Healthy Voyager Holidays!

Here we are again, another year behind us and a new decade just days away. Sure we've been inundated with holiday spirit since the latter part of November, but we still have a few weeks to go until we kiss the festive season goodbye until next year. As I have in year's past, I have compiled some tips, suggestions and recipes to help make these next few weeks brighter, happier and healthier. They are my gift to you in wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season and an even better new decade year!

In years past, I have written about eco, healthy and affordable holiday ideas and you can check them all out here: 2006, 2007, 2008.

But this year, i thought I'd share a few tips to just make this joyful, yet stressful season, a little lighter.  Seeing as how 2009 has been a rough year for many, we should close out the year on a high note so that we can all enter the new year happy and optimistic ; ) I hope that some, if not all of these can help make your, and those around you, holidays merry!

• Let go of a problem you can't solve. Enjoy the season ; )
• Don't despair if you are short on cash. Be creative. Sometimes thoughtful gifts are better than store bought ones.
  
• Organize a neighborhood holiday dinner. Have appetizers at one home, the main at another and dessert at the next!
• Remember our feathered friends! Roll pine cones in peanut butter and bird seed and hang them out side a window where you can enjoy them feasting on your treat.
• Don't wait until the last minute to wrap gifts or write all your cards. Wrap as you buy and divvy up your cards to do 10 a night until they are done. Don't make yourself work harder then you have to.
• Sing!
  
• Give your loved ones, friends and everyone you encounter the gift of a sweet disposition ; ) We are all stressed over the holidays to some extent but try to be the first to spread the holiday spirit! a person wrapped up in himself is a very small package.
• Give instead of receive. Pick some charities you would like to help out and try to donate some time or funds to help those less fortunate.
• Remember the best solution for holiday blues is to do something nice for someone else! Give anonymous gifts and be kind without expectations.
• Start collections of recipes and decorations for your children, adding one to each collection every year. When they are all grown up, they will have a nice collection to get them started along with wonderful memories attached to them.
• Plan ahead, be prepared and keep it simple.
• Curl up in front of a blazing fire with someone you love.
• Take the long way home and enjoy neighborhood lights.
• Start your own traditions, however small they may be ; )
• If you have the time, bake double batches of your holiday goodies to share with friends. Having extra baked goods is also great to have as an impromptu gift to take to a party. 
• If you have children, have a decorations craft night and help them decorate their room for the holidays.
• Dance!
  
• Get the names of local military personnel and send holiday cards thanking them for their service. Do the same with nursing homes and find out who doesn't receive much mail. Send them a card and sign it "Love, Santa"
• Have hot cocoa, apple cider ans popcorn on hand for unexpected guests ; )
• Give yourself the gift of slack. No one expects perfection, especially during the holidays. Even Santa needs helpers!
• Make sure to make time for yourself to enjoy the season, to reflect on the past year as well as some goals for the new one ahead.
• Remember the best gift is a person filled with love & understanding ; ) 

And enjoy the flavors of of the seaon!! For  a hearty and healthy holiday meal, try some of these recipes! If you're in search of seasonal sweets, be sure to visit my recipes page on my website for some yummy ones under holiday, beverages and even the sweets page ; )

Cranberry Chutney

8 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (2 pounds)
2 shallots, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons whole mustard seeds
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons salt

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer, uncovered, stirring often, until the cranberries have broken down and the mixture has thickened somewhat, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely and serve or store in glass jars.

Cranberry Spinach Salad

1 (6 ounce) package fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup olive
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

In a bowl, combine the spinach, pecans and cranberries. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining ingredients; shake well. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat; serve immediately.

Holiday Shepard's Pie

Filling:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground soy beef (boca, ives or sub with marinated tempeh)
16 ounces canned tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups cooked mixed vegetables (peas, diced carrots and corn)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Mashed Potatoes:
5 russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk
1/2 cup vegan butter
1/2 cup vegan sour cream
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cornbread Crust:
1 (12-ounces) boxed cornbread mix (follow instructions but sub eggs with egg replacer, butter with vegan butter & milk with unsweetened soy milk)

Directions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute the onion in vegetable oil. When the onion is soft add the soy ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon and brown. Stir in tomato sauce and mixed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.

In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the potatoes about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain well and return to the pot. Whip the potatoes with an electric mixer until moderately smooth. Add milk, butter and sour cream and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Adjust consistency with more milk, if desired.

Follow directions on box to make cornbread batter.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly grease 6 (8-ounce) ramekins with nonstick cooking spray.

Spoon the mashed potatoes into the bottoms of each prepared ramekin, spreading them evenly with a rubber spatula. Then add the meat filling, spreading that evenly over the mashed potatoes. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the meat layer in each ramekin.

Bake for about 30 minutes until the cornbread is cooked through and golden on top.

Butternut Squash Rice Pilaf

2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, halved and seeded
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 parboiled brown rice
1 3/4 cups water or 1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chopped fennel fronds (leafy tops)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch of cinnamon
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Grate the squash through the large holes of a box grater.

Heat oil in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly colored, 10 to 12 minutes. Combine 2 tablespoons water and tomato paste in a small bowl and stir it into the pan. Add rice and stir to coat. Add the squash, in batches if necessary, and stir until it has reduced in volume enough so that you can cover the pan.

Increase the heat to medium-high, pour in 1 3/4 cups water (or broth) and wine, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, stirring once or twice, until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid and the squash is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

Add fennel fronds, oregano, salt, cinnamon and pepper; gently stir to combine. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

I wish you very happy & healthy holidays as well as a wonderful new decade! See you in 2010!!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Healthy, Eco-Celebrities

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Actor/Director/Activist Ed Begley Jr. & Wellness Guru, Kathy Freston!:

Healthy Voyager Radio

I wish you very Happy Holidays & a Wonderful New Year!

See you in 2010 with more great guests, tips, music & more!!

Ahh, Ashland ; )

As we crossed over the Oregon/California state line, we hoped to find a place to grab some grub. We lucked out and drove through the cutest town nestled in the mountains, a town called Ashland. Well known for it's renowned Shakespeare Festival, this once mining village is now an adorable artist community and college town. I was so excited to explore the downtown area so we stayed a bit and discovered some yummalicious locales!

If you're looking for a quick and healthy bite, Pangea is your spot.  I could tell by the name that they were veg & health friendly so I popped in just to be sure. And I was right ; ) They offer all kinds of veggie salads and sandwiches as well as tofu & tempeh options.  IN addition they've got gluten free options as well as some really nice low fat goodies ; ) Yummy, quick and affordable so if you are in town, give Pangea a whirl!

In the mood for something warm, spicy and/or delicious? Then Sesame Asian Kitchen is a must visit. With a menu that suits everyone at your table, Sesame had some of my fave dishes like tofu lettuce wraps and pumpkin curry.  With a chic vibe and creative menu,  I recommend this place for a fun night out with friends or even a romantic meal. A meal at Sesame is like dying and going to the veg-friendly orient heaven ; )

For a family fun, great for all "omnis" & "herbis" alike, Grilla Bites is your place. This natural and organic sandwich-soup-salad-ery has something for everyone. For sit down or take out, Grilla Bites is super accommodating as the menu is clearly marked with what is veg, vegan and even heart healthy! Their tempeh burger rules and so does their bbq tofu ; ) With locations in Oregon, California and Utah, you gotta try them out next time your in the Pacific Northwest.

I LOVE Italian food, especially when it's chilly out. Very comforting and warm ; )  Pasta Piatti mixes casual with traditional and was totally a hit with this veg-maniac. I devoured my huge bowl of veggie minestrone along with a scrumptious organic mista salad.  Warm bread and Italian comfort food, how can you go wrong. Check out what you'll order at Pasta Piatti online!

I wish we had more time in Ashland as it was just charming. perhaps I'll come back to catch some Shakespeare festival action soon!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Vegan Cooking & Compassionate FIlms

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Celebrity Vegan Chef, Tal Ronnen & Documentary Film Director, Shaun Monson:

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Next show, Ed Begley Jr. & Kathy Freston close out 2009 with a bang!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Holiday Gift Guide

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring my Holiday Gift Guide Picks as well as picks from Ecostiletto.com's Rachel Sarnoff:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, Holiday Cooking with Celebrity Vegan Chef, Tal Ronnen & Animal Love with Earthlings director, Shaun Monson!

Thanksgiving Throwdown ; )

We are here once again! The holidays have made their way around again and for most folks, evoking mixed emotions. While most people enjoy the onset of the holidays because it means time with family, good food and a time filled with cheer, 2009 has taken its toll on folks so it may seem as not so merry a season this year. However, this Thanksgiving, it is more important then ever to be thankful of what we do have and look towards the new year & decade with hope and positivity. Sure there maybe less gift giving and some may have to skip the trip home but I've got some ways to help you salvage & enjoy this Thanksgiving and holidays season! For tips to green up your holiday as well as additional recipes, be sure to check out past Thanksgiving posts from 2007 & 2008.

• If you aren't able to make it home this holiday,  gather up a group of others who can't make it home and have a potluck dinner.  It's great fun to cook together to create a beautiful meal and enjoy the eclectic menu. Make it an event to look forward to with games, movies or even holiday crafts or even host a "Thanksgiving Throwdown" cooking competition a la Food Network style. Whether you are hosting or going to a dinner, make a full day of celebrating so that no one is feeling lonely. It is also great fun to host a Thanksgiving leftovers brunch so that the food does not go to waste and it is a way to continue the fun with your friends for a lovely holiday weekend.
• Be creative with your menu.  If you can't afford all of the usual holiday fixings, cook up a more affordable menu like pasta, salad and rolls. Or if you're looking for something different, try a themed dinner. No matter what is served, it's all about the company ; )
• If you don't have time to cook, make it a semi-homemade dinner and plan ahead.  It's always smart to cook a few things ahead of time and freeze/refrigerate them until the day of.  And for labor intensive parts of the meal, be sure to check your local markets to compare pricing on pre-cooked holiday meals.  In addition, if you are invited to a dinner where you know you're dietary needs will not be met, bring your own meal (which can be ordered as well) along with a dessert or a bottle of wine for your host. Then everybody wins ; )
• Give instead of receive. Volunteer at a local shelter or soup kitchen and help those who are less fortunate.  Clear your cupboards of non-perishable food you know you will never make and donate it to a food bank to help feed a needy family this year. Rally your friends to do the same and make a day out of it ; )
  
• A big tip that tout year round whether it's the holidays, you're traveling or just hangin' at home, it is sticking to your routine.  There are so many helpful resources that can help you with everything from menu planning, fitness planning, recipes, etc. Outside of healthyvoyager.com, a wonderful site that can help you now as well as year round is Vitaljuice.com. They are promoting their Happy Healthidays and if you are one of the first 100 people to sign up for their free daily newsletter from this Vitaljuice.com link, you will be entered to win $2010 on January 1st! Cash along with a healthy new year? You can't beat that!
• And always make healthy choices! Be sure to check out my Winter Wonderland Holiday mini Ecookbook, available here. And as an added treat, enjoy these recipes this day of thanks:

Pumpkin Stuffing 


1 medium sugar pumpkin
6 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 (16 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dark rum (optional)
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Position rack in the center of the oven.
Cut out top of pumpkin, and set aside. Scoop out seeds with a metal spoon.

In a large bowl, stir together the apples, walnuts, cranberry sauce, pineapple, brown sugar, raisins, and rum. Season with ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the cleaned pumpkin, and replace top.

Set pumpkin directly on a baking stone or a thick baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until pumpkin begins to soften. Remove from heat, and stir, scraping the sides gently, so that some pieces of pumpkin fall into the apple mixture. Serve & enjoy ; )

Sweet Potato Fries

9 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup agave
3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (205 degrees C).

In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, agave, ginger, oil, cardamom and pepper. Transfer to a large cast iron frying pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

Turn the mixture over to expose the pieces from the bottom of the pan. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized on the outside.

Apple Pound Cake

2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 egg replacers
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups chopped, peeled tart apples
1 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup raisins


Apple Cider Glaze:

1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegan butter

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in apples, almonds and raisins. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan to a wire tack to cool completely.
In a saucepan, combine glaze ingredients; cook over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Prick top of cake with a fork; drizzle with glaze.

Butterscotch Cocoa

3/4 oz Butterscotch Schnapps   
3/4 oz Coffee Liqueur   
5 oz Vegan Hot Cocoa  (prepared)

Mix ingredients in coffee mug, and top with vegan whipped cream.

Fizzy Apple

2 oz Apple Juice   
4 oz Soda Water   

Pour the apple juice into the old-fashioned glass filled previously with 3 to 5 ice cubes and add the soda. Stir before you serve.


I'm wishing you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!  See you soon with the 2009 Holiday Gift Guide!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Thanksgiving Special '09

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Guests, Molly & Dave Anderson of Madeleine Bistro as well as CEO of Flanigan Farms, Nutritionist Patsy Flanigan:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, Healthy & Eco Holiday Gift Guide 2009 with Me & Rachel Sarnoff of Ecostiletto.com!

Before Departing Portland

Woe is me, if I could only stay a little bit longer or visit a little more frequently, I would be a happy girl. Portland charmed the pants off of me with it's fun folks, eco-friendliness and health, vegan goodness. I could go on for ages but I'll save some for my next visit.  In the mean time, here are a few more "musts" to check out in good ol' Portland!:

There are no words to describe how phenomenally awesome Portobello Vegan Trattoria, it is that indescribably good. With a seasonal, vegan menu, this coffee shop by day, fine dining by night phenom blew me out of the water.  Each course was even tastire then the next and I knew that every dish on it's ever changing menu was not only well thought out but prepared with meticulous love.  Since I was there in the fall, I indulged in all things autumn starting with their hearty Fall minestrone and moving on to their pumpkin crepe topped with cashew cream & basil. An I didn't stop there because I was torn between 2 desserts so I got them both (which was totally cool as I had Dan to share them with).  Uh, uh, uh, what????  The best tiramisu on the planet & the bomb diggitiest chocolate cream filled cannolis! Yes, I know, I stuffed myself which is not of the Healthy Voyager code but man, ohhhh man, sometimes you just have to live a little and Portobello is where its at!

One of the newer kids on the Portland scene is the appropriately named, Back to Eden Bakery. A veritable wonderland for shutting up your sweet tooth, Back to Eden dishes up freshly baked vegan delights along with soft serve soy & scoopable coconut  ice cream. In addition, they have a boutique that stocks all sorts of vegan goodies, candies & even local crafts from other artsy vegans.  Back to Eden is a super sweet spot so add it to your dining card!

One thing I absolutely love but don't get to much of, is fabulous breakfast or brunches.  There are some terrific places in LA but their all spread out all over town so I rarely get my butt out of the house in time to go get some on any given weekend. But on my trips, I am always in search of that elusive, perfect breakfast and I found it at Paradox. Serving food all day, this menu is just heaven. They've got everything from comfort food, fun food and healthy dishes so no matter your mood, Paradox has it.  But brunch was my meal of choice and Paradox delivered. It's been well over a decade since I've been able to order my breakfast by number so I was stoked when my number 1 made it to the table, tofu with home style potatoes along with a hunk of corn bread. I had to try their pancakes so I split a baby stack of the Solstice Corn Cakes with my guy.  Talk about a breakfast of champions!

I love places that has something for everyone and Old Wive's Tale is just that kind of place.  From omnivores to vegans, gluten free folks to low fat diners, this menu is drool inducing and wonderfully accommodating. Serving up yumminess all day as well as their famous Sunday brunches, this is the spot to bring everyone in your crew and no one leaves hungry. On top of the eclectic menu, OWT gives you a choice of fun dining areas: the main dining area, the children's playroom & the classical music dining room. It is hard to dine at the Old Wive's Tale and not want to try everything once and if you did try that, you wouldn't run out of options for an awfully long time! I made the healthy choice of visiting their soup & salad bar and just loved all of the great selections. Fresh & friendly isn't just an old wive's tale in Portland ; )

The last but certainly not least on the list is Vita Cafe. The epitome of Portland culture with its sustainable philosophy, veg-tastic food & fun for everyone vibe at and affordable price, Vita Cafe rocks! Specials for healthy kids meals are a great draw but the food itself is draw enough. Another all day eatery, you can eat your 3 square meals here and be surprised by each and every one. I went both naughty & nice with an order of shareable mac & cheese along with a super stuffed cold veggie wrap that was chock full of crunchy and good-for-me goodness.  Another hot spot in the Alberta Art District Vita Cafe is yet another home run ; )

So it's ta-ta for now to Portland but so much more ahead. See you next week for some more healthy eats in a new city!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Veggie Pioneers

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Guests, The Mad Cowboy's Howard Lyman & Raw Vegan Radio's Steve Prussack:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, Thanksgiving Special with Dave & Molly Anderson of Madeleine Bistro & Nutritionist, Patsy Flanigan!

PDX-ellent!

I just couldn't get enough of Portland and neither will you!  If you're a foodie, this town is the gem of the northwest. Sure San Fran, LA and even Seattle have their famous eateries on this vast west coast, but Portland rivals the best of the best  with some surprisingly delicious dishes!

You cannot, I repeat, cannot, visit PDX without hitting up Voodoo Doughnuts. With locations in downtown as well as South East Portland, these all night doughnut shops are more then the usual joint. I've never seen a more creative, funny & outstandingly tasty menu of doughnuts, not to mention, a HUGE selection of vegan choices. I haven't had an iced & topped doughnut in ages so I splurged and ordered a few.  On top of the ginormus variety of sugary sweets is their killer collection of artwork, knick knacks & overall enjoyable eye candy. And if awesome doughnuts for all kinds of eaters along with a fun environment & staff wasn't enough, the cool cats at VooDoo also perform weddings! Yep, that's right, from super simple to the big shebang, owners Cat Daddy & Tres are the kings of bliss both in dessert & of the wedded variety.  Check them out as soon as you roll into town and go every day until you leave because you can't have just 1 when the VooDoo casts its spell on you!

The best thing to do after mountains of sugary dough is to work it off.  Seeing as how Portland is one of the most bike friendly cities in the U.S., it is a great idea to set up a ride with Pedal Bike Tours. See the great metropolitan areas of the city on the most eco-friendly of vehicles while hearing city secrets & stopping for local treats with your savvy tour guide on 2 wheels.  I was lucky enough to have Todd, PBT's owner himself, to give me the grand tour of the cit he calls home and it was fantastic.  Through downtown, a few of the bridges that link the city with the burbs, checking out some history and more was a fine way to spend a Fall afternoon in Portland.  The tour comes with a bike, your helmet and a whole lotta fun, visit Pedal Bike Tours online for more information.

Most of the cheap eats & meal deals aren't consumed by us veggie folk as they rarely exist. But again, Stumptown hits it outta the park at the Hungry Tiger Too.  Every day of the week, this bar & grill boasts a "regular" as well as a vegan menu so everyone can enjoy a brew with some good grub and not feel left out.  Their mac & cheese is to die for, their butternut squash filled wontons with coconut cream are just insane but the big draw... $1 vegan corn dogs every Wednesday. Oh yeah, they are always on the menu but hump day is the day to hit them up for cheap eats, laughs and even cheap beer.  Make sure you head over to the Hungry Tiger Too and if you happen to be around on a Wednesday, live it up for a few bucks ; ) Visit them at 207 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, (503) 238-4321.

With 2 locations, one in the Pearl District and one in SE Portland, the Blossoming Lotus is the talk of the town. Everywhere I went, all I heard was "Have you been to the Blossoming Lotus yet?" so I finally made it in.  The cafe in downtown is located in a beautiful yoga studio and offers some gorgeous, healthy fare as well as a nice variety of raw food.  Their newest location serves all day and has a larger menu for a more sit downy, romantic feel. Either way, Blossoming Lotus has a fresh and pure menu that doesn't leave out taste.  Their signature cashew hummus, raw cacao truffles & lavender lemonade are just a smattering of how innovative the food is here at this healthy sanctuary.  So after a great yoga session or for a romantic dinner, Blossoming Lotus is the perfect choice!

I am a sucker for all kinds of ethnic cuisine and Arabian Breeze hit the nail on the head.  With a mix of Syrian, Lebanese & Middle Eastern flavors, their authentic menu sends your right out of the states and into a new and exotic world.  They offer everything for all sorts of patrons so I had no problems finding a hearty array of things to try.  I went for the vegan Arabian Breeze Mezza which was a delicious sampler plate of middle eastern goodies then followed that up with their vegan Arabian Breeze pizza, whoa! What a neat combination of flavors and I'm so glad I had some to take back to the room with me to enjoy later. 

If only all of these placed could same day fed-ex me, I would order up dishes & treats from them every day! Stay tuned because there is still more Portland next week - hungry yet?

Healthy Voyager Radio - Vegan & Eco Authors/Advocates

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Guests, co-author of Skinny Bitch, Rory Freedman, and Founder/CEO of Ecofabulous.com, Zem Joaquin:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, vegan pioneers, The Mad Cowboy, Howard Lyman & Raw Vegan Radio's, Steven Prussack!

Portland Ohhh-regon!!

Well, Portland is pretty much like visiting vegan & eco-friendly heaven.  It is so easy to find something healthy, gluten free, vegan or whatever in this town along with super convenient bike paths & parking.  The city is very busy downtown and connected to the "burbs" by 10 very different bridges.  It is bustling with out feeling hurried or stressed, manageable without feeling trapped.  I really enjoyed my time here, made a bunch of new friends and know that if there is just 1 thing I need to come back for, it's the food!!!!

For first rate accommodations, the Hotel Monaco in downtown is a must.  Not only is it mega pet friendly and green seal certified, this place is luxurious and fun with zero pomp.  Beautiful rooms and killer decor throughout the hotel, the Monaco is a fabulous place to rest your head in the heart of the city.  With fun music and complimentary wine & food tastings at happy hour along with extraordinarily friendly and helpful staff, Hotel Monaco is a healthy, eco & adventurous traveler's dream.  Find out more about the hotel, reservations, their fantastic car-less vacation package, bike rentals and other reasons why they are not only green certified but also awesome, online at the Hotel Monaco website.

During my stay in Portland, I was able to visit the Bob's Red Mill facility as well as the restaurant & market. Not to mention, I got to hang out with Bob himself! Visiting the healthy & gluten free flour king at his plant was like seeing Wonka in action.  His product line is impressive and his factory, jaw dropping.  After a tour of the building, I got to ride over the nearby Bob's Red Mill market & deli with Bob in his '31 Model A Ford.  I totally dug the big red barn filled with all things Bob & his Mill produce while enjoying a fabulous brunch with him and his staff.  The deli offers food for all kinds of folks and is very accommodating to vegans & gluten free diners.  If you do ever find yourself in the Portland area, make a date to visit Bob's Red Mill. Stock up on all their wonderful products and have a fresh, healthy & scrumptious breakfast or lunch too! Who knows, Bob himself might have a seat at your table!

Sweet Pea Baking Company, Herbivore Clothing, Food Fight Grocery & Scapegoat Tattoo are all a part of what has been coined as the world's first all vegan mini-mall (it's just like, it's just like - a mini - mall!).  And I spent hours there!  I started out with a tasty brunch at Sweet Pea Baking Company.  Offering home made and ridiculously delectable sweets, treats, sandwiches, soups & healthy rice bowls, Sweet Pea rocks!  I couldn't decide on just one thing so I ordered a bunch to be sure I didn't miss out on any of the goodness. I helped myself to a hug pumpkin cinnamon roll, a bbq sandwich, a happy rice bowl of veggies, brown rice & beans topped with garlic aioli & a latte.  No I did not eat it all in one sitting but I did devour it shortly after ; )

After my brunch I popped into Herbivore clothing.  Also an online retail store, their brick & mortar location boasts some pretty nifty goods. From clothing, bags, jewelery & books, Herbivore Clothing is 100% vegan & cruelty free.  A great place to shop for hip, guilt free gifts!

Next door was the famed Food Fight Grocery. Also with an online component, their physical shop is not only full of great, hard to find products but it's also a crack up.  Every corner has something that is chuckle worthy and their veggies fighting the McDonald's cast of characters is priceless. In town or not, make it a point to shop at the Food Fight Grocery.

While I'm not a tattoo clad gal myself, I was intrigued by Scapegoat Tattoo.  Another 100% vegan establishment, Scapegoat's tattoo artistry is eco and animal friendly. From soy based inks to healthier ways to clean their instruments, Scapegoat, mainly staffed by vegans, is a neat departure from the run of the mill ink shop.

Since I had walked off my brunch, we decided to grab a slice o' pizza so we headed over to Bella Facia Pizzeria. Pizza pie for everybody, I was stoked to be able to order a fully vegan, fully delicious, piece of pizza. It's not every day that I can walk into a pizza joint and get 1 slice. Usually I have to special order it and get the whole darn pie but at Bella Faccia, they know to have it ready and waiting.  The vegan is rad with its roasted pepper, tomato & cashew base, topped with marinated tempeh & loaded with veggies. And the crust is boss! Nothing rocks harder then killer crust, ok and vegan cheese, but crust is king. Bella Faccia also offers great salads and a variety of baked goods from Piece of Cake Bakery (lots of goodies for gluten free peeps & vegans).

For an elegant yet affordable and sustainable dinner, Aquariva on the river is just the spot.  A really chic locale with a nice bar and event space on the second floor, Aquariva isn't what you'd expect.  The menu is extremely affordable and on top of that, features local and organic, seasonal ingredients. They even have their own vegetable and herb garden for added freshness.  I was glad to see how helpful they were in recommending and creating a wonderful vegan meal for me. My risotto was off the charts and the baby greens and beet salad was nothing to sneeze at.  For a change of pace & ambiance, have a romantic and relaxing meal at Aquariva.

Let me tell you, there is way more Portland to come.  I could go on for days and still not have covered all the phenomenal food & neat things to do in this Pacific paradise. See you again next week with some mo' Portland!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Halloween w/Veggie Grill & VegNews

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Guests, Kevin Boylan & Ray White from Veggie Grill as well as Colleen Holland fro VegNews Magazine:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, Co-Author of Skinny Bitch, Rory Freedman & Zem Joaquin of Ecofabulous.com!

A Green & Good for You Ghoul's Day!

For those of you who don't know, I LOVE Halloween ; ) Dan and I love dressing up as a fun and famous duo each year - last year it was Bonnie and Clyde! The crisp air, the colors and onset of the holidays season, Halloween is nothing but a big ol' treat for me!! From October 1st on, I relish each day by burning pumpkin candles and planning which haunted houses to hit up while helping Dan build one of our own in front of our house to entertain the neighborhood ghouls on all Hallow's Eve. For the past 2 years I have offered up some healthy as well as eco ideas for a slim and trim as well as green Halloween  - you can view the past posts right here - 2007 and 2008.  Lots of fun tips and recipes to make this a rockin' Halloween for all.  Below I have also compiled some new tips and recipes to try out this year at your own or if attending any spooky festivities!!

• The best new vegan chocolates on the market are by Go Max Go Foods - they are hoping to roll out the holiday fun size bars in 2010 but for now, hand these sweet treats to the best dressed kids in your hood ; )
•  Another great healthy candy find are Surf Sweets! Healthy, naturally sweetened, gluten free and mostly vegan (a few items aren't so make sure you read the ingredients) gummy and jelly beany treats. Awesome!
  
• Visit and sign up for Green Halloween - it's a great resource for parents & schools to help make Halloween healthy and safe for our most precious goblins ; )
• Visit school and community organized Halloween events, pumpkin patches and haunted houses.  It's a great way to help out your community while having some good clean fun.
• If you are hosting a party, opt for the weekend after Halloween. This way, you can enjoy the actual Halloween night as well as the competing parties and you have an excuse to wear your costume 1 more time!  It's also a great way to rid yourself of left over candy and be able to enjoy the fun for a bit longer ; ) Or maybe, celebrate Dia De Los Muertos Day on November 1st with some creepy pinatas and fun Mexican style cuisine!
  
• Make creative and healthy treats for your guests as well as opting for home made or recycled decorations.  Please visit my previous posts for some green decoration as well as yummy recipes to go withe the ones below:

Spooky Juice
1 oz Organic Vodka
2 splashes Blue Curacao
1 splash Grenadine
Fill with Orange juice

Mix with ice and serve in a scary goblet!

The Great Pumpkin Punch
1 Pumpkin
1 part Apple cider
2 parts Ginger ale
1 part Rum
Sprinkle with nutmeg

Serve in a hollowed out pumpkin with floating pumpkin chunks. (make non-alcoholic by removing the rum)

Cranial Cream Cheese Dip
Plastic wrap
1 small party favor plastic skull candy container
1 package vegan cream cheese
1 jar chunky salsa (or fresh home made salasa!)
crackers or chips for spreading/dipping

Set the cream cheese out to warm to room temperature. Line the inside of the plastic skull dish with plastic wrap leaving enough edges to wrap around later. Spoon the softened cream cheese into the plastic-lined skull dish, mashing in as much cream cheese as possible to pick up the most detail in the mold. Scrape any extra cream cheese off the top so it is flat. Close the plastic wrap over the flat cream cheese top and place in the freezer to set. Once set, remove the plastic wrap from the skull dish, and serve. Place the skull in a shallow dish, garnish with the bloody salsa, including inside the eye sockets, and stab with your favorite spreader. You can extend the time before needing to refill by placing the skull on half a block of cream cheese, but cover the plain cream cheese with enough sauce so you can only see the skull above the "blood."


Pump-cicles
2 1/2 lbs. butternut squash
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
2/3 cup vegan whipping cream
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Cut a butternut squash into quarters and scoop out the seeds.  Boil or bake the squash until soft. Let the squash cool a bit before scooping its flesh into a medium-size bowl.  Add pure maple syrup, vegan cream, and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl. Use a potato masher to mush the squash and blend all of the ingredients. Spoon the mixture into ice pop molds, add sticks, and freeze for at least 6 hours before serving.


Healthy & Haunted Graveyard
1/2 cup fresh spinach
10 ounces garlic hummus
Broccoli and Celery (for trees)
Pretzels (shirt, thin sticks & mini twisties for the fence)
Tofu (marinated in clear or white marinade like italian dressing & cut into ghost shapes)    
Crackers (square for tombstones)
Black olives
Paint brush and black food coloring

In a food processor, puree the spinach and hummus.

To make the tofu ghosts, cut slits and insert black-olive facial features. Use the small paint brush and food coloring to turn crackers into tombstones.

Mound the dip on a tray and top it with veggie trees, a pretzel fence, tofu ghosts, and cracker tombstones to create your graveyard!

Dead Gingerbread Men
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup vegan shortening
1 egg replacer
1 cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons warm water
1/4 cup raisins for decorating

In large bowl, cream vegan shortening, sugar, egg replacer and warmed molasses. Dissolve baking soda in warm water and add to egg replacer mixture. Beat until smooth. Slowly add flour, spices and salt. Mix until well blended. Cover and chill for 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch on a floured surface. Cut out gingerbread men using cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.

Use black icing to make an "X" where the eyes should be, you can also make a frown for a mouth using the icing. Break off some of the heads & use red icing for blood around the neck on the heads & bodies ; )

Have a very happy and healthy Halloween!! OOOOHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Natural Health & Fitness

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Guests, Naturopath & Chef, Doc Rob, & Vegan Fitness Guru, Ashley Marriott:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, Halloween treats with VegNews Magazine & Veggie Grill!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Pet Adoption Benefits & Resources

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Guests Abbie Binstock Moore from AdoptAPet.com & animal lover, comedienne, Lang Parker:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, Health & Fitness for the holidays with Doc Rob & Ashley Marriot!

World Veg Festival Weekend in San Francisco

If you happen to be withing driving distance to San Francisco this weekend, make it a point to spend some time at the World Veg Fest in Golden Gate Park.  It will be full of all kinds of great exhibits, vendors, TONS of awesome food and some wonderful speakers. One you won't want to miss is my presentation at 2:45pm on Saturday in the Garden Club Room. I will be chatting about my global experiences on planes, trains and automobiles as the Healthy Voyager as well as some fun, healthy and green tips that you can use on future travels. 

For more information on the event as well as the speaker schedule,

visit the World Veg Fest website!

Hope to see you there!!

I will be off on some Pacific Northewest Healthy Voyages over the next few weeks but I will be back in time for some fun Halloween tips and recipes as well as some great new healthy city secrets!!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Women's Health

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring Guest Lissa Rankin, Holistic OB/GYN & Founder of OwningPink.com:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, Pet Adoption and Benefits with Abbie Moore from Adoptapet.com & Comedienne Lang Parker!

Hangin' in Hendersonville

Passin' through North Carolina, we made a pit stop in Hendersonville, located about 30 minutes from Asheville. Cute, quiet and lush with green forests, this small, American town had some fine places to dine.  Not far from here, Dirty Dancing was filmed, and its no wonder as the calm and peaceful, rolling hills are a slice of American splendor ; )

A way stylish joint with a creative menu, the Never Blue was our first meal in town.  I devoured my home made hummus (yummy with spinach and lots of garlic) along with my fresh beet salad (sans cheese). Some great Spanishy & Asiany culinary action going on here. This place is such a treat for anyone passing through town. For more information, visit the Never Blue website.

Square 1 Bistro felt like chic and hipster Asheville had moved to small town America.  Open for brunch, tapas and dinner, Square 1 prides itself on serving sustainable, green and local cuisine. The menu is based on what is in season and grown locally so that each dish that leaves their kitchen is as fresh as can be. Their garden plate was not only beautiful but tasty too! There is nothing like freshly picked veggies cooked with flare. Do yourself a favor and have a meal and a glass of wine at Square 1 Bistro.

For a great cup o' joe and a killer snack before heading out of town, pop into the Living Room Cafe. Really cute inside, this coffee shop is more then meets the eye. Home made desserts, soups, salads and famous sandwiches are a great reason to come on back through town. The veganized veggie cuban was rad and the service was stupendous. Don't miss your latte or your road snack, head over to The Living Room Cafe at 536 N Main St, downtown, Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828)692-6335.

Some of my favorite finds are in the smaller towns. It's so much fun to discover great food in all sorts of neat locations.  Hopefully your future travels will bring you through good ol' Hendersonville someday!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Getting Fiscally Fit

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guest Peter Bielagus, Young America's Financial Coach:

Healthy Voyager Radio 

Next week, Women's Health & Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Dr. Lisa Rankin, vegan OB/GYN!

Charlotte Chowdown

I was quite enamored with the healthy choices I found in the Queen City of North Carolina!  A neat looking downtown, and a southern financial capital, Charlotte had the city feel with plenty of hip and chic spots to boot. Home to NasCar, this North Carolina metropolis takes care of those in search of healthy eats!

Located in downtown Charlotte as well as spots across the Carolinas, & Tennessee, Brix Pizza is a fun place for friends and family to dine.  And no one is left to starve as they offer vegan cheese as well as healthy crust options, available for all varieties of their delicious, wood fired pizzas. They also serve a smorgasbord of salads, sandwiches and more.  I devoured my veggie stacked, vegan pizza and so would you ; )When in the south, hit up Brixx!

Well, I love a good Indian meal but a good Indian meal is an understatement when you dine at Woodlands. Serving 100% vegetarian, super healthy, authentic Southern Indian food, this dining establishment will knock your socks off. Outside of downtown (and with 2 other locations in Florida), this is an Indian food experience like no other.  No oil is used in their cooking and they are incredibly conscious of all special diets when it comes to accommodating their guests. And on top of that, the food just plain rocks!  I ate like a queen, one dish that stands out in my mind is the Dosa. About 2.5 feet long, this crepe like dish is like a paper thin, hollow, rolled cigar made of lentils & white rice, served with tasty sauces.  A definite must, along with a ton of other great treats, to tyr at Woodlands!

In the heart of downtown, you will find Blynk Organic. Open only for the bustling weekday meals of the Charlottian business folk, Blynk has a an innovative, fresh and organic menu. Salads, soups, sandwiches and wraps in all varieties, including awesome vegan selections, this healthy yet quick eatery is just the injection of tasty and good for you food that a busy downtown needs.  Dining in or catering for your function, office meeting or picnic outside of the NasCar museum, check out Blynk! PS, the Thai Sky wrap is bitchin' ; )

Also in downtown, unwind with some wine and tapas at Press Wine Bar. In route to film some other areas, I stumbled into this fabulous looking place to just buy some water. Needless to say I found more then H2O! A gourmet market with cafe type sandwiches, salads and small plates (including freshly made sushi at their sushi bar), Press's big draw is their wine selection and how it is categorized.  Cute icons describe the types of wines they have such as "soft" wines which features a cartoon rear end icon, "lucious" wines found under a pair of cartoon boobs and so on.  Pick your wine based on fun, feel, and cute avatars while munching on some yummy snacks at Press.

Lastly, Cosmo Cafe, cooks up yummy food all day into late night. And the great thing is, they specify what items are vegetarian friendly right on the menu, most of which can be easily veganized. Greek & Asian fusion cuisine, with a dash of American kitsch, you can get everything here from pasta to gyros.I really enjoyed their grilled veggie sandwich and veganized strawberry salad!

I love traveling to cities that surprise me with their numerous healthy options and I so look forward to many, many more surprises ; )

Healthy Voyager Radio - Athletes Against All Odds

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests, vegan athlete & VEGA products creator Brendan Brazier, as well as inspirational paraplegic athlete Aaron Baker along with his coach and mother, Laquita Conway:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, Fiscal Fitness with Peter Bielagus, Young America's Financial Coach!

Beat the Back to School/End of Summer Blues

Labor Day has come and gone, marking the official end of summer. The kids are back in school, summer hours at jobs have ceased and everyone is back to the grind. It is very easy to slip into daydreams of swimming pools and yearnings for cookouts but, there is also much to look forward to now that we've said goodbye to our shorts and flip flops! I've compiled some tricks and tips to help you make your peace with summer's end and exuberant for the last quarter of 2009!:

• Plan a getaway: Planning a future getaway can help give you something to look forward to & get through your week. As you plan your vacation, visualize yourself at your destination. Whether it's with your family or friends, make it fun and interactive for everyone involved. The fun can start with the prep!
  
• Host a movie or game night: Rent a great flick and invite your friends over for some good food and drinks . The visuals will get your mind off the cold and dreary and onto the engaging storyline or tournament. Make it a recurring event that a group of friends choose to rotate each week. This way you always have a fun evening in the books to help you get through your week.
  
• Schedule playdates for your kids: Just like the movie or game night, kids need fun activities to look forward to to help them through their weeks. Especially when they are starting a new year with a new set of responsibilities. We can't expect them to be excited about homework but it's easy to get them excited about seeing all of their friends who can relate.
• Engage in Fall cleaning: Find therapy and enjoyment in putting away your summer clothes and decor while prepping for Fall & Winter. Freshen up the house with new colorful accents; go through your closets and toss out things you don't wear anymore; and open up the windows and let in the fresh cool air. You may find a ton of stuff to sell at a garage sale so a few extra bucks will definitely make you smile. Or perhaps you start to dig up holiday decorations and your favorite sweater, getting you all the more excited for the months to come.
  
• A day at the spa: Taking a little time to pamper yourself is always a great idea. We all need to de-stress, unwind and reset. If you can't afford a spa treatment, invite your freinds over for mani/pedis, facials and gossip ; )
  
• Start a new hobby or class: A great way to get your groove back is to delve into a hobby or enroll in a class. No matter what tickles your fancy: dance, knitting, kung fu or learning a laguage; starting a new hobby is a great way to get your brain excited and out of the boring routine, but also a terrific way to make new friends!
  
• Make the new routine fun: No matter if it's just you or you and your brood, make the new routines fun. Help you and your loved ones look forward to mornings and other scheduled events by starting a fun tradition. For instance, make Monday "Manic Monday" so get your family ready for the week to some fun and silly tunes, Taco Tuesday and so on ; )
  
• Goal set: Nothing gets you more pumped then working toward a goal. Writing it down and making sure it's something that is attainable in the time you have alotted, can really put a spring in your step. Looking to shed a few pounds before the holidays to make room for fruit cake? Needing to save up to buy that ring for your girl and propose on New Year's Eve? No matter what your goal, write it up and post it somewhere to keep your eye on the prize!
  
• Look forward to the holidays ahead: I happen to be a holiday nut so as soon as Labor Day is over, I'm stoked for crisp air, pumpkins in abundance and planning for my Halloween costume! If you have kids or not, look for fun activities that center around the season. Harvest festivals, county fairs and colder weather events pick up now so make it a point to gather up your family and friends and make the most of Fall.

I know it's tough to bid farewell to hot weather, carefree weekends and swim suits but Fall offers up a lot of fun too so make the most of it!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Healthy Messages in Kid's Entertainment

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Ruby Roth, author of Why We Don't Eat Animals & Musician Ari Shine:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, vegan athlete & creator of Vega Products, Brendan Brazier & inspirational extreme sports, paraplegic athlete, Aaron Baker!

Lovin' Labor Day

So summer is just about over, 1 last long weekend left to eek out some swimming, parties, camping, whatever, before fall rolls in and we say goodbye to fun in the sun. Sure fall brings crisp weather, changing leaves and the beginning of the big holiday months, but nothing beats care free summer days and relaxing summer nights. Here are a few tips & treats to make the last weekend of Summer '09 a healthy, affordable and memorable one!:

If you want an affordable, mini-getaway:

• Camp by the beach - Frolic one more time in the sea, pack sandwiches and/or bbq foods along with your camping gear. Spend the night under the stars while the ocean sounds sing you to sleep.
• Organize a hike or bike trip - Gather up your friends and find a local hiking, biking or outdoor activity park or town. Make the most of the outdoors while getting in some exercise, taking in nature and snackin' on some yummy treats. Rent a cabin if you are heading to a specific area as with big groups, it's a lot cheaper to share a house with a kitchen. Not to mention a lot more fun!
  

If you're sticking around town:

• Host a game day & movie night - Have friends pop on over for a potluck or bbq. Host a tournament day that can involve all ages like a bean bag toss or a scavenger hunt. If you start late and go into the evening, project a movie on a wall and gather around to watch a flick under the stars.
  

If you host or attend a get together and serve up some of these exotic treats. They're a great way to bring the getaway to you!:

Virgin Pina Colada Popsicles

• 1 can light coconut milk
• 2 cups Pineapple juice
• 1 banana

Pour ingredients into a blender and puree. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours.

Lavender Grapefruit Martini
(c) 2008, Natalie Bovis-Nelsen The Liquid Muse

1 1/2 ounces organic Vodka
1 heaping teaspoon organic lavender-honey syrup (can be made with agave nectar as well)
2 ounces freshly squeezed organic grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed organic lime juice
1 organic edible flower

Lavender Honey Syrup: Heat 1/2 cup lavender honey (substitute with lavender infused agave nectar) and 1/4 cup water in a small sauce pan. Stir until boiling. Let cool. Set aside.

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker, add ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an edible flower or lime wheel.

Soba Noodle Salad

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup of seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Let sit for an hour.

Salad:

• 1 handful of cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 handful of basil leaves, chopped
• 2 green onions, diced finely
• 1/2 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, julienned
• 1 cup of shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup of toasted peanuts
• 1/2 lb cooked soba noodles
  

Prepare all the vegetables, set aside. Once the noodles have cooked, rinse with cold water and drain. Once the noodles are cool, add the vegetables and peanuts. Mix the dressing again thoroughly then add to the noodles and vegetables. Stir until well combined and serve.

Grilled Tempeh Peanut Satay

• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 2 tsp agave
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup tamari
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 lb of tempeh, steamed for 20 min
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp sherry
• 1/2 tsp vinegar
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup plain soy yogurt

Marinade:
Puree orange juice with only half of the agave, coconut, tamari and cayenne pepper in a blender. Cut tempeh into 2 cm cubes and add to marinade. Set aside for 1 hour.

Peanut sauce:
Blend remainder of agave, tamari and cayenne pepper together with the peanut butter, sherry, vinegar, garlic powder and soy yogurt. Refrigerate.

Thread tempeh cubes onto 4 skewers. Grill tempeh over medium-hot grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Brush kebabs with marinade and sprinkle with remaining coconut. Serve the tempeh kebabs with peanut sauce.

Ginger Mint Caipirinha Cooler

• 1 lime, quartered
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger syrup
• 1 sprig mint
• 2 ounces cachaça (or rum if you can't find cachaça)
• 1 quarter-sized slice raw ginger

Muddle lime with ginger syrup and mint. Add cachaça, shake and pour over ice. Add a raw ginger wedge for garnish.

Virgin Recipe :

• 1/2 diced lime
• 1/2 small diced lemon
• 1/2 small diced orange
• 1 sugar cube
• ginger ale
• fresh mint

Place the fruit in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add the sugar cube and a dash of ginger beer. Muddle to release the juices. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint.

Have a very happy, healthy and safe Labor Day!!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Green & Healthy Libations

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, The Liquid Muse & Caroline MacDougall, creator of Teeccino:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, children's book author Ruby Roth & song writer Ari Shine!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Green Sites & Fashion

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Jen Boulden, co-founder of IdealBite.com as well as Anna Mhikitarian & Daniel Leighton of Annatarian Eco-Effective Design:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, Natalie Bovis-Nielsen aka The Liquid Muse!

Grubbin' in Greenville

Just a short drive from Asheville & Charlotte, NC, as well as Atlanta, GA, you will find Greenville, South Carolina. I really enjoyed this quaint city as it had all the "accoutrement" of a large city without the overwhelming crowds, etc. The downtown is wonderfully charming too. Complete with a river and waterfall right smack in the center, a neat suspension bridge over the whole park ties the whole area together beautifully. Along with the pretty park, you will find some great eats in downtown Greenville, as well as in the burbs ; )

One great spot in downtown, is Cantinflas. A Mexican restaurant with an extensive vegetarian menu! I was stoked that my dinner guests where all able to find something they enjoyed while I munched on fresh made guac (vegans have to ask for it as the regular guac appetizer contains sour cream) and the Mexican chipotle vegan meatballs with rice, beans and plantains, yummmm. I really loved that there was something on their menu for everyone. It was refreshing to be able to order a "meat" with my mexi-meal that was tasty and nutritious! Visist Cantinflas Mexican Restaurant at 10 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601-2709, (864) 250-1300. Very friendly staff, good margaritas and super accommodating too!

Heading out of downtown for a taste of the east, I lunched at Saffron. Some of the best Indian I'd ever had, my lunching partners who don't normally eat Indian food, agreed. Everyone was ecstatic with the smorgasbord of food that we feasted on, tastier and tastier with every new dish. Family owned, Saffron offers up a great lunch buffet as well as a full vegetarian menu. No matter how spicy you like your chana masala, what your dietary restrictions are, or if you are an Indian food novice, Saffron is the perfect place for a great meal from Indian food nubie to connoisseur ; ) Great food, wonderful service and super helpful to boot ; )

Another great find outside of downtown is the Pita House. Another awesomely authentic, family owned eatery and market, The Pita House is the place to go for Middle Eastern in Greenville. They bake their own pita bread fresh every morning, make all of their pastries, hummus and other goodies in house. A band of brothers keeping their family food and traditions alive and well in the American south, its a must to shop as well as dine at the Pita House 495 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607, (864) 271-9895.

Heading back downtown, Lemongrass Thai is a fantastic place for dinner. Yet again, Greenville surprises with an establishment that catered quite nicely to the veggies. A full menu, the veggie options were many and I indulged ; ) Starting with the fresh basil rolls and ending with a generous helping of the vegetarian massaman (curry and coconut milk action), I was happily stuffed. Soothing atmosphere and a delicious menu, Lemongrass Thai is definitely on my Greenville hot list!

For some good ol', casual Italian, pop over to Trio Brick Oven Cafe. The pizzas, salads, pastas and sandwiches are all tasty and easily customizable per your diet. I veganized a sandwich and salad and didn't sacrifice a bit of taste. I was even able to enjoy some dessert as they had a killer sorbet to finish off my meal. Multo Bene!

Greenville was very pretty, very relaxing and very tasty. I would be more then happy to come back soon and chow some more ; ) Off to celebrate my birthday week - see you for a fun Labor Day post to wrap up the summer!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Health in Entertainment

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Elizabeth Turner & Jolia Allen from Vegetarian Times celebrating it's 35th year in print as well as Naomi Streimer, vegan songstress, playing live in studio:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, Anna Mhikitarian of Annatarian Eco-Effective Design & Jen Boulden from IdealBite.com!

Another Look at Asheville

Here I am again, yappin' about Asheville, NC ; ) There is just to much good food to not tell you about!! So make sure you keep this info handy if you're ever passin' through or passin' time in this healthy, mountainous munch fest of a town!

If you want to catch dinner and a movie, Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company is the spot. And I don't mean, dine and dash to the theatre. I mean dine and eat IN the theatre! This kitschy theatre turned brew and chow house is a fun spot for kids and adults alike. Come order a veggie pizza, healthy sandiwch or whatever you fancy while dining at a tabke in front of the silver screen. Really a great place to hang out and get some fun food with your flick! Find out more at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company site.

Burgermeisters is a cool eatery in West Asheville that caters to omnivores and lettuce eaters alike. My buddies and I all dined happily at this joint while taking in the cool decor. I devoured my grilled tofu philly sandwich and salad. I was delighted to see that they hand cut their own potatoes for fries and mix sweet potatoes in with russets - yum! Their chips are also home made among a variety of other delicious menu items. No one will leave Burgermeisters hungry, just happy!

If you are vegetarian or vegan, The Laughing Seed Cafe is a must. One of Asheville's premiere veg dining establishments, The Laughing Seed deserves its kudos. From great appetizers to their great Sunday Brunch, it's tough to find something on the menu that you won't like, especially with their international menu. As soon as I saw the Cuban Sandwich (i veganized with by ordering it without the cheese), I looked no more - Yummm-o!

I was stoked to find a veggie, late night menu at Rosetta's Kitchen. A late night, veggie, soul food menu to boot! Open till 3 am on weekends, what a great alternative after a fun night out then a greasy spoon diner. I had to go for the corn bread (duh, it's the south), some mac & cheese and a steaming bowl of veggies and greens. The whole menu was calling my name so I will be back for sure!!!

Man oh man, the south took care of my vegan belly and there's more coming so stay tuned!!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Healthy, Green & "Volun"tourism

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring guests Donna Zeifinger from www.vegtravel.com & Daria Gledhill from www.helpinghow.com, chatting about healthy, grean and/or volunteer travel:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next week, Vegetarian Times Magazine & Singer Naomi Streimer!