Good morning!
I enjoyed a delicious bowl of vegan overnight oats this morning. I made this batch heavier on the chia seeds and lighter on the oats just for a fun change.
Mango Blueberry Vegan Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2-1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup mango
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- Seeds/nuts for sprinkling (I used roasted sunflower seeds)
Directions: In a small bowl mix together the oats, chia seeds, almond milk, chopped mango, blueberries and maple syrup. Place in fridge overnight or for at least 1 hour to allow for the seeds and oats to soak up the milk. When you are ready to eat, top with any other desired toppings and serve.
Mango in the oats = awesome.
A Vegan In Paris
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Last week, I told you about my upcoming trip to Paris during the 3rd week of September with OSGMOM and my sister Kristi. I said I would talk about how I will eat while in Paris, especially considering that French cuisine is far from vegan.
I actually laughed as I typed this last sentence because French cuisine is pretty much the antithesis of vegan eating. It is quite funny to think about.
You know what though, I’m cool with that. Just because I eat a vegan diet doesn’t mean that I think everyone should eat like I do. I understand that all cuisines are different and have certain characteristics that define them, and it just so happens that French cuisine has a lot of cheese, cream, butter, pastries, and meat!
My plan is to have fun like I always do with food and to not worry about it. I want to soak up the culture while in Paris and if that means I have to occasionally soak up some melted chocolate on my croissant then so be it. ;)
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Technically speaking, I will have no ‘plan’ going to Paris. I think it’s more fun that way.
Long gone are the days when I used to worry, stress, or obsess about what I eat. Food is fun in my life and I plan on keeping it that way while in Paris. I will roll with the punches and have a good time with it.
Obviously there will be occasions when it is not possible to eat vegan, and I am not going to worry about it. I ate non-vegan for 25 years of my life after all. As far as eating meat-free goes, I don’t think that will be a problem. It’s pretty easy to find or ask for meat-free dishes at restaurants. I just need to learn how to say that in French. ;)
My plan is to have fun…AND bring you along for the journey!
Like I said, I could come home a coffee-drinking, croissant lovin, bon-bon eating non-vegan.
I can’t be sure.
Or I may not come home at all.
Do you have any special diet preferences or needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, wheat-free, nut-free, etc) and have you had to accommodate them while on vacation or away from home? Have you ever had to ‘go hungry’ because of an allergy like gluten or nuts, when there were no options available for you?
Luckily I do not have any food allergies (I have been tested for everything), just sensitivities. My doctor thinks I have IBS. Foods like dairy, nuts, and high-fat foods can be problematic for my stomach in large quantities, so I try to be mindful of this when eating.
Those oats look so good, I love chia seeds so I am going to try mine that way. Good for you for going to Paris and going about your eating in a relaxed way. With all the walking you will do I am sure you will stay healthy!
I love your attitude towards this :) By obsessing over where you can find something vegan and shunning all of the food that is part of French culture would just be taking the joy out of your trip, and it should be a time you’re able to enjoy and relax during. I hope you have a fantastic trip and have the chance to enjoy lots of delicious French food!
Luckily Melbourne is very vegetarian friendly (or Vego as they call it!) But I had no idea or plans of what to expect when I got here either! I like your attitude of taking things as they come. It is the best way to experience the culture. It’s hard when a food preference gets in the way of anything when you are so far from home or out of your comfort zone.
So exciting about your French adventure! Can’t wait to see all the good eats and coffee!!!
I recently discovered I have IBS and its a very hard disorder to live with. Everyday is different and for me, I can’t mix lots of starches like oats with fats. I love oatmeal, but do better when I’m away from cooked grains. Many sprouted foods give my problems too. Oh how I miss my flax crackers and VOO, but my squash mashed potatoes seem to work miracles for my IBS along with the daily Nutri-Shakes!
Thanks for the great photos ! I love seeing your Pari’ pictures:)
I love your outlook and am so very excited for you. :)
You have an AMAZING outlook. I was supposed to spend the summer in Europe for work, but am not anymore. :( I was worried about it, but I think I would’ve gone with the same approach. Life is too short to freak out!! I have a feeling that any dairy you may consume over there comes from MUCH greater and humane sources than here in North America.
Hi Angela!!
Just wanted to say that I have tried your overnight oats and they are fab!! Thanks for sharing such great recipes!! Also I posted this as a link on my blog!! You are an inspiration to many. Keep up the great work!!
Angela, I made the Blueberry Mango VOO last night and ate them for breakfast this morning with an iced coffee. I am SO full, but they were SO delicious! I never would have thought to put mango in oats before. Thanks so much for posting this! And I am so happy for you about Paris. It is my dream to go there!
As a world traveling life-long vegetarian I have had hundreds of challenges finding food on the road. Eating while traveling in foreign lands used to stress me out and cause anxiety but I have learned to relax and remember that it is o.k to be a little bit hungry once in a while, especially when there are people literally starving on the streets next to me. No matter where I am in the world I will never know hunger like a great number of people face every day. Occasionally “going hungery” has only helped foster in me an attitude of gratitude for the abundant resources available to me and compassion for those who regularly lack enough food.
I think your plan to not have a plan is awesome! Why spend your time stressing out about food instead of enjoying your time there? :D
My nut allergies make it really hard to eat out. Most sit down restaurants are okay about accomodating my allergies, but buffets and vegetarian/vegan restaurants are a lot more difficult. Just last night I tried to go to Urban Herbivore (a vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Kensington market) and they told me there was NO way they could accomodate my allergies. Such a bummer! :(
My boyfriend and I are vegan and usually find plenty of vegan options when travelling. We did have a bit of a tough time in one town in Nova Scotia last year, but we dealt with it by buying vegetables and hummus and various other vegan foods at a grocery store. We are vegan for ethical reasons and would not consider eating non vegan, even when out of the country. I’m sure that there will be plenty of vegan options in Paris for you to enjoy.
I LOVE your attitude Angela! I definitely think that is the best way to approach your vacation in Paris – live it, have fun with it and don’t stress about what you can eat/not. Afterall, it’s not every day you will have a chance to indulge in the delicious European eats – live without regret :)
I can’t wait to read all about it :D
As a vegetarian, the hardest time I’ve ever had finding food was when I was up north in Iqaluit for a week (for work). There aren’t a lot of restaurants there to start with, and they’re either meat potato, or showcasing the local cuisine (lots of Arctic char, that sort of thing). But even there I was able to feed myself – it just wasn’t the most varied diet!
Don’t worry too much about food in France. I know they will at least do vegetarian. Last time I was there, all I had to do was tell the server I was une vegetarianne and they were happy to create a delicious dish for me. Have a great time!
I cannot wait to eat through Paris with you! (This is my first comment, sorry for the lack of introduction. :-p)
I’m not vegan right now, but vegetarian. I have no problems eating out anywhere typically, but struggled with it traveling for work last fall. I hadn’t been veg for too long, and was getting some weird backlash when I brought it up. I decided the easiest solution for me was to not draw much attention to it with colleagues. They all knew, but I didn’t want to jump in and suggest restaurants, etc. I clearly made it through fine, but most nights were unhealthy cream-sauced pastas, and one, at a super swanky steakhouse, consisted entirely of tomatoes (calling themselves a caprese salad).
I feel much more comfortable with it at this point, and am interested in so many more health-conscious aspects of my decisions. By now, I’m sure I’d stick up for myself, make the healthy choices I want to, and ask for special things, regardless of company! :-)
I am pretty picky with my food since the only way I get to feel comfortable and confident with my body is by eating fresh, organic foods that are low in sugar, salt and trans/saturated fats. Also, I recently became vegetarian. But I am currently living at my aunts house in Belgium and staying there for 10 days, with a squeezed in trip to Paris for two days. Belgium is famous for their rich waffles, decadent chocolates, sugary beer and extremely fatty salty french fries. The fries are actually cooked in beef shortening, not vegetable oil… Ive been freaking out a little and gaining a few pounds but am also having a blast with all this craziness and tell myself that its only for a short period of time…
Have fun in Paris :)
xxo
Agreed – mango in oats is amazing! I’m not vegan but VOO is like the vegan version of birscher muesli?
I know this is an older post but I am responding to your question at the end about special diets while traveling. I have been to England many times in the past as my husband is British but my recent trip was the first time since discovering my food allergies to gluten and dairy. I was very stressed about this one in particular because I would not be staying with family and able to cook my own meals. I was hiking 200 miles with a friend and relying on the understanding of B&B hosts and restaurant chefs to feed me without making me sick.
We succeeded because we did legwork ahead of time – some towns were quite small with limited options. We pre-booked B&Bs and restaurants that “got it” (based on emails and conversations) and with the exception of one B&B and one restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised by the care and attention taken to provide me with tasty and safe meals. I also found that the UK regulations on food labeling is better than here and the major grocery stores list their vegetarian/vegan wines. I can only hope the US will follow suit one of these days.
Discussing my restrictions with restaurant owners and chefs prior to my visit made the situation much more comfortable for all involved and I was able to enjoy eating out with much less stress than I usually can at home. And small care packages mailed to strategic locations ensured I would have the allergen free snacks needed to keep me going on the trail.