World Wide Vegan Tips

These are the "tips" from my blogs organized into categories. If you have a tip of your own please let me know and I will add it here.

Travel

Tip: When traveling instead of carting bottles of seasonings along, try purchasing seasonings in bags in the ethnic section if your grocery store. Better yet, pour some of your own spice into 1-2 oz. zip-bags (found in craft stores). This saves space and assures that you get the spices you want while away from home.


Tip: When traveling it always pays to visit a farmers markets or produce stands before thinking about finding a restaurant. You may be surprised to discover the wide variety of fresh, organic and even precooked foods that are available. Even if you are not able to cook in your room you will find sufficient fresh foods and healthy, cooked foods to make a satisfying, healthy meal.

Hawaii
Tip: Most of the larger hotels in Hawaii offer free, Hawaiian-style entertainment at least one night a week. And in the evenings the malls and even the larger restaurants have hula dancers Hawaiian music and activities to enjoy. So I suggest you forgo the expensive, pig-cooking, luau and get your fill of Hawaii in other ways.

Disney
Tip: Disney theme parks have a solid policy of attempting to make all of their customers happy. This includes dietary needs and requests. While some of the parks such as the Epcot Center have vegan and vegetarian menus and foods readily available many do not. However if you call ahead to the eatery you wish to visit they will create a meal just for you.

Europe:
Tip: Before booking your trip consider staying in alternative types of housing such as hostels and rooms with a hot plate and a small fridge. Accommodations with cooking options are very hard to find unless you are able to stay in a timeshare condo or in a hostel with community facilities.

Capri & Sorrento Italy
Tip: Before leaving Capri I recommend going into one of the many candy shoppes to buy their world famous lemon candies. The lemon drops are the best I have ever tasted. Each candy store is owned by a different family who makes their own candy. The families are very competitive and guard their secret recipes with pride. Choose your own favorite by buying something from all of them. You will pucker with delight.

Greece
Tip: Baklava is a classic Greek treat but be aware that it is often made with honey. So if you are a non-honey-eating vegan you will want to find a vegan-friendly recipe for baklava to make at home. I recommend getting your fill before you leave for Greece so that you won't feel deprived while on vacation.

Restaurants & Eating Out

Tip: When eating out, don't be afraid to order a dish that traditionally comes with meat or cheese such as an Asian Chicken Salad. Just make it clear that you cannot eat animal products and have them make your dish without the traditional ingredients. Remember, you are paying for their product and it is up to you how it is served.

Tip: Get a small deli-style container to carry shredded soy cheeze or other protein with you when you are trying a new eatery, just in case you have to order items without protein. i.e. A veggie sandwich minus the cheese and mayo has little to no protein. I often bring some baked tofu with me in a plastic container when I' not sure of the menu. I put it on green salads, vegetable chow mein and other dishes void of protein.

Cooking

Tip: It is important to drain and press the tofu first, removing excess water, so that it can then absorb the flavors you use to marinate it with. Click here for photo directions.

Tip: Tempeh is a result of whole soybeans going through the fermentation process which binds the beans into a cake form. The fermentation process give tempeh a higher content of protein, dietary fiber and vitamins compared to tofu. Tempeh becomes more digestible as a result of the fermentation process, eliminating the gas and discomfort associated with most bean consumption.

Tip: When sauteing garlic it is important not to brown it or overcook it as it will become bitter.

Tip: When using fresh spinach it is best to use it within 4 days of purchase. Otherwise the wonderful antioxidants it contains begin to markedly plummet. For the greatest amount of nutrients buy fresh spinach at a farmers market and use it immediately. (From the Lasagna blog.)

Tip: for gas free beans soak the beans in water for at least 3 hours. Throw away the soak water. Add boiling water to cover and cook for at least 30 minutes. Discard the cooking water. Add fresh water and resume cooking. This will leach out the gaseous components of the bean. (From the Pinto Beans blog)

Tip: Red Lentils are smaller than brown lentils and so they cook very quickly making them perfect for soup. Red Lentils are a delicious source of protein. You can use them to make a pilaf using Basmati rice or enjoy them as a flavorful pureed side dish called dahl, a classic East Indian dish. Their beautiful coral color and their earthy taste make them a wonderful addition to any dish that calls for lentils or pasta.

Tip: Quinoa is the most nutritious grain in the world. It is high in fiber as well as a good source of iron and it contains all 8 essential amino acids. This quick cooking grain was a staple for the ancient Incas in South America and it has a mild nutty flavor. I like Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Quinoa because it has already been rinsed and is ready to use. (From the Quinoah Vegetable Soup blog)


Egg Replacement Tips

• If a recipe calls for three or more eggs, it is important to choose a replacer that will perform the same function (i.e., binding or leavening).
• Trying to replicate airy baked goods that call for a lot of eggs, such as angel food cake, can be very difficult. Instead, look for a recipe with a similar taste but fewer eggs, which will be easier to replicate.
• When adding tofu to a recipe as an egg replacer, be sure to purée it first to avoid chunks in the finished product.
• Be sure to use plain tofu, not seasoned or baked, as a replacer.
• Powdered egg replacers cannot be used to create egg recipes such as scrambles or omelets. Tofu is the perfect substitute for eggs in these applications.
• If you want a lighter texture and you’re using fruit purées as an egg substitute, add an extra 1/2 tsp. baking powder. Fruit purées tend to make the final product denser than the original recipe.
• If you’re looking for an egg replacer that binds, try adding 2 to 3 Tbsp. of any of the following for each egg: tomato paste, potato starch, arrowroot powder, whole wheat flour, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, instant potato flakes, or 1/4 cup tofu puréed with 1 Tbsp. flour.
. One of my favorite egg replacer remedies when making cakes and waffles is to put 1 Tablespoons of vinegar into required amount of soy milk. In just minutes the blend creates some curdling and creates an egg-like binder as well as leavening effects in baked goods.

Labels: Tips

As you have probably guessed from my World Wide Vegan Blog, I have traveled a great deal. When I became a vegan I realized that I would have to adapt my new way of living with my passion and figure out the secret to making them work together.

It wasn't long before I realized that the rules changed depending on where in the world I was and so I decided I would create a way of letting other vegans learn from my experiences. I hope that my learning curve can help you maintain your healthy lifestyle whether traveling, or eating at home.

The Tips section of my blog is particularly helpful when visiting non-vegan family and friends, as well as for holidays at home or abroad.

Look for specific Travel Destinations under the travels listings.

Find Man-Friendly recipes that will satisfy even your meat eating consumers under the Man Friendly listings.

And before deciding where to eat out look at the Restaurant listings to see what is on the menu that will satisfy your vegan/Vegetarian palate.

Finally, I invite you to add your knowledge and expertise to this blog by including your findings and recipes in the comments section. Comments that are particularly interesting will be included in future blogs referencing you as the expert contributor. Also I will include you in the section on Special Guest Contributors. And you can even include your own photos.

Thanks for supporting me as I endeavor to make this one of the go-to blogs for vegans and vegetarians all over the world.

Labels: Man-Friendly, Restaurants, Special Guest Contributors, Tips, Travel Destinations, Vegan, Vegetarian, World Wide Vegan