to get out of my own head. It was threatening to rain the entire time, but I got in 30mins. And it felt decent. And I was glad I was out there. And here are some things I saw along the way.....
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit".
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Product Review!!!!!
You know I love to try new food things. One of my friends that used to live next door to me always said he loved this about me, because he got to try them too :-) I have reviewed new food products before, but this is my first review of a product sent to me FOR FREE by the company! Does this make me a real blogger?? It's the little things in life that excite me, don't judge.
So, I was sent a giant jar of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try.
So far, I'm loving this stuff. Coconut oil is so versatile. I have used it for:
*Baking
*Sautéing
*As ingredient in my homemade facial scrub and body wash
*Drizzling on top of my dog's food once per day (he loves it!)
*Conditioner for hair
It's crazy how much you can do with this stuff. Don't believe me? Here's a link to prove it:
How to Use Coconut Oil: There are hundreds of uses for coconut oil!
If you can incorporate some coconut oil into your everyday life, please give it a try. Be sure to use a virgin or unrefined product for your best health.
Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.
So, I was sent a giant jar of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try.
So far, I'm loving this stuff. Coconut oil is so versatile. I have used it for:
*Baking
*Sautéing
*As ingredient in my homemade facial scrub and body wash
*Drizzling on top of my dog's food once per day (he loves it!)
*Conditioner for hair
It's crazy how much you can do with this stuff. Don't believe me? Here's a link to prove it:
How to Use Coconut Oil: There are hundreds of uses for coconut oil!
If you can incorporate some coconut oil into your everyday life, please give it a try. Be sure to use a virgin or unrefined product for your best health.
Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
THANKS
It's not easy to run a 10K, at least not for me. So I want to give a shout out to the things that made today's second 10K a little easier to endure....
*The thoughtful party people located just before mile 3. Thank you for gathering many of your friends so early in the morning and blasting high energy tunes from your porch. I couldn't run with my music this race because it was raining. I've NEVER ran without music and it was really hard for me. My music is what motivates me at times. The music from this house really helped. And luckily, that part of the course looped back, so I got to hear it a second time.
*The people that took the time to make stupid funny signs that were around mile 4. Some examples: "I trained 6 months to hold this sign", "Yes, your butt does look fast in those shorts", and my favorite "No, you aren't close to the finish". Thanks for making me smile.
*The 4 man brass band standing out in the rain playing patriotic tunes at the turn around point, which put us into the home stretch. They were all of an advanced age and were wearing the cutest red striped vests. Thank you for braving the rain to keep us motivated.
*The people dressed up as superheroes that popped up at the beginning and end of the race. I believe I saw the entire Avenger clan, The Incredible Hulk, Snow White, Batman. Thanks for putting on silly outfits so early on this rainy day and cheering us on.
*The family handing out small bottles of Gatorade between miles 5 and 6. Everything on me was so wet I couldn't get the thing open and I had to put it down on the sidewalk, but I totally appreciate the thought.
*Any and all people that gave me a high five from the side of the course. Isn't it great to high five complete strangers?
*All the people at the mile markers who yelled out our times and told us to keep it up.
*The 2 fireman running in full gear!!! Whew! Made me feel bad for being tired. Amazing!!!!
*The group of men running with a pretty large American flag. They took turns carrying it the entire race. Reminded us all of what this day means.
It takes a lot of volunteers to set up a race like this and it means so much to the runners to have complete strangers line the course and give support. It really does help and I hope they know how much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
*The thoughtful party people located just before mile 3. Thank you for gathering many of your friends so early in the morning and blasting high energy tunes from your porch. I couldn't run with my music this race because it was raining. I've NEVER ran without music and it was really hard for me. My music is what motivates me at times. The music from this house really helped. And luckily, that part of the course looped back, so I got to hear it a second time.
*The people that took the time to make stupid funny signs that were around mile 4. Some examples: "I trained 6 months to hold this sign", "Yes, your butt does look fast in those shorts", and my favorite "No, you aren't close to the finish". Thanks for making me smile.
*The 4 man brass band standing out in the rain playing patriotic tunes at the turn around point, which put us into the home stretch. They were all of an advanced age and were wearing the cutest red striped vests. Thank you for braving the rain to keep us motivated.
*The people dressed up as superheroes that popped up at the beginning and end of the race. I believe I saw the entire Avenger clan, The Incredible Hulk, Snow White, Batman. Thanks for putting on silly outfits so early on this rainy day and cheering us on.
*The family handing out small bottles of Gatorade between miles 5 and 6. Everything on me was so wet I couldn't get the thing open and I had to put it down on the sidewalk, but I totally appreciate the thought.
*Any and all people that gave me a high five from the side of the course. Isn't it great to high five complete strangers?
*All the people at the mile markers who yelled out our times and told us to keep it up.
*The 2 fireman running in full gear!!! Whew! Made me feel bad for being tired. Amazing!!!!
*The group of men running with a pretty large American flag. They took turns carrying it the entire race. Reminded us all of what this day means.
It takes a lot of volunteers to set up a race like this and it means so much to the runners to have complete strangers line the course and give support. It really does help and I hope they know how much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Eating my way through Nashville
I spent the past weekend in Nashville with great friends and great food. And because I am a food nerd, I must share the greatness of this food with you.
On Saturday we had a late lunch/early dinner at a place called Wild Cow. Very small, local restaurant. So many vegan/gegan options it was hard to choose. Luckily, we all ordered something different and everyone was willing to share :-)
The appetizer was chips with vegan cheese and a very unique salsa. It had a sweet taste to it that we all thought was cinnamon, but our server informed us it was coriander. Very tasty. Sorry I didn't get the pic earlier, but we were hungry.
We each ordered a bowl that consisted of a protein, kale, veggies, sauce over your choice of quinoa or brown rice. My bowl contained a lentil mixture with veggies, with added steamed kale over brown rice with garlic aioli. So very good.
One of my friends got this delicious bowl that had tofu, kale, some veggies over quinoa with a peanut flavored sauce. The table voted this bowl to be the best. And prettiest.
Even though we were pretty full, we could not pass up taking some of these with us--gegan cupcakes!!!!!
Never dreaming that this meal could be topped, we got up the next day and I verbalized the dream of being able to go out to breakfast and have a gegan pancake, knowing it was just a wild dream. Well guess what? Not in Nashville, my friends.
Let me introduce you to the Pfunky Griddle.
This place is pure genius. Each table has it's own built in griddle in the middle. You order the type of pancake batter you want (whole grain, regular, vegan or gegan), add in your toppings (mine was blueberries) and whatever side you want (we got potatoes to share).
Here is one of my friends showing her love for the griddle.
Gearing up
We had to stand up to ensure a good flip
The aftermath
It was fantastic. I haven't had a gegan pancake since dropping gluten and I've never had a vegan pancake that I haven't made myself since I became vegan. Well, okay, I technically made this one too, but only the cooking part! No prep, no clean up! We were some happy people when we left that place, let me tell you.
Both places highly recommended. Check them out.
On Saturday we had a late lunch/early dinner at a place called Wild Cow. Very small, local restaurant. So many vegan/gegan options it was hard to choose. Luckily, we all ordered something different and everyone was willing to share :-)
The appetizer was chips with vegan cheese and a very unique salsa. It had a sweet taste to it that we all thought was cinnamon, but our server informed us it was coriander. Very tasty. Sorry I didn't get the pic earlier, but we were hungry.
We each ordered a bowl that consisted of a protein, kale, veggies, sauce over your choice of quinoa or brown rice. My bowl contained a lentil mixture with veggies, with added steamed kale over brown rice with garlic aioli. So very good.
One of my friends got this delicious bowl that had tofu, kale, some veggies over quinoa with a peanut flavored sauce. The table voted this bowl to be the best. And prettiest.
Even though we were pretty full, we could not pass up taking some of these with us--gegan cupcakes!!!!!
Never dreaming that this meal could be topped, we got up the next day and I verbalized the dream of being able to go out to breakfast and have a gegan pancake, knowing it was just a wild dream. Well guess what? Not in Nashville, my friends.
Let me introduce you to the Pfunky Griddle.
This place is pure genius. Each table has it's own built in griddle in the middle. You order the type of pancake batter you want (whole grain, regular, vegan or gegan), add in your toppings (mine was blueberries) and whatever side you want (we got potatoes to share).
Here is one of my friends showing her love for the griddle.
Gearing up
We had to stand up to ensure a good flip
The aftermath
It was fantastic. I haven't had a gegan pancake since dropping gluten and I've never had a vegan pancake that I haven't made myself since I became vegan. Well, okay, I technically made this one too, but only the cooking part! No prep, no clean up! We were some happy people when we left that place, let me tell you.
Both places highly recommended. Check them out.
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