Mela Indian Restaurant, Asheville, NC – Indian Food Just Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 15, 2014 in Asheville, NC, I-240, I-26, I-40, Indian | 2 comments
Clearly the gods were with us. Rich and I arrived at Mela’s minutes before the lunch crowd overtook the place, and a parking spot opened up for us right next to the restaurant. Entering, we stepped into an inviting, spacious room and were greeted by a gracious hostess. Directly before us was a bountiful buffet bar of mouthwatering Indian specialties in which fully half of them were vegan! Everything is made from scratch at Mela, from as many organic ingredients as possible and locally sourced when available. Many of the dishes are naturally gluten free. The price for the buffet was $9.95. Add chai tea or a beer from the full bar and the cost is $12. One can, of course, order off the menu during the lunch hour.
Mela Exterior
Ordering the buffet was a no-brainer. With a profusion of colorful and fragrant temptations we could contain ourselves only long enough for Rich to order a beer and we were off to the buffet bar. By the time we returned to our seat, the restaurant was jammed packed with enthusiastic diners and filled with laughter and conversation.
Red Lentil – Eclectic Vegan & Vegetarian Food At Its Best In Watertown, MA!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 12, 2014 in Vegan, Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly, Watertown | 0 comments
by Pegge Bochynski
Located on the Charles River, six miles northwest of Boston, Massachusetts, Watertown is one of the oldest cities in the state and boasts a distinctive multicultural population. Armenian, Irish, Italian, Canadian, and Greek immigrants have enriched the town’s history—and cuisine—and the main street is dotted with ethnic restaurants and markets. Red Lentil stands out, however, as the only eatery in Watertown dedicated to serving vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free foods. Inspired by the ethnic diversity of the city, master chef Pankaj Pradhan creates delicious dishes drawn from Indian, Moroccan, Mexican, Italian, Latin, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cultures.
Red Lentil Exterior
Because we are amateur genealogists, we frequently visit Mount Auburn Cemetery, a national historic site located about a mile down the street from Red Lentil. We had heard glowing reports of the restaurant, so we decided to check it out after our morning walk at Mount Auburn. Our friends’ recommendations were not exaggerated. (more…)
Gotta Run!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 8, 2014 in Features, Gotta Run! | 0 comments
VEGANS HAVE NO ENDURANCE? SAY, WHAT…?
As an endurance athlete (VeGAL!), I am proud to say that a whole foods (with the exception of French fries), plant-based diet has contributed greatly to my success over the years. Not loving to toot my own horn, I feel it necessary to make my point. As a ranked runner in my division in the state of Florida, I have recently completed my 31st full marathon. In addition, I have done 2 ultra marathons (another in 2 weeks) and countless shorter distances like half marathons, 10k and 5k races. I ran the both the Boston and the NYC Marathons twice! I also earned a black belt in Northern Shaolin Eagle Claw Kung Fu. All utilizing plant fuel! Not too shabby, huh?!!! So, for anyone to even question my endurance would be absurd. Yet, surprisingly, I still encounter skeptics from time to time. My hope is that through my accomplishments, I am able to touch the lives of fellow athletes, or even just one, perhaps even enough to inspire them to make the leap to a plant-based lifestyle as well.
Vegan Food Quest: Veggin’ Out and About In Bangkok, Thailand!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 7, 2014 in Features, Vegan Food Quest: Veggin' Out and About Southeast Asia! | 1 comment
Caryl Eyers Embarking On Her Vegan Adventure!
So here begins the Vegan Food Quest, my search for vegan food around the globe. I’m traveling with my husband, who after many years of living with me has become somewhat of an expert in seeking out of food I can eat. So, he’s been recruited to be in charge of logistics, which plays to his strengths of being super organized, observant and adventurous all at the same time. After months of planning and packing and a few weeks of emotional goodbyes, we left our home in England and flew to Bangkok where as soon as we stepped off the train from the airport, we were bombarded by all sorts of smells and sounds from the busy streets which were packed with people cooking food, selling their wares and going about their daily business. Its an experience that I will never tire of.
Plant – A Paragon of Plant-Based Cuisine in Asheville, NC!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 7, 2014 in Asheville, NC, Eclectic, I-240, I-26, I-40, Organic and/or Non-GMO, Plant, Vegan | 4 comments
Plant-based is the name of the game in this all vegan restaurant in Asheville, NC. Everything in this restaurant is plant-based, hence the name, Plant. There are no animal products of any kind available in this cruelty-free, environmentally friendly and health conscious establishment. Of particular note, there are no genetically modified products in any of the foods prepared at Plant.
Plant Interior
Plant management has made a commitment to use only the finest ingredients available. Therefore, much of what you are served will be organic, to the extent it is available, and are sourced as much as possible from local farmers. Chef and co-owner, Jason Sellers, is fanatical about finding organic, quality ingredients. He has been instrumental in convincing other local chefs to buy organic products so that food venders will readily carry them. (more…)
VeGAL – Vegan Girl Athletes Unite!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 5, 2014 in Features, Living Plant-Strong! Profiles & Articles, Vegan | 0 comments
What is a VeGal and Why Would Anyone Want To Be One?
“VeGAL,” according to founder Andrea Medalie, “captures the essence of the female as it pertains to health, nutrition, fitness, beauty. As women, we have our own set of unique issues. VeGAL deals with issues and concerns unique to women. It is a delicate balance at best. When you factor in our plant-based diets, our health issues and nutritional needs along with our strong beliefs pertaining to animal rights and the environment, it becomes very complex. We need to have a resource in which women can come together, unite and offer each other support, information and inspiration.”
VeGAL embodies women of all ages, all disciplines, all levels, and all sizes who want to maintain a healthy vegan lifestyle and remain active.
Andrea Medalie – Original VeGAL
Fern – Flavors From The Garden – A Vegetarian Gem In Charlotte, NC
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 5, 2014 in Charlotte, NC, Eclectic, Fern, I-277, I-77, I-85, Organic and/or Non-GMO, Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly | 0 comments
The first time we visited Fern was during the Charleston Vegetarian Festival last summer. It was a blistering day and our beloved monster, Phoenix, was feeling the heat. We noticed the building as we were driving through town and it happened to be within walking distance of the festival. With covered out-door seating and entirely vegetarian, it seemed to be just the ticket. Phoenix settled down at the foot of our table and the waitress was kind enough to fill her dish with water. I had the Om Burger and I cannot for the life of me remember what Rich had. I can tell you that it was all delicious and I am filled with guilt every time I think about it. We had every intention of writing a review of Fern then but as it sometimes happens, life got in the way and Fern continued to slip farther back on our “to do” list. Recently, en-route to Charleston we decided to give Fern another try.
Fern: Flavors From The Garden Vegetarian Café
Fern is a charming café with lots of tables and bustling activity. When we were seated we were brought a glass of water infused with cucumbers. This was an unexpected and delightfully refreshing treat! I remember how welcome that was on our parched first visit to Fern.
A Vegan Dog Food? You Bet Your Pooch & Planet!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 3, 2014 in Features, Living Plant-Strong! Profiles & Articles, Vegan | 2 comments
When a vegan friend harassed me into trying v-dog, a non-GMO, vegan dog food, I was more than a little skeptical. It seemed to me that it was animal activism taken a bit too far. Don’t dogs require meat to survive? The answer came as a surprise. They don’t, actually.
v-dog 20 lb. bag
In fact, two papers which were published in 2013, roughly three months apart, one from the University of California at Davis (one of the leading veterinary schools in the country) and the other from the University of Uppsala, in Sweden, came to the same conclusion. Modern dogs, the product of 14,000 years of evolution, have developed an enzyme composition which allows them to digest starch. Wolves do not share this trait. Wolves, like cats, are true carnivores. Unlike their wolf ancestors, dogs are omnivores. They cannot only survive, but thrive, on a plant-based diet.
Dell’z Vibez – Smoothie and Juice Bar In Downtown Charleston, SC!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jan 31, 2014 in Charleston, I-26, Juice Bars, Vegan | 0 comments
Just around the corner from Dell’z Diner you’ll find Dell’z Vibez (Vibes), a bustling smoothie and juice bar owned and managed by Dell’z daughter, Nicole (Nikki) Brown. Nikki, as it turns out, is Holistic Health Practitioner, a Certified Raw Foods Chef and Teacher.
Rich and I waddled in after stuffing ourselves at Dell’z Deli and couldn’t resist ordering something to drink. Nikki recommended something light which would help us to digest the heavy meal we had just consumed.
Dell’z Deli – Vegan Eats To Go In Charleston, SC!
Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jan 31, 2014 in American, Charleston, I-26, Soul, Vegan | 0 comments
Dell’z Deli is a tiny (as in tee-nine-y) little sandwich shop located in downtown Charleston, SC. The owner, Dell (Maudell Grayson), greets us with a big, pearly white smile and a head full of dreadlocks peaking out of a cool gray scarf. Her son, a tall, affable young man expertly assembles sandwiches and pizzas, moving them efficiently into and out of a toaster oven. Another helper, answers the phone, takes orders, handles the cash and passes out take out lunches to the steady stream of customers who crowd around the four seater counter where Rich and I sit on wobbly stools awaiting our meal. It’s standing room only and no one seems to mind.
Dell’z Team
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VeggieFest
Try V-dog on your dog. It worked wonders on ours!
Veggin' Out And About
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- Dan Kerry – On A Plant-Based Mission In The Big Apple!
- Visit our New Site – Time For Change Kitchen
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