Food(less) Journey

I'm Back Internet!! That is still the most commonly asked question I hear when people find out I'm a plant based foodie. The simple answer to that question is "Food. Specifically plant based foods". But the concept of a food being "plant based" is somewhat foreign to the American Public. And that's okay. Each one teach one. A plant based diet excludes eggs, meat and dairy, but includes everything else. Fruit, vegetables, and grains in all their marvelous varieties. I could tell you what I eat, but isn't it easier to show rather than tell? So, here are a few of my recent meals. Most of my meals have been eaten at home lately, but the last four items are at local non plant based restaurants. Pittsburgh is secretly a veg based paradise. The items I show aren't even at one of the many vegan exclusive restaurants in the area. But enough chatting..... Sanoma Gluten Free Flatbreads Dairy Free Fire Roasted Veggie Pizza Van's G...

This Weekend was my Circuit Assembly. It was a ridiculously wonderful weekend! SO much wonderful instruction and spiritual food! Assemblies and Conventions always help me with refocusing on what is really important and with setting big goals. And last week was rather stressful so I was definitely glad to be going and spending time with spiritually minded people for two full days in a row. And I was blessed enough to be able to volunteer in two different departments. I love helping out in the coat room! You get to talk to so many people coming in. After the Saturday session we went to Whole Foods for dinner. I bought the candle cafe mac and cheese because it was on sale and there was a coupon, but i also bought the Harrys Samosas just in case it wasn't that great. Good thing I did. That mac n cheese was nothing to write home about. I wouldn't buy it again even on sale and with a coupon. There wasn't enough cheese and the shredded cheese on top of it didn't blend ...

Ruffage is a restaurant and grocery store. It's "store" area is not very big and yet they had everything i needed to stock my hotel room kitchen (which consisted of a mini fridge and a counter) This is something I ate there on one of my visits: It was not my favorite dish, but it was very tasty. They had the yumiest smoothies made with fresh fruit, raw nuts and dates. I was afraid of dates until I had their smoothies. Those little bits of chewiness were amazing! If you are ever on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii and anywhere near Waikiki you must go here. It's literally 3 blocks from the beach.

Oh how i really really like thee! That being said I very rarely eat pasta, since the realy delicious pasta is not exactly a yummy coworker. At least not for me. Pasta in my body creates some very intense cravings for sweet stuff. And Im not talking about dates. More like triple chocolate diabetes on a plate. But when I go out with friends I usually do so on a naughty day so I can indulge in delights that I wouldnt normally. But remember that even on naughty days I stick to moderate portions(it is possible to gain weight by overeating evn if only one day a week). On the above pictured day I went to Buca di Beppo with some friends and had a "side of spaghetti" (not to be confused with the "small spaghetti" which serves 3(and yes I used to skip lunch and eat a small for dinner..naughty)). I also indulged in some house bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vin. Seriously delicious! Buca's marianara is the yummiest and freshest tasting pasta sauce I have ever had at...

A few weeks ago a good friend and I took a little field trip to a lovely little spot that serves a lovely spot of tea. Upon arriving at Parkers UK Connection , a tea house that is quite literally a converted house, we were greeted by the owners and ushered into the tea room. We were the only customers as it was quite near closing time, but you would not have known closing time was so emminent from the fine greeting we received. Pictured above is the very pretty table arrangement including fresh cut flowers and charming sugar bowl. The excessively obliging hostess (Mrs. Parker to be precise) suggested I try the beans on toast and offered to include a baby greens salad with vin to round out the meal. I have wanted to try this inherently UK dish for ages, but was hesitant to say the least. It was surprisingly good! And doesn't it look adorable: In the background of the above picture my tea bag is in its proper place. Resting peacefully on its own little plate. Very cute indeed! My f...