Eating out of the back of my Van is actually a pretty great way to travel.  Since I don’t eat the Standard American Diet, I can’t eat at the majority of restaurants.  I’m always on the lookout for restaurants that have “vegan options” for when I feel like a change, and I have found them everywhere I go.

On the most part I keep my mini fridge stocked with fruits, vegetables, hummus, vegan cheese, almond or soy milk, and some dark chocolate for good measure.  I have a dry cooler with my crackers, granola, coffee, tea, and a few other items.

Lately I have become aware that my kitchen setup is a source of entertainment at parks, visitors centers, rest stops and parking lots.  I get out of my van as the back hatch auto lifts up, and I walk back and pull out my dish drawer, grab a bowl and spoon, pour some granola, slice up a banana, open my fridge and grab the blueberries and almond milk and add them, and then put them back in the fridge and proceed to eat my granola while passer byers are waving at me with a smile.

Often I just grab an apple or a bag of grapes and keep it simple.  Sometimes I am in the mood to cook and other times I just eat fruit or vegan cheese and crackers (not so healthy a choice) or throw together a hummus wrap, which is a favorite quick food for traveling.

Today after a long hike, I pulled into a camp spot and threw together a hummus wrap with hummus, red pepper, vegan cheese, and a ton of arugula.  Simple, but good.

When I feel I want something really hardy I will make the a quinoa stir fry, potatoes and veggies, or something with beans, but I don’t feel the need to eat something that substantial on a daily basis.

I’m a big believer in fruit.  I haven’t always been, because there has been so much negative press around fruit and what it does to our blood sugar.  There are enough studies that show fruit is one of the most perfect foods for humans.  It is very quick to digest, and it is a high-quality fuel for our bodies.  What I have learned is that fruit, on the most part should be eaten alone and not with fat, because it is the fat that slows down the metabolism of the sugars from the fruit.  On a food combining note, the fruit will also ferment in your stomach if it is sitting upon a heavy, fatty meal.

Although I love the combinations of fruits and nuts, it’s not ideal.  Not together.  It’s better to have them as separate meals.  This way the body can fully utilize the sugars from the fruit for fuel without the fat from the nuts interfering with its digestion.

I do still add granola to my fruit, rather than fruit to my granola.   But I know its not the best way to eat my fruit.  But these are the kinds of compromises I make while traveling.  I never eat granola at home.  It just worked its way into my life during this trip, starting with a bag of home made granola from the Taos Farmers Market and is so satisfying to have with fruit for breakfast.  It makes the fruit go so much further and I can hike for hours afterwards and feel very energetic.  I think this is what is important; to feel that our food gives us the energy we need.

When They Have Vegan Cheesecake, I say YES!

I did a google search for Vegan Options in Sandpoint, Idaho and there wasn’t a lot there.  I used to know of a Café, but believe it closed down.  As I was walking down main street, I ran right into a Café that said “Vegan Cheesecake.”  I was hungry and looking to have lunch.  I ducked in and found that I was in a primarily Vegan Café.  I was in heaven.  I had their Greek Wrap and then went for a hike.  But I had to come back later for the Vegan Cheesecake; because when they have Vegan Cheesecake, I say YES!  KALE YES!