Urban Backpacker Travels: Wanderlust Stratton 2014

Hello and happy Wednesday!  Two more travel adventure posts, but then I'll be back to recipes I promise!

Two weekends ago I traveled to Stratton Mountain, Vermont for Wanderlust - a yoga festival, or as the founders put it "an adventure of the mind, body, and soul."  It truly was an incredible experience in so many ways.

So what exactly happens at a yoga festival?  I was a Wanderlust virgin, so I really had no idea what to expect from the weekend.  I actually considered dropping out last minute because I was super stressed at work and had to be in Chicago the following week.  Boy am I glad I didn't!  While it was a bit of a hassle to get to Stratton Mountain (subway > Amtrak > taxi > rental car),  once we made it there, we never wanted to leave.  My friend Kelly and I made the trek from NYC and met up with four of my girlfriends from my yoga studio in DC.  Kelly and I arrived around 10PM on Friday night, parked the car, checked in, and immediately joined the massive dance party that was happening in the main tent (coined "The Greatest Place on Earth").  There was live music and local beers, hula hoop-ers and electric body paint.  It was awesome.  We danced for a few hours, but headed back to our motel before too late because we were all signed up for an 8AM class the next morning.

Note on the motel:  We had originally planned to camp out, but when some of the girls arrived, the campsite was very wet.  It was also much colder than we had expected, so they found a cheap motel about 20 minutes away.  This was a little bit of a pain since we had to drive to the Stratton resort in the morning and home to the hotel at night.  Next year (yes, there will be a next year), we plan to get our acts together early and score one of the cheaper hotels on the mountain.

After only a few hours of sleep, we awoke to a beautiful but chilly Vermont day.  We piled into our car and headed back to Stratton.  The day went something like this:  8AM yoga class, 10AM yoga class, quick break to grab some lunch and sit in the sunshine, 2PM hike, 4PM yoga + dancing + meditation, more sitting in the sunshine and perusing the various vendors, wine and vegan pizza and deep conversations as the sun set, another epic concert + dance party until too late.  Sunday was pretty similar, except people started leaving early in the afternoon as it was the last day of the festival.

So what made this experience so great? First, there was the amazing yoga.  The classes were all taught by some of the top teachers, so not only were you physically challenged, but they also made you go deep into some of the other limbs of yoga (breathe, meditation, etc).  Then, all the other activities offered - an adventure race, hikes, runs, lectures, henna, massages... the list goes on.  Also, the food was first class - from smoothies to sushi to pizza to dumplings, there was a little something for everyone and it was all super delicious.   Oh and did I mention the live music yet?  Not only at night, but also during a lot of the yoga.  While all these things were great, the most incredible part of this weekend was the people.  Everyone was so happy and positive and open and you could really feel this energy. 

Sunday afternoon came way too soon.  It was not even a question as to whether we would be going back next year - we all agreed that we would be back, and this time for the full 4 days of the festival.

This is what we arrived to Friday night.

Hang out area

Hiking up the mountain

  

And riding down on the ski lift

Amazing local food

  

The Greatest Place on Earth

   

The group

Until next year...

Urban Backpacker Travels: Orlando

I spent two weeks in Orlando over the past month so this post will summarize the highlights of both trips.  Keep in mind that both trips were for work, which didn't leave time for too much exploring, but I there are a few things I have to share!

Lodging:  Both weeks I stayed at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista, which is just a short walk from Downtown Disney.  While the hotel itself is not the nicest or fanciest, the staff were amazing.  Since this was a work trip, all of our breakfasts and lunches were served buffet style, which is always difficult to navigate as someone with specific dietary needs.  The servers both weeks were especially attentive and worked with the chef to have special meals ready for me.  There was a bit of a mishap the second week - a mango went missing from my room (still unclear what happened).  Word of this traveled to the hotel management and the next time I returned to my room there were 8 beautiful mangoes waiting for me.  Needless to say I was a happy camper.

Eats: Like I mentioned, most meals were provided so I don't have much to report on the food front.  I did spend 2 weeks in Orlando last year, so instead I will share some of the spots I found then.

- Sweet Tomatoes - Huge salad bar + baked sweet potatoes + fresh bread + dessert.  Really what more could you ask for?  Great choice if you want something quick and fresh that will please everyone.

Salad bar forever

Sweet Tomatoes - Pretty much my dream dinner.

 - Babycakes Bakery - Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and refined sugar free baked goods.  Seriously so good.  I was really disappointed to hear that they closed their storefront in Downtown Disney this summer (although their products can be found at some Disney locations).  Good thing they are based in NYC which means I can still get my fill of their uber yummy baked goods.

- Ethos Vegan Kitchen - Located in Winter Park, this is a vegan restaurant that all can enjoy.  I went for brunch and got the tofu scramble, which was really tasty.  I would love to go back to try their regular fare.

Parks: We only went to the parks one evening very briefly, so I can't provide much insight as to eating vegan while visiting Disney.  That being said, I have read that Disney is much better than Universal in catering to food allergies and specific dietary needs.  From my limited experience, this held true - the folks at Harry Potter World (Universal) wouldn't serve me butterbeer without the dairy topping even when I said I had an allergy.  Sad, but I still enjoyed the rides and a normal beer!

Special guest at Harry Potter World

Look out for the Muggles!

Butterbeer on draft + scary boar head

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My key to staying vegan while traveling?  Be prepared, but also be flexible.  Pack snacks - I always travel with trail mix and fresh fruit.  Do your research and find a grocery store, natural foods store, or some local veg-friendly options, but don't get all upset if plans take you elsewhere.  While it's nice to try local fare, sometimes it more important to see the sights, or spend time with family or friends (who may not be too keen on trying the tiny raw foods joint 15 miles away).

See this post for more tips on keeping up your healthy lifestyle while on the go.

I hope you all are enjoying these travel recaps.  I'm back in NYC for a few weeks, so I will get back to posting recipes and adventures from the Big Apple!

The Butcher's Daughter - Review

This past weekend, Ariel and I had our first date (okay, first dinner together) in a long time (I have been traveling, he has been working crazy hours).  We decided to check out The Butcher's Daughter for dinner in Nolita.

The Butcher's Daughter is a cute little eatery on the corner of Kenmare and Elizabeth.  There are tables outside, as well as a family-style table and counter seats inside.  It was raining out, so we opted to sit at the big table inside.

Funny face + mint water

The menu is mostly vegan, with just a few dishes that include eggs.  We decided to start with the charcuterie plate  which included the following served with crostini: mushroom walnut pate, white bean and fennel sausage, and cashew ricotta with fig mostarda.  Ariel loved the pate, while my favorite was the sausage which reminded me so much of pepperoni.

Appetizer - "charcuterie" plate

For our entrees, I got watermelon ricotta salad - more of the cashew ricotta and juicy watermelon served over a bed of baby spinach.  It was decent sized and very tasty.  Ariel got the Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich - shredded, BBQ sauce soaked portobello mushrooms served on a brioche bun with potato wedges and cole slaw.  While mushrooms stand in for meat on so many dishes, I had never seen shredded mushrooms as "pulled" meat, and I thought this was super creative.  I definitely plan on trying to recreate this at home.  

We didn't get dessert because all they had left were muffins.  I suppose will just have to go back again when they are well stocked with vegan ice cream and chocolate mousse.

Watermelon + ricotta salad

Portobello "Pulled Pork BBQ"

My only complaint with the meal was that  the potato wedges were really greasy.  I was really craving potatoes and was super dissapointed how they came out (good thing we didn't really like them because there were only like 4 in total!).  I will also say that, like many organic/sustainable/vegan places, the meal was not cheap.  It was not crazy expensive, and I'm willing to pay for the quality of food, but just wanted to throw that out there.  Overall, I really enjoyed the creativity of the menu as well as the atmosphere so I'm sure I will be back for lunch or dinner again.

Smorgasburg at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Spring is here and that means that the Sunday Smorgasburg has moved outside  to Brooklyn Bridge Park.  Since this is a 10 minute walk from my apartment, I am stoked, to say the least.  I have been every weekend since it opened, with the exception of the two weekends I was out of town, and I expect this will continue throughout the summer and fall.  Local food + insane people watching + sunshine = can't get much better.  Okay maybe if we added yoga and green juice in there... Hmmm... Seems like a business opportunity...

Anyways, here's my current top picks from the 'Burg:

- ISH Premium Horseradish - Super fresh horseradish paired with sweet and tangy ingredients like beets, citrus, ginger, and garlic.  Most people forget about horseradish as a condiment, but ISH is bound to change this.  I'm personally addicted to the beet flavor, but they are all delicious.  No idea what to do with premium horseradish? The folks at ISH got that covered: with each purchase they include a recipe guide with tons of suggestions for each flavor.

- Chickpea and Olive - Vegan sliders and sandwiches made from wholesome ingredients and a super cute logo, not much not to love about Chickpea and Olive.  I tried their Phatty Beet Slider last year when I visited NYC and fell in love so it's no wonder it's one of my top picks. And the eggplant "bacon" oh my goodness. 

- Alchemy Creamery - Vegan ice cream, holler!  Not only ice cream, but push pops and ice cream sandwiches, in crazy awesome flavors like salted peanut butter and chocolate blackberry.  And free toppings.  Bring on summer!

- Bunna Cafe - Yummy vegan Ethiopian food.  They recently opened a full restaurant in Bushwick which I'm dying to visit. 

- Barry's Tempeh - The best tempeh I've ever had. For realz.  I don't know what it is, but this stuff is so superior to any other tempeh I've tried.  I bought some at the most recent Vegan Shop Up, and I'm excited to see if I can make it taste as magical as Barry does.

I'll update this list as the summer goes on and I find more favorite vendors (which I'm sure I will).  For anyone who lives in New York, have you ever been to Smorgasburg? If so, who are your favorite vendors and products?

Banana Bread Granola

Back in the kitchen and the first thing I make is granola, duh.  As I've mentioned previously, I'm pretty terrible about using a recipe when it comes to making granola- I usually just throw whatever is in my pantry into a bowl and taste it before it goes into the oven to make sure I'm happy.  Well folks, today is a brand new day because I finally wrote down a recipe (thank goodness this batch turned out delicious)!

Banana Bread Granola (vegan, gluten free, no oil, no refined sugar)

Wet ingredients:

- 3-4 very ripe bananas (the browner, the better!)

- 2 TBSP coconut butter 

- 1 TBSP walnut butter (or any other type of nut butter, or more coconut butter)

- 1/4 cup coconut sugar

- 2 tsp cinnamon 

- pinch of salt

Dry ingredients:

- 2 cups oats (gluten free, if desired)

- 1 cup buckwheat, soaked, rinsed, and dried in a low oven or dehydrator

- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed

- 5 chopped dates

- 1 cup flaked coconut

- Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, seeds

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a cookie sheet or roasting pan with parchment paper.

Add the wet ingredients to a high speed blender or food processor and process until smooth.  Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl.  Add wet to dry and stir until well combined, addin optional mix-ins if desired.  Spread onto lined pan and cook for about 30 minutes (longer if you like a crunchier granola).  Note: granola will continue to harder as it cools, so if it still feels a bit soft when you take it out of the oven, do not fret! 

Granola gets a bad rap for being an "unhealthy health food", which can be true if you eat many store bought versions, but not this kind! With only natural sugars from the fruit and coconut sugar, and no unhealthy oils, this mix not only tastes good but makes you feel good too!

I made half my batch with chocolate chips and oooooh my it was so good! More like a dessert but hey, you only live once.

Urban Backpacker Travels: Viva Las Vegas

Las Vegas:  This was my second time going to Vegas.  The first time I tagged along with some co-workers (we were all en route to a training in Pheonix).  I never had any desire to go to Vegas, but I figured this was as good as time as any to see what the hype was all about. I expected to hate it, but I loved it!  I don't gamble, but I do dance, and dancing is something you can always do for hours in Vegas.  The ladies who I went with the first time around decided another trip was in order, and this time I eagerly joined in.

We arrived late Thursday night and immediately got dressed to go out.  The night was full of dancing, followed by late night (early morning?) pizza (everyone else) and a grilled veggie wrap (me).  Friday we all woke up fairly early, despite the late night (funny how you always seem awake in Vegas) and composed ourselves enough for brunch at Bouchon Bistro, Thomas Keller's French restaurant in the Venetian.  I didn't have high expectations for the meal: First, it was brunch which is typically hard to navigate as a vegan.  Second, it's French, again hard to navigate because of the butter and heavy cream that (generally) seem to make their way into all French dishes. So I was pleasantly surprised that there were a number to vegetable side dishes which, on my request, could be made without butter, cream, or any other animal products. I got some delightful potatoes and garlic spinach.  Along with strong coffee with soymilk, this was quite the perfect breakfast.  

Most of Friday was spent by the pool.  We had a late lunch at Riva (Wolfgang Puck's restaurant located next to the Venetian pool).  We ordered "deconstructed" nachos for the table and I got a pretty good kale salad.  I also managed to sneak off for a run.  Yes, I went for a run in Vegas.  Running is my absolute favorite way to see a place and get my bearings, and there was so much to see along the strip, I was entertained and run for quite some time before feeling the lack of sleep and heat and time change.  I nabbed a post-run juice at Walgreens - pretty amazing that some Walgreens now have juice and smoothie bars - and then proceeded to nap until it was time to go out.  While we were getting ready, I shared some of the homemade energy balls that I had brought with me, and they were a huge hit! Recipe to come soon...Friday night was more dancing and some live music by Avicii!  I couldn't make it to the end of the concert (pretty sure it lasted until 5 or 6AM), so a few of us headed back a bit early for another late night snack and then much needed sleep.  

Saturday was another pool day, but this time we had plans to go to the pool party at TAO.  I knew I had some studying to do, so I just went to the party for a little while to see what it was like and to get some food.  The pool party wasn't too crazy when we got there, but by the time I left things were picking up. That night we had even bigger plans - fancy dinner at Jose Andres's Julian Serrano and then the Thunder from Down Under show.  Dinner was great - it was small plates and they had a separate vegetarian and vegan menu with tons of options that everyone could enjoy.  TFDU was an intresting experience. When in Vegas... 

And then it was Sunday and time to leave.  Next stop, Orlando!  We'll save that for another post...

Urban Backpacker Travels: Miami

Okay so I've been pretty bad at keeping up the blog lately.  I'm not making excuses but like I mentioned in my previous post (over a month ago!), work was crazy busy and monopolizing my life.  This continued through April and into May, but things really should slow down now so I hope to get back to posting more frequently, especially since the weather is beautiful now and I have lots of fun adventures planned over the upcoming months.

Let's rewind a bit: three weeks ago I was lucky enough to go to Miami for work.  While most of the week was spent in the classroom, I did get to explore a bit and would love to share some of my adventures.

First, let's talk lodging.  I was traveling with a group for a work training, so I did not get to pick the hotel, but I was very pleased with my firm's choice: Kimpton's Epic Miami.  This was probably the nicest hotel I had ever stayed in while traveling for work (not saying we don't stay in nice places, but this hotel was really nice!).  Highlights: a different fruit infused water in the lobby every day (hello hydration!), yoga mats in every room, an Exhale mind body spa located in the hotel, and bath products that were both organic and cruelty free.  Needless to say, I felt like I was on vacation!  My room had a balcony, so most evenings I did some yoga in the sunshine looking out over the water.  One night I decided to check out a yoga class at Exhale, and I was not disappointed.  The class, taught by Eben, was physically challenging but also super calming.  Since I was with work, meals were provided during the day, and I usually had plenty to choose from - lots of fresh fruit for breakfast, and always some sort of salad for lunch. I was surprised to see dragon fruit on the buffet a few mornings- I definitely scooped that right up! Thank you antioxidants!

As I mentioned, most meals were provided through work, but I did find a few veg-friendly spots for when I was on my own for eats:

- 10 Fruits - This juice and smoothie spot was just 1/2 mile from my hotel, so I stopped here a few mornings after my run.  I tried the Back to Work and Stay Green juices, which were good but not great (I'm spoiled by Organic Avenue's seriously good juices here in NYC. And my own concoctions, obviously).  I did however love their Brazil nut milk. I love to make my own, and this tasted similar - simple and pure with only a bit of vanilla and cinnamon for natural sweetness.  I didn't get a chance to try the Acai bowls at 10 Fruits, but if I'm ever back in Miami I would love to!

- Choices Vegan Cafe - Choices (Downtown) is a super cute spot with just what the name implies- lots of vegan choices!  I clearly found something for me since I came here twice during my short time in Miami!  The first time I tried the Deluxe Pesto Wrap on a bed of quinoa and one of their Cookie Dough balls. While the dish did not look like much, it was delicious and exactly the wholesome meal I needed.  The second time around, I got The Refresher juice with apple and The Everything Salad (minus the Daiya cheese).  The juice was phenomenal, not too sweet and really refreshing.  The salad was also amazing, and HUGE. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the veggie chorizo, but then again I'm never really a fan of fake meat products.  If I am ever in Miami again, I will definitely hit up Choices - I would love to try their breakfast (offered every day!) and one of their smoothies. 

Overall, Miami was a great little getaway even though I was technically working.  I got to meet some awesome people that I will be spending quite a bit of time with this summer, and got to check out a few of the local veg spots.

Next post I'll recap my more recent trip to Vegas and the Wonderful World of Disney (aka Orlando).  Until then, hope everyone is getting outside on this beautiful spring day!