Fair Fairhope, Alabama

On our way to Pensacola from New Orleans we made a pit stop into the quaint little town of Fairhope, Alabama. Minutes from Mobile, Fairhope is a cute community with southern charm as well as some eateries for us health nuts!

We only spent a day there but had enough time for 2 meals ; ) Lunch was a quick one so that we could spend our time walking around the main drag and window shopping. We decided on Papa's Pizza and it was a winner. They had a great variety of gourmet style pizzas as well as Italian favorites like calzones and pastas as well as nice size salads. They offered low fat lasagna and had no problem making me 2 heaping slices of veggie pizza with no cheese. Most pizza places would have me order a whole pie but at Papa's they accommodated quite nicely. My slices were loaded with a ton of fresh veggies and the crust was excellent. Papa's is on the corner of N Church St and Fairhope Ave - 251.990.9600

After walking off our pizzas and shopping for Christmas gifts, we chose Mateer's for dinner. It had a nice vibe with a piano man and wonderful southern hospitality service. Their menu was quite extensive with everything from sushi to steak and were excited to prepare anything I decided to mess with on their menu ; ) I got the Mateer's House Salad sans cheese and it was quite yummy. We also split some delicious veggie sushi rolls and since we were in the south, I had a fried green tomato! Mateer's a a great place for a nice night out in Fairhope and you can find them at 14 N Church St in Fairhope - (251) 928-1714.

On our way out of town, I had a bit of a hankering for a yummy snack and noticed Fairhope Health Food and Sunflower Cafe. It's a great local market with a cafe that is open for lunch and dinner. They offer organic food, wine as well as a wonderful variety of veggie and vegan meals as well as gluten free items and desserts. I grabbed a tempeh and quinoa salad for the drive home as well as some goodies from the market for my breakfast the next day. You can find all of their info at Fairhope Health Food .

Just in case your in this wonderful little gulf town, make sure you add these spots to your tour!

Happy New Year!!

It's 2008 and the Healthy Voyager is back in biz! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to hit the ground running in this new year ; ) I have a smorgasboard of great places I hit up around the holidays but I first wanted to come back and share some tips to keep you healthy, wealthy and wise. It's a new year so we can get started on all kinds of things that can keep us physically, mentally and fiscally healthy into '09! After all, health is not just food related!!

Food & Exercise

• Eat a balanced diet of whole foods—grains, legumes, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Buy wholesome snacks as opposed to convenience foods
• Eat a large breakfast, a medium sized lunch and a small dinner. Consuming most of your food early in the day gives you energy for the day’s activities. Implement stretching and strengthening exercises as well as 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic activity to your daily routine.
• Drink 8 to 12 glasses of filtered or spring water daily. It’s best to consume water first thing in the morning as well as up to 30 minutes before meals. This helps satiate the body and minimize appetite.
• Take time to enjoy eating! Chew slowly and thoroughly ; )
• Forgive yourself for any weight problems or holiday weight gain. Get back on track with low-fat, low-calorie, wholesome foods.
• Find a weight, diet and exercise routine that is right for YOU!! Make long term changes and develop good habits that you can stick with.
• Make good and healthy choices when you are eating out or away from home. A little research, preparedness and discipline goes a long way!

Mental, Spiritual and Fiscal

• Create a plan. Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your goals to be met effectively and completely, it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action.
• Create your plan immediately. If you're like most people, then you'll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. It's imperative you begin creating your plan immediately.
• Write down your resolution and plan. Commit your resolution and plan to writing, such as in a notebook or journal.
• Think "year round," not just New Year's Day. Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year's resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan.
• Remain flexible. Expect that your plan can and will change. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected things at us, and flexibility is required to complete anything but the simplest goal.

So weather you are looking to change your career, travel the world or start a family, keep it healthy and clear and 2008 will be the best year yet!!

Holiday Treats

The Healthy Voyager is off for the rest of the month and will return with new and exciting cities in mid January. Until then, I wish you and your family a very happy and safe holiday season and a bright and shiny new year!!

My gift to you this season is a few delicious holiday recipes from my kitchen to yours!!

Happy Holidays and a Happier New Year!!!

xoxo

The Healthy Voyager

VEGAN HOT COCOA

Using Goodbaker Chocolate Ganache Frosting & Fudge Mix

To make one mug of cocoa, you will need:

*one package Goodbaker Chocolate Ganache Frosting & Fudge Mix
*8 ounces of soy milk, rice milk, almond milk, etc

Measure 3 Tablespoons of Goodbaker Chocolate Ganache Frosting & Fudge Mix into a microwave-safe mug

Add a splash of your chosen liquid, and mix until you have a chocolatey paste. Then add the rest of the liquid, and microwave until hot, stirring every 30 seconds.

Can also be made on the stove in a saucepan.

variations:

*add a few drops of flavor extract, like peppermint, coffee, coconut, or to taste.
*add flavored liqueur to taste

VEGAN PECAN PIE

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Have ready a 9" unbaked single pie crust (see my low-fat pastry below)

Whisk together:
1 c. brown rice syrup
1 c. Sucanat or brown sugar
1/3 c. melted Earth Balance
1/4 c. water beaten with 2 T. EnerG egg replacer til no lumps show
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
pinch salt
1 generous cup of pecan halves

Pour this into the prepared crust. Sprinkle with pecan halves. Bake about 45 minutes, or til set (will still be a bit jiggly, though-- it'll get more solid after it cools).

Cool on a rack, then refrigerate til serving time.

VEGAN GINGERBREAD COOKIES

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup unsalted soy butter, cut into small chunks
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1/4 cup rice syrup
Ener-G for 1 egg (or any egg replacer enough for 1 egg), prepared as per package directions

Sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices together. Place margarine and sugar in a large bowl. Mix well until smooth. Add molasses, rice syrup, and Ener-G. Mix well. Add flour mixture. Mix well. Take dough out of bowl and shape it into a large disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. Cut cookies out. Place cookies on the cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool on sheet for several minutes than transfer to wire rack. When cooled, may be iced if desired.

*Note: If you can't wait until the next day, chill at least an hour or more. Can also be baked in a pan, in one piece.

VEGAN SUGAR COOKIES

4 cups sifted flour
1 cup soy butter
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Ener-G Egg for 3 eggs (or any egg replacer enough for 3 eggs), beaten well
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix & sift flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In separate large mixing bowl, cream margarine. Add sugar and cream well. Add Ener-G Egg and blend well. Add vanilla and stir in flour mixture. Beat well. Cover with waxed paper and refrigerate for 1/2 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll on floured board to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and add any optional decorations. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10 minutes or until browned lightly. Makes approximately 3 dozen.


HAPPY HEALTHY-DAYS!!!!!!!!

Flying Sans Rudolph ; )

Flying during the holidays is never as fun, efficient or exciting as Santa's once a year sleigh ride. However, here are some tips to help make your airport experiences much more merry, healthy and bright this season!

• Eat before you leave the house!! You should always leave with a full tummy or you will be tempted to nosh on whatever is convenient.
• Know before you go!! Know which airports you will be flying in and out of, laying over, etc. Most airports have websites that show what dining establishments can be found in each terminal. For instance, I know that the Delta terminal at LAX has a Starbucks (for my soy latte) and a CPK express where I can grab a salad or soup for the flight. Most international hubs have chain restaurants or familiar fast food counters that you can order up a healthy meal for your in flight pleasure. From a veggie salad or sandwich at Quiznos to a black Bean Burger at Chili's To Go, there are ways to not give in to bags of pretzels and pounds of danishes to keep you from passing out on your flight ; ) The World Travel Guide site is a great site that can lead you to each city's airport web site.
• Stay Hydrated!! Seeing as how we cannot bring our own food or beverages from home anymore, the first purchase one should make upon entering the appropriate gate is a big bottle of water. Above all else, staying hydrated during air travel is key to cutting down on fatigue and helps fight off the munchies!
• Sleep well the night before travel! That's the toughest with the anticipation and stress that comes with flying during the holidays but it can be done. And if not, invest in a flight pillow, eye mask, earplugs or noise reducing headphones and a blanket. Bring all the comforts of home with you to make your air Z catching easier.
• Plan ahead! Know where you are going directly after you pick up your bags at your destination. Home, hotel, family's house, wherever - map out what is close by in case you need to pick up a snack or a full blown meal so you don't keel over and start your vacation on a bad foot ; )

No matter what, air travel is a pain but hopefully the spirit of the season and these tips will help you get to and from your holiday destinations with a smile on your face!!

Chowin' in The Big Easy

New Orleans has always been a city with great food, rich history and lots to do. The city is back on it's feet again since Katrina and if you are going to spend some time in the Chocolate City, bring your appetite!!

Our first night we wandered around the French Quarter in search of some southern delights. We found it at The Gumbo Shop. This quaint eatery has been around for some time and specializes in southern cajun cooking. What did I eat then you ask? Only a delicious veganized special ; ) They had a vegetarian special that changes nightly on the menu. It came with salad and a tasty side (I had this crazy yummy corn dish) with the main dish being a rice an beans stew with some cajun kick. It was fantastic and I highly recommend The Gumbo Shop for veggies and omnivores alike. Great food and sweet southern hospitality!!

After a chilly night of walking around and fending off crazy dreams in my head of ghosts and unworldly spirits (our cute French Quarter hotel used to be a confederate hospital - a little tidbit my man forgot to mention), I was hungry! I wanted hearty and hearty I got at Slim Goodies Diner. It's a good 5-10 minutes outside of downtown but in the super cute Garden District. They had something for everyone including the hungry vegan. I had the Garden Slammer - a pile of hash browns, veggie bacon and veggie chili with lots of yummy veggies mixed in. My hon had pancakes ; ) Check out their creative menu and info at Slim Goodies!!

One thing that is hard to find is something quick and healthy off of Bourbon Street. It's jam packed with bars, strip clubs and pizza joints but that's about it. I hunted and I found The Royal Blend on Royal. Just a block away from the madness, I got a tasty veggie sandwich that was made completely fresh. They have a cute courtyard, coffee, soups, salads and pastries and is a great place to get a quick and healthy bite while hangin' out near Bourbon. Royal Blend is at 621 Rue Royal, New Orleans (French Quarter) (504)523-2716.

So amidst the booze and beignets, New Orleans has a good amount of healthiness to go around ; )

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday and that you continue to have a healthy and happy holiday weekend. Start burning off all of those crazy calories at all the holiday sales!! See you next week from New Orleans!