I'm back!

Yep, finally!!  I'm back.  Ten weeks of travel through Southeast Asia felt like, well, 10 weeks!  Although I became very relaxed about being vegan towards the end of my travels, I learned a few things, mostly about myself.

1) I'm definitely a stress eater.  Trying to be vegan in the midst of trying to adjust to a new culture, learn Indonesian, do community development work, live out of a suitcase, and live with a national family, was just a little crazy making.  Especially since I'm a new vegan and not completely established in what to eat.  At times it was just too stressful to try to eat a certain way and I let myself eat things with butter and eggs simply to make it through.

2) It is always in your best interest to pack a snack.  There were times I didn't eat anything, which certainly isn't healthy!  What would you do if you were in an isolated village and someone had bought lunch for everyone, "nasi bunku" (which means "rice packet"), consisting of rice and fish wrapped up in a banana leaf?  I chose not to eat because in this circumstance I wasn't being rude.  But I was starving!  There were other times where all I ate was rice and a little bit of a veggie dish, which was usually so spicy I was sweating and tears were pouring out of my eyes uncontrollably.  I should always have some nuts or a granola bar on hand to tide me over until I can get some real grub.  Just the other night, here in the States, a friend hosted a Vietnamese dinner.  It was catered from a local Vietnamese restaurant and included 5 dishes with beef, chicken, and pork (as well as white rice of course).  I went up to the people serving the food and asked if there was anything vegetarian.  They pointed to the spring rolls.  I politely said, "Those have pork in them".  Then they pointed to the rest of the dishes, filled with beef and chicken.  I smiled sweetly and took a helping of white rice, just to eat something, and they said, "Well aren't you going to have anything else?!"  (If you were behind the serving line that night, see this blog post to educated yourself on what it means to be vegetarian).

3) Vegetarianism and veganism can be something of a privilege.  I've had several people tell me that when they were in grad school or college, they mainly ate vegetarian because that's all the could afford.  Granted, it can be cheaper to skip the meat.  However, what about those in the inner city who have no access to fresh fruit or vegetables?  Or those who shop at Walmart and its cheaper to buy a case of soda or several bags of chips than it is to buy the same amount of tomatoes?  Or how about those out in the country who barely have enough to survive, who eat the chicken they have been raising since birth, simply to nourish themselves and live another day?  I haven't fully processed this thought, but it makes me wonder how vegetarianism can become accessible to everyone.  If the world were to eat vegetarian and put a stop to the animal factory industry, it seems like everyone would have more than enough to eat.  Its getting to that point that poses a challenge.

4) I REALLY missed eating pure and having access to healthy options.  I found a vegetarian restaurant in my city and within the course of two weeks ate there six times!  If I ever lived there long term, I think I'd be able to make it simply because of this restaurant.  They had a brochure on vegetarianism, and in the brochure was a picture of several animals with the caption, "Love us not eat us".  Common enough, right?  But the pictures of animals not to be eaten included not only a cow, pig, and chicken, but also a dog, cat, and tropical bird.  Cultural context is everything!

I'm still here!

This is just a quick note to let you all know I'm still alive and well.  I'm about half way through my trip through South East Asia, and will resume regular blogs when I get home in October.  I managed to snag some much coveted internet time and thought I'd post a quick update.  I'm finding it hard to remain vegan here, so I've allowed myself to be a little flexible.  But I've told all my friends and they take good care of me, always checking to see what I can eat.  I feel like I'm causing such a ruckus!  But people have been very understanding.  To Indonesians, however (at least where I am currently), vegetarianism is unheard of!  Just the other day a lady was adamantly stating that its absolutely impossible to have a meal without meat! 

Here's something I've been thinking of lately and am curious to hear a vegan warrior's take on it.  Why is it that food companies misunderstand vegetarianism?  For example, the Hubs and I ordered vegetarian meals on the plane.  What came was a delicious fried tofu, rice, and vegetable dish.  As I was happily munching away I saw the ingredient list, and was sad to find Oyster Sauce in the list.  I presume Oyster Sauce has been derived in some way through the cooking of actual oysters, and therefore not vegetarian.  What compels this airline or food production line to label this meal as vegetarian when it clearly includes animal derivatives?  I didn't worry about it too much, after all I was famished, culture-shocked, and 10,000 feet above the earth.  I've noticed this with other dishes and am wondering why this happens.

How to Train an Elephant or Can I take that baby elephant home with me?

I hate zoos, yet still I go.  I always feel so sad seeing the animals chained or penned up.  Today, in Chiang Mai, my husband and I went on a tour that included going on an elephant ride through the jungle.  I was a little hesitant when we got there because the elephants put on a show and then they give rides, and there were TONS of tourists.  There were also a few (babies and mommas) chained up in pens.  While super cute and cool to see close up, it was sad to see them penned up.  It reminded me of Dumbo (which I could never watch without going into hysterics). 

The place we visited was the Mae Tang elephant camp, and they rescue elephants from work camps around Thailand.  They come to this camp and do shows and rides during the day, get a bath and some food, then are released into the jungle in the late afternoons to be free, wild elephants.  The Mahouts (elephant trainers) call them in the morning, and all the elephants return!  The owners hope to open a medical care facility for the elephants, because currently the closest one is a three hour truck ride away (which is a pretty long trek if you're a sick elephant!).  Some of the elephants even paint!!  I was skeptical until I saw them do it, but then I had to buy the painting.   

For 500 baht (about $17) you can sponser an elephant for a year!  Find out more info at http://www.chiangmaielephants.asia/.  Very cool!

Did you know?:
-Elephants are highly intelligent, and considered one of the smartest animals on the planet because they have been observed using tools in the wild and can follow human commands in captivity.  They also are highly empathetic to each other as well as other species.
-There are two species of elephant: the African elephant and the Indian (or Asian) elephant
-The Asian elephant is smaller than the African elephant, has smaller ears, and has one point on the tip of his truck (instead of two like the African elephant)
-The Asian elephant is an endangered species
-An elephant's trunk contains about 1000 different muscles
-Elephants eat about 300lbs of food (grasses and roots) a day!
-The gestation period for an elephant is about 22 months, and they only have one at a time.
Find out more about the Asian elephant here and here

How to Survive a 24 trip to Asia

1) Pre-order a vegetarian meal
2) When said veg meal arrives, attempt to eat portions not been doused in butter.
3) Proceed to drink lots of Chinese tea in an attempt to fill up stomach due to lack of edible food.
4) Break out Dr. McDougall's vegan Miso Ramen soup.
5) Follow up meal with vegan granola bar.
6) Take travel break in coffee shop in airport.  Contemplate single-serving portion of high-fructose corn syrup provided for adding to coffee.  Decide to forgo the diabetic-coma-induction-in-a-cup.
7) Maintain sense of humor and flexible attitude.  Keep in mind that individual serving size packs of almonds, instant oatmeal, fruit strips, and granola bars are life savers!

Headed to Lexington, KY?

Then you gotta try these places.  While there are no specifically vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Lexington, there are some veg friendly places.  Here are my top three.

1) Stella's Deli

Based on the name, vegetarians may shy away from Stella's, but they'd be missing out on good food and friendly service.  Although Stella's is a deli they also have a selection of veg food and are happy to accommodate vegans.  The folks that work there are good eggs and appear to enjoy their jobs.  All their food is produced by local farmers, and other products (such as their cool t-shirts) are fair trade.  I'm pretty sad I discovered this place towards the end of my stay in this town, but am glad I got to experience it and recommend it to others.  Its my current favorite hang out.

2) Good Foods Co-op and Cafe

One part market, one part cafe, and completely customer owned, Good Foods is a local favorite.  Much of their produce is produced by farmers in the area, and they have a large selection of organic and fair trade items.  Their cafe boasts a hot buffet, salad bar, and sandwich shop, with ingredients listed on the item name tags.  Many of the buffet items are vegan, and sandwiches are made to order.  I enjoy eating here because I know I'm getting something healthy, fresh, locally produced (in season), and am supporting a local business.  It feels as if the people who work and shop there are like minded in their quest to live a healthy and compassionate life.

3) Alfalfa's

This place boasts the most vegetarian fare of the three restaurants I've mentioned, and they've been at it a long time.  The food is interesting, and they often have seasonal offerings.  I enjoy eating here because it tastes really healthy, and I love the live music on weekends (usually its just one guy playing a guitar singing CCR and The Eagles).  They also make fresh juices, like carrot-apple juice.  To me, Alfalfa's feels the most "crunchy granola" (read: hippy health nut), but its nice to know a healthy restaurant is a popular place to go when dining out.

Honorable Mention: This list is incomplete without mentioning Doodles, a brunch place that serves as much locally produced food as possible.  Its not really veg friendly (which is why it didn't make the top three), but if you're still a carnivore or a lacto-ovo veg, this place is not a bad choice.  Plus, the name is just fun!  I ate there on Sunday and ended up ordering a meal of side dishes including fried potatoes, a fruit cup, toast, and veggie sausage.  Don't forget to try the beignets, a New Orleans favorite!

Road Trip = Being Hungry

So the hubs and I spontaneously decided to take a road trip down to Charleston for the long weekend.  Normally we enjoy the freedom that comes from not yet having kids and being able to take off at the drop of the hat.  The trip, however, ended up somewhat of a bust.  One ghetto-chateaus hotel, 6 sad vegetarian meals, and 2 sweaty days later I am happy to be home in my air-conditioned apartment with a refrigerator full of choice food.  From this trip I have learned:

1) Always check out a hotel room before checking in, lest it contain a bed spread with cigarette burns, gunk stuck in the carpet, and splashes of God-knows-what on the bathroom walls.

2) Always pack a cooler full of veg snacks to improve roadside options, of which the best is the unfortunate Veggie Burger at Burger King or the boring Bean Burrito at Taco Bell.  We did manage to stop at a Souper Salad! on our way down there, where I loaded up on, what else, soup and salad!

On our way back to town, somewhere near the Biltmore Estate, I was encouraged to find a Bruegger's Bagel shop that listed several veg sandwiches on the menu.  Pure bliss after a weekend of salads and baked potatoes!  Plus, all their coffee is fair trade!  I did splurge and purchase a rice crispy treat that the hubs and I split.  Definitely not vegan, but, well, better than a Coke.

3) Don't let yourself get hungry.  You will be much more likely to consider carnivorous options and make unhealthy choices.  Being out of my normal routine and unable to control my food situation, I was tempted with kettle corn, french fries, ice cold cokes, and wonderfully smelling hamburgers.  On our drive home I was beginning to feel very deprived and very sorry for my self, a victim of circumstance, as if being a vegetarian was something forced upon me and an unfortunate fate.  I had to remind myself why I'm doing this, of the choice I am making to lead a healthier and more full lifestyle.  Breaking out The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell helped to beef up (pun intended) my veg convictions.

4) It is important to surround myself with others who are choosing to eat veg for support and camaraderie.  As with most things in life, its harder to do things on your own.  The hubs has been convinced by the evidence in The China Study and is on his own journey to veg-ism, but currently is still eating chicken.  It would have been SO easy to snag a piece of bacon off the plate I was passing around the table at the hub's uncle's house on Saturday morning.  It just smelled SO good!  Now, if these peeps were all veg, wouldn't it have been easier, and felt better, to make a great, healthy breakfast together?

Feeling deprived, I completely relapsed today with a coke and a reduced-fat-cinnamon-swirl coffee cake from Starbys.  Not healthy and not vegan...But!  In other news, I have lost 9 pounds!  To be honest, I don't know when this weight loss started.  It could very well be because I stopped hanging around the vending machine to get myself through grad school.  Whatever the reason, I'll take it!