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
[Source]
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. ;)
[Source]
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.
I’m also admiring you’re attitude! I was in Paris last autumn, and little salad/juice bars seemed to be quite the trend over there already then, so for sure you’ll find plenty of stuff suitable for a vegan. I’m still dreaming of the green juice & pineapple/mint smoothie I had in one place, though I’m an omnivore so I also had my fair share of cheese & croissants (and loved every bite)! The traditional bistros always have lovely salads, they usually include some kind of cheese/meat, but I guess that can be easily removed, and dressings are normally divine vinaigrettes which shouldn’t be a problem. As I think someone mentioned, there are plenty of delicious fruits & vegetables available in the (super)markets, if you like e.g. figs you’re in luck! Oh and herbal tea is served in every cafe/restaurant, it’s called “infusion”. And of course you can always get a big mug of green tea at Starbucks haha.
If you do decide to cave to the non-vegan culinary delights of Paris, may I recommend une salade au chevre chaud sans lardon?! (Hot goat cheese salad WITHOUT bacon) This was probably my favorite dish in Paris last year – salad with the classic mustardy vinaigrette, with yummy French bread that had goat cheese melted on it… SO good. Usually comes with bacon though, so don’t forget to say “sans lardon”!
I don’t have any allergies, but I am vegan. However, like you, I was non-vegan for 25 years so when I go on vacation I enjoy myself and not worry about diet restrictions. I find it easy to continue to eat meat-free while on vacation, but sometimes, it’s hard to avoid dairy in sauces, or cheese on a dish. I don’t let it bother me to much because I want to enjoy wherever I am and not worry or stress about what I’m going to eat. I just went to South Carolina and I used to eat a lot of seafood. The stuff down there is used to be what I waited all year for, so while there this year, I did let myself have crab legs…..and I have to say…..they were sooo good.
enjoy planning your trip, angela! that is half the fun! i love your open-mind attitude regarding the treats you will find in paris.
just enjoyed my first bowl of VOO – the pumpkin pie version you posted the other day! i loved it!
I have always packed some staple foods in my luggage for travel, even pre-vegetarian (almost vegan – I don’t know what to call myself!) days. Just in case foods, like when I went to Mexico and stayed at the crappiest of spring break hotels a million years ago. I just didn’t trust the food, so I’d eat what I felt comfortable eating, then I knew I always had food that I liked at the hotel. Food with more of a purpose. Trail mix, granola bars, Larabars – low maintenance food. I am going to California in a few weeks and can’t wait to try ALL the food there! I may not ever come home…
I have been to Paris as a vegan and it is doable. The trick to traveling in Europe is to find the nearest grocery store and stock up on snacks. Paris had Champion – and it is always fun to shop and see what they stock!
So, coincidence… I spent a semester in Paris… and I am allergic to dairy products/was a vegetarian. People said it would be impossible for me to survive. ha! It was delicious. I ended up being extremely creative and the food and produce was so tasty and fresh… BEST PLACE TO BE A VEGAN. Sorry, I got excited about your post!
That’s awesome you’re not going to let dietary restrictions limit your vacation! There’s absolutely no reason to let food get in the way of memories. :)
I went to Mexico for a 2 week study abroad type thing in the summer of 08, where I stayed with a host family. I was told that being a vegetarian would be no problem before going and discussed it with my host mother when I got there. Good lord… she made some of the worst Mexican food! For dinner one night she made me boiled broccoli and boiled white rice. Another was chicken soup, which I was told I could take the chicken out of. I ended up eating out most of the time (the restaurants served delicious food, and I could always find at least a quesadilla!) and I also would go to the nearby market and buy almonds for a much needed source of protein. I also ate a lot of dairy, which I avoid generally but I expected that would be the case when I left.
Funny you asked this question today. I’m newly gluten-free and I’m finding that the attitudes between different restaurants is amazing. Some are very accommodating, and some aren’t — once a waiter said to me, “Oh, you’re doing the gluten thing?” (The “gluten thing”?????) But in other places, they make it a point to clean off the grill before they cook your food.
I was in San Francisco last month and eating gf was no problem at all. I’m headed up to a dinky town in northern Michigan this weekend and I am bringing about 15 Larabars as insurance. =D It just depends. Although, I find that although small restaurants don’t have a gf menu, they’re less likely to use processed foods that would have gluten, and vice versa for chain restaurants. Win some, lose some.
I lived in Spain 11 years ago and was a vegetarian at the time, and somehow I still had a wonderful time even without the jamon serrano. (I gained 10 pounds in four months and enjoyed every single pound!!!) You’ll have a blast in Paris. Just take lots of pictures so we can live vicariously through you, ok?
I, myself, don’t have any food sensitivities but the husband does. He is allergic to milk. There have been many times where options have been limited for him. (And also many occasions of restaurants not getting his order right and adding cheese or a cream sauce to his plate.) He usually doesn’t have to go hungry because we plan ahead knowing that most people probably are not. If we are going to a pot luck event, I always bring something that is dairy-free so that we know he’ll at least have one thing to eat.
hey i just got back from working on an organic farm in france and thought id share some things from paris that really helped me out/ made the vegan~ish choices possible. I know you probably have tons of resources and people telling you things to do, tips, etc, but thought these might be of use…
you must MUST MUSTMUSTMUST go to the jewish quarter (north of ile st. louis). There is a street restaurant called “Chez Hanna” and they have the best falafel pitas in the world. They are completely vegan, packed with protein, veggies, and the sauce on top is a liquid tahini mix. We took them up the next street and enjoyed them in the park.
I was fortunate to be staying on the ile st. louis, home of berthillon ice cream. id never tried this before my second trip to paris but am now in love. mostly because they have sorbets and glace but the sorbets are not made with milk. Cacao Amer Sorbet? yes please. best chocolate vegan dessert in my life.
There is a bakery on the same street, a little further east, (i dont remember the name….) but they have amazing olive fougasse. perfect for picnics on le seine, snack while walking around, or a base for a sandwich.
I know its not vegan but neither am I completely yet, just experimental, so when offered the opportunity to have a souffle night, I decided to go for it. Afterall, my meal there was vegetarian if not vegan. North west of the louvre is a restaurant called Le Souffle. I am not kidding. It was amazing. I had tomato-basil souffle and split a dark chocolate souffle with the table for dessert. I couldnt finish my bite of the latter because i was so full, but they were amazing– definitely something I’m glad I tried in my lifetime.
There are little farmers markets around town, usually on the weekends, which are great for veggies, olives, and fermented beans. And (sorry i dont remember the name but if youre in the area…) on rue st. germaine there is a greek food shop on the south side with great taboleh and amazing seasoned almonds.
Finally, word of warning– the hummus in france IS NOT VEGAN. Although almost everything else is prepared for the most part very simplistically with minimal ingredients, for some reason they have decided that it would be a great idea to put cheese in their hummus (i dont believe this is the case though in the jewish quarter, but i had to ask)… crazy
(of course, beyond food, the rodin museum and musee d’orsay were two of the best touristy things i did there as well as climbing to the top of notre dame at dusk. i forgot my camera for the latter and only have toulouse like images sketched into my head until i go back and can take them, but evening is key for the church– line-wise and lighting-wise)
hope at least something from here helps and if you want to know more, feel free to let me know.
I second the recommendation of Musee D’Orsay. Amazing! I also loved the Jewish Quarter. And Notre Dame…. if you haven’t seen the movie “Amelie” then you should before you go. There are great scenes from places like Notre Dame.
I love the travel, but since becoming gluten and dairy-free, and the vegan, we generally rent condos or cottages and haven’t gone too far. I hope to return to Europe someday, but even on weekends away i find i spend so much time looking for my next meal. I can be flexible on the veganism (although can’t imagine forcing down meat) but would be very fatigued and maybe sick to my tummy if I ate gluten or dairy. But awareness of food allergies is improving all the time, so I am optimistic!
That’s a great attitude! I’ve wasted enough vacations worrying about food. Now, I have no absolutes in my diet and no rules to follow so I can do and eat whatever the heck I want. I eat vegetarian 95% of the time, but when I want something else, I can have it. It’s so nice to have a middle ground.
it’s nice to enjoy culture of others to maximize the fun :)
i guess,you can do what french women do, eat and enjoy their food then go shopping in high heels (based on what i’ve read from somewhere…hehe)
canadians speak french, right? so it should be easy for you to communicate there :)
or you can pack food so you can still eat vegan on some meals :)
Hey,Jassy.Just to let you know I’m Canadian and don’t speak a word of French or understand a word.Nor do any of my friends,family or co-workers.I am English all the way and very proud.
You just have the right attitude!
Let things happen, don’t make any strict plans if you don’t have to – espesially in an unfamiliar environment and a different country. And if you come back loving croissants, so what.
I always have food that I love in different country but don’t eat at home just because it doesn’t “fit” into my usual diet or you can not get anything authentic at home.
You will LOVE LOVE LOVE Paris!!!!! It’s such a beautiful city. I’ve been there twice now and would visit it again.
Make sure to have enough time to be “French” – meaning: sitting in a café all day long watching people and drinking wine or wandering around the city exploring all those nice corners, little side allays and parks.
paris will be so amazing, i’d love to go there someday. i hope you have an awesome time!
luckily i don’t have any food allergies. i am vegetarian most of the time (i eat fish on rare occasion), and this one time we went to this fancy restaurant and they had ZERO options for veg on the menu. so i had to get the scallops. lol and they were so gross! never going there again :P
i think it’s a great idea to just have fun and not make any strict plans for yourself. i do hope though that they have some good options for you.
That sounds like the perfect plan of action – to not really have one! Sometimes it’s better just to embrace the culture, and not be so caught up in sticking to the routine – in order to fully enjoy the experience:) Either way, you’re going to have SO much fun!!!
I am not vegan but I am vegetarian and have had no trouble while traveling. As long as you are willing to accept a lack of variety, things seem to work out. I traveled to Costa Rica and to Africa where my food was provided for me and did not have any problem. Even meat based cultures like France have lots of side dishes. As long as you don’t stress totally over the preparation methods and recognize that there are no guarantees of the food being 100% meat free, you will be fine. After all, the goal is to eat healthy and enjoy life, not to worry about each molecule of foo.
I think your approach is perfect! I wish all people could approach vacations and times they are out of their comfort zone the same way. It enables you to live in the moment and experience things more fully. You are going to have so much fun!
I think you’ve a great attitude to eating in France! I haven’t done a lot of travelling since I went veggie but I’ve only been consciously vegan since Jan (before that I didn’t eat much dairy anyway) so I know I would be similar if I went abroad. I’m so used to eating vegan now it’s no issue, but if I am at a wedding etc I’m not going to kick up a fuss if the dish has cheese in it (as it invariably will). I think, like you, when I go travelling I will do my best to get vegan food but not waste my time worrying. I don’t think it’s so hard to get veggie food but vegan food can be a little harder when there’s a language barrier.
I’m going to Edinburgh next week so can’t wait to see what vegan treats are in store – I know they have a vegan baked potato café there?!