#tsoynami

Traveling doesn't have to throw a wrench in your healthy eating or exercise routine. Because fueling up with plant based food is my lifestyle, it follows me where ever I go. Likewise, I was still active when I traveled this year. But to be honest, if the hotel didn't have an indoor gym and pool then I would not have been as active - I went to Pennslyvania in January! I am a Floridian!! I found the cold to be a nice change of pace but, I did not stay outside for long. Back to my culinary finds --

I love trying new foods from different places. Already this year, I have been fortunate enough to travel for work twice - as I noted above, I went to PA in January. I also went to Arizona in February. Before I left home, I searched happycow.net for veg-friendly places to eat. I made certain to read the reviews because although a vegan Indian buffet sounds amazing, one reviewer noted that a particular place's buffet was filled with fried foods and I was not looking for "junky" vegan food. I wanted to be fueled up not weighed down.

My first night in Pennsylvania, I was tired and hungry so I went to Whole Foods. I wasn't thrilled to be going there but was pleasantly surprised to discover that the hot bar was totally different than the one at home. 

My second night in PA, I ate dinner with a new friend / co-worker at a small, unassuming restaurant outside of Philly named Carmen's and had a deliciously satisfying Vegan Philly. Pictured below loaded with veggies.

The next day, my boss ordered lunch in from Pat's. I knew she was going to do this at least once during the visit so I called ahead of time to ask about the ingredients in their pizza. They were super nice and made me a plant strong pizza without cheese. There was plenty to share and eat the next day.

If you're wondering about protein. I failed to mentioned that I packed a bunch of almonds that I kept in my purse. And, that first night at Whole Foods, I purchased hummus, vegan yogurt, and unsweetened EdenSoy milk. I kept some at work and some in my hotel refrigerator. I was covered. My boss also treated my new co-worker and I to dinner one night at the Inn behind the Best Western. Again, I new this would happen and I called ahead. I didn't need to call ahead though because they new what "vegan" meant and had a dish [not advertised on the menu] that they offered to make me. 

It wasn't the best thing I'd ever eaten but I was at a mostly Seafood Restaurant. I was just happy that they made me a plant based meal. I enjoyed it and it kept me full until later that night when I had my Whole Foods snacks.

I did not have a rental car when I was in Arizona so I did not get to drive to Whole Foods or Trader Joes; however, I did search on HappyCow again and discovered a local store within walking distance of my hotel. I stocked up on oatmeal and non-dairy milk because I wasn't sure what the breakfast situation was going to be like at my conference. Again, I packed almonds in my luggage. I was delighted to enjoy an abundance of food at the hotel all day long. No soy milk. They were always "out". No big deal. I had some in my room. There was always a salad bar for lunch with a few cold bean salad options. Plus, the chef always created a little something hot for me which was unexpected and nice. They also had a snack hut in the afternoon packed with drinks, nuts, hummus, etc. BUT my favorite meal was out to eat with an old friend at Green New American Restaurant - terribly long name. GREAT food! 100% vegan.

I obviously had their signature burger and ice cream, or tsoynami. It comes in many different varieties. I got a berry one of some sort. Not the healthiest meal but I hadn't had soft serve ice cream in over a decade (never had vegan soft serve) and I have never had a double decker burger (vegan or otherwise). I was due. I didn't eat all the fries and I shared the tsoynami.