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“Where can I eat when I’m on the road?”
Bean burritos, tacos, and baked potato bars
are sprouting up all over. The Hard Rock Café, Denny’s, Ruby Tuesday’s,
and TGI Friday boast briskly selling veggie burgers on their menus. In
response to demand, baseball parks across the country are offering veggie
burgers and dogs to sports fans.
-Carla Bennett, author of Living in Harmony With Animals
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Good Nature, Vegetarian
Living
When You're Away From Home
An easy way to try new foods is to go to
restaurants that offer a variety of vegetarian entrées. Eating Chinese?
Try the bean curd (tofu) dishes, or ask for vegetable fried rice
(without eggs) and garlic eggplant. Going Italian? Try marinara,
arabiata, or garlic and oil over spinach fettuccine. Having Mexican?
Order bean burritos, tacos, and tamales minus the cheese (make sure
there’s no lard in the beans), or make a hearty meal out of refried
beans mixed with Spanish rice and served with fresh tortillas, salsa,
and guacamole. In Indian restaurants, you’ll find fabulous vegetable
curries, lentil soup, potato-filled samosas, and other delights.
Japanese, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, Thai, and other ethnic restaurants
also offer delicious vegan items.
- If you’re stuck at a behind-the times
restaurant without much veg variety, ask if the chef can whip up a
vegetarian entrée. Most restaurants will gladly accommodate special
requests, and you’ll be surprised at the creativity of some chefs!
- If you’re attending a catered affair,
discreetly catch the server before your food has arrived and ask him
or her to remove the meat from your plate and add an extra vegetable
to it.
- When dining at someone else’s house,
let your hosts know in advance that you’re a vegetarian. Offer to
bring a veggie dish to share.
- Traveling? Don’t forget to let travel
agents know about your vegetarian preferences in advance. Airlines
will provide you with a vegan meal that will put standard airline fare
to shame. Be sure to order at least 24 hours in advance, either
through your travel agent or the airline’s reservation line.
Fire Up the Grill!
Don’t give up backyard barbecues just
because you’re not eating meat. There are lots of frozen “burgers” and
“hot dogs” made from soy products that taste just like the real (dead)
thing. Top burgers off with creative condiments such as salsa,
guacamole, tahini dressing, and hummus. Baste vegetable shish kebabs
with Italian dressing or a teriyaki marinade, grill until veggies are
slightly blackened, and voilà!—a delicious summertime treat. Enjoy fresh
fruit, like watermelon, for dessert.
Keep this great guide in your glove compartment or take it with you when
you’re traveling and enjoy great veggie food wherever you go.
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