 Taking a break |
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Of course I didn’t get to spend all the time I was away at a spa ( as much as I’d have loved to! )
There was also an impromptu visit to the UK.
Sticking with my plant-based eating preferences in England isn’t much of an issue because I stay in the homes of family and friends with kitchens at my disposal even if I do have to do my own cooking (only jesting I had some lovely food cooked for me). And the supermarkets, 3 times the size of the ones here, had everything I needed in the one place which was a nice change from trekking to several thousand stores and markets to do the grocery shop. What was a challenge was avoiding all the chocolate, sweets (candies), cakes and biscuits (cookies) I remember from my childhood.
 Derwentwater, Keswick, Lake District, England |
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I did eat out a lot during my visit but the same family and friends knew which local eateries would have something suitable on the menu or we’d ask when we made the reservation and the majority of restaurants were able to provide suitable fare with advance notice.
A couple of times we even ate at vegetarian/vegan wholefood eateries.
The first was at a lovely little cafe I last visited 3 years ago in the Lake District. I often go hiking around my favourite area of Keswick whenever I get the chance and we always refuel at
The Lakeland Pedlar wholefood vegetarian cafe which also has a bike shop upstairs. If you inform the staff of your dietary requirments they will advise what on the menu is suitable or can be adapted. They also have daily spe c ials on the blackboard but nothing was suitable the day I visited so I stuck with the soup of the day which is always vegan and gluten free and happened to be red pepper and tomato one of my favourites. I also ordered the side salad which came topped with flavoured roasted seeds I wasn’t keen on but my fault for not asking and presuming it would just be leaves cukes and tomatoes. I have to say I was not as impressed with the service this time – one of the waitstaff was quite surly, a stark contrast to the other cheerful friendly waitress. The soup was delicious though, not overly salty and filled the spot on a chilly day.
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The second was lunch at the Earth Cafe in Manchester during a shopping expedition. Located in the Northern quarter beneath the Buddhist centre it serves 100% freshly prepared vegan wholefood and what a treat. It’s a self service cafe where you choose your food at the counter, pay and carry your tray to a table. I chose the platter for 6 pounds! For that you get to choose 2 of the main dishes and a vegetable or salad plus rice or potatoes. Because I didn’t want rice or potatoes I was allowed to choose an extra vegetable. Superb value for money and so delicious. It was the best meal out I had during the whole trip. And the staff were super friendly too. They also have a good choice of fresh vegetable and/or fruit juices to choose from or if you prefer water to drink it is provided for free. And vegan cakes - the beetroot one I shared for dessert was scrumptious, not overly sweet and gobbled up before I could take a picture with my phone camera.
Korma balls with spicy tomatoe sauce, chana dal, mixed veg and coleslaw from Earth Cafe
