Easy Vegan Meals on Vacation in a Small Farm Town

This weekend I visited with my BF's family in Reedley, California. Reedley is a small town about 4 hours (Of psychotically fast driving courtesy of my BF) north of my home in So Cal. Surprisingly, I found tofu a plenty, frozen vegan burgers, non-dairy milks, and even Vegenaise so cooking vegan really wasn't much of a problem.

My BF's mom has never tried tofu before, so the first night I cooked up some Simple Tofu Taco filling (I left out the kale). We used the filling to make burritos stuffed with some of my BF's mom's amazing home cooked refried beans and Spanish rice plus avocado slices, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. Easy and delicious!

For an early lunch the next day, his mom had already prepared some homemade breakfast potatoes. I added some chopped green bell peppers, onions, and seasoning to the potatoes and cooked some of my Barbecue Tofu to go along with the meal. Another success!

I was also recently nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award by the Weekly Vegan Menu! The lovely lady who runs this blog seems like a "super vegan" I swear! She has 3 amazing vegan kids who help her cook up a storm, she is beyond creative with her meals, and truly gifted in her recipe creations and photo taking skills! Honestly, I am so honored people are actually looking at my blog I am so stoked right now!

So to go along with my nomination 7 things about me:

I am obsessed with condiments. I would die without my ketchup, vegan mayo, and homemade vegan ranch! God bless you Vegenaise!

I cry whenever I see that HSUS Commercial on TV with Sarah McLachlan's "In the Arms of an Angel" song playing in the background.

I love Romantic Comedies and Scary Movies!

I get insanely happy when I find new uses for old jars that I rinse out and save, I don't know why... Yes I collect glass jars, especially pickle jars! I also love reusing ziplocs!

I am obsessed with comfy clothes. The first thing I do when I get home from work is put my PJ bottoms on along with some flip flops (Summer) or slippers (Winter).

I hate clutter. I throw everything away, sell, or donate it. My BF is the exact opposite and clings to his old possessions. I think we balance each other out though :)

I really have only one pet peeve, when people step on the back of my shoe. I get pissed!

Other blogs I love:

Obvious ones:

http://www.vegan.com/
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/
http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/

Not as well-known but amazing:

http://weeklyveganmenu.blogspot.com/
http://thewitchykitchen.blogspot.com/
http://theveganmouse.blogspot.com/
http://veganeatsandtreats.blogspot.com/
http://myveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/

And... I would like to mention: 

http://madhyatmika.wordpress.com/
This blog is just starting out but is/ will be amazing :)

Vegan in Vegas!

Wow, so my first time being vegan in Las Vegas was way easier than I others have led me to believe. I stayed at the Monte Carlo to celebrate my 26th birthday with my vegetarian boyfriend, Erik.

HERE is a really good link that helped me out tremendously! Yes, on occasion I settled for something less than spectacular but I really didn't feel like I missed out on anything. Here are a few ideas for your next trip (I obviously snacked as well but these were actual meals):

Thursday, June 17th:

-On the way to Vegas I stopped at Taco Bell and enjoyed a Bean & Cheese Burrito (Minus the Cheese of course) and grabbed a bag of Baked Lays to snack on.

- That night, I ordered the Rubio's Gourmet Grilled Portobello and Poblano Tacos from the food court at the Monte Carlo Hotel (Sans the Toasted Cheeses and Creamy Chipotle Picante Sauce). I also scooped up tons of their free Green Salsa to accommodate the pile of Tortilla Chips that came with my meal. I also used the Green Salsa as an additional topping for my amazing tacos. Rubio's gave me Pinto Beans on the side, which the claimed were vegetarian (Pinto's are always sketchy to me), but next time I will opt for a side of Black Beans minus the Cheese they pollute their beans with by sprinkling it on top... I picked the unnecessary Cheese off my Pinto Beans (Yes lame, but I was hungry and had already gone back to my room).

Friday, June 18th:

- Dinner was Papa John's. They deliver to Vegas hotels until 1 AM! I got a Large, Original Crust Pizza, loaded with Pineapples, Olives, and Jalapenos. We just about finished it!

  

Saturday, June 19th:

- Late lunch was at Komol Restaurant (Thai food). THIS RESTAURANT IS AMAZING!!! Huge vegan menu, awesome atmosphere, and sinfully delicious food that is actually spicy when you ask for it that way. I will go back for sure, especially since I will be fantasizing about the Sweet and Sour Gluten (Chinese Style) until then.

Sweet and Sour Gluten (Chinese Style)

Hot and Spicy Vegetables with Tofu

 

 Spicy Ground Gluten Noodle

- Late dinner was another trip to the Monet Carlo food court. I had a 6-inch Veggie Delight from Subway on Italian Bread (Vegan for sure), topped with Mustard, Sweet Onion Sauce, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Olives, Banana Peppers, and Green Bell Peppers.

- I also got side of Mixed Vegetables from Sbarro, that I generously seasoned with 2 small packets of both salt and pepper. The guy working there said the veggies were only seaoned with garlic and olive oil. I was hesitant, but after eating a bite I didn't taste anything odd, so I believe these veggies are vegan.

Sunday, June 20th:

We stopped by Ronald's Donuts which offer mainly vegan donuts! They were fantastic in so many ways (Though I must admit I haven't eaten a donut in probably 2 years). The Chocolate Bar filled with Vanilla Soy Cream was TO DIE FOR!

Chocolate Bar filled with Vanilla Soy Cream

 

Glazed