If you ever find yourself in Pensacola, Florida, you will be pleasantly surprised. Not only by their white sandy beaches and their southern hospitality, but also by the variety for us green eaters ; )

For a light meal, I stopped at the End of the Line Cafe. It was a vegan coffee house and eatery that absolutely delighted me. They had some delicious sandwiches, salads and deserts. I had a phenomenal chipotle ranch tofu and veggie wrap as well as a great chocolate mousse pie. It was very indie, arty coffee house and you will love all of the local artists contributions to the look of the place. They make everything in house, like their cashew cheese, sauces and baked goods and it’s all fresh and delicious. It’s a non profit co-op so you’re eating smart and spending smart! Don’t forget to pop in to one of their Monday movie nights!! You can check them out at The End of the Line Cafe .

For a special occasion, we visited Jackson’s in downtown. Right in the historic Jackson Square and very near the hip Seville Quarter (Pensacola’s mini version of the New Orleans French Quarter just a few hours west), Jackson’s is a beautiful fine dining establishment that went way out of their way to create an immaculate, vegan gourmet meal for me. I was blown away by the 5 course meal that just got better and better with every dish. And might I mention the exceptional wine pairing with every course!! With advance notice, Jackson’s will accommodate any diet and they will hit it out of the park! Their information can be found at Jackson’s Restaurant.

If you’re in the mood for a meal with a little south of the border flair, try Cactus Flower Cafe. With 3 locations across Escambia County, you can load up on fresh guacamole and salsa as well as their veggie tacos and burritos. Mmmmmexican goodness!

Lastly, but definitely not leastly, catch a cool local band, a bottle of beer and a vegan snack at Sluggo’s. In the heart of downtown, Sluggo’s is the watering hole of choice for veggie conscious artists and musicians. Definitely worth checking out! Try any of their yummy appetizers or one if their killer sandwiches like the vegan Philly cheese steak! Serving late night on weekends too!

Take a nice Northwestern Florida vacation this summer and leave your worries about your taste buds and your tummy at home!!

Let me count the ways!! Zion National Park is nothing short of breathtaking. The Virgin River running through it, the greenery and the majestic canyons were enough to make me want to pack up my city life and move to a ranch just outside the gates; ) The Zha Zha of Zion!

We arrived fairly late in the day so we decided to stay the night and tackle some hikes the following morning. We got so lucky by getting the last room at the cutest hotel ever, The Pioneer Motel. Not only was it convenient, it was hands down adorable. At the foot of the hill, we enjoyed a jacuzzi and a cabin style room with the whole kit and caboodle, mini kitchen, etc. The lobby boasted a gift and coffee shop that carried soy for my morning fix. Next door to the hotel was a great deli that made fresh sandwiches for hikers.

We had dinner at Pizza & Noodle, a great place in a converted church that shared space with a cool outdoor sport shop. They made me a cheeseless veggie lovers pizza and I noticed they had some nice pastas and big salads (good for people staying away from carbs or glutten).

During our day long adventure through Zion, we hiked into the cafe inside the Zion Lodge. I was afraid I’d be out of luck here as it was a very theme parky, order-from-our-limited-menu-at-the-counter scenario. But no! Zion surprises yet again! They had fresh salads, juices, veggie sandwiches and veggie burgers!!

Reluctantly, we had to leave that evening but made one more grub stop at the Bit & Spur. We each had a huge and delicious salad and the staff went out of their way to make sure my salad was vegan. A+

So a HUGE thumbs up for the beauty that is Zion and the small town of Springdale for making our stay awesome!!

(Art work by my one and only, Dan Hamilton. It’s an on site watercolor sketch of Angel’s Landing in Zion)

Pulling into Page was a bit confusing as the town seemed to have a bit of an identity crisis. Some businesses said we were in Page and some in Lake Powell. And some had both!! Either way, we were pleasantly surprised with what Page/Lake Powell had to offer a few drifters like us.

We were only going to spend the night on our way out of the Grand Canyon and into Zion but ended up finding some neat-o stuff. After having a yummy lunch at the Dam Bar and Grill (where I had a pretty good chinese chicken salad, sans chicken) and a soy latte at the neighboring coffee shop, we hopped over to the gift shop. Looking through the post cards we discovered that there were slot canyon tours 5 minutes from where we were so we headed right over.

At the Mandarin Gourmet, a chinese restaurant, veggie and vegan meals can be made upon request. Yet another option for health conscious folks heading to the lake for some fun or through town on the way to other southwestern exploration! You can find them at 683 South Lake Powell Boulevard, Page, AZ 86040, (928) 645-5516.

Make sure to visit Antelope Canyon is the most photographed slot canyon in Northern Arizona. It appears like a crack in the rocks from the top but once down below, the caverns are lit from above and are absolutely stunning.On our way out of town we drove over the Glen Canyon Dam and had to stop for a quick photo op!

So if you visit Page to take a nice boat tour of Lake Powell or an adventure through some extraordinary slot canyons, I would suggest the Dam Bar & Grill or Mandarin Gourmet. They were super nice and had no problem accommodating an herbivore ; ) Enjoy the area!

A quick one day trip before we headed to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, we rolled into Sedona and it’s neighboring ghost town, Jerome. One of the most beautiful and grounding spots in the country, Sedona is famous for its red rock formations and natural beauty. Known for its spiritual energy, fabulous spas and amazing landscape, you know you’ll find some good and healthy eats in Sedona.

I popped into the Oaxaca Restaurant when we first got into town. A super cute Southwestern & Mexican place, they pride themselves on heart healthy food. A great option where everyone can enjoy a meal that not only reflects the taste of the region but the also the connection of mind and body that Sedona is well known for. Oaxaca has picturesque views, is family friendly and is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check out their yummy menu and put it on your list!

On our way to Jerome, we drove by D’lish. We were stuffed from our morning meal but it looked super modern and I found out it was 100% vegan and organic, offering sandwiches, salads and other green treats. Definitely a place to go when I come back for a spa weekend!!

Now, Jerome was pretty neat. Not to far from lovely Sedona, Jerome is a living ghost town. Yep! An old mining community perched in the mountains overlooking the valley below, it began to die out after WWII as the demand for copper slowed. It is now a thriving artist community but has kept it’s 1920s persona. Lots of old buildings and boarded up mine shafts, we spent a couple of hours walking around and strolled into the Grand Hotel where we decided to fill our tummies at The Asylum. Once the town’s hospital, the hotel was renovated and is fully operational, complete with 30 rooms and guests from another dimension ; ) I had a really, really, really good veggie sandwich at the bar and I adored the ambiance. It had spectacular views and the staff was full of good Jerome fodder. Even in a ghost town, my belly was super satisfied.

I had a blissful day in these 2 Arizona gems and I hope you are able to visit some of these places someday soon!!

After walking over the Grand Canyon with nothing but glass between us and the canyon below, we headed off to Flagstaff, Arizona. We stayed here for a few nights and I loved the health friendly vibe.

A nice mountain town and the closest place to stay if you are heading towards the southern rim, and most frequently visited, portion of the Grand Canyon. Home to Northern Arizona University and somewhat of a ski town as they are a quick drive to the Arizona Snow Bowl, Flagstaff has a lot of great options for the healthy food aficionado. Flagstaff has a great downtown area with some rather cute bars (yes, I am The Healthy Traveler, but I can still whoop it up!!)

Dinner at Mountain Oasis was fantastic! Fresh and super plant based (not a lot of vegan junk food on the menu) it was delicious and a great way to unwind. I opted for the hearts of Palm bruschetta and the Pineapple Tofu Salad. It’s got plenty of options for omnivores as well as green eaters so no one goes hungry at the oasis!

I stumbled across Macy’s Coffee House & Vegetarian Restaurant our first morning. Macy’s had a great indie, college vibe with the menu to match. Fresh Juices, soy lattes and delectable snack size meals were a great way to start our day. And health was the name of the game here at Macy’s. Nothing was fried or processed and even though I saved no room for dessert, they looked great in all their organically sweet glory. www.macyscoffee.net

On our way out of town, I wanted to stock up on goodies for the road and I hit the jackpot. We passed right by New Frontiers Market as we pulled in to gas up next door. This was a small version of a Whole Foods but sacrificed none of the variety. In fact, I wanted to do cartwheels in the deli!! They offered all types of breads for their sandwiches, including wheat free spelt, as well as some killer sides like vegan potato salads, dolmas, quinoa and much more. I also had to throw a scrumptious slice of chocolate tofu cheesecake into my overloaded basket. Even my convenience food counterpart agreed it was convincingly yummy! I have to add that the service was impeccable and the staff incredibly sweet!

So yes, I was as happy as a kid at Chuck E Cheese in Flagstaff and there’s more where that came from next week. Lots of places that offer clear conscience cuisine for the omnivore and herbivore ; )!

Camarillo is just outside of the Los Angeles County limits however, it feels like a world away. Slower paced, residential and cozy, this Ventura county town has quite a bit to offer anyone who follows a special diet.  Sandwich between LA and Santa Barbara, here are a few spots worth stopping for!

I’ll start with my favorite find first ; ) Technically, Pizza Salad is in Thousand Oaks, which is still in LA county but by the skin of its teeth! Just a few minutes south of the county line, this pizza joint is a hidden gem. Not only are they uber eco (eco to go packaging, utensils, Prius delivery cars, etc), they serve up organic food daily. 95% of their ingredients found on their menu are USDA certified organic which equals healthy customers & a healthy earth. In addition, they’ve got vegan pizza with your choice of regular vegan cheese or soy free as well as an amaranth based gluten free crust option.  So regardless of your special diet, PizzaSalad has you and your carbon footprint more then covered!

Mary’s Secret Garden was a place I wanted to try as I’d heard mixed reviews. Sure, the menu is a bit on the pricey side and yeah, they had run of the mill vegan options (burgers, sandwiches, salads, etc) but I will say that I was happy to find a fully vegan joint in Ventura.  I opted not to go for the “staples” and went for their raw menu. The raw tostada tasty as was the raw Tropic Tease smoothie I had. But the best part was dessert. I’m a sucker for Tiramisu and Mary’s was pretty damn good with a side of raw vegan ice cream.  If you’re on your way to LA or Santa Barbara and are in search of some vegan grub, pop on over to Mary’s Secret Garden at 100 S. Fir Street, Ventura, CA 93001 – (805) 641-FOOD.

For breakfast or lunch, omni or herbi, ZZyzx Cafe is a good choice.  Lots of fresh options for all sorts of eaters. More for vegetarians than vegans, I was still able to veganize my breakfast because sweet potato fries are perfect at any meal!

Lastly, I was delighted to see how many options I had at this east coast style deli.  The Old New York Deli & Bakery offers freshly baked breads, bagels and other pastries (lots for non-veggies) in addition to wraps, salads, soups and sandwiches. I couldn’t resist having a bagel sandwich piled high with hummus, avocado, cucumber, tomato and sprouts. And so cheap too! A lot of bang for your buck no matter your foodie style!

So that’s a wrap on Camarillo! If you live in SoCal, it’s a cute day trip or a nice pit stop on your way up or down the state. At least now you’ll know before you go!

Expanding on last week’s post on healthier fast food finds, I’ve compiled a list of popular restaurant chains that can be found nationwide. You never know when you are heading out for a meal with a group and need to do the best you can with the menu you are given. No matter where you may be in the U.S. (and Canada), you should have no problem finding a decent meal at any of the places on the list below. So fear not my little health conscious foodies, you may eat, drink and be merry in mainstream dining establishments!!! In no particular order:

• P.F. Chang’s – 3 words, veggie lettuce wraps! OMG, I LOVE these darn things. Tofu sauteed in a delicious soy sauce (gluten free people, have them sautee the tofu in rice vinegar and lemon) served with crunchy rice noodles and crisp lettuce “tortillas”. They are great about offering steaming vs frying, brown rice and lots of veggie dishes. Tofu can be substituted for most of the meat entrees as well. Chow down guilt free at PF Chang’s!
• Chili’s – I want my veggie meal, veggie meal, veggie meal….Yeah, order up the portobello & steak fajitas and have them hold the steak. They will add extra mushrooms and veggies like broccoli, onions, peppers and more!! Make sure, vegans, to ask for extra fixin’s to make up for the loss of the cheese and sour cream. Don’t forget extra chimichurri! Their black bean burger is also a great veggie and healthy hit. Pile on the onions, mushrooms and guac for a mouth watering meal. Their salads are all modifiable but be sure to ask about the dressings as that’s where the naughty ingredients like to hide ; )
• California Pizza Kitchen -This place roccks for vegans, veggies, gluten free peeps and more! Vegan split pea soup, asparagus soup with no croutons and their grilled veggie salad are to die for!! Their hummus (with neopolitan crust instead of pita) is a winner for any diet type and the lettuce wraps can be ordered with veggies only. Salads can be modified to fit your special diet, the balsamic vinaigrette is vegan. Pizzas made on neopolitan dough are veganizable when ordered without cheese. I kill for their veggie or tricolor salad pizza!
• Houston’s -I know, what can you get at a ateak house that’s healthy or even vegan? How about the best damn veggie burger ever!! A homemade black bean and brown rice patty smothered in a sweet soy bbq sauce. Order it without cheese and check out one of their vegan sides like steamed veggies or black beans with brown rice. You can also opt for a soy latte, a veggie sushi roll and a side salad. Insane!
• The Cheesecake Factory – This catalog for a menu always has something for all discerning orderers ; ) Tons of veganizable salads (choose a balsamic or citrus vinaigrette and nix the black beans as they are soaked in beef juice). Naughty fried zuchhini, crsip artichoke heartsand the best, avocado egg rolls. A healthier fire roasted artichoke dip is a great start choice as well edemame and guacamole. That dang bread the serve will come in handy for satiating the carb demon as the pastas and sauces are not vegan. And lastly, the grilled portobella on a bun is yummalicious without cheese and mayo!
• The Olive Garden - Italian is usually simple enough for a health nut ; ) Their minestrone is vegetarian, make sure they do not garnish it with cheese or throw in to many pasta shells. It’s hearty and tasty when paired with the all you can eat salad. Ask for oil and vinegar as the dressing as the house Italina contains parmesean. The bruschetta appetizer with no cheese is a doozy too. Gluten free folks can ask for a separate menu that lists acceptable items as it is part of their new garden fare menu for those looking for the lighter side of the garden ; )
• Applebee’s – Try the veggie patch pizza appetizer with no cheese or spinach (it’s creamy). Change up any salad by omitting unwanted items and tossing it in their balsamic dressing. Go for the chicken portobello sandwich without the chicken with a nice side salad. Those of you on weight watcher’s, they’ve got the ponts values of everything on their menu so you don’t have to guess!
• TGIFriday’s – You are pretty much subject to ordering a salad without meat or cheese and going with a vinaigrette. You can indulge in a basket of sweet potato fries though ; )
• Panera Bread – This is one of my all time favorite spots. Fresh salads, soups and breads that work well on any diet. I always go for the pick 2 and get a vegan soup with the classic cafe salad. Go for an apple as your side and you are good to go! The sandwiches can be veganized with proper direction and its worth it as their bread selections are awesome. Soy lattes and healthy meals are the perfect combo!
• Ruby Tuesday – Gluten and peanut allergy sufferers can dine happily here along with us greenies. They have detailed menus of what special diets can order without worry. For me, I can chow on a guacamole dip starter. Then I can move on to a salad I make on my own at their salad bar. Perhaps a homemade veggie burger and some brown rice pilaf or steamed broccoli and I’ve just had one vegtastic feast!
• Fuddrucker’s – If you must, a veggie burger with all of the fixin’s can hold you over. I normally order it protein style, no bread, wrapped in lettuce ; )
• Chevy’s - I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Mexican is a great way to go for all kinds of special diets. Always make sure of the chips and tortillas are made with lard but usually one or the other is ok! Chevy’s has some kick ass guac and salsa! Their veggie fajitas rock as does their veggie burrito. Just save the sour cream and cheese and you are golden! AT achevy’s the black beans are vegan and the both tortillas are lard free (with the exception of the El Machino flour tortillas) The salsa vinegarette and Mexican rice are also perfecto!!
• Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation -You can’t go wrong when you make your own salad at a salad bar! Some of the tossed salads are also vegan such as the mandarin spinach with carmelized walnuts, strawberry fields with carmelized walnuts, thai peanut & red pepper, and the thai udon & peanut. Vegan friendly prepped salads are white bean, arugula citrus, red pepper slaw, asian pepper salad, bean & cilantro, dijon potato & garlic dill, mandarin noodles w/brocoli, mandarin shells w/almonds, green bean & potato, roasted potato & chiplote chili, southwest pasta, summer barley w/ black beans, tabouleh, citurs & brown rice, tomato cucumber marinde & 3 bean marinade. gain, it’s safe to stick to the vinaigrettes. Lots of soups tochoose from as well, provoding they are available on the day you pop in like the tomato onion, ratatouille, black bean, veggie harvest, minestrone and lentil. The bakery and pasta bars don’t have much for vegans but you may get lucky with some of the bread or sauteed veggies ; )
• Hard Rock Cafe – Yep, depending on where you are or who you are with, you just might find yourself at one of these ; ) Fear not as you can grab a tried and true HRC veggie burger, with no cheese or mayo. Have a side salad unless you want to be naugty, then order the fries!
• Boston Market – Love their market salad with no cheese. It is super fresh and tasty! You can also order a veggie carver and indluge in the apple cobler, cinammon applesauce or fruit bowl.
• Denny’s – You know you might end up here one night after a show or a long drive! So if and when you do, know that you can consume a veggie burger and a side salad. Or for breakfast, oatmeal with no milk, a veggie patty with dry toast along with some oj and coffee ; )
• Macaroni Grill – My favorite thing to order here is the create your own pasta in which I ditch the pasta all together and have them sautee all of the veggies they have in a garlic and olive oil! Goes down great with a glass of red wine and some of their peasant bread ; ) Vegans can’t do the pasta, pizza crusts or even the red sauce. They are great with food allergies and special diets so don’t fret if you don’t know before you go!
• Buca di Beppo – Start with some bruschetta (hold any sprinkled cheese) and then split a big ol’ mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette. I mess with the menu by ordering the gnocchi with plain marinara and veggies and I’m sure you can dothe same with any pasta dish.
• Pick Up Stix – You can’t go wrong with Asian cuisine as you can always get some sort of stir fried veggie dish. Here you can do tofu lettuce cups, tofu and veggies, rice bowls and whole slew of lighter fare. Go for the steamed, not fried items if you can swing it, have some salad, and watch out for the soy and teryaki of you are wheat and gluten sensitive.
• Jason’s Deli - This is a nice spot to pick up fod for a trip or day at the park. Sandwiches and sides for all. Go for the spinach veggie wrap with no cheese or the mediterranean wrap with no mods.
• Bennigan’s - The usual american fare can be health-ified by veganizing the salads and keeping an eye on the dressings. Same for the veggie burger ; )
• Outback Steakhouse – haha, ok. For non veggies, get your meat grilled and get a side salad instead of that damn bloomin onion! For veg heads, get a salad with the tomato dressing, no cheese. You can also pull out all the stops and get a steamed sweet potato! Their veggies are drowned in butter but you can ask for them steamed and dry. No mushrooms eitehr as they are swimming in beef broth ; (
• Johnny Rockets -Boca burger is your friend here and is customizable to be as fat or as plain as you want it. Fries here are a-ok as thet are fried in soy oil. Vegan but not to healthy ; )
• Z Pizza – This organic pizza joint is a hit! Organic crusts, topppings and even soy cheese(sorry vegans, it has casein). Pizzas, salads and sandwiches are all made fresh and taste freakin’ great!!
• The Habit – It can’t be healthy and again, these places are supposed to be had once in a blue moon. However, if you find yourself here, get the veggie burger, no cheese, on grilled sourdough with cucumber, sprouts, avocado and grilled onions. OMG!!! oh, and they have salads too ; )
• Pizza Fusion – This is what heaven must be like!! Organic salads, sandwiches and VEGAN PIZZA!! Yes!! Gluten free crusts, vegan cheese, a gajillion awesome toppings…Word.
• Daphne’s – Mediterranean rocks for healthy choices. I love their veggie combo plate with hummus and pita, dolmas, falafel and salad. Filling, tasty and no guilt to wasty ; ) I hold the spanikopitas (cheese) and add more of everything else. falafel pitas and salads are good too!
• Pomodoro – I really like the selection here. I go light with a mixed green salad and minestrone. Sometimes I do the melanzane penne pasta primavera ; ) They also have some great side veggies, some even organic!
• Louise’s Trattoria – This place wins for the best minestrone! Ask for it with no sprinkly cheese or crusty cheese bread and it’s still mega tasty! I pair this with a huge Louise’s chopped salad with no cheese and I am elated ; )
• Mimi’s Cafe -A large menu always has some good options for alternative meals. The salads are veganizable with balsamic dressing as is the veggie ciabata with no cheese or pesto. The vegetarian vegetable is a good choice as is veggie burger.
• El Torito – oh yeah, tableside guac – the best in the biz! Go for that and some salsa but make room for their veggie burrito as it is chock full of great veggies. Order it with the vegetarian beans and you will be a happy camper! And if you drop the dairy on the veggie enchiladas, you will be full for days!!
• Acapulco – Similar to el torito, their appetizerguac is pretty good. Check out the veggie fajitas with no cheesey or creamy condiments.
• Chin Chin – Veggie potstickers and minced veggie lettuce cups every time!! But they do have some great veggie noodle and rice dishes as well as being able to sub tofu for meat on most of the menu items.
• Claim Jumper – mmm, fire roasted artichoke (ask for it with ponzu sauce) or avocado rolls to start! Veganize any salad by nixing meat and dairy items and sticking to citrus or balsamic vinaigrettes. Also try to produce bar! For a heartier meal grab a veggie sandwish sans cheese with a veggie stuffed baked potato with no cheese ; )
• El Pollo Loco – I forgot these last 2 guys last week so here they are! If you catch yourself around here, sides are alright. Like a side salad with no cheese, pinto beans and some veggies with no margarine. Slather all your stuff in salsa!
• Pollo Tropical - I am a sucker for Cuban food so the sides here make me very happy! Bolied yucca in garlic sauce, plantains, and some rice with black beans. They also offer the veggie tropichop which is like a cuban veggie rice bowl. Oh so good!

Next week, hunting for healthy options at theme parks!!!

So, there are times where despite our best efforts, our only options just might be fast food. On a road trip or in a podunk town with little to zero options for a healthy meal, I’ve found ways to navigate the fast food menu. I do not, I repeat, do not, advocate the consumption of fast food except for in a pinch and other compromising situations. So I suggest you print this blog in case of emergency!

Here are some of the biggies:

• Subway – This one of the most veg and health friendly places if you are in a bind. You can always go with a veggie sub on Italian bread (9 grain wheat contains honey), hold the cheese and mayo, while piling on the veggies, avocado and mustard. You can also get this wrap style or forgo the carbs and chomp on a salad ; ) They do have veggie patties however, if your vegan, it’s a no go as they contain egg. For allergy sensitive folks, stick to the salads.
• Quizno’s - These guys aren’t far behind Subway. I do love a warm sandwich but Subway has better veggie options. Here I order a veggie sub, no cheese or mayo, add guac and vinaigrette. Toasty yumminess ; ) Also, grab a salad if you’re not doing bread! Again, for allergy sensitive folks, stick to the salads.
• Taco Bell – You’d be surprised but the Taco Bell menu can be easily manipulated to bring it down to somewhat a’ight ; ) Everything is still full of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils BUT the menu can be veganized. And again, don’t make this a habit ; ) Ok so, their new Fresco Style menu is easy to change up. Order the tacos or burritos Fresco style and swap the meat for beans and voila, veganized. The crunchwrap supreme can be veganized by tossing the meat, cheese and sour cream and subbing beans and guac. You can also have a 7 layer burrito minus the layers of cheese and sour cream, BAM, vegan 5 layer burrito! So yes, the ingredients in all of these are vegan but certainly not the best thing for you. But like I said, in a bind, it’s fine ; ) Make sure, for allergy sensitive diners, to check the site as each item contains different allergens. Their site is very comprehensive regarding allergens ; )
• McDonald’s – Oh yes, the golden arches. It can be done if there is no choice. Don’t even think about the fries if you’re vegan as they contain beef and milk. Not even kosher! Although, you can go for a side salad and ask for the cilantro lime as that one, despite being chemically, is still vegan. Or opt for salt, pepper and a lemon wedge. The other salads can be veganized by picking off the croutons and cheese. And you can get their new iced coffees sans milk.
• Burger King - Well, vegans, no can do on the veggie burger as it contains egg whites but the fries are fried in a separate fryer with no animal products. Not so much for the onion rings, they a cooked in a shared fryer. So allergen diets, beware of the buns as well as the croutons in the salads. I say you’re safest here with a salad and to find out before you drown your greens, what is in the dressings they happen to have available at that store. Again, there is always, salt, pepper and a lemon wedge ; )
• Jack in the Box - Well, here is a place you have some ok options outside of a salad. The Teriyaki Rice Bowls are veganizable by dropping the meat out and are packed with veggies. Sugary ones, but veggies nonetheless. Sometime you just gotta take what you can get ; ) Go for a taco here by ordering it with black beans instead of meat and leaving off the cheese. Fries and hash brown sticks, while fattening, are vegan friendly and only if you must! In addition, Jack food is all made to order so you’re likely to get a fresher meal here then the burger royalty.
• Carl’s Jr/Hardee’s – Well, a side salad with no cheese and balsamic vinaigrette seems to be the safest bet here. If you are so inclined to fill your tummy, make sure you share and don’t eat the whole order of fries or hash brown nuggets as those are vegan as well. You can also grab a taco salad without the meat, cheese or sour cream.
• Wendy’s – oddly enough, they are great to gluten free diners. As for vegans, we can have their side and regular salads so long as we pick of the meat and/or cheese and choose an appropriate dressing. The baked potatoes can be ordered plain so you can add salt, pepper, chives and any other healthy toppings on your own. They also offer oranges as a combo side too so if you do happen to go for burger, grab some fruit instead of fries ; )
• Arby’s - Um, its pretty tough here. You have to pick a lot off of the salads and read the ingredients on the dressing packets to be 100% safe. The market fresh sandwich bread had honey in it but is suitable to vegetarians and calories counters as you can make a lettuce, onion and tomato sandwich if you must. The subs can be made veggie as well.
• Pizza Hut – Vegans, we are screwed here unless we order multigrain dough with no sauce and tons of veggies. All other sauces and doughs contain dairy ; ( For non vegans, go for the cheeseless veggie on multigrain ; )
• Domino’s – Crunchy thin crust is the only vegan crust (contains soy for those sensitive to it). Pizza sauce is dairy free so pile on the veggies and order up! Salads are ok without cheese and any of the Italian dressings. Skip the breadsticks as they contain dairy as well. Go ahead and get the pasta primavera but swap the alfredo for pizza sauce (not marinara as it has cheese in it).
• Papa John’s - I’m leery as they do not have ingredients listed although they do claim to be all natural. Call and ask the manager before ordering anything regarding vegan and/or allergen ingredients.
• Baja Fresh – I love Baja as everything is made fresh with no lard, msg, etc. I go for the tostada salad with no meat, cheese or sour cream and pile on salsa, guac and all their cool fixin’s from their salsa bar. It’s chock full of beans, rice and crispy veggies. You can also go for the veggie burrito or tacos with no cheese or sour cream!!
• Chipotle -Another great place in a pinch for healthy fast food. The beans, rice, guac, and tortillas are all vegetarian so eat away people and create you dish however you choose ; )
• Del Taco - From what I can decipher, the veggie works burrito without cheese or sour cream is vegan as are their fries. Make sure you ask a manager before ordering.
• Starbucks - Soy latte, soy tea latte, soy chai latte, yum ; ) If you need the extra flavors, they use syrups for most of them and they too are vegan but chemically and high fructose sugary. Sorry vegans, no Frappucinos for us as they won’t make them with soy milk ; ( *Starbucks in Canada carries vegan baked goods!
• Coffee Bean – Soy lattes and hot tea with soy milk here. No yummy flavored drinks as they use powders that all contain dairy ; (

Stay tuned as next week I navigate chain restaurants!! Be safe and conscious fast fooders!!

Growing up in South Florida, Cuban food was my vice (even though I’m Colombian). When I go home, it still is even though I have found some pretty good Cuban fare here in town to quench my fix. But in LA, Mexican is the way to go because nothing beats killer guac and a big ass marg! Oddly enough I’m probably as close to Mexico where I live now as I was to Cuba in when I lived in Miami, haha! So whether you’re a local or planning a visit to the city of Angels, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite taco, burrito and enchilada spots in town that are not only boss, but healthy too! Get your GPS’s ready and map out your taco crawl!

In no special order (as they all have rockin‘ choices):

• The Taco Spot in Eagle Rock – offering a bunch of veggie and vegan options, the Taco Spot has choices like soyrizo, tofu, sauteed veggies and/or potato filling for their tacos, burritos, enchiladas and breakfast items. The rice and beans are all vegan as they do not use lard and everything is veganizable if you just ask for no cheese or sour cream. They’ve got traditional food as well so it’s a great place for a mixed crowd as no one will be left out and no one will leave hungry!
• Hugo’s Tacos (2 locations) – Not your typical taco stand, Hugo’s boasts fresh, organic food for all types of hungry folk. For the greenies, we have a few delish options of fillings such as veggie or soy chorizo with potatoes. The Torta Ahogada can be veganized and at the Atwater Village location, they’ve got soy cheese for quesadillas, etc. You get a choice of heat on your meal, from wimpy to the flames of hell! oh, and the Atwater location has soy soft serve ice cream!!!
• Mexicali in Studio City – This place is great for a night out with a group of pals for fun, celeb watching and margatinis. Yeah, I said it right ; ) Those are awesome and their regular margs are pretty close to perfection too. They too are very veggie friendly with veggie burritos and potato tacos along with some large, veganizable salads. The best night to go is Monday for their 30% off the entire menu and bar happy hour, all night long. Find them at 12161 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 985-1744
• Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks – Best margs in town and they are great for the long waits to get in this joint. It’s a fun vibe and the secret yum dish here is their vegetarian Mexican pizza (veganizable by holding the cheese and then slathering on a ton of guac). With a little vegan manipulation, their spinach enchiladas are incredible with green sauce. I ask for no cheese or sour cream, extra everything else. This, like Mexicali, is a place to see and be seen but the food and libations are what draw out the Angelenos ; )
• Tacos at Real Food Daily (2 locations) – Some of the first vegan tacos I ever had, were these. They are a vegan classic in my book. Melt in your mouth seitan taco meat with fresh veggies, vegan cheese, stuffed into an extra crispy hard shell and a side of their ridiculous guac – dude! I dare you to just eat 1. I don’t think you can ; )
• Machos Tacos in Los Feliz – Another taco stand to be reckoned with. The veggie taco and burrito are pretty standard and veganizable but the sweet potato taco will knock you off your feet for sure. Check them out at 1670 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 665-6677
• Pure Luck Cafe in Hollywood – Ok, the whole damn menu is fantastic here but since we’re chatting Mexican food, the picks here are obvious. The jackfruit carnitas or tofu tacos are phenomenal but man can they do a great faux fish taco, their baja taco is to die for. All of these can be made as burritos as well so get over to Pure Luck with an empty belly!
• Sky’s Gourmet Tacos in West LA – Their newly added veggie menu is also vegan. No lard, vegan cheese, 100% tasty goodness. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas and burgers with all of the fixin’s, Sky’s is one of the best choices in town for South of the Border scrumptiousness!
• Alegria in Silver Lake – A full on healthy Mexian restaurant, Alegria is a cute diner with an innovative menu. I’m a sucker for the vegan tostada; prickly pear cactus sauteed in cilantro, garlic, onions and tomatoes served on crispy tortillas, vegan beans and salad. Soooo yummy! The tacos and burritos can all be veganized and the veggies there a mega fresh as is every dish that comes out of Alegria’s kitchen ; )
• Leonor’s Vegetarian (3 valley locations) -Leonor’s is a great place but if you’re vegan, you need to let them know as their soy cheese is not vegan and some of their soy meat dishes aren’t either. But you can still have awesome meals there like their burgers and tacos, the broccoli or spinach empanadas are great and their pizzas are delectable. You can visit them at 1 or all of their valley locations and make sure to ask before you order if you’re vegan ; ) You’ll be very happy you did!
• El Torito (various locations)- I know, it’s sacrilege to do chain Mexican in LA but sometimes you gotta go and it ain’t so bad. I happen to think the fresh, table side guacamole is some of the best in town. And their veggie burrito is no joke as it is fully stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, squash, zucchini, and avocado and served with vegetarian pinto beans. That all goes down really well with one of their icy margaritas ; )
• El Cholo (several locations) – Somewhat of a chain, El Cholo is an LA staple. ANother place with yummy table side guac, they have a yummy veggie fajita plate (veganizable when you hold the cheese and sour cream). Not a sizzling heap of filler veggies either, it’s quite the harvest on a smokin’ skillet. Not to be missed!!

Love, Peace ad Taco Grease – and a happy belated Cinco de Mayo!!

One of the coolest things about living in LA is the access to unique services and just plain old cool stuff. People visiting LA normally hit up tourist spots and restaurants mentioned in their guide books. But to really experience LA, it’s best to follow the advice of a local, as they’ve got the skinny on the secret spots and things to do. For instance, LA boasts some rockin’ mobile food and I’ve got all of the info for you be you a tourist or an Angeleno!

One of the newest, coolest and biggest things to hit the LA scene is The Kogi Taco Truck. It’s not your typical roach coach and nothing comes close. Be prepared to stand in mega long lines at their secret locations that are shared with salivating customers via twitter. You can also find their weekly stops on the Kogi BBQ website if you want a leg up on the crowds. This Korean BBQ Mexican fusion phenom has taken LA by storm and there’s no sign of it slowing down. And it’s not just hype cause the food kicks ass! For the vegan, no need to fret, they’ve got Kogi Tofu tacos and Kogi Tofu Burritos. They are kogified in the marinade that the tofu is prepped in and they are filled with delicious kimchee. They are definitely worth the wait but plan your day and get to the locations early so you are sure to get a taste of killer Kogi!

Another boss mobile eatery is Franken’s (also lovingly referred to as The Frankenstand). A 100%, horror themed, vegan hot dog stand with selections like The Wolf, The Witch and the Franken. From vegan beer brats to tomato basil awesomeness, there is something for everyone at this gouhlishly great wiener cart! They got all the fixin’s and sauces too that will turn your dog into carnival in your mouth. Check out the Franken’s site to find out where it will materialize next, oooooooooooohhhhh!!!

Tourist or not, The Melting Pot Food Tours are a fun way to spend an afternoon. With a route starting at the famous Farmer’s Market on Third and Fairfax and coming soon, an Old Town Pasadena tour, this is a great way to taste the different flavors of LA in a neat fashion. It’s super neat as your tour guide tells you all about the history of each place you visit and you are able to sample items from each of the locations. Another great aspect of the tours is that they are all on foot so you really get to savor being in each place as well as walking off all of the goodies you taste so you can make room for more. It’s a great treat for a local as well as anyone blowing through town. Make your reservations today and hop on the next Melting Pot Food Tour!