#vegetarian vegan mix is the best i can manage which is fine too

[dragpinkman]

Vegan cooking is so fun. Like watch me turn these blended cooked vegetables and seasonings into nacho cheese

[asgardianthot]

New Firsts (Sam Wilson x Bucky Barnes)

Summary: There’s many things Bucky hasn’t done since the last century, and many others he hasn’t done in the new one.

Words: 3988

Warnings: smut (PowerBottom!Sam)

The vegan place was only half-crowded, allowing the heroes to enjoy a peaceful meal with only one request for a picture. Sam and Bucky had been on a long spree of trying things Bucky hadn’t had the opportunity of doing since he woke up from the Winter Soldier, and it was going too well for Sam’s taste.

You’re only trying things you know you’ll like, he insisted before Bucky finally agreed to blindly follow Sam to a place he didn’t necessarily want to visit.

Only through that method did Sam accomplished his need of getting Bucky to try vegan meat, because Sam Wilson was a health freak, as Bucky put it, and he was a sucker for vegan places altogether. So he dragged the supersoldier downtown, no matter if Bucky didn’t get the point of eating meat that's not meat if you can eat meat. He even teased Sam for being a fake vegetarian, but when the order of a falafel mix patty with a side of fries landed in front of him, he stopped complaining. It did look like a fine burger, which was a point in Sam’s favor regarding his enthusiasm for spreading the word: plant-based food is just as good, Bucky, and it’s healthier.

A few silent bites from both of them, and Bucky had already decided he liked the blessed fake hamburger, but he was more focused on the spectacle that was contemplating Sam eat.

He was sloppy, and concentrated, and when he got ketchup all over his chin, Bucky couldn’t help but stare with cherishing eyes.

"Told you I loved these, stop judging." Sam said, his wording muffled by the food in his mouth.

A smile claimed Bucky’s features, "I'm not judging."

Sam took a bite, still pretending to ignore Bucky’s intense sight, "Ah-huh?" he swallowed in order to speak properly. "Then what is it?"

Sam’s reaction only made Bucky feel more aggressive butterflies in his stomach, because Sam had such a diverse spectrum of charm. He was charming in the morning, sleepy and forcing himself to be active because nobody dare say I’m not a morning person. He was charming in his fight gear, the goggles and everything, he was extra charming in a suit and tie, and he was charming when he wasn’t allowed to enjoy his meal in peace, all cranky and stuffing his face. The fact that Bucky was utterly and dangerously in love with him had never been so loud.

He raised his eyebrows like he couldn’t believe himself, "Fuck, I really love you."

The words had Sam choking on his burger. Bucky laughed to himself while Sam coughed, going back to his lunch with exceptional carefreeness. Meanwhile, Sam cleaned his mouth with a napkin and sat back on his chair as he finished chewing.

"You mean that?" he finally looked up at the man.

"Yeah, of course." Bucky replied like it was no big deal.

One of the many things roaming Sam’s cloudy mind was that this was the least romantic setup possible, and so of course Bucky would just spill the words right there. His internal reactions varied from ‘fuck this guy’ to ‘fuck, I love him too’. And although his insides churned with giddiness, he managed to focus back on eating with a huge grin on his face.

"So, better than real meat?" he returned to the original teasing.

Bucky acted as if he’d already forgotten about the former subject and followed along.

He narrowed his eyes in indecision, "I wouldn't go that far."

"Well, it's better for you."

The pair continued arguing over food and heath, and it was a discussion Sam was bound to win, but Bucky refused to give Sam so much credit because in his eyes, he was too perfect already, so he didn’t need another win.

-

"I'm not doing social media." Bucky snapped back at Sam.

As they sat on the couch, legs crossed and facing each other, Sam kept bothering him and asking for his phone with an obnoxious hand gesture.

“Just admit you don’t know how to use it.” He chuckled.

“Sam, I can hack a computer mainframe.” Barnes lowered his head with seriousness, “I think I can manage a phone.”

“You can plug in a pendrive the right way and let it to the hacking for you, that’s not the same thing.” Sam taunted about something that wasn’t entirely false, then asked for the phone until Bucky handed it to him with an exaggerated eye roll, “What do you use this for?”

Barnes shrugged, “I call you. That’s pretty much it.” He confessed before going back to his offended part, “See? I don’t need social media.”

“So you could be using a senior citizen phone.”

“That’s rude.”

“You’re old.”

With that being said, Sam broke the joking with a kiss he planted on Bucky’s lips. Bucky laughed into it a little, kind of breaking character, and gave into the way Sam slipped his tongue in. they only realized their bodies were drawing closer and their breaths were getting heavier when Sam’s hand travelled to Bucky’s thigh in a way it hadn’t before. The Falcon stopped himself abruptly.

"I need to ask something."

Bucky sat back, giving him the physical room to be open, "Shoot."

"Have you ever, uh...?"

"I'm not a virgin, Samuel." He interrupted with offense.

Wilson let the low laugh claim him as he faced down, "That's not what I'm asking."

"It sounds like you are." Bucky relied on that offended tone like he was being accused of something that was actually bad.

Sam looked up and pressed his lips together to ease his amused smile, but eventually, he had to force himself to look serious, "I mean with a man. Have you?"

"Oh." Barnes scratched the back of his neck, "I've- I uh, I've had my fair share of... experiences." He stared into Sam’s eyes, waiting for a response.

Sam frowned, "What does that mean?"

Bucky couldn’t deny anymore the fact that he was struggling with the subject. He didn’t want to seem inexperienced, but the truth is, he was. And if Sam needed him to be experienced then he would disappoint, and he wanted nothing more than treating Sam like he deserved to be treated, when the timing was right.

"That I've never... you know.” He looked away, “Not 'cause I don't wanna, I've never really thought about it? I dunno if I'd be into it. But I'm willing to try-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there.” Sam cut his rambling short, “I don't wanna fuck you like you think I want you to… I was sort of hoping you'd top me."

"Oh. Okay." The response settling him a lot more, Bucky shrugged nonetheless, "Well, I haven't done that either. I wouldn't... I mean, I don't know-"

"I can show you. So long as you really want to do it. We don't have to."

Bucky thought that that was probably how it’s supposed to feel. When you’re with someone you really love and they really love you back, it feels comfortable and it feels safe. With Sam, he was willing to try anything.

He licked his lips with concealed nervousness before replying truthfully, "I'd like that. Soon."

-

The next time the twist in their bellies caught them, they were cuddling to a Star Wars marathon. They’d run out of snacks hours ago, and were now just lying in each other’s embrace, in their pajamas. Although Bucky was really enjoying the saga, the sci-fi nerd that he was, they were both starting to believe a whole marathon hadn’t been the best idea.

"How many more of these?" Bucky asked, mildly complaining.

"Like...” Sam counted in his head, “Four."

"How do they keep making so many Star Wars? You'd think they'd run out of plots eventually."

"There're full decades between each trilogy." Sam defended the franchise.

"I wouldn't come up with these new storylines if you gave me half a century.” Bucky reckoned, and it was a matter of seconds before he realized something that would add some terribly dark humor to the sentence, “And I had half a century on ice to come up with 'em."

Unfortunately, the bad joke didn’t receive much praise. In fact, Sam remained silent, trying to think of a good response as he tensed up a little.

"Sorry.” Bucky looked down, a small grin of regret appearing, “No joking about it, I know."

"No, it's fine.” Sam intended to prevent Bucky from feeling bad about it; he had every right to process his trauma in any way that he wished, so in an attempt to ease some of that sour feeling he knew Bucky had in his stomach, he kissed the man’s knuckles with care, “It's your bruise to pick at. So long as it's funny to you."

Barnes felt safe enough to be honest with Sam at all costs. That didn’t mean he didn’t feel wrong from time to time.

That’s how he felt, an awkward smile drawn on his lips as he shook his head lightly, "It wasn't.” He let out a nervous chuckle, “Don’t know why I said that."

Sam gave him some mental space by refraining from any further comment. He proceeded to concentrate on the movie in order to drop the subject, but after a few seconds of bothering silence, he was pretty sure the sour feeling in Bucky’s gut wasn’t dissipating. When he turned to face him, he saw clear discomfort, which is why he turned off the TV. Bucky didn’t take his eyes off the now black screen.

"Hey." Wilson practically purred as he placed a finger under Bucky’s chin.

It was almost instant, Bucky’s distressed look turning into a much calmer one when his eyes met Sam’s.

"You breathe through it, 'member?"

Barnes nodded and took a breath, before grabbing a gentle hold of Sam’s face and kissing him on the cheek; a deep and grateful kiss.

"You're not feeling okay?" Wilson asked.

“No, I am. I'm good.” Barnes said truthfully, “Thank you."

They both returned to a cuddling position, Bucky holding Sam tight to his chest and running a thumb up and down Sam’s temple. The latter didn’t want to shut his eyes, no matter how much he was enjoying that simple yet perfect moment. He wanted to take everything in for a second. If he could stay like that for days without the need of food or drink, he would. Feeling far too content and cherished, Wilson wrapped his arms around Bucky’s waist in a rush of adoration, then buried his face in Bucky’s chest to plant his lips against his clothed torso.

"I love you."

Shivers ran down Bucky’s spine, before a joyful smile escaped him as he shut his eyes to enjoy the way Sam dropped childish little kisses on his chest and pec. It wasn’t long until something took over his body, something powerful that had him accommodating into a position where he could kiss Sam.

He slipped his tongue in and let it twirl against Sam’s, seizing the opportunity to drag up Sam’s body with an embrace that helped him pin the man down to the bed. Sam hummed in content, receiving Bucky’s coddling and the way he seemed to have lost his thoughts in the kiss. Suddenly, Sam felt the expected lump in Bucky’s pants grow hard, yet he thought it was best not to mention it, in order to keep the whole situation pressure-free. That was until Bucky decided to drag up his legs and straddle Sam’s waist rather enthusiastically, for the way he started moaning into the kiss after the smallest friction informed Sam of his lover’s intentions.

Sam withdrew his face so he could break the kiss, earning a much focused and very lustful look from Bucky.

"You, uh...?" Sam mumbled the half-assed question.

As a response, Bucky kissed his neck and hummed in absolute approval. He knew he wasn’t coming off too dignified, but too desperate instead, but he didn’t mind. As long as he had Sam’s skin against his. His hands roamed Sam’s neck and shoulders and jaw and face, exploring every bit of exposed skin that could provide Sam with some amount of pleasure. When Bucky’s hips sunk down on Sam’s, the latter let out a censured moan.

It suddenly came to Bucky that he hadn’t verbally confirmed Sam’s willingness, and although he was pretty damn sure Sam wanted to do this more than he allowed himself to display –so he wouldn’t make Bucky feel bad if he decided to change his mind-, he thought to himself that he still had to ask. When he sat back on his calves and placed a tentative finger above the string of Sam’s sweatpants, he gave him the prettiest look Sam had ever seen.

“Do you... want to?” Bucky found himself pretty ignorant when it came to phrasing, which kicked some insecurity back into his pounding head.

Sam offered him a sweet smile, “Yes, of course. I’m just making sure you’re not getting carried away, ‘s all. I want you to be comfortable.”

Bucky planted another kiss onto Sam’s lips before going back into frantic mode.

“I am.” He panted into his mouth, reaching down to undo the knot holding Sam’s pants up.

He only sat back again when he had total freedom to lower the hems and free the painful erection that had grown inside Sam’s underwear. He could tell Sam was holding back, by the look of the trapped member, and when he lowered the boxers as well, nothing could stop Bucky from grabbing a desperate hold of Sam’s groin.

Sam sat straighter, propping himself up on his elbows and gestured for Bucky to come closer. As he kissed the latter tenderly, the man who hadn’t had sex in a while slid his hand up and down Sam’s shaft, using his pre-cum as some sort of lube. He’d definitely had a fair share of experiences, Wilson thought.

With the slow pace Bucky followed to stroke him, Sam found his breath picking up his own pace. He laid back and let the pleasure seep through him, but a few seconds later, he was caught up by the movement of Bucky shifting own lower on the bed. he lifted Sam’s shirt to gain access to his stomach, which he began kissing.

"Oh.” Sam was vocal about his surprise when realizing how fast Bucky was going, “Okay."

Barnes’ kisses drifted from Sam’s belly to his hipbones in the blink of an eye, and that’s when Sam noticed the lack of spontaneity and natural progression in his lover’s acts.

"Okay.” He made him stop, “Dude."

Bucky looked up, wondering.

"You trying to prove something?" Sam asked with no inhibitions whatsoever.

Bucky’s expression made it seem like he was shocked that Sam would even ask, "Yeah, that I'm not a virgin." He explained, as if it was obvious.

Wilson let out a laugh, not intending to be mean, but genuinely amused by the fact Bucky would think about that.

"I believe you. You can stop the demonstration."

The positive affirmation soothed Bucky’s concerns about not being smooth enough, and so he nodded with a grin right before launching back onto Sam’s lips.

"I, uh, I wanna do it." He confessed in a low tone.

Sam's tummy did a flip, "Alright then." He did his best to hide his excitement.

"I mean it.”

“I know.” Sam grabbed Bucky’s chin with softness and forced him to look directly into his eyes, "Double check?"

Barnes was unable to hide the big eye roll that took over him. Sam had to know by now how desperate he was to get laid. It had been almost a century –not really, but in sexual abstinence time, it felt like it had been the full seventy years- since he’d had sex and he violently needed it. but not with anyone, of course, with the man he loved. With Sam, who knew exactly how to make him feel safe, who knew when to mess with him and when to simply exist by his side, who Bucky adored like he never had before. He had never felt more at home than with him, so yes, having him there, his cock out and still wondering if Bucky wanted to go to town sounded ridiculous.

"Yeah, fucking triple check.” He let out as he held Sam’s face with both hands, “I want you."

That’s all Sam needed, really. Bucky continued to take the initiative because, well, sexual abstinence, and he helped Sam out of his pants before removing his own shirt swiftly, while Sam mimicked him. Their mouths collided angrily as Sam positioned himself to straddle Bucky, and the latter gripped his hips and pushed his weigh down on his own agonizing erection.

"Oh, god." He shut his eyes without processing the words coming out of him.

Sam let himself be manhandled and enjoyed it. He bit his lip as he propped himself up, both palms down on each side of Bucky's resting head. It was when he reached for the lube in the nightstand that Bucky’s confidence began straying away, realizing he didn’t really know what to do next. Luckily, he felt a heavy weight be lifted off his chest when he saw Sam taking the initiative now. The more experienced man stood up and removed his boxers, and Bucky wanted to admire his lover’s body as a whole, yet he was too worried about what he was supposed to be doing to gawk at it; instead, he took off his own underwear at the speed of light and sat on the bed while Sam got the bottle of lube open.

As Sam went back to his former position, Bucky stared up at him with absolute uncertainty, "What do I...?" he swallowed hard before he could even finish the sentence.

"I'll show you." Sam hushed him.

He proceeded with squirting lube on his palm as he distracted Bucky with a deep, long kiss, and although it blurred Bucky’s vision, he understood that Sam was prepping himself when a lubed finger guided his metal hand to Sam’s behind. Without any words, Sam showed Bucky how to push in, and when Barnes separated his bionic fingers and Sam’s hole gave in, the moan that came out of Sam's lips made Bucky think he wasn’t so lost after all. He was doing it right. So he worked his lover open, causing him to start panting and rest his mouth against Bucky's cheekbone, toning sweet little noises and hitting the inexperienced man with his hot breath.

"Fuck, Sammy, you feel so good." Bucky admitted, pleasantly surprised.

After a minute or two, Sam sit up and got the same hand lubed up again, this time to coat Bucky's dick. The feeling made him shiver, but he managed to sit straight for Sam to tease his own entrance with Bucky’s tip. Bucky felt the butterflies in his tummy, and that was when Sam began slowly sliding down Bucky's length, until he could fully sit down; Bucky held him tight, his arm wrapped entirely around Sam’s torso, and a groan escaped him from the amazing feeling of having him like that. Being inside him but also being able to embrace him completely was almost too much.

"God." He trembled slightly.

"God, Bucky." Sam mimicked him unintentionally, feeling whole.

Wilson rested his head on Bucky's shoulder while Bucky's rested back in the air, his hands keeping a tender grip on Sam's nape. They both submerged into the stillness, enjoying the intense moment until Bucky’s head was less dizzy and his head lulled closer to Sam’s. The latter’s eyes were still closed, and the slightest movement of their hips made him gasp.

"I love you." He moaned out.

He didn’t even give Bucky enough time to say it back, because he immediately started riding his dick up and down.

The lightheaded sensation returned to Bucky as he felt completely taken by Sam. He was claiming him, getting himself off on his cock, pushing him back on the bed with care until his head hit the pillow. And Bucky allowed Sam to take him, he just watched the man prop himself up by planting his palms on Bucky’s chest.

Sam was riding him like it was too easy, and it let him mesmerized and amazed, all the while the lower half of his body felt under both a rough pressure and a devious release.

“Is this- agh.” Sam groaned, unable to focus on his words when he moved his hips so intensly, “This good?”

“Yeah, Sammy, it’s good.” Bucky spoke in barely a breath, taking one of Sam’s hands and kissing it.

Then Sam took that hand of his and drew a finger across Bucky’s temple to his cheek, dragged them along his chin and mouth until Bucky’s lips gaped, which he didn’t know if it was because of Sam's fingertips or his incapacity to say anything, given how immersed in pleasure he was. When Sam withdrew his hand from his features, he knew the answer, because his mouth was still gaped open, and the smallest moan came out with special effort.

Still taking what he needed from Bucky, Sam intertwined his fingers with the bionic ones, pinning Bucky’s to the mattress right above his head. It helped Sam push himself forward and ride him faster, before placing a sloppy and breathy kiss on Bucky’s half open mouth. When the latter emitted something entirely incomprehensible, Sam drew back to let him talk.

"Fuck. Sam, I'm gonna-"

"Wait." The man acting as the ultimate power bottom cut him off.

He slowed down, sat straighter and stroked himself out, made himself cum with a few drawn moans.

That, was the icing in the cake. Bucky felt him tighten around his dick, he felt the hot liquid on his chest and he knew he couldn’t hold it back anymore. He lost it, chest heaving up as he came and his sounds choked back too deep into his throat to even go past his parted mouth. It wasn’t until he heard Sam breathe out in recovery that he let out a noise that sounded more like he was in pain than in pleasure. But it was pleasure, good god it was pleasure.

Both men rode down with heavy breathing, but Barnes was in a state of shock. The instant that Sam found his face, though, Bucky grinned. He had just shown Bucky a goddamn millennial treasure.

Sam kissed his collarbone, still breathless, "All good?"

Bucky ran a hand down his face while he regained his breath.

"Shit, yeah. Great."

"Better than your fair share of experiences?" Sam teased.

It drew a dumb smile on Bucky’s face, his eyes still closed as if he worried that if he opened them, it would all have been a dream. He hugged Sam tight to his chest until they were both lying down.

He shook his head with amusement, "I can't even remember those, suddenly."

Sam would eventually pat himself on the shoulder for teaching Bucky how to top him, for it seemed like it was now Bucky's favorite hobby. He'd hop in the shower and smother Sam with neck kisses until he became jelly under his touch. He'd stroke him, suck him off before dinner. Sometimes he'd start prepping Sam only to realize he just wanted to finger him to oblivion and get his cock to cum untouched. That turned out to be his favorite.

But sometimes he just wanted to do him from behind and smother him. He'd relish Sam's shoulders, his nape, his back, kiss every inch of skin he could reach while doing him slowly and never forgetting to let him know how loved he was. Sam felt like he'd cracked the Da Vinci code by showing Bucky the wonders of having sex with the man you love. And Sam, he worshipped his man right back.

[athenaquinn]

Becoming || Shiloh & Athena

TIMING: July 14th, during the carnival (apologies for delay!) PARTIES: @evanescentform and @athenaquinn SUMMARY: Athena and Shiloh have a day out at the carnival. Athena gets curious. Some questions are answered, others only spark greater curiosity... 

Shiloh was lucky that she managed to come home back in time for the surprise carnival. Before she just thought it was something that people in town did overnight but now that she was aware of the supernatural… she figured it probably had something to do with that. Although, trying to figure out what exactly could create a carnival in one night was far more difficult to wrap her head around than just assuming it was the work of a lot of talented people. Nonetheless, she tried not to let thoughts of the supernatural ruin her excitement of the carnival. After all, there was no other place you could get carnival food except for at a carnival. The rides and games were fun to take part in as well but it wasn’t her favorite thing about it. She wondered what Athena’s favorite part of the carnival was. Shiloh was interested in exploring more than what she had in years prior. They tended to change a booth here and there but she was sure there could be something that had been there before that Shiloh had yet to notice. While she didn’t know Athena very well, she seemed like a nice girl and what better place to get to know someone than at a carnival! There might be more normal ways but everyone knew this town wasn’t normal and you can’t really have awkward pauses in conversations when there’s so much to do! Shiloh waited for Athena by the entrance. She could only hope she’d be visible throughout the fog. She’d made sure she wore a noticeable color - red - and had mentioned it to Athena prior to heading over. Shiloh glanced at her phone, awaiting a message that might speak of Athena’s arrival.

She knew that Shiloh wasn’t fae, but there was something about the other girl that gave Athena pause. Which meant she had to experiment more. There was always the chance that she was completely human, but Athena had to wonder - and she wasn’t about to get blindsided again by anything. Despite the rather traumatizing experience she’d had at the carnival with Winston, she was willing to return. Especially if it got her any sort of answers. She’d slid on more rings onto her fingers - the last time they met she hadn’t managed to give Shiloh’s skin a proper test and so she wasn’t going to pass up a chance this time. She decided to match the color of Shiloh’s shirt - red - because why not? She looked good in red, especially when she added a bit of color to her lips and drove over to where the carnival was, finding parking without too much trouble and she quickly made her way over to the entrance. “Hi, Shiloh!” She grinned, waving to the other girl. “Got anything you’d like to do? I’m down for anything but the drop ride. That one,” showed me the one thing in the world I can’t deal with, “made me sick last time. I’m willing to try anything else you fancy, though.” She flinched for a moment, the feeling of fae close by. Not Shiloh though, but that was something else she’d have to keep an eye out for. Something that Winston had distracted her from last time.

It was nice to see the other girl as happy as she was to spend time at the carnival. Given Shiloh’s recent supernatural awakening, it had been hard to enjoy things without feeling like there was a supernatural undertone to it. She enjoyed the carnival before and she would enjoy it now. Albeit, she’ll be a bit more careful around certain things. Shiloh didn’t know around what but she could only hope her gut would tell her what to avoid. “Oh man that must have been horrible.” Shiloh winced, only able to imagine how terrible it would be to get sick off a ride. “I do feel odd after some of the rides too if I’m being honest. I think that’s why I generally steer clear of them.” Maybe she was just.. older and not into the thrill of them. “The ferris wheel is one I enjoy though,” she said putting a hand to her chest. “It’s real tame unless you don’t like heights. Which I’d understand if you didn’t,” she said, glancing back to Athena as she started to walk into the carnival. “Oh! The games are fun too. Sure, people say they’re rigged but I really enjoy the games. I don’t mind if I lose but I have to be careful not to blow all my money on them. They’re kind of addicting.”

“Needless to say, not something I’d be keen to repeat ever. So we’ll just avoid it, easy-peasy.” Athena gave a small shrug. She was going to have to keep her voice and mannerisms upbeat if she didn’t want Shiloh to go running. Not before she figured a bit more out about her companion. Which shouldn’t be too hard - she’d had years of experience. “Oh gee, I know, right?” She quipped, “I mean, I’m not even twenty-one, but I feel you! Some rides just leave you feeling funny. We could start by seeing what snacks they have?” She grinned at the other girl. “Even if we don’t get anything at first. I forget, do you have any allergies? I'm allergic to tree nuts which isn’t super fun but I manage well enough. I know some people who are allergic to far less common things, so I always like to check before I offer food. You know, best behavior, right?” She hop-skipped a few paces forward before turning back to face Shiloh. “What do you say?”

“I completely understand. I wouldn’t make you go through it again, don’t worry.” Shiloh was curious as to what might have happened but knew she was in no position to ask or press further about it. She didn’t know Athena that well after all and even if she did, people deserved to have their own secrets and privacy. “Oh, yeah, snacks are fine with me.” Shiloh preferred to get rides out of the way before eating just in case but she doubted either of them were interested in the kind of rides that would get you nauseous anyway. “Oh no, I’m not allergic to anything.” At least nothing Shiloh had ever noticed before. “I don’t eat too much red meat but that’s just a personal preference rather than an allergy.” She smiled though, at the thought of Skylar and her preference for meat. She almost voiced that to Athena but then thought against it. “I really like sweets. It’s a serious problem.” She admitted with a chuckle.

“I appreciate that,” Athena grinned. “Plus, I heard it had faulty wiring to boot, which is something that they really ought to regulate more thoroughly!” Of course, it had broken thanks to Winston’s quick thinking but she was absolutely not about to mention anything to do with their magic to anybody else. “Good to hear about the allergies! I also don’t always eat red meat - not vegetarian though, but I know folks who are. My Big, for one. Actually, she’s vegan. Which means I have to make sure I don’t make her anything with animal products. Which means I can’t do anything like spanakopita, but what are you going to do, right?” She giggled. “Sweets? What sorts? I’m not always into them, but sometimes they just hit the spot. There’s a stand that sells slush here, if you like that!”

Shiloh had to think for a moment by what she meant as “Big” but recalled American sororities and fraternities. She wasn’t in one, but she had made some acquaintances in those circles. “Uh, what’s spanakopita?” She voiced the word slowly, not sure how to pronounce it as rapidly as Athena had. Just by the name alone she was thinking it was something eastern european which was interesting, she didn’t know Athena was eastern european. “I like pastries a lot. I’m a real sucker for those,” Shiloh admitted. “I bake from time to time and I’m always in trouble for it because I always bake too much.” She chuckled and then her eyes lit up at the thought of a slushee. “Oh yeah! I’ve had one from there before I didn’t know it came back this year. We should definitely get a slushee, it’s kind of warm tonight.” It might have been the fog that added to the uncomfortable sensation but she was sure a nice cold slush would be fantastic.

“It’s a dish from Greece. Sort of a savory pastry kinda deal. It’s made with filo dough which is the super thin almost crinkly dough. It’s amazing.” Athena shrugged. “I learned how to make it on a whim almost a decade ago when I was in elementary school and it stuck. She flashed a grin toward Shiloh. “Well hey, you can’t go wrong with that. I bake too! What do you like to bake? For sweets I’ve just about perfected a macaron recipe and, well, cupcakes are always a good go-to.” She continued to walk toward the slush stand, giving a quick nod. “Oh, you bet it did! It is warm and therefore we should absolutely get some slushes. Besides, they’re not too heavy so we can do that and go on a ride or whatever and then get more food if we feel like it.” She found the slush stand and ordered a cherry-lemon mix before turning to let Shiloh order. “I’ll pay, my treat.” Her hand found a tiny bottle of silver solution in her purse. When she got her slush she turned away for a moment, dropping it in before giving a small mix and holding out the spoon to Shiloh. “You’ve gotta try this mix before I do! It’s to die for.”

“They taught you that in elementary school? Wow.” Shiloh wouldn’t have expected that. “Oh it’s mainly scones. I love making scones and cakes. Lemon and blueberry are my go to flavors. I’ve made some pie as well but I generally do that during the holidays so I’m not too practiced on that so I just stick to my cakes.” She chuckled at that, knowing she wasn’t that great when it came to baking so she stuck to what she knew but that wasn’t to say she wouldn’t mind expanding her knowledge. Maybe she and Athena could share some recipes. That’d be really fun, she was always interested in learning more about recipes other than the British ones she gravitated toward. As she ordered her blue raspberry slush, she thanked Athena for paying for it. She reached out to take hers when Athena was urging her to try her cherry lemon mix. “Oh, alright,” she laughed softly before taking a taste from the spoon. The taste was definitely something new, enjoyable but not better than her blue raspberry - although she wasn’t going to be rude and say that. “Hey, that is pretty good!” She smacked her lips, finding an unusual aftertaste but just figured artificial flavoring did that and thought nothing of it. She quickly took to her own slush to mask the taste.

“No, I taught myself.” Athena fiddled with her shirt. “Sorry, usually I’m better and more precise with my words.” She grinned at the mention of Shiloh’s baking. “That sounds great! I’ve made scones before. Maple, because when you’re in this part of the Northeast it’s sort of a must-do. Also blueberry, ‘cause Maine’s got some killer blueberries to have.” If Shiloh proved herself human, maybe the two of them could get together to do some sort of baking sometime. Not until she had her mind settled about whatever felt off about Shiloh. It might’ve been nothing, and none of her senses were going off, but it also never hurt to be sure. Shiloh accepted Athena’s offer of slush and when she was quiet Athena frowned for a moment before giving a shrug. She hadn’t thought that she was a werewolf, not properly. The rings had never done anything. “It is at least refreshing. Have you ever made homemade sorbet? That is lovely, if a bit heavier than this.” She began to walk away from the booth, slush in her hand. “Remind me, how long have you lived here?” She glanced over her shoulder to the other woman.

“Maple, really?” Shiloh asked, not having heard of that being a thing but then again it wasn’t as if she was entirely knowledgeable about the area to begin with. “Lemon blueberry is so good.” Shiloh preferred the tartness and sweetness that came with it. Although she knew some people didn’t enjoy lemon desserts. “You have to let me try some of your maple scones - I’m sure they’re great.” Shiloh said with a smile, hopeful that they would have to hang out and bake together next time. She drank from her slush as Athena spoke, listening. “I’ve never made sorbet, no. I’m guessing you have?” Was it similar to making ice cream? Shiloh hadn’t ever put much thought into sorbet other than how good it is when she’s eating it. “Oh, I’ve been here for like five years now?” She looked up as she scrunched her face in thought. “Yeah, about that long.” She ended with a shrug of her shoulders. “Were you born here? I feel like I’ve asked you that question before so I’m sorry if you’re just repeating yourself.”

“Maple-glaze, or maple-chips, yep!” Athena gave a small nod. “Lemon blueberry does sound good. I made a lemon raspberry cake not too long ago.” For Ariana, but Athena wasn’t about to focus on that right now. “Lemon as a flavor is excellent. It makes things taste nice, almost more refreshing somehow.” She gave a quick nod, “for sure, next time I make them.” Athena continued to watch Shiloh curiously, observing her movements, if she reacted to anything in any sort of odd way. She was eating her slush which continued to remove the likelihood of her being certain species. “I have! It’s super easy, it’s frozen fruit, sugar, water, and a food processor or blender. It’s super easy and fun to experiment with different fruits.” Athena took another scoop of her slush as she listened to Shiloh. “That’s quite a bit of time. What made you come here? Oh - yeah, I’ve lived here my whole life! No worries about if I’m repeating myself, I’m happy to answer your questions. I know lots about this town. I love it here. Though perhaps some day I would like to see other parts of the world, this town has done quite well as far as a place to grow up. Even if I don’t get a super cool accent like you.”

“Mmm,” Shiloh hummed as she had her slush still in her mouth as Athena mentioned maple chips  and lemon raspberry cake. Boy, would she want some right now. Although, they probably didn’t have anything like that at the carnival, but they would have something that was tasty nonetheless. “Making sorbet does sound pretty simple. Do you have a favorite fruit to make it with?” Shiloh tried to think what her favorite fruit would be… probably peach. Or maybe watermelon? So many good fruits, how could you just pick one? Her attention went back to Athena, hearing her talk about eventually wanting to travel to other parts and her memory did recall Athena mentioning that bit. “You should travel. There’s a lot to see! I still want to do some traveling myself but…” She pursed her lips as she thought of her parents. “My parents are getting older and the town… I don’t really like the idea of leaving them alone. My father’s close to retirement and someone has to help run the business.” She swirled the ice in her cup as she shrugged. “Oh--that’s what made us come here too. My mother had an estranged uncle of sorts that owned Trusty Wood. He died and his sister, my grandmother was set to inherit but she passed so it went to my mother.”

“It is simple! Oh, I love a good raspberry. I think that’s a solid classic to work with, honestly.” Athena grinned. “It’s sort of hard to choose, I like so many different fruits. Though I don’t think I’d make grape sorbet. Not sure I’ve ever seen frozen grapes, for one, and I’m just not sure how that’d work out in the end. Grapes on their own are just fine by me, though.” At Shiloh’s mention of travel Athena gave a small shrug. “Maybe someday. There is a lot to see in the world. I’ve seen pictures though! So it’s not all lost on me!” She scrunched up her nose. In another life, she’d be at Yale now, or Stanford, or even a place like Bates. She didn’t regret where her life made her stay. Being in town, helping the people, was more important than a nice college name on her transcript. “That makes sense!” Her nod was perhaps a tad too emphatic, but she meant well. So long as Shiloh’s parents were human, that was. “You’re woodworker? I think I remember that. I know someone else,” I don’t know if we’re still friends, “who’s, like, super duper handy at woodwork. It’s so neat that you get to keep it all in the family. I can appreciate someone else who values family as much as I do.”

“Grape sorbet does seem like it might take some artificial flavoring. I do enjoy things that are grape-flavored though. Like candy and drinks.” Shiloh tried to think of a time where she had something like grape ice cream - frozen grape juice, yes but actual ice cream was another thing. Hm.. that was something to look up when she was bored. She looked over at Athena unable to take her seriously that seeing pictures was good enough in any way. “Pictures are nice, beautiful even but it’s nothing like actually being there, I can assure you.” However, maybe Athena had similar reasons not to travel, preferring to be with her family or… having to be close by to them. Shiloh felt like that for the longest and just when she thought she got over it, she was brought back to them again. “Oh yeah, I am. And do you? I probably know them too. It’s a small town we kinda all know each other.” She chuckled, wondering who it might be. Athena was young so it couldn’t be any of the older men they had. Maybe one of the younger guys? She thought about it. “Yeah… yeah,” Shiloh nodded, dropping her glance. “Family’s… important. They’re all we have, y’know? Outside of when we start our own family.” But when was that going to happen for Shiloh’s case? She sighed, glancing up and catching sight of a booth about crystals and witchcraft. “Do you believe in that stuff?” Shiloh asked, nodding her head towards it.

“I figure they can be good sometimes. Never really my speed, but I’ve got some sisters in my sorority who adore grape-flavored items of all sorts.” Athena explained. She hoped that Shiloh wasn’t some terrible supernatural being, because from every encounter that they’d had so far, she found the other woman’s company enjoyable. “I suppose so.” She bit her lip. She wanted to travel - the feeling was almost desperate sometimes. To travel anywhere - certainly to other supernatural hotspots but also just to see somewhere else. Even somewhere like Boston - not too far away, but still almost too much to do. Or at least too much as far as her parents believed. “I do. Ariana?” Was she even still a friend? The two knew one another, that much was true. “We coach soccer camp together.” That much was true. “This is a small town, it’s always super wild to see all the ways people are connected to one another.” At the mention of family Athena nodded, a small smile crossing her face. “Family is everything.” However, before much more could be discussed on that subject, Shiloh was pointing out a booth clearly designed to at least appear to be involved with witchcraft. “Hmm?” Athena glanced over. “Oh, well, I mean, weird stuff does happen in this town. Sometimes you just can’t explain it!” Or most people can’t, or find a way around it, anyhow. She eyed Shiloh carefully. “Do you?”

“Oh, Ariana?” Shiloh didn’t need to ask for a last name to know who it was. “She’s doing her apprenticeship under me.” Shiloh smiled, happy to hear about her outside of the apprenticeship. She didn’t really know about her outside of it but it didn’t help that Shiloh knew to keep things short considering the anxiety she gets during it all. Speaking of anxiety… Shiloh glanced at the table once more until they walked by it. “Yeah, there’s some weird things in town, you’re right.” Her lips pursed in thought. She knew better than to just tell people what she has seen. Either way, it was a lot to unpack. “I don’t know,” she shrugged, not really wanting to talk about it. Shiloh enjoyed when things were normal and when they weren’t while she tried to understand she feared she might never fully understand this world and that made her uncomfortable. Letting out a sigh she looked over at Athena wondering what she thought. “Some things have a rational explanation we don’t know yet, right?” Scratching at her head she still had to admit, “this town still leaves a lot to explain. Some people feel really strongly about the unknown.” She let out a nervous chuckle, unsure how Athena saw it.

“Yes.” Athena shuffled her feet. Not that she didn’t want to talk about Ariana - but things were a lot more complicated than they used to be. On both sides, she reminded herself. Even if it felt weird - even if it was all still incredibly confusing to her. “That’s great! She’s super.” Athena felt her cheeks flush for a moment and cursed herself. “Tell me about it. Lived here my whole life, you’d think this’d be all typical now - and yet… it’s not.” So that was a complete lie, but unlike the beings she adored hunting most of all, she had that capability in spades. “Some things do, you’re right. Some people do feel real strong about that, you bet.” She felt a shiver run through her body. She’d known fae were at the fair - that much was true without a doubt - the natural chaos of this sort of place provided allowed their kind to thrive. “Sorry.” She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, focusing her breath. “Sometimes I just get distracted. Goodness knows that’s part of why my parents got me into sports. Always wanting to move, you know?”

It was nice to meet a friend of Ariana’s - if Shiloh remembered, she’d bring it up next time they spoke. “My parents think most things have their reasonable explanations so really they’re not put off by what happens. That’s not to say it’s not sad when someone we know goes missing or… or worse. My parents are just rational people when it comes to things like that. That’s how they raised me.” So finding out about the supernatural sent her through a never ending loop. “Oh - we should go play some of the games they have then, yeah?” Shiloh suggested with a smile not wanting her to get overwhelmed by the constant distractions at the carnival and instead focus on something like a game. It would do good for Shiloh too, take her mind off the weird things about the town. “Hey, what do you say we do some baking sometime? You up for it?” She asked as she walked toward a game stall.

So she was rational. Athena had to think about that - because though she certainly felt as though something was up with Shiloh, everything she’d tried - from her general senses to the foods she offered to the carefully word questions she asked - had proved fruitless in discovering anything useful. “People can be quite rational. Seems like your parents have a good head on their shoulders.” Even if you make me far too curious. “Yeah, let’s do some games. As for baking? Just say when and it’s on.” She walked after Shiloh. This isn’t over. That much she knew completely.

[hollenka99]

The One Where Jackie Takes Each Day As It Comes

Summary: Chapter 1. Jackie may not have a home but he’s meeting some friendly faces.

@bupine @badlypostedeverything

Spotting all the daily newspapers declare it was February 13th 2019 that first morning had been rough. Part of Jackie had wanted to believe it was a really elaborate prank. But the lads wouldn't be able to do something like that. Especially given the state they'd gotten themselves in at Stuart's party. Maybe it hadn't been a bad thing that Jackie decided to go easy on the alcohol. At least he didn't enter the next century completely hammered. Seeing couples out on Valentine's Day causes him to reflect. He spent that day missing Chris, which he had been in two minds about. And Nate. God knows how he'd be able to return home to 1986, if he could at all. Perhaps getting thrown three decades into the future was the thing he needed to sort that mess out internally. The risk of the band going their separate ways because two members broke up sounded more attractive now. Sure beat them disbanding because the drummer disappeared indefinitely or was presumed dead. Yeah, he would split from Chris to be with Nate if he had the chance now. It was the old question niggling in his mind: didn't he deserve to be with the one who made him happier than the other? Not like all that relationship drama mattered much when he had no worldly possessions except for his clothes now. Fuck the shit with those two anyway. He'd rather have Caoimhe in his arms any day. Whatever happens to her with him gone, Jackie hopes she is kept safe and loved. Okay, so maybe he was going to get teary about some things. There was no point exhausting himself with tears regarding all this. How would giving himself a massive headache help matters? It got worse the more he accepted his drastic life change. Dwelling on it all hurt. Bridget, Annette and Spencer must all be adults by now. His friends were in their 50s, like he should be himself. They all must be unrecognisable to him now. Like he said, dwelling on the currently inaccessible past was redundant. Instead, he did his best to find somewhere dry to sleep at night. Days were spent on the lookout for food. At least there was a water fountain near the bus station. It's fine. It's not like this is his first time taking each day as it came. He'll manage, one way or another. It's while Jackie is preoccupied with drinking someone's discarded hot chocolate that a man approaches him. The stranger's curls remind him of how his own hair used to be, prior to its current style. Freckles litter his face too. The smile seems genuine but he's been in this situation before. Jackie decides to cautiously give this stranger the benefit of the doubt. "You know how to play guitar?" American? Canadian? He doesn't know enough about those accents to distinguish them. "...Yes." "Here." The guy holds out his guitar case. "I don't need the change anymore. Got a decent job now and all that." "Thank you but I can't." "You look like you could do with a source of income. Stealing isn't exactly a reliable method of feeding yourself. Which reminds me..." An oat bar is retrieved. Through part of the plastic wrapping, it is visibly crumbling. "I'll admit, not in the best condition. Sorry about that. Still, please take it." Well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth and all that. "Thanks." "No problem. I'm Joel, by the way." He winks, heading a few feet away. "Jackie." The ground crumbles in front of where Joel stood. Straight up vanishes as if it hadn't existed in the first place. It wasn't like Jackie had never met someone with powers before but... it was certainly impressive to see this sort of stuff first hand. The outstretched leg, meant to be taking a step into oblivion, is retracted. There is a pause. Joel turns to face him once more. Still there is continued hesitation. "Listen, I shouldn't be saying this but... things are going to change soon. Just be careful. Anti's about and he likes targeting people who can uh, easily disappear." "Anti?" "There's a killer on the loose and I'd hate to see your face on the news for all the wrong reasons." And like that, Joel hops backwards into the hole. Jackie takes his advice and plays during the day. Playing acoustic guitar simply makes him miss rehearsals with the lads. Guitar wasn't even his instrument. That had been drums. Even so, their type of guitar had been electric. Not much comes from busking. He's rusty, he knows. He continues playing songs he recalls off by heart in the hope of earning a pound here and there. He supposes the public secretly question why he sang nothing but hits from 30 years ago. Days blur. The last time he'd bothered to check the date it had been the 21st. He didn't keep track of how many days ago that was. The wind has been blustery all day. It was for this very reason that Jackie had spent the majority of it as sheltered as he could. He notices a man passing by his spot who seems unaffected by the bad weather. He walks by as if they hadn't been suffering strong winds recently. That's not the only odd thing about the stranger. His choice of fashion is very interesting. His entire outfit is purple apart from the covered half of his face and his gloves. The white mask resembling a cat's face reached the top of his cheeks. To complete the look, the mask extends into triangular ears. Jackie feels the guy hitting his head must hurt even more with those attached. Jackie's presence must have been caught in his peripheral vision. Cat Guy halts and turns to him. Surprise transforms into a warm smile on his face. "Hey, I don't think I've seen you around here before. I'm guessing you haven't been living like this for long?" "About a week or two. Haven't been counting." "Tell me you at least have something to cover yourself with at night." "I try to find somewhere relatively warm. Ish." "Dude, it's February." "Yeah, tell me about it." Cat Guy removes his backpack. From it, he retrieves a water bottle and a blanket. "Good thing I tend to carry some stuff around. Ham or cheese?" "What?" "Sandwich." The stranger presents him with the gifts. Once Jackie takes the blanket and water, the superhero holds out an object encased in tin foil. "I tend to make ham and cheese ones. You're not vegan or a lactose intolerant vegetarian, are you?" "No. I'll uh... take the ham, thanks." "Oh, by the way, what's your name?" He could say John. Or Bartholomew. He doesn't have to say Jackie. Shit, he could say his name was Sean if he wanted, seeing as that was another form of his name. He didn't have to even provide a name that was half true. But eh, fuck it. It's not like this guy will find a Jackie Mann born in Ireland during the late 90s. "Jackie. And what should I call you, Mr Super Cat?" "Super Cat, wow." He laughs. "That's a new one. Well, I'm known as the Magnificent Cat around here. A bunch of people shorten it to Cat." Cat? Yeah, that sounds cool. The superhero carries on with his day a minute or two afterwards. He sees him tossing a sandwich and making brief conversation with the black woman situated on the corner of the street. Mondays and Thursdays rapidly become Jackie's favourite days of the week. Cat always swung by at some point in the day, making sure those living outside had certain necessities like food or some money. He had a habit of apologizing for not being able to give more than £5, as if that was a tiny amount to provide to each homeless person he catered to around the city. They typically talk but it never lasted long before Cat had to carry on with his rounds. Once, the superhero had to excuse himself due to a burglary being reported. Jackie also liked seeing this other guy who kept popping up over the days. They'd first met when Jackie had been performing Billie Jean. Marvin was a really nice, frequently sparing 2 or 3 pounds whenever he passed by Jackie. There were also their conversations. The topic didn't matter. They also varied in length but by far fulfilled his social quota better than Cat's busy schedule could. It was pleasant to have someone to talk to. Either way, he had two people in his corner which was two more than he'd expected. The first week of April is laden with rain. Waking up to a damp blanket sucked but it was hardly like he had anything else to cover himself with. At least it was gradually warming up now. The last thing Jackie wanted was hypothermia, let alone getting sick in general. He must be getting his days mixed up because he thought Cat's last visit was on a Thursday. Yet here he was, walking around as he tended to do. Jackie didn't hear him chatting with anyone else like he'd expected him to. It didn't matter. It was getting fairly late anyway. It wasn't as if Cat was prohibited from strolling around in his costume. Plus, he was under no obligation to be as social as he typically was. Saying hi to him as he passed wouldn't hurt though. "Cat! It's good to have a dry spell in the middle of all this bad weather, huh?" Jackie chuckles. "How are things going?" The superhero halts abruptly at this. It's almost like he didn't expect Jackie to be there. That was a little odd because this was his usual spot. However, he decided to brush it off as Cat having a long day. His theory is further solidified when he doesn't seem as in the mood to talk today. "Hey. Things are good." Cat smiles thoughtfully. "Actually, I've been meaning to show you this new community centre that opened recently. They're letting people sleep there if they want. It's technically within walking distance from here but it's much easier to get there by car. Want me to take you there?" He obliges Cat's generosity. They chat about how foot traffic had significantly dropped in the past few days due to the downpour. Cat points out his black car. He motions to Jackie that he'd be sitting at the back because unfortunately, there was a bunch of clutter in the front. The door is red when he grabs the handle. A couple blinks confirm it is still red. The darkness of the evening must have been confusing his ability to see colours properly. It also may be linked to this headache that's appeared out of nowhere. He really hopes this isn't a sign the rain has negatively affected his health. He'd rather focus on how lovely the interior of Cat's car was. The doors lock internally. He moves his head to direct a remark about it to Cat. Except it's not the superhero at all. There was no costume, only a dark hoodie. The first feature that causes him to stare when Cat faces him were those eyes. Was there even anything other than black in them? The hair too. He's never seen Cat without his mask on but he didn't think it would be dark green. Had Cat looked so pale all those other times? He's not certain. He definitely knows that grin belongs in Hell. "Funny how easily people will follow you if they think you're a friend. Isn't it?"

[themildestofwriters]

Meet the Cast: Babette

Tagged by the magnificent @kijilinn who tagged me in this a long time ago and I’ve been desperately trying to write up for. There’ll be one for Josephine out soon so take care of finding that one but outside of that here we go!

1. On a scale of “is occasionally forced to bathe” to “Instagram model with sponsors to hoe for” how involved is your OC’s Skincare routine?

Babette cares about her hygiene and while she doesn’t by the most expensive products available—seeing them nothing more than superfluous wastes of money—she tends to put more than the bare minimum into the products she buys. In this, she’s quite involved in her cleanliness. She keeps herself clean and tidy, grooms herself and even moisturizes often though not every day. Overall, she does care but it isn’t the most important thing in her mind and there are times when depression hits and she just can’t bring herself to care about hygiene.

2. What are your OC’s food preferences (flavours/textures/spiciness/calories/ when and how they eat) and how did they get that way?

I think I made a mention of sour lollies to a friend of mine? Nevertheless, Babette’s food preferences are actually quite interesting considering her nature as a non-human entity. She still must eat but doesn’t have to eat physical food. In fact, physical food is akin to Babette going vegetarian or vegan. Her kinds natural diet consists mainly of metaphysical energy: life energies, magical energies, mental energies, things that can be found in abundance around the universe but can be considered unethical to harvest for food. To take life energy is basically devouring souls. To take magical energy strips an important component of reality that manifests in many different ways, some positive and some negative. To take mental energy would be to drain the memories and other important brain-things of living creatures leaving them mindless husks.

However, as implied before, physical foodstuffs are a substitute. Unfortunately, she needs to eat a lot to substitute the recommended amount of energy for her to consume. If she doesn’t, then she’ll grow weak, first magically but considering she’s not entirely a physical being, it will soon to affect her physical health. She’ll grow weak and frail, decrepit as rapid onset physical aging takes place. Her hair will begin to thin, teeth falling out along with her feathers. It’s not pretty. In this, however, it means calories are of no importance to her. She physically can’t get overweight due to most of her food being turned into this substitute energy while the rest is turned to waste. This doesn’t mean she couldn’t over eat—or over drink—as she’s found. If she eats too much at once, the food cannot be digested quick enough and it will result in her vomiting up the excess.

Babette prefers savoury foods and especially meat. She could literally tear through an entire leg of ham on her own, bone and all, and she would not regret a thing—aside from the bill, probably. As an aside, she could probably do it in one bite, not that the sight of her doing so would be good for your mental health. However, while meat products are her favourite food type, she does enjoy vegetables as they add verity to her meals, both visually and in taste. They’re not as important considering their energy content relating to metaphysical energy, but she enjoys them nonetheless. Fruit as well, milk and sweets! She loves the taste of white chocolate (dark chocolate is eww), and has, much to Josephine’s exasperation, eaten an entire cake by herself because she just needed just one. More. Bite.

For texture, Babette doesn’t have much of a preference. She’ll eat a lot of things and isn’t too picky about what she eats in this regard and in most regards.

For spiciness… Babette may be a goddess, but she cannot handle too much spice. It still burns and can sometimes be a bit overwhelming for her. Lightly spiced food is fine but its not like she’d empty an entire bottle of chilly powder onto her meal before eating it. While it wouldn’t hurt her, she would still not enjoy it. At the same time, she wouldn’t enjoy her meal if it was too bland. If she’s cooking, it can be expected for her to add some home grown or otherwise hand-picked spices into the mix and, perhaps, some experimentation.

Babette eats when Josephine eats and beyond. Josephine has a healthy eating schedule and so Babette does. However, this isn’t always a constant and sometimes she just can’t bring herself to eat whether due to depression or some other reason. When she does eat, however, she eats like royalty. She finds eating messy uncouth and would prefer eating with utensils whenever possible. She does make exceptions but only with certain foods that won’t result in her needing to wash her hands afterwards. If she needs to eat chicken wings, she’ll use a knife and fork, but a burger is fair game if wrapped properly.

3. What’s something pointless/petty/unimportant that IRRATIONALLY ANNOYS THE HELL out of your OC?

To name one, it would be walking slowly in narrow pathways. She has the patience of an immortal, but it doesn’t mean much. She doesn’t want to deal with having her life slowed down and would much rather prefer spending her time at home or with others she cares about. She’s a fast walker and finds it annoying dealing with anyone going slower then her on purpose. If you’re old or injured or something like that, then that’s good, but if you’re purposefully walking slower then she’ll get pissed off. The same can apply when shopping, especially if she’s inline to check out and someone decides to take their time, needlessly—most of all, she’ll hate you for life if you decide to slow down the check-out line by making a massive scene and yelling at the clerk because they didn’t greet you right or they didn’t accept your two-years-out-of-date coupon.

4. What’s your OC’s response to being asked for money by a homeless person?

If she had money to spare on hand, she would part with it. If she didn’t, she would turn them away apologetically. Her heart goes out to them, and she would feel guilt knowing that she could do something about it but won’t. As will be mentioned for question 6, Babette doesn’t want to help any more than a human could because she knows that it would be a slippery slope that would result in her overexerting herself in her attempt to fix the universe’s problems as she had once before. It’s the strongest piece of self-control not to fix all their problems and she feels guilty.

5. Does your OC get lost easily? What do they do when they do get lost?

It’s unlikely she’ll get lost. She knows her way around a map and has a very good memory—though not a perfect one—that allows her to mentally map places with some effort. However, if she ever does find herself lost, her usual response is to try not to panic and plan. Lost in a forest? Fly above the tree line and figure out where she is. Lost in a city? Ask around. Lost in space? She has no idea and would probably attempt to find any navigation technology nearby or fly to the nearest star. While there are times where she hasn’t reacted the best, she knows what to do and acts efficiently once the initial panic is gone.

6. What would STOP your OC from Doing The Right Thing in a tense situation?

It depends on what is considered the “Right Thing”. To make it easy, I’ll base it on what Peter Parker, The Spider-Man, considers to be the “Right Thing’ which can be summarised as “With great power comes great responsibility.” In other words, if you have the power to do something good for the world, it is your responsibility to do that thing. In this, Babette is stopping herself from doing the right thing, even in a tense situation.

She has godlike power and doesn’t use it to hep the world. She purposely makes sure that she only helps as much as a human could but she’s not going to do anything more—she won’t fly over seas to solve world hunger or end tyrannical regimes or anything like that. Those kinds of things aren’t her responsibility and she forces herself to leave it to those responsible. Earth is the domain of humanity and so it’s humanities responsibility to look after the Earth and solve the problems that afflict it. She might help out occasionally but no more than a human reasonably could—unless she becomes emotionally invested, which she tries desperately not to. Of course, this isn’t just because she knows it isn’t her responsibility, but rather the knowledge that the last time she took responsibility into her own hands the galaxy was wiped of life and she doesn’t want that to happen again no matter how many aeons it took to get to that point originally.

7. Realistically, could your OC (in their normal circumstances- i.e. at their own house/battlecamp/spaceship etc.) keep a small child alive for a week if they had to?  A Dog?  A Houseplant? A rock with a smiley face painted on?

Yes, she could. 100%

She might not be a good role model, but she’ll keep that kid/dog/plant/rock alive until it dies from means outside her control which she’d probably attempt to fight against nevertheless because by then she’d have imprinted on the kid and unceremoniously adopted it. If it were a baby, she would raise that thing as if it were her own flesh and blood—she would tend to its needs, sing it songs at night, play and engage with it and perhaps attempt to teach it a few things. If the baby ever managed to say her name, she would probably break down crying and once the week is up there will be more tears to share as she says goodbye to the little bundle of joy. A dog? She’s more of a cat person but with such energetic playfulness and joy, she’d be hard-pressed to not start enjoying her time. With a house plant, she might just pawn that off to Josephine because its Josephine’s thing, probably the rock too.

8. If your OC had to take the S.A.T. tomorrow with one night to prep, how would they do?  both emotionally and academically.

Emotionally, no fucks would be given that night or day. She’s been in more stressful situations and even if she did care about the S.A.T.s she wouldn’t worry much at all. She has a great memory and I’m pretty sure her academic knowledge is one of the few parts she’s confidant with. As for her academic results, I’d say she’d do very well. She wouldn’t score the highest she could, especially with only one night’s worth of prep—which, depending on how far she’d humour the S.A.T., she might end up pulling an all-nighter—but she would do remarkably well and score fairly high. Over all, she doesn’t care much because she doesn’t really need it. She’d probably be the most chill person in the entire building.

9. What would cause your OC to choose to do something petty/pointlessly cruel?

As of Divine Intervention Babette isn’t one to really act out if things are done to her specifically. Well, she would but only in specific situations. If someone does something to those she cares about, even if it wasn’t that bad but still caused a problem? Well… Babette doesn’t really understand “Proportional Retribution” and due to her life experiences, she might see something relatedly minor as something major and react as such. Getting physical with her girlfriend in an ill-fated attempt to court her may result in a fractured wrist, for example. Another example would be from the film Man of Steel as Babette would totally crucify someone’s truck if they threw something at her head.

10. On a scale of “Complete and Justified nervous breakdown” to “Conquer The Entire Galaxy and become an Immortal God-Emperor”, how well would your OC handle being abducted by Aliens?

…she did both.

11. What song is 100% guaranteed to get your OC beyond excited and will be sung loudly and embarrassingly, either in public or the shower?

Babette’s a singer and musician, often at times sings along to many songs when she has the energy. She plays music while in the shower and can be heard singing along with—same as with the car, where she’s either drumming along with the beat or simply singing her heart out. Singing is a passion of hers and there isn’t really a specific song that would lead her to start singing her heart out. As of 2018, she would so get into the Country Roads meme and would absolutely sing her heart out if it ever appeared on radio.

12. What perfectly-normal-to-them-thing does your OC do that confuses/pisses off/terrifies their neighbours?

Probably the things coming out of her mouth. Babette is very bad at hiding the fact that she’s a god and the things that come out of her mouth don’t help. Some would think her comments about “kids these days” as jokes at her own expense, but if the neighbours actually listen to the words coming out of her mouth, the more they’d get confused and worried. The anger in her voice; the pain; the misery; the grief; if they listened, they would hear it. That’s normal for her, isn’t it?

13. Under what circumstances would your OC appear naked in public?

Very, very specific circumstances. She doesn’t mind performing rather nsfw deeds in public and is rather excited by the prospect, but she would never do it in public. Always it will be public-adjacent where only those she’s performing these nsfw deeds with can see her. It’s unlikely that she would ever actually appear naked in public proper and is rather prudish in this situation. If her clothes were somehow destroyed, she would cover herself as best she could whether by using hands, wings or magic to obscure her form. About the only time I could think for her to appear naked would perhaps be at a nudist beach but I’m finding it a hard time seeing her appear naked of her own volition elsewhere.

14. What thing did your OC’s parents do that your OC wishes they had a better explanation for?

I would probably say… she wishes she knew why Maria and Matthew divorced—her biological parents. She doesn’t have the full picture and even when she tried to ask all she got was conflicting evidence. Maria was a bad wife, no, Matthew was a bad husband. Both don’t like each other, and Babette doesn’t know who’s telling the truth of if there’s a grain of truth to each of their stories.

15. How often does your OC “zone out” or do things on autopilot and how severe have the problems that have arisen from that been?

Sometimes when she’s playing an instrument where she’ll just zone out as she plays. Sometimes she’ll zone out when doing a menial task. She zones out in the shower, she zones out on the bus, she zones out in class, she zones out a lot. She hasn’t really done anything bad while zoned out but there have been a few times when someone’s startled her bad enough that her fight response kicks in and she attacks the “threat”. Usually, however, she’s able to catch herself before she actually injures them—unless they were an actual threat.

16. How strong or weak is your OC’s Impulse control? What’s the worst thing that happened because of their Impulsivity or inability to be so?

It depends on the subject. She is very impulsive when it comes to helping people and great self-restraint is needed to not fall down that slippery slope of helping everyone she meets. However, she’s not an impulsive buyer and is mostly in control when dealing with fighting people—she’s not going to hurt someone unless she knows for certain that they deserve it. On the other hand, when she’s dealing with the man who murdered her mother, the only thing she could think about was removing that pathetic excuse for life in the most painful way possible.

Because of her hesitance, she’s probably seen innocent people get hurt or even die. With her impulsive drive to destroy the man who murdered her mother, she’s jeopardised missions. She’s done things she’s not proud of because of her impulsiveness and there are times when she wished she were more impulsive.

17. How does your OC sabotage themselves?

Babette self-sabotage’s herself in a lot of ways. She focuses on the negative aspects of herself, completely ignoring her positive sides. She focuses too much on the bad things in life and tries to act like the good things aren’t that good. She focuses on negativity in general, especially in regard to herself and experiences. She tries to suppress herself and her emotions. She’s far to self-sacrificing, putting other’s needs way before her own. She compares herself to others and doesn’t let what other’s do inspire her to do better, instead wallowing in guilt. She’s a perfectionist who’s only satisfied when 100% of problems are fixed. Instead of dealing with her trauma she puts it off until it starts negatively effecting her love life. She deprives herself of sleep just to get away from traumatic nightmares instead of getting help. She forces herself to relieve horrible moments in her life (i.e. listening to her first girlfriend’s suicide note during Christmas). Self-generating stress and over working herself when she really just needs to take a seat.

To say the least, she’s very much into the self-sabotaging occupation.

18. What’s the trashiest item in your OC’s wardrobe, when was the last time they wore it and why do they still have it?

Babette doesn’t really have anything trashy in her wardrobe. She tends to keep it clean and clear with about the only thing she’s kept around for a long time being her necklace and a once-radioactive dress of hers.

19. How Dehydrated is your OC right now? Are they going to fix this?

At 6:50pm, she’s probably just had dinner or something so not so dehydrated. She doesn’t drink the recommended amount, but at the same time she does have a bottle of water on hand to drink every now and then. Especially in the summer when it’s uncomfortably hot, she likes water whether it’s bathing, swimming or drinking.

20. What’s your OC smell like? No, not that “Vanilla and Anxiety” evocative stuff, realistically. Body odour? What have they been touching all day? When was their last shower? Did they put on any kind of artificial scent?

Babette naturally smells faintly of burning ozone in line with her affinity for lightning. If she doesn’t bathe, then she may begin to smell offensive after a few days. It’s not as bad as others as she doesn’t have particularly bad body odour, but it’ll still a bad smell and she’ll still want a shower. Outside of her natural smells, the lingering ozone is sometimes mixed with soap or perfume or deodorant. Usually, these things will be scented in line with the forest or fruits.

She bathes at least once every two days, perhaps more depending on the weather and what activities she’s up to—and usually at night—and she brushes her teeth twice a day and flosses once a day. As it’s like… 3:02am at the time of writing this answer, she’s probably had a shower earlier and is attempting to get to sleep.

She usually only wears perfume when going to a party or out on a date.

I tag: @gottaenjoythelittlethingzz; @randomestfandoms-ocs; @rose-writes-and-drinks-tea; @ariellaskylark; @cometworks; @i-tried-and-i-loose; @pens-swords-stuff; and anyone else who wants to do this!

[autowrite]

Ardennes Trip Journal - 28.07.19 - 10.08.19

Day 1

23:15 The adventure continues. So much to say and only 14 minutes to do it in. The accommodation is pretty crappy. An old youth hostel converted into something..maybe not even converted. I arrived with 2 woman who couldn’t find their way here with a GPS. Right now I feel like I’ve let myself down a bit. I promised myself I would be authentic, I feel like Im hiding, crawling back into my shell. I promise myself that I will do what it takes to be authentic here, even if I don’t totally know what it means. I think it has to do with flow, carefree ness. There are a few girls here that I’m attracted to, one of them is the lady in charge of the volunteers. She doesn’t have a pretty face but she wears tight clothing and she has a nice body. I like tight clothing on a nice body. I feel like I underestimated the amount of work I’ll have to do here. It seems like mostly work with a bit of free time over. I would like to see more of the surroundings but I’m not sure what, I’m not even sure how curious I am to be honest. The meals are vegetarian and don’t seem to be enough, I have a feeling I won’t be able to fall asleep quickly because I’m kinda hungry. My mind has been hijacked by Mara. I keep thinking about having a little fling with Hanna. I gave her a hug earlier when we were alone in the bathroom. Damn, how did I manage that? The truth is I’m just using her. Lust is toxic, it’s toxic. But the pull toward her is strong. If I go down this road it will lead to another and then another and then another. It doesn’t stop until I put an end to it. Until I make the decision to not engage. The people that work here are rather nice. Bert and Wim and Carlos. There are very cute and friendly young little cats here. This evening I saw the mommy cat run into the garden, frantically lookin*for one of her young ones, and then she gave her a little mice she caught to  play with. It was so adorable. I would like to use my time here to also be able to relax and read and go for walks and bloom socially.

14:00 I’m on a train. It takes almost 4 hours to get there and the time is flying. I’ve read some google reviews of the place and a lot of people say the inside looks kind of shitty and that the food is too vegan. Mixed responses. But then they also say it’s isurroinded by beautiful nature in the middle of nowhere, I’m curious about that! I think it’s going to be pretty cool. I’m tried right now, I need some sleep. I hope I get along with my colleagues, I hope that I can flip the switch and be open, spontaneous and helpful. Wild, adventurous, authentic. Funny af.  I guess all I’m looking for is a nice place to wake up in, with fresh air, some structure, a place to read and relax, a place to push myself a little in terms of social interactions! I’m glad I thought of journaling, I’ll write in this thing every day. They say that phones and WiFi doesn’t park very well there, not sire of this is a good or bad thing but I’m leaning more to it being a good thing. I’m a little worried that I’ll be my usual, rather serious, seldom-able-to-genuinely-smile self, that I’ll close up and all my (perfectly acceptable and even good) ideas will remain ideas in my head, that I might not have the courage to act on ‘em? Maybe? Perhaps? We’ll see. I got a lot of books with me, I’m happy about that. They have a piano there, playing piano is a very meditative practice (even kinda spiritual). I’m also a tad concerned that everyone will be ‘nice’ in an annoying way, like super-friendly, heart-on-their-sleeves millennials there to confront me with how old and uptight I am :-) I’m actually just a big kid inside, but showing that side takes a lot of guts, requires a lot of freedom (giving myself permission to be free), requires a certain amount of trust ofcourse. But I want just that. Carefreeism. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Ain’t no one, NO one going to give you permission to put on that hat, that’s a decision you make on your own..Writing this I feel a bit like the main character from a Michael hollebeqs ‘Whatever’. A guy who’s very aware of everything, has a fair amount of emotional intelligence, but is a little dead inside. Desperately in need of using his imagination, spontaneity. Fuck it i don’t want that! I reckon the people there will be hippy types with loose, comfortable clothing. Some dreadlock types that I will kind of look down on but they’ll be too busy living there lives (like I should be doing) to care. Fuck, when did this become a novel? I’m writing this as though someone is going to read it, someone like Lisa and I’m trying my best to be all insightful and clevah. Fuck that, this is my journal and I’ll be as daft and incoherent as I want. Meanwhile small Wallonian towns zip past me under overcast weather from this train. This little spot here is my comfort zone but also a creative abs therapeutic space. Fuck this train announce speak is loud and just above me. I’m hungry. I’m concerned abou this strict vegan policy they have there, that I’ll be hungry all the time, and won’t be able to sleep. I’m enthusiastic about apply Radical Acceptance techniques to this experience. To take the time to recognise how I feel, to ‘paise’ and offer myself some compassion perhaps. It’s okay, whatever happens: it’s okay. Showing up as you is ok. Feeling afraid and unsafe is okay. Being jouuous and free is okay. Doing you is ok. Not doing you is ok. Not having a good time is ok. You’re ok. I DON’T want to use this journal as a place to hide. A place to observe the world on the other side of some glass. Day 2

9:50 I slept ok, not great. The beds were ok. I have 10 minutes to write this and it all feels a bit rushed. I got laundry to do coz my shit is filthy. The weather is really nice and there is a really pretty courtyard with flowers and birds and little cats. Breakfast was pretty good, lots of oatmeal and things to choose from. I’m really bummed abiut the fact that our shifts here are split up in 2, through out the day, making it hard to leave the premise. I’m sitting here in the kitchen and there’s a world out there that I’d like to discover. The water for the shower is warm as opposed to hot. I’m tired but I’m so used to it that I hardly notice it anymore. I don’t feel much like talking, and others seem to want to talk. I don’t mind that much I guess, but I also want to not feel obligated to chat. But when I’m on my own i also feel a bit restless. I’m bothered by the stains on my shorts which look a bit gross. Worried that ill be limited to only the kitchen and the immediate surroundings while I’m here. The ‘sugar’ I put in my coffee is unrefined and tastes kind of gross. I have a feeling I’m going to get annoyed by the work here. I came here to work but also enjoy the surroundings. Damn. 22:30 I’m super tired right now, o feel o should have gotten more rest. They make us work a lot over here, it’s testing my laziness. I went for a walk and it was quite nice. I’m giving this experience a 6 out of 10 so far. I feel like a kid at times. I saw a horse that was blind in one eye, I stroked his face and his hit vs,r off on my finger. He seemed very ol and quite sad. I would have done more for him if I knew what he wanted. I have this feeling that I’m missing something. This afternoon I sat in front of the piano and I could lose myself in the notes. It was meditativive and restorative. It felt like something spiritual, I enjoyed it. I, tore, did I mention I was tired. I also feel a bit floppy and like...not a whole person. I’m worried that I’ll be stuck in arrested development forever, I feel so immature at times. I know that reliving the pain would fix it all but you can’t force these kind of things. Anyway, the weather is good, the people are nice and I’m happy to call it a night. I feel like I can do a lot more though.

Day 3 

22:50 I woke up today in a really bad mood. Not enough sleep, bad sleep. We eat vegan food here all day long, maybe that’s effecting it. I have quite a lot of wind, but that’s ok. I worked today, it’s 5 or 6 hours but it feels like all day. I’m happy to be here. I socialise all day too, and it’s fine. Sometimes not fine, sometimes I’m gripped with self-consciousness every time I open my damn mouth. Sometimes it feels like every single interaction is awkward, I know what is required is to let go but I probably put too much  pressure into it. Letting go is actaully effortless really, want an idea.  Anyway, I ended things with Katya today and i think this is for the best. I’m smoking too much and I think it’s for the best. I think about Carlos quite a bit, he’s quite a special dude. And Wim is leaving tomorrow and I’m sorry about that, I’m gonna miss him a little. His brother Bert is a nice guy, such an open and friendly person, with a big heart. I find it hard to make eye contact with himi, in a way. The ladies love him. Speaking of ladies I went with a walk with Hanne and I made tons of moves to the point she felt uncomfortable. When I returned I felt guilty and empty. I’d like to relax more here. I’m looking into doing something similar to this in a place with an ocean. This whole experience has been good. The work grounds me, puts things into perspective, but I have to admit I was expecting something a little better than this. I now know that my idea of farming or working in this way was merely a romantic one. Actually I want to be around creative people. People like me who want to make things, get lost in things, I’m just not yet sure what that ‘thing’ is.

Day 4 

22:40 Sitting here in the back of my corvette. Sitting here in the mountains of Spain, not claiming to know anything anymore. And so the journey begins.. Day 4. I keep asking Hanne for hugs. I worked in the garden today, I wasnt feeling it very much at  all. But I should be greatful, my teenage years were really tough, said the talk show host. I’m greatly out of touch with my center today, I could meditate on this though, embrace it, use it, it feels good to be alone. 12 minutes every single day. I’m waiting for the American cook. Hanna is leaving tomorrow for holiday in Schotland, I feel sad abiut that. And Wim left today. It was really nice getting to know him. He told me a lot about his travelling through South America. He’s got this crazy look in his eyes, he looks a bit like he took some bad acid, he also looks like someone who might be an alcoholic. I feel like I’m not capable of getting close to anyone at times, and they can sense it. I want to though, maybe they don’t notice it. Hanne is a work horse, but obviously has her own issues. She is cute though. Jeff is also cool of course. I feel like I scare people. I got a nice compliment from Carlos who said I should do stand up comedy. Where the heck is Lorenzo at? He said that to me 2 once. I get my energy by losing myself in creativity, making jokes. I get my creativity from a lot of things. Right now I’m in bed, nothing to be said. Right now I live like there’s a tomorrow, a red car racing. Like MJ and codependency. I called Lisa, she sounded enthusiastic and happy to hear from me. Latisha is doing well and is her cute self, miss her. I saw someone take one of the little cats away today and I cried just a little. I’m sure she  will be loved in her new home.

Day 5

21:50 Day 5 in Orval. I like it here, it’s peaceful. The grass is green, the birds sing and there’s cats around. I worked in the kitchen today and then then the garden. Enough to fill the day and I’m tired and ready for bed. Hanna left for Schotland today, I fooled around with her in her bedroom, but she held me at bay and I wasn’t interested in treating her like a sex object. She’s sweet and deserves a lot better. Carols was up to his usual tricks, conspiracy theories and what not. We found out today that I weigh twice as much as him. I’m actually gaining weight here, crazy. I’m saving money while being here, and doing the right thing. One of my goals being here is to show up authentically every single day. I’m kind of doing that, but sometimes I’m not sure what that means. I think it involves using my body. My work ethic has become a bit of a joke, I’m the guy that breaks away from the kitchen to play piano, it has crossed my mind that I like it when people are talking about me, even f it’s negative, even if it’s laughing. I think i night want constant reassurance, but deep down I want something more real than that, you know? Meditate on that. I’m not meditating, but enough about me. Wim is returning tomorrow, that’s cool. Not sure if I have a half day off tomorrow or not. The good is great. I haven’t eaten a single animal product in 5 days. I feel fine, I don’t feel amazing though, like the early days of changing my diet. Worked with Jeff in the garden, the sun was shining real pretty like, I posed as a Mexican drug cartel worker, it was silly. I thought I lost my kindle, but I didn’t.  I want to make plans to go on more walks, do some excercise, get up early. I would like to make kale smoothies too. I had an amazing insigh today, often when people talk to me, I feel a lot of tightening up around the heart. Construction of the heart. It’s clear in a way. That’s when I decide to relax and look the person right in the eye, and I feel the wall, the constricting melt a little. Other times I feel the opposite way, other times I feel my heart opening up, and I feel love and I honestly feel like giving the people around me a big big. There are people here that have stayed for 5 months. You can save money by being here. Don’t got back to Hurtsville. Your time here is good.

Day 6 

23:10 Day 6 in bold. They make us work too much over here. I did some weeding today, fuck, never doing that again. I lasted an entire hour. I think I’d lose my mind if I were a farmer, I need people too much. Need em to reassure me, tell me I’m alive. It’s been a long day, we work about 32 hours/week here. That’s almost a full time job, what a crappy candle. The highlight of my day might have been my meditation. Sitting under a tree with a horsefly that I killed,  it very Buddha like. The meditation helped me become more grounded. Later I went on Facebook. What the help are we doing with our lives? My her is Conan, what a silly name. How does this guy come up with so many jokes, he’s so damn funny. ‘My riff-gun was jammed’ Patton Oswald. I need a plan or a goal while I’m here. I’m stuck on this island and I’m not alone. More walks please, more excercise. Wim returned and that’s cool.

Day 7

22:40 Carlos the little monkey with the conspiracy theories. I’m getting back into using my phone again, and a little bit of porn too. It was very tiring day today. Wim and I went for a walk, we went to the abdij where Orval beer is made but we didn’t go in. We got personal, talked about heavy, personal stuff. I can’t say that it did much for me. I still feel like a sense of self, or bottom or ground is missing, and that’s ok, that’s just the kind of guy I am. We worked a lot and I felt so lazy, so tired. We are working something like 35 hours a week. I haven’t worked this much in a long time, it’s more work than I expected obviously. The weather was good, new groups have arrived and I find myself eyeing the ladies. I make a lot of jokes and everyone laughs at them it’s almost too easy. Acceptance. Nature. Hide away, dancing. 5 rhythm dancing. Dance to Maastricht. I don’t know, I don’t know. I don’t know. Bert used to live in Costa Rica. He’s so at ease with himself it’s crazy. He says it’s all about being in the body, and dancing and yoga and some meditation. Wim must feel overshadowed a little, I still really enjoy playing the piano, I still feel the need to be an entertainer or performer of some kind. Do your best forget the rest, thanks for coming.

Day 8

00:15 Im beat, what a day. I feel tired and immature. The asshole social worker. We cleaned today, the entire kitchen. It was a time of laziness, and work and seriousness. I, getting fatter over here. The American cook showed up. And a very young couple. And the bosss and his hens. The American cook is called Mark or Marc and he comes acrosss like a healthy and capable man with an eye for the ladies. His wife or girlfriend also seems nice. I met a very nice girl today called Sophie, me and Wim had a drink with her. It’s good to be here, good to be in the real world. On Tuesday I get my day off, I guess the only thing I’m planning to do is rest. Wim and I are getting closer, lots of laughs and stuff. I feel small and inadequate right now and it’s uncomfortable, but I’ll breathe into it, accept it,  have it down the whole. I think you can do a lot with it but maybe never fully get used to it. Or something? I coughed a lot, I have a slight hangover now. I’m still impressed with this Sophie girl I just met. She seems so nice. I feel fat. Stick to your principals.

Day 9 

00:05 Camp fire singing. I should count my blessings. I feel a bit like a coward but I guess I should be proud that I sang. I lost my center, but that’s ok, everything is ok. Lots of laughs with Wim, I’m going to miss that dude. Staring at Melissa’s legs a lot. Cooking in the kitchen, with Mark and his pleasant wife. Mark is not a Buddhist, but he respects them. I felt intense shame while trying my best to play guitar. I want to frame it differently though, I want to quantify it coz I want to pass through it. Pass through the eye of the storm, it’s so nice on the other side, I’m sure of it. Sophie is so nice, I haven’t met a girl that nice in a while. Feels like I keep holding back, but beating myself up over it doesn’t make it better, doesn’t change anything. I woke up late and missed most of breakfast. I was in a lousy mood. Wim offered to do my dishes. There are so many people here, it’s non-stop interaction, at times it gets a bit much. I took a nap today and passed out almost immediately. I feel embarrassed by my weight. A new volunteer arrived in heels. Katy the 19 year old girl stood very close to me when i did something on my phone. Marks music is a bit boring in the kitchen. Wim and I shared many laughs, he’s a good guy. He cracks me up, I’m lucky to have him here. It’s good to be random, it’s good to not make sense, it’s a way to shake it all off. Inside of me is a child that wants to be let out. It wants light and air and to be seen, but he doesn’t feel safe. He’s embarrassed and ashamed and doesn’t feel good enough, but it’s the closest to something real I’ll ever feel. Jeff is a really nice, sincere, honest dude. I like him. But I gotto be real, if I don’t care I don’t care. Life I can be tough, so confusing at times. But I’m here, I’m doing this, I’m a alive, I laugh a lot, I accept.

Day 10

23:15 The skies were gray today. Wim left for the second time and he took Thomas with him. I was having a bad day until I took a nap and did some journaling. I walked down the road by myself and sat some of the crappy but charming neighbourhood housing. I’m eating less and less and I feel great right now. All this vegan food, no meat for almost 2 weeks. I feel looser today, happy to be around Wim and Jeff, happy to talk bullshit, more in a flow. Out there the air is thick with rain air, and tents are scattered across the grass bellow me. Mark is a nice guy but I notice we all get a bit more serious when he’s around us. It’s interesting to note that. I’ve been travelling with my dick in my pocket, I made a move on one of the girls here and I plan on subtly making moves on Katy, or whatever her name is, which is kind of gross of me. I should be ashamed of myself.. but enough about me, I was just following my dick. It feels good to be here though, I’m going to miss it. I’m glad I met Wim and plan to see him when I get back to Antwerp to talk more bullshit, etc etc. ALl these interactions can get a bit much. Melissa is so serious. The energy is good here.

Day 11

00:50 Nothings wrong I don’t get it. Hootchie girl, tease, this is. It going as planned. I strummed my guitar like a beast, leaflets on the floor. Better tomorrow. This is silly. This is silly, I care and I don’t care because I do t know what the heck I’m doing. I just want to stand for something in life. That’s all she said, the importance of being strong and saying something. I’m welcome back anytime. The bird is here, on the roof, performing for god knows who. Unable to break through, because no one ever gave him permission to. That’s sad but dead, gotto get the scream out of my system. I’m glad for you but not excited, we want the same things only different. Artists inside,  but vague in what we want. You’re tall, I’m tall, let’s make babies, let’s quit smoking. I lied to you actually. I’m not hurt, not going in some direction. Taking the piles a day at a time. William Prine, bathroom break. Big butt girl called Anoek, soft eyes, another girl under my belt, I feel gross about it , leaning into the fear is like leaning into the sun. we sat around a fire today, we played songs. Sophie leaned against me until our backs became uncomfortable. The smoke in my hair, the smoke in all of ours. I tried to be brave, I was brave, I sang the best I could. Now is not the time, my defence mechanism is cunning and baffling, I relate to it. I would rather have nothing that be a shaky leaf trying to ‘score’, I feel embarrassed and ashamed and I seek re-assurance. It’s ok toadman, see you at the breakfast table. DAY 13

4:00 I don’t understand what happened. Caily contacted me and told me she was raped by Mark. The American cook I liked. I don’t understand. I don’t feel much, just inklings of some confusion. I’m unable to let this idea sink in property. Raped?? Mark the guy I spent 5 days with raped a 19 year old girl?? Threatened her with a knife?? I don’t understand, this doesn’t compute with me. Caily is a wonderful person, sweet, real, authentic. She contacted me, we chatted for hours. I hope she’s ok, even though I don’t know what to feel. I tired to just keep her company, be there for her. I’m trying to think what I would do if I saw him. He might have ruined a 19 year old girls life.. she’s numb right now and traumatised. This is the world we live in. People who are innocent and real get preyed on by predators it seems. They have their innocence taken away. Caily is one of the most innocent and authentic girls I’ve ever met. So incredibly naive in a way. This man preyed on that if this really happened. I hope she’s ok. I hope she’s able to live fully again. I hope she’s able to process all this, to trust again.

Day 14 conclusions and shit

T’was a perfectly imperfect trip. The conclusion rests in the balance of: I had a really enjoyable time, I’m glad that I went there. As I sit in black shorts and shoes with holes in them on a bench in Antwerp, Orval seems pretty far away already. But it’s cool. I’m not yet sure what to  make about the ending though. A girl might have been raped. I think she was raped because she’s at the police right now. On the last day we did a big clean of the kitchen, the 2nd one during my stay. Sofie was with is helping in the kitchen, chopping onions and doing a splendid job. I was tired from the night before, the third night of building a camp fire and playing sharades and some songs. We gathered the fire wood ourselves, firewood that spat and crackled and carried a few ticks. Caily was with us. We had so much fun. And Jef. Oh how I remeber that night, it was like it was yesterday, or the day before yesterday, which it was. A little sprinkler water to cool us off, we dragged Melissa through the snow, coughing and spitting and giggling like a happy school child. We did good and we did her good

[getthisthatandthewholeshabaang]

PROTEIN FAQ  Click Here to Order

Is it better to take protein powder or eat real food?

You can get the protein you need from “real food”, from supplements or from both. They both can meet your daily requirement for protein to supply amino acids that your body can’t manufacture.

What is Whey protein?

Whey protein is one of the types of protein found in milk and it is a by-product of the transformation process of cow’s milk into cheese. Whey protein is considered a complete protein as it contains all nine essential amino acids.

What is Whey Protein Isolate?

Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey and is a superior source of protein. It contains all the essential amino acids your body needs to repair muscle after a workout. Whey isolate is a protein that can be easily digested by the body. It significantly aids in muscle repair post workout.

What is Pea protein?

Pea protein is made by grinding dried peas into a fine powder. The starch and fiber are removed, leaving a powdered concentrated protein substance (also known as pea protein isolate). It is completely plant-based, unlike whey, casein, and egg-based protein powders, and therefore ideal for vegetarians and vegans.

How does protein benefit me?

Eating a diet higher in protein and staying active may help you manage your weight by helping to curb your hunger. It can also aid in preserving lean body muscle, which can help you burn more calories throughout the day.

When is it best to take protein?

The best time to take protein is within one hour of finishing your workout to help aid in muscle recovery.

Do I have to exercise when I take protein?

If you don’t work out, your muscles aren’t likely to be challenged enough to need that extra protein. Protein contains calories, the same as carbohydrates, and eating too many calories leads to weight gain.

How much protein does the average person need daily?

The Recommended DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. However, every body is different so it is recommended to consult your nutritionist or doctor to find a range that best suits your goals.

How much protein do I need to grow muscle?

It’s important to eat enough protein if you want to gain or maintain muscle. To gain muscle, your body must synthesize more muscle protein than it breaks down.

Do I get enough protein from my diet? The typical conversion is: Body weight (pounds) x 0.36= recommended protein intake (grams).

Can Zurvita Protein help manage weight?

Zurvita Protein is a source of dietary fiber and may leave you feeling full and satisfied. That kind of feeling can make it easier to say “yes” to healthier choices. If you drink protein, you should know how much protein you can consume daily.

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Anyone looking to maintain their weight, lose weight, or gain muscle can take Zurvita Protein. It is important however, to consult a physician for best ways to meet your goals. If you are pregnant or nursing, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using this product. This product is not intended for children.

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Are there any negative effects of consuming protein shakes?

Because everyone is different and everyone’s goals are different, it’s always best to consult your doctor before including protein into your diet.

What do I mix my Zurvita Protein shake with?

Add water, milk, or milk substitutes to a protein shake bottle for a snack. You can also blend Zurvita Protein with other fruits and liquids to create your own smoothie.

Can I gain fat from eating too much protein?

Excess protein is broken down and used as energy. In addition, excess protein means excess calories which,depending on your lifestyle, lead to weight gain. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines say that a person should get 10 to 35 percent of their calories from protein. However, physically active people need more protein than less active people. Consult your nutritionist or doctor to find a range that best suits your goals.

Is Zurvita Protein Vegan?

No, because it includes whey protein, a milk ingredient, it is not vegan.

Is Zurvita Protein All-Natural?

Yes, it has natural ingredients with no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

Why is it considered “clean”?

Zurvita Protein does not have any foreign additives or fillers, no artificial ingredients, colors, sweeteners or flavors.

Can it be a meal replacement?

Currently, there is no FDA definition of a meal replacement but products claiming this title have between 200-250 calories. Zurvita Protein is 170 calories. We recommend taking Zurvita Protein with Zeal or as a snack, or in a smoothie to get the equivalent of a small meal or snack.

Do you still sell the old protein?

No, we won’t be selling the old protein once the new protein is out.

How did the formula change?

Zurvita improved the flavors of Vanilla Creme and Chocolate Delight. Natural flavors + cleaner protein= tasty and nutritious.

Why do you use both Whey and Pea?

Whey protein has a lot of amino acids. Pea protein has no amino acids, but they do have high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega 3 essential fat, as well as high level of healthy Omega 6 fats. Zurvita wanted to give the consumer a combination of both.

Does it still have Stabilized Rice Bran?

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How many flavors are there?

Zurvita protein comes in two flavors, Vanilla Creme and Chocolate Delight.

What markets have Zurvita Protein?

Zurvita protein can be purchased in the United States, Dominican Republic, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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Zurvita Protein can be purchased on its own, in the Transformation System, as a Transformation System Loyalty Pak, in the Builders Pak Combo, and Quick Start Pak Co

[peckhampeculiar]

An Ethiopian kitchen

WORDS: HELEN GRAVES PHOTO: ARTHUR J COMELY

It’s easy to miss Camberwell Road restaurant Zeret Kitchen thanks to its position tucked away behind the Camberwell Islamic Centre, under the shadow of Castlemead. It’s actually been open since 2002 and is owned by Tafeswork Belayneh – or “Tafe” as she’s known locally – and is named after her hometown in Ethiopia, a rural village in the highlands of the north.

In the early days however the restaurant was a cafe, serving greasy spoon style breakfasts. “I used to cook bacon, sausage, all the English breakfasts,” Tafe says. “I would start at 6am and finish at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. But I am also Orthodox Christian so to eat pork is forbidden, and during lunchtime I had to prepare my own vegan dish for myself and my husband. We would eat and people would say, ‘Oh, what is that?’”

Orthodox Christians make up almost 44% of Ethiopia’s population, and the religion governs the way people eat, with strict fasting periods during which the consumption of meat or dairy products is forbidden. As a result, people became innovative, creating richly spiced stews called “wots” from lentils and other dried pulses.

“I told the customers this is vegan food for us and when they tasted it, they really liked it,” Tafe says. “The people who came for English fry-ups encouraged me, they said, ‘Why can’t you start cooking this food instead?’ So in 2004 I started this new business with my husband.”

At first the duo found it hard to make the new direction work. “It was really a struggle to make money, we suffered a loss,” Tafe says. “We couldn’t afford to pay staff, it was a really, really bad time, but now, business is good. People are more aware of the health benefits of eating vegan food. We do serve meat, but most of our customers are vegetarian or vegan.”

People now come from all over the country to try her food. “People travel one hour, two hours, and they call us from abroad when they come for holidays.”

Ethiopian food is made for sharing, and a typical meal involves a variety of dishes – mainly slow-cooked preparations with vegetables. These are all served on top of injera, a bubbly bread that looks like a giant pancake, used to scoop up the stews and acting as both plate and cutlery.

“Injera is made from a fermented dough,” explains Tafe. “Because of fermentation it is sour and acidic. To make injera you have to make the dough first and leave it for between three and five days to be fermented naturally. You don’t use any yeast or anything, no salt, nothing. Once it is fermented we have a special baking pan to cook it. A big wide pan.

“It is made of a grain called teff, a small grass grain that grows in Ethiopia, but here it is very difficult to make it with 100% teff, so we have to mix it with wheat and rice. If people have a wheat allergy we can also provide 100% teff.”

Tafe has to import the 100% teff injera from Ethiopia – it arrives while we are chatting and is a darker colour than Tafe’s injera, closer to brown than the pale, bread colour of the part-wheat injera.

“Teff has lots of health benefits and nowadays people call it a super grain. It is quite expensive but we manage to import it,” Tafe says.

“You can count up to 100 vegan stews in Ethiopian cuisine – more than that actually – but the ones we serve are vegetarian, vegan and we have beef stew, lamb, chicken too. We cook everything from scratch. We have to buy raw lentils – everything is raw from the market. The spices I get from Ethiopia, like the berbere.”

Berbere is a chilli spice mix, which is essential to Ethiopian cuisine and is the flavour foundation of many dishes. According to Tafe it should contain many things but never cloves, cinnamon or ground coriander, which makes it bitter.

The most popular meal at Zeret is the vegan combination, which is a selection of different wots, including spicy lentils, chickpeas, yellow split beans, green beans and carrots and potatoes. There is a depth of flavour and a richness to the stews that many assume comes from butter or oil, but is in fact due to a method of slowly cooking the onions, which are used as a base.

After chopping the onions very finely, Tafe cooks them incredibly slowly until they form a dark yellow paste, which she then uses to begin cooking each dish. “Onion is the main ingredient for Ethiopian cooking,” she says, “along with garlic and spices.”

The dishes also benefit from long, slow cooking and she is unable to open for lunch for this reason.

“At four o’clock in the morning we go to the vegetable market. To be honest, it all takes between six and nine hours every day to make the food. I start at nine in the morning and at five o’clock I open for customers. Every single day.”

Due to customer demand she has produced a vegan cookery book in partnership with a local customer called Vicky Lawson. “My customers want to know how to make the vegan food and they ask if I’ll open a cookery class, but my kitchen is very small so we came up with this idea.”

Called Zeret at Home, it is available to buy from the restaurant for £7 and includes many of Tafe’s most popular recipes, along with recipes for injera and the method for those magic onions.

At 5pm the first customers are already arriving – a family with a small child in tow – and Tafe begins to busy herself, taking a fresh injera from a stack she has made earlier in the day (injera must be stored at room temperature, otherwise it becomes crumbly), carefully arranging her different dishes on top. Extra rolls of injera are presented around the perimeter.

The restaurant is now a well-oiled machine and customers keep returning because the food is so consistently good. If you want to experience what is arguably some of the best Ethiopian food in London on your doorstep, Zeret Kitchen is the place to come.

[eatroamlive-blog]

Top Thai Restaurants in Singapore

Arguably one of the most popular cuisines around the world, Thai food has a huge fan base paralleled by few others. A delightful mélange of flavours makes it as loved as it is. Singapore has a mind-boggling array of Thai restaurants that will keep even the critics happy. Vegetarians and vegans need not worry either, there are many Thai restaurants in Singapore that offer a decent selection of veg delights. Here is our pick of the 9 Top Thai Restaurants in Singapore, for Vegetarians and Vegans, in no particular order. The list includes both mid-range and fine-dining Thai choices.

This list is by no means exhaustive – its based on personal experience or recommendations by vegetarian friends. We requested the restaurants for images of their food, and some complied. If we missed out your favourite vegetarian-friendly Thai restaurant, do let us know by commenting on this article. Vegans, please note that although several of the dishes exclude meat, eggs and dairy, please do check with the particular restaurant about your specific dietary requirements.

Long Chim

Chive Cakes Dark Soy Garlic Chillies (Photo credit: Long Chim)

A much loved Thai restaurant helmed by celebrity chef David Thompson, Long Chim transports you to the streets of Bangkok, with both its interiors and its food. The unpretentious restaurant serves authentic street-style Thai dishes with a host of vegetarian options, in a casual setting.

Besides having vegetarian dishes on their a-la-carte menu, Long Chim also serves a Vegetarian Set Menu (S$69++) which offers common Thai choices like vegetarian spring rolls, green papaya salad, and aromatic vegetable curry; and not-so-common ones like chive cakes, beancurd seaweed asian celery broth, grilled long eggplant; to name a few. Indulge!

Oh, did we forget to mention that the celebrity restaurant is also value-for-money – think Vegetarian Weekend Brunch Menu at just S$49++. We have tried their vegetarian lunch, check out the review here.

Long Chim: Level 2 dining, L02-02, The shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018955. P: +65 66887299

Jim Thompson

The Best Phad Thai Noodles I’ve Ever Had

When you’re talking about the best Thai restraunts in Singapore, Jim Thompson’s name has to be right there among the top ones. An excellent Thai restaurant with a dedicated vegetarian following, and definitely one of our favourites! Start your meal at Jim Thompson with the off-beat Siam Sunray (S$26), aptly referred to as “Thailand in a Glass” – think delicate flavours of Thai spices like lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime and even red chilli.

For soups, its always hard to choose between the Tom Yam or the slightly-sweetish Tom Kha Pak (S$20) with a creamy coconut-galangal base. A meal here must always always have a salad – choose from any of the Pomelo Salad, Green Mango Salad or Green Papaya Salad and you can’t go wrong. From the mains, our favourites include Phad Thai Noodles (S$22), Gaeng Khew (Green curry, S$22) and Gaeng Phed (Red Curry). The Tau-Hu Phad Priew Wan (Stir-fried tofu and vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce, S$20) is also a winner, although on 1 or 2 occasions, it was a wee bit too sweet. Wind up the meal with the mandatory Mango Sticky Rice or go for something different and healthier like Som-Chun (S$12) – a mix of fresh oranges topped with lychees, shredded raw mango, sliced ginger, toasted coconut and roasted peanuts, served in ginger syrup.

To read our complete vegetarian dining review of Jim Thompson, click here.

Jim Thompson: 45 Minden Road, Dempsey Rd, Singapore 248817 P: +65 6475 6088

Patara

An elegant Thai restaurant that has been around for almost two decades, Patara has made a mark with its dishes. With a separate vegetarian menu, you can choose from a range of appetisers, salads, salads, mains and desserts. Some of the veg dishes to try here include Tom Yum Hed or the Soup Phak (Clear broth with mixed vegetables). Among the appetisers, try the Porpia Jay (assortment of crispy spring rolls), or the Kaffir Corn Fritters. For mains, Patara offers an array of vegetarian gems like the Gai Jay Krapao (sautéed mock chicken with garlic, chilli and crisp basil), Tofu Ob Mor Din Jay (baked tofu and vegetables in a clay pot with ginger and spring onions), Gang Kiew Wan Hed (Green Curry) and Gang Dang Phak (Red Curry).

To wind up your meal, venture beyond Mango Sticky Rice and get adventurous with Durian Sticky Rice, Chocolate Lava with chilli chocolate or Mun Chuem which is caramelised tapioca with coconut milk. Patara’s 3-course Executive Set Lunch (S$20++) has vegetarian options too.

Patara: Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, #03-14, Singapore   247933. P: 6737 0818

Also Read: Best Mainstream Restaurants in Singapore for Vegetarian Fine Dining Also Read: 9 Top Mexican Restaurants in Singapore for Vegetarians

Thanying Restaurant

Exquisite Fruit Carving at Thanying Restaurant (Photo credit: Thanying)

Located in the chic city hotel Amara Singapore, Thanying Restaurant is all about authentic royal Thai food served in a traditionally decorated space. I still remember Thanying as being the first Thai restaurant I went to when we moved to Singapore 12 years ago. I haven’t been in over a year now, but for years we freuented Thanying regularly for vegetarian Thai food.

As a part of the royal thai tradition of pampering guests, all dishes are served in bite sized portions. Thanying is also big on veg fare, with their vegetarian menu offering close to 30 dishes. Among their vegetarian delights, you can taste the Tawd Mun Kaopod (S$18++, Deep-fried sweet corn cakes, served with cucumber and sweet sauce), Keow Wahn Ma-Kua-Yaao (S$20++, Brinjal with thick green curry) and Phad Grapao Tao Hoo (S$20++, Stir-fried beancurd with hot basil leaf, chilli and green peppercorn).

Thanying Restaurant: 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539. P: +65 6222 4688

  Sabai

A Thai restaurant with awesome food and great views, Sabai Fine Thai on the Bay focuses on the finest ingredients. Sabai Thai offers a grand vegetarian a-la-carte menu as well as a Vegetarian Set Menu (S$70++) and Weekday Set Lunch with veg options (S$31++ for 2-course, S$35++ for 3-course). The veg menus let you choose from an ample selection of appetisers, soups, curries, stir fries, rice, noodles and desserts. The Tawd Mun Kaopote (deep-fried sweet corn cakes, S$16.5), make for a good start. For mains, try the Panang Tao Huu (deep-fried beancurd topped with panang curry), Kao Op Sapparod (fried rice with deep-fried beancurd, pineapple, carrots, curry, S$18.5) or Guay Tiew Gaprao (stir-fried spicy noodles with deep-fried bean curd, chilli, fresh peppercorns and holy basil leaves). The veg menu does seem to have an over-dose of beancurd.

Sabai Thai: 70 Collyer Quay, #01-02 Customs House, Singapore 049323. P: +65 6535 3718-9

Jane Thai

Green Curry with Vegetables, Jane Thai (Photo Credit: Jane Thai)

With a special all vegetarian menu available, Jane Thai is a popular Thai restaurant which is getting a lot of love from vegetarians. Choose from Soups & Curries (S$10), Stir Fires (S$7.50) and Rice (S$8.50-8.90, with seamed rice for S$1). Their most popular vegetarian dishes include the delicious Green Curry with vegetables, Fried Tofu, Phad Thai and Pineapple Rice. Be warned that most food could be spicy, so do ask for the spice-level to be adjusted.

Jane Thai: 41 East Coast Road, 428761 Singapore. P: +65 6209 0448

Also Read: Top 8 Vegetarian Dishes at Jamie’s Italian, Singapore Also Read: Go Vegetarian at Michelin Starred The Song of India.

Jai Thai / Jai Siam

Fried Tofu with Basil (Image Credits: Jai Thai)

Jai Thai and Jai Siam is basically the same company with the same management. The difference is that the 2 Jai Siam restaurants are Halal ceritfied. The wallet-friendly chain offers a Vegetarian Menu with around 30 authentic Thai vegetarian dishes and you can choose to order them with/without garlic, onion or egg. The most popular veg dishes include Fried Rice (S$6), Green Curry, Panang Curry Beancurd and Fried Tofu Basil (S$7). Jai Siam also offers Vegetarian Bento Set Menu for S$8, including Olive Rice, Green Curry Vegetarian (S$7), Mango Salad and Beancurd Cashew Nut. They also offer Halal catering services that include an all-vegetarian menu for those parties where you want to treat your vegetarian family & friends.

Jai Thai: 7 Clover Way, Singapore 579080. P: 6258 0228. Jai Thai: 27 Purvis Street, #01-01 An Chuan Building, Singapore 188604. P: 6336 6908 Jai Siam (Halal Certified): 11 Orchard Road, Dhoby X’Change #B1-12, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, Singapore 238826. P: 6338 5766. Jai Siam (Halal Certified): 205 East Coast Road, Singapore 428904. P: 6346 4940.  

Bali Thai

We’re not saying this is the best veg Thai food in town, but Bali Thai has a dedicated vegetarian menu with quite decent vegetarian options. Besides, Bali Thai has multiple locations around town, which makes it one of the more accessible Thai choices when you’re just out and about and Thai cravings set in – I have personally eaten here several times, while walking around malls.

Not just vegetarians, Bali Thai also serves Buddhist Vegetarians, with garlic and onion free options available on request. Bali Thai has a Vegetarian Bento Box (Bento Boxes starting at S$11.80) and a wide variety of vegetarian dishes on offer. Some of our favourite orders here include the vegetarian versions of the Thai Green Curry, Tom Yum soup and the Papaya Salad. My kids, who are too young to try spicy Thai cuisine, love the Thai Black Olive Rice, which is non-spicy and doesn’t have any strong flavours that might not appeal to fussy eaters. They can tone down the spicy-levels on request. I once forgot to request for medium-spicy and I couldn’t manage more than two bites of the fiery Papaya Salad.

Bali Thai: Check out their multiple locations  at http://www.balithai.com.sg/stores/

Pepper Jade

A dream destination for Thai loving vegetarians and vegans, Pepper Jade’s wide range of  vegetarian salads, starters, soups, mains, rice, noodles and desserts whip up quite an appetite. The restaurant is all-vegetarian, they don’t use garlic and onions and they have vegan dishes on the menu too.

Some of the favourites here include Thai Fish Cakes, Tom Yum Soup in Claypot, Phap Thai, Blue Butterfly Pea Truffle Fried Rice and the ever-green Green Curry. Don’t eat eggs? Try the Son-In-Law Eggs with the whites made up of mashed yam and the yolks with mashed pumpkin. The “eggs” are then deep-fried and drizzled with a tangy sauce. Creative!

Pepper Jade: 91 Bencoolen Street Sunshine Plaza #01-18-19/20. P: +65 63377030

http://eatroamlive.com/best-thai-restaurants-in-singapore-for-vegetarians/

[sentrava]

It’s All Jul: Danish Christmas Traditions

Before moving to Denmark, I had never celebrated Christmas. So it was with absolutely nothing to compare it to that I learned how to celebrate the Danish way.  Danish Christmas, or Jul, is all about family, food and tradition. Here’s what’s happening; after reading this, you can celebrate like a full-on Dane or pick and choose your favorite parts (it’s the food, right?!). Whether or not you’re looking to celebrate, it’s always fascinating to learn about the traditions surrounding major holidays. To those of you only in it for the research, enjoy my ethnographic study!

      Christmas Markets

Another pre-Christmas tradition, markets pop up all over the country selling handmade crafts and treats. It is delightful. Tivoli has a large market that runs from November until the new year, but there are plenty that are free to enter and are just as lovely.

      Julefrokost

This Christmas tradition starts about six weeks before the holiday itself. Long dinners or lunches are held by work places, friends and family. It’s hygge at it’s finest: loads of food, drink (especially snaps!), a beautiful table and good company. If you’re invited to a julefrokost, don’t expect it to be an eat-and-run situation. These can last all day/night and seem to be an excuse to get seriously plastered. So, cheers! Also: don’t drink and drive.

Check out: How to Have a Proper Danish Julefrokost for more →

      Actually Taking Time Off

What a concept! Offices and stores are closed on the 24th, 25 and 26th. Maybe it’s a matter of necessity (there’s nothing open! Need some toilet paper? Time to dig out those paper napkins), but most people seem to geniunely take time off during the holidays. No phones at the table, no computers out in the mornings. Just three days days of solid family, friend or relaxation time. I’m still getting used to it but I kinda like it (a lot).

      Decoration

Danish decoration is relatively subdued. Lots of candles, lots of pine-inspired decor. Colors tend to be white, red, gold, silver and green. There aren’t a lot of outdoor lights on personal homes or apartments, but the main streets of the city do get dressed up.

As is the way with most Scandinavian decor, go for the minimalist, the nature-inspired, and keep the color palate simple. Typical Danish decorations that both kids and adults can make are Julehjerter (Christmas Hearts) and Julestjerner (Christmas Stars) and other julepynter (Christmas ornaments). They’re made from folded paper and can be hung up with string.     Hyacinth and Amaryllis bulbs are popular to display around the house and for dotting a festive table setting. The bulbs can be found inexpensively at supermarkets and florists. I happen to love the focus on plants; my apartment turns into a bit of a jungle in winter.

Images sourced from our Scandi Christmas Pinterest Page.

      The Food

Now for the good stuff! I should preface this by saying that I did not grow up with the kind of food Danes eat during Christmas. GDuck and pork weren’t on the menu for me as a kid, and we weren’t a big cabbage or potato family either. I had never even tried marzipan until I moved to Denmark.

  Duck and flæskesteg with crispy pork rinds

Christmas Eve dinner is hyper-traditional. Duck and flæskesteg with crispy pork rinds, as well as boiled potatoes, caremlized potatoes, brown sauce (gravy) and pickled red caggage. If your stomach isn’t used to this kind of food, be prepared for things to get gassy. Regardless, it’s a hearty, old-fashioned meal that leaves most people sleepy and satisfied. 

Note to vegetarians & vegans: this menu isn’t the kind where you have enough side dishes to make up for taking out meat, so if you’re going to someone else’s home for the meal, consult the host and/or bring your own main dish!

Images from: Restaurant Kronborg

  Desert: Ris a l’Amande

Dinner is, naturally, followed by dessert. Ris a l’Amande. Good god, people, Ris a l’Amande. It’s a cold, creamy rice pudding made with vanilla and almond slivers, on top of which you pour hot cherry sauce. And then eat FOREVER. Traditionally, it is made the day before or in the morning and set out during the day to prevent Nisser (elves) from playing pranks.

The game with Ris a l’Amande is that the host mixes in one (or more) whole blanched almond. If you find the almond, you get a prize. And you have to keep eating the pudding until someone finds the almond.

So usually, the person who finds the almond will hide it under his/her tongue or discreetly spit it into a nakpin until everyone has eaten so much that they’re on the verge of death.

Then the winner, high on adrenaline so he can’t yet feel the effects of his gluttony, shows off the almonds and laughs and laughs until you are forced to projectile vomit right into his smug face. Or, whatever! Maybe this sounds like I’m not into the whole thing but I really am. I loooove rice pudding.

      Desert extras: æbleskiver, Marzipan & Chocolate

There are plenty more sweet things to enjoy, for those of you who like that sort of thing. A personal favorite is æbleskiver, which have no apple in them (although they apparently used to. Too healthy I guess?). They’re fried dough balls that you dip in jam and powdered sugar. Although I’m usually a big fan of making things at home, I don’t have the special pan to make them so I buy my æbleskiver frozen from the supermarket and they’re delicious.

Marzipan is ubiquitious. My husband’s family makes little marzipan figurines, dips them in melted chocolate and adds extras like nougat or nuts. It is possible that I become vaguely type-A during these sessions and attempt to reconstruct Michaelangelo’s David.

Chocolate, of course, is another big one. But there’s not as much chocolate as you would think (or like). The far more popular cookies are gingerbread-style; crispy, peppery and perfect with coffee or port.  

    Drinks: Julebrygg & Glögg

Which brings us to drinks. So many drinks. I can’t drink like a Dane; this is something I’ve come to accept after a few very poor attempts to go glass-for-glass. I’m just not built that way, and it’s fine. But Danes can seriously drink and Christmas is the big leagues.

The whole Christmas season kicks off on the first Friday of November with J-Day, the day Tuborg Julebrygg (Christmas Brew) is released. It’s available for only ten weeks a year and still manages to be Carlsberg’s fourth best selling beer, which is indicative of the kind of drinking that goes on around the season.

Glögg, a hot spiced wine with almonds and raisins, is served at most markets and at many a party. Kids will have hot chocolate (adults can too!). During Christmas itself, wine or beer is served, as well as traditional aquavit. The meal is often finished with an apperetif like port or cognac.

What I’ve always admired about Danish drinking habits is that there’s no pressure. Although the Danish culture includes a lot of beer and liquor, if you don’t drink, no one is going to get on your back about it. It’s all very joyful and inclusive, so if you’re not a drinker or need to bow out early, don’t feel awkward.  

    Walking Around the Christmas Tree

If something can be both weird and adorable at the same time, this tradition nails it. After dinner but before you open presents, you and your family or friends will join hands, sing Christmas hymns and walk around the tree. As the story goes, this is to give Santa Claus time to deliver his gifts. To get the adrenaline flowing, the tree is dotted with actual lighted candles.

So we’re clear: the tradition is to walk briskly around what is essentially a 7-foot high pile of kindling that has wax sticks of fire precariously perched on its outermost layer, just reaching out for human contact. But it’s fun! And very sweet, if a little terrifying for newbies like me.  

      Presents After Dinner

It was recently brought to my attention by Danish friends that Christmas dinner in Denmark is a form of torture for children. This is because instead of opening presents on the morning of the 25th, Danes open their presents after dinner on the 24th. While this may seem like a way to get presents faster, it is actually a way to make children hate eating dinner with their adult relatives. But, hey, tradition!

And while I’m certainly sympathetic to impatient kids, it must be said: having to wait through a fabulous dinner for a gaggle of presents is not, like, the WORST. You know? Let’s all take a moment to reflect on that.

    What are your experiences with celebrating Christmas in Denmark? Are there any traditions we missed? Let us know!

    It’s All Jul: Danish Christmas Traditions published first on http://ift.tt/2gOZF1v

[nerdyenemyprince-blog]

Cuisinart Convection Breadstuff Producer Assessment.

Friands are actually accordinged to sponsors, the famous French pastry made along with almond dish, powdered sugar as well as egg whites. Yet I was actually stranded in Chicago in 2014 at a hotel near the airport, along with the choice from Metro or even Burger King, and my sandwich off Train was dreadful. Didi and Paris Morning meal: Maille changes their tastes, offering as well as retiring them, at a variety of opportunities. Shade: I have actually viewed the Ricore, the powdered chicory-based cocktail that some French people have for breakfast. I was actually looking at the blueberry breadstuff pudding dish yesterday (I created this and also this was thus tasty I consumed 1/4th for breakfast today (!)) as well as I observed a cost drop advertisement (your own is actually the only web site I disable advertisement blocker on:-RRB-) for items I was looking at recently as well as selected that to accomplish my investment as well as in my normal missing mindedness I closed the tab and also forgot about the recipe. Many thanks also for having many vegetarian dishes lately, so I don't need to veganize them. I understand this is actually impossible to simply everybody and I am actually ok along with skimming off over/ignoring some meaningful foods, yet a number of your meatless mains (e.g. farro and tomatoes or white potato pizza) are actually several of my preferred recipes. Perfect for freezing at that point taking hold of out the night just before for a fast breakfast on the jog! Very most lately, Isa Chandra Moscowitz's Cravings for Decrease" was actually pivotal in planning foods (the bowl approach changed my work lunch time packaging majorly!) I purposefully had a slow strategy, as I knew if I tried to go cool. turkey I would likely have or neglect health and wellness problems like anemia because of absence from macronutrient balance. Most definitely program to make (please, do certainly not sharp Paula W!) but, pre reviews: In all my hen toasting adventure, whole birds seem to be to make out best when leaning on a shelf in the toasting pan/raised edges slab pan. I also helped make a few replacements of my own: nuts food as opposed to flax seed meal, as well as 1 tbsp natural honey rather than the stevia (which makes the carb count boost merely a bit). I did like the cabbage to farro ratio though, Your recipes often be a little bit hefty on the veggies, which I delight in. www.unmodedeviesain.fr have opportunity to create plenty of homemade meals due to the fact that we are actually always out + regarding so much from the day. If your post-workout morning meal certainly never delights you, you are actually not eating the right foods items A correct post-workout breakfast materials plenty of volumes of fats, carbohydrates, healthy protein, and also some well-balanced excess fat. I normally only read recipes on the internet and email all of them to my husband, but I will be actually PRODUCING this set! Monday thru Friday I go 22 to 23 hrs in a fasted condition and also have a 1 or even 2 hr window, commonly around 6 pm ... to eat a huge and also pleasing primitive meal. I'm basically dripping over my meals strategy currently being actually created through sifting by means of your dishes! I'm exploring my bestie that is actually possessing an infant following month and also I chose that, because she isn't really too mobile phone, I'll only create her a lots of dish and sell her freezer! Cara, I am actually certainly not a professional but you may be among those privileged females that can get away with additional a little bit a lot more carbohydrates as well as a handful of even more foods. I am actually certainly not from overindulging at some meal daily yet if you aren't getting inside enough calories in that one meal, you could be doing your procreative system an ill service. I used home made entire almond food final night as well as was actually paniced they were actually underbaked and also rich when they showed up - however seeing as how they merely lasted approximately 2 hours in my workplace today as well as people are actually begging me for additional, I 'd say this operated simply fine! Vegetarian dish strategies are actually normally hit-or-miss and also this seems directly on target. I additionally felt discouraged, recognizing the unique dressing in question will most likely be a difficult mix from substances and also I would certainly need to invest the rest of my life unable to precisely duplicate the one sandwich that brings me happiness in lifestyle. Either as an appetizer or even main dish, this recipe for barbequed little one octopus is a sensational dish that will certainly please both the eyes and also the taste buds. I'm in fact off to Greece on Sunday and also am actually so excited at managing to possess this for morning meal. Thus just to repeat that, I'm commemorating the creation from blueberry refreshing (which, FYI, is exploding along with juicy summer season fruit product and overwhelmed with an ohmygosh so good gently cinnamony oat and pecan crumble on the top that is actually each entire surface and also enhanced glucose totally free) by creating the blueberry crisp again and again and once more, and consuming the leftovers for breakfast. I possess had such thick, wickedly scrumptious scorching delicious chocolate only at pair of places, one is a conventional boulangerie at Le Centre Commercial Belle Epine à Thiais (94 - Val de Marne) & the second being actually a tiny resto, (I overlook the title from the spot) at Chatelet Les Halles, its in the labyrinth from shops at the city station!!! The total fodmap tons in the dish concerns at the same time - the majority of people will definitely puff up if they possess a great deal of fodmaps at the same time (like fruit salad for example).

[touristguidebuzz]

How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

As an omnivore, traveling is pretty easy on my stomach. There’s nothing I won’t eat (or at least try once. Like those fried maggots in Thailand) and I don’t have any food allergies to worry about. Outside of an inability to handle spicy food, I’m pretty lucky. I know scores of travelers who’s food allergies and dietary restrictions make traveling to many regions of the world very, very difficult. Luckily, thanks to the web and apps, it’s become a lot easier to convey your dietary needs to shop owners around the world! In today’s article, I sit down with our community manager and fellow blogger, Chris, who has been a vegan for 12 years. He shares with us how he does it, his favorite resources, and his advice for the non-omnivores out there!

Nomadic Matt: Tell us about yourself! Chris: I live abroad in “sunny” Sweden. I’m vegan, straight-edge, Buddhist, and balding. I’m also a huge nerd (I have a Star Wars tattoo and am a big fan of Dungeons and Dragons).

I grew up in small-town Canada, and after university, I intended to go to law school and get a respectable job, make mad cash, and live the Canadian Dream. I worked two jobs to put myself through school and was able to graduate without any debt. However, somewhere along the way I realized I wasn’t really loving the path I was walking.

Growing up, it was always assumed that if you did well in school, you were sort of obligated to go to university, get a good job, marry, have 2.5 children, etc, etc.

It wasn’t until after my first year of university that I finally had the space and time to really think if I wanted that path. While everything was going well – I was getting good marks, eating well (ish), and going to the gym every day – I didn’t feel challenged by my current situation. There had to be more to life than just jumping through hoops and building a routine. It was then that I gave up my plans of following the career-house-family model and started to look for alternatives ways of living.

How did you get into traveling? Honestly, I think it all started when I was 10. My dad and I went down to Florida to Disney for my birthday, and — not surprisingly — it was an amazing time. I have lots of fond memories from that trip, though what stands out the most isn’t what you’d think. What started me down my road of travel? A seatbelt.

Some of you will remember the car company Saturn. They used to have a car with an automatic seatbelt. It was a cumbersome contraption, but as a 10-year-old, having just arrived in America for the first time, I thought it was amazing. An automatic seatbelt?! It blew my mind. I was captivated by it. I think that’s where it all started. From then on, I realized that there were so many mysterious and exciting things out there. And I wanted to uncover them all.

Ten years later, I was hacking my way through the jungles of Costa Rica. While there, I almost got killed by a jaguar while hiking in the rain forest. It had stalked my group to the top of a mountain, and when I was more or less alone it started to weave toward me. By the time it got close, my guide showed up and we scared it away (though it did stalk us for another few hundred meters). A week later I was chased by a crocodile while kayaking up a river (talk about bad luck, right!?). That trip rekindled my desire to travel and inspired me to change my priorities. I left university early and moved to Japan to live at a Zen monastery where I could have some time to figure out what I wanted to do in life.

I’ve more or less been traveling since.

You’re vegan. Is it easy to travel as a vegan? For the most part but it all depends on your destination and your preparation. In North America and Western Europe, most people understand what you mean when you say you’re vegan or vegetarian. Moreover, if they don’t understand, they likely speak enough English that you can clarify. Many cities in Europe are actually amazing vegan hubs (Berlin and Glasgow to name two).

The trouble arises when you visit somewhere with a high language barrier that also has very different cultural food norms. There are many countries in the world where being vegan/vegetarian is something uncommon and perhaps not entirely understood. In countries like this, the difficulty isn’t finding food — basic staples like rice and vegetables and fruits can always be found at markets and stores — but interacting with locals and having to explain your diet, which can come off as some sort of implicit judgment of their own diet. If you don’t do your research, you can get into some awkward situations.

As a vegan, we sometimes miss out on cultural exchanges. Having a local invite you into their home is something many travelers dream of but, as a vegan, this can be tricky as you now have to politely explain that you cannot eat the food they’re offering. It’s a fine, challenging line to walk.

What are some good resources and tools for vegans planning to travel? Happy Cow is the go-to resource for finding vegan restaurants abroad; it’s like vegan Yelp. You can read reviews and find information about menus, hours, and locations. This is my main resource when I’m searching for good vegan grub abroad.

Another tool I use is Couchsurfing. While there are vegan groups there that you can browse, I just like to message local vegans directly and say that I’m coming to their city and would love to hear their suggestions. People are always happy to share their thoughts, and I’ve come away with some great tips from this. Not only can you ask about restaurants but you can inquire about good grocery stores for vegan options, as eating out every meal will get pricey.

Don’t hesitate to ask the staff of your hostel/hotel or the host of your Airbnb. They are equally valuable resources, too!

Lastly, there are lots of great vegan travel blogs, too. Some of my favorites are Burger Abroad, Justin Plus Lauren, Vegan Food Quest, and of course, my own blog, Lessons Learned Abroad.

Have you had any dietary mishaps while traveling? Many! Just like every other aspect of traveling, your planning will only take you so far. Sometimes things go off the rails and you need to adapt.

When I was in Mongolia, my partner and I were invited to lunch by a local. We were a bit hesitant, considering our diets (my partner is vegetarian), but didn’t want to be rude. So we accepted. It turns out the family had already eaten — they just wanted to make us a meal. They served up some meat dumplings (there are not many cows in Mongolia, so I think it might have been horse meat), kimchi, and fermented milk green tea. Not exactly my standard vegan meal.

But we adapted.

I pretended to drink the tea while my partner downed her glass. We then covertly swapped cups so they wouldn’t notice, thereby leading them to think we both drank the tea.

I ate all the kimchi and then tried to gesture that I was full — they didn’t speak English, after all, so gestures were all I had. They insisted I eat some dumplings, and not taking no for an answer, I had to bite the bullet. I picked up a few and popped them into my mouth. As soon as they looked away I spat them out and put them into my pocket. They were so hot and greasy, they kind of burned my leg as they dripped through my pocket but I played it cool.

After the meal we all went outside and their dogs started hounding me. I tossed them the scraps, and no one was the wiser.

How do you get over the language barrier and let someone know your dietary needs? There are three basic ways to do this:

1. Write it down. I write down phrases in my notebook for each country I visit. I’ll write down things like “I do not eat meat” so that I can show it to servers at restaurants. I’ll write it in the local language, and then phonetically in English so I can read it aloud without too much embarrassment. This is my standard method — which probably hints at just how old I am — though I am slowly coming around to this next method.

2. Use Google Translate. If you have Internet access, then Google Translate is a great method. To be safe, I suggest downloading the necessary languages so you have access offline. You can also use the app to take photos of menus and translate them, which has been super helpful on many occasions!

3. The Vegan Passport. This little book has helpful vegan phrases you can use as you travel. There are versions in around 80 different languages, making it a pretty handy resource for an RTW trip. It costs around $10 but could likely save you some trouble on the road.

Where are the best places in the world to travel to as a vegan? Nowadays you can find vegan restaurants pretty much everywhere. That being said, there are a few places in the world that showcase some impressive offerings. NYC, Berlin, Toronto, and Austin are all great vegan hubs. I’ve had some of the best food of my life in those cities. Additionally, countries with a higher percentage of vegetarians and vegans (like Germany or Sweden) also make it easy to find vegan food products in grocery stores, covering you for all those days you don’t want to eat out (or can’t afford to!). Are there any places that are really difficult? Not surprisingly, I found Russia, Norway, and Mongolia to be challenging as a vegan. Essentially, if a country doesn’t grow many fruits or vegetables then you are sort of out of luck for a lot of options. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all three place but my diet there was mostly bread and unflavored instant noodles. There just weren’t a lot of options.

How do you manage in countries with few vegan options? Plan ahead! Always travel with some extra granola bars or trail mix from home. This will keep you covered during those few instances when it is hard to find a proper meal. I took 30 power bars with me to Russia and ate almost 100 granola bars during my 800km walk along the Camino.

Traveling as a vegan means your meals will not always be glamorous. Making your diet a priority, you sometimes will end up having some pretty bland and unexciting meals. It won’t always be awesome vegan food, so be prepared for those rough patches by bringing some backup snacks. You’ll thank me later.

You’re an avid Couchsurfer! Many people are put off by Couchsurfing, since you are essentially staying with a stranger. Why do you like it? Honestly, CS is my favorite way of finding accommodation precisely because you are staying with a stranger. I like it better than hostels because you generally have more privacy and it is quieter than hostels (no snoring backpackers!). You also get to connect with a local who can answer all of your travel questions. This is a priceless resource, making CS worth its weight in gold! On top of that, there are lots of events and meetups available on Couchsurfing, which are great ways to meet other locals and travelers. The fact that it is free is just the icing on the cake.

What tips do you have for those considering Couchsurfing as a means of find accommodation? If you are planning on using Couchsurfing as your primary accommodation resource, you’ll want to do at least these three things:

1. Get verified. This means you pay a small fee and have your address and phone number verified. You can also send in a copy of a passport, too. What this does is show everyone you’re a legit human being and not someone trying to scam the system.

2. Add tons of photos and information to your profile. Be detailed, so everyone can get a sense of your personality. Share your favorite movies and books, your past trips and adventures, and anything else you think is interesting! Hosts generally prefer to have guests that they share interests with, so this is the best way to find like-minded CSers.

3. Get references. References are the backbone of Couchsurfing. Without them, you’ll almost never find a host. Find friends or coworkers who can vouch for you so that you have some references before you travel. That will increase the odds of you finding a host tenfold.

You’ve been traveling for a while. What’s your #1 tip for new travelers? If I had to boil down everything I’ve learned into one tip it would be this: slow the heck down. I’ve seen too many people rush around, trying to check countries off their bucket list, only to spend most of their trip on buses and planes and trains. Rushing around really takes away from the experience; you are too hurried to really stop and smell the roses. Sure, you may get some great photos for your Instagram, but there is much more to traveling than that!

By slowing down, you really start to soak up each destination. You allow yourself more time to get off the beaten path and to embrace new opportunities as they arise. If you are rushing around, you won’t be able to change your schedule if you find a place you really like. Or what if you meet some cool people who invite you to tag along on their journey? This wouldn’t be possible if you were committed to a hasty itinerary. It’s also cheaper since you won’t be spending so much time and money on transportation!

So, when it comes to traveling, remember: less is more.

Chris is a stalwart budget traveler who is always on the lookout for a good adventure. A vegan of 12 years, he is adept at navigating the ups and downs of traveling with dietary restrictions. When not wandering the world he can usually be found in Gothenburg, Sweden, plotting his next adventure. For more vegan tips and travel tales, you can visit his bog, Lessons Learned Abroad. You can also find him running our forums and Superstar Blogging community.

Photo Credit: 1

The post How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

[fadingfartconnoisseur]

How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

As an omnivore, traveling is pretty easy on my stomach. There’s nothing I won’t eat (or at least try once. Like those fried maggots in Thailand) and I don’t have any food allergies to worry about. Outside of an inability to handle spicy food, I’m pretty lucky. I know scores of travelers who’s food allergies and dietary restrictions make traveling to many regions of the world very, very difficult. Luckily, thanks to the web and apps, it’s become a lot easier to convey your dietary needs to shop owners around the world! In today’s article, I sit down with our community manager and fellow blogger, Chris, who has been a vegan for 12 years. He shares with us how he does it, his favorite resources, and his advice for the non-omnivores out there!

Nomadic Matt: Tell us about yourself! Chris: I live abroad in “sunny” Sweden. I’m vegan, straight-edge, Buddhist, and balding. I’m also a huge nerd (I have a Star Wars tattoo and am a big fan of Dungeons and Dragons).

I grew up in small-town Canada, and after university, I intended to go to law school and get a respectable job, make mad cash, and live the Canadian Dream. I worked two jobs to put myself through school and was able to graduate without any debt. However, somewhere along the way I realized I wasn’t really loving the path I was walking.

Growing up, it was always assumed that if you did well in school, you were sort of obligated to go to university, get a good job, marry, have 2.5 children, etc, etc.

It wasn’t until after my first year of university that I finally had the space and time to really think if I wanted that path. While everything was going well – I was getting good marks, eating well (ish), and going to the gym every day – I didn’t feel challenged by my current situation. There had to be more to life than just jumping through hoops and building a routine. It was then that I gave up my plans of following the career-house-family model and started to look for alternatives ways of living.

How did you get into traveling? Honestly, I think it all started when I was 10. My dad and I went down to Florida to Disney for my birthday, and — not surprisingly — it was an amazing time. I have lots of fond memories from that trip, though what stands out the most isn’t what you’d think. What started me down my road of travel? A seatbelt.

Some of you will remember the car company Saturn. They used to have a car with an automatic seatbelt. It was a cumbersome contraption, but as a 10-year-old, having just arrived in America for the first time, I thought it was amazing. An automatic seatbelt?! It blew my mind. I was captivated by it. I think that’s where it all started. From then on, I realized that there were so many mysterious and exciting things out there. And I wanted to uncover them all.

Ten years later, I was hacking my way through the jungles of Costa Rica. While there, I almost got killed by a jaguar while hiking in the rain forest. It had stalked my group to the top of a mountain, and when I was more or less alone it started to weave toward me. By the time it got close, my guide showed up and we scared it away (though it did stalk us for another few hundred meters). A week later I was chased by a crocodile while kayaking up a river (talk about bad luck, right!?). That trip rekindled my desire to travel and inspired me to change my priorities. I left university early and moved to Japan to live at a Zen monastery where I could have some time to figure out what I wanted to do in life.

I’ve more or less been traveling since.

You’re vegan. Is it easy to travel as a vegan? For the most part but it all depends on your destination and your preparation. In North America and Western Europe, most people understand what you mean when you say you’re vegan or vegetarian. Moreover, if they don’t understand, they likely speak enough English that you can clarify. Many cities in Europe are actually amazing vegan hubs (Berlin and Glasgow to name two).

The trouble arises when you visit somewhere with a high language barrier that also has very different cultural food norms. There are many countries in the world where being vegan/vegetarian is something uncommon and perhaps not entirely understood. In countries like this, the difficulty isn’t finding food — basic staples like rice and vegetables and fruits can always be found at markets and stores — but interacting with locals and having to explain your diet, which can come off as some sort of implicit judgment of their own diet. If you don’t do your research, you can get into some awkward situations.

As a vegan, we sometimes miss out on cultural exchanges. Having a local invite you into their home is something many travelers dream of but, as a vegan, this can be tricky as you now have to politely explain that you cannot eat the food they’re offering. It’s a fine, challenging line to walk.

What are some good resources and tools for vegans planning to travel? Happy Cow is the go-to resource for finding vegan restaurants abroad; it’s like vegan Yelp. You can read reviews and find information about menus, hours, and locations. This is my main resource when I’m searching for good vegan grub abroad.

Another tool I use is Couchsurfing. While there are vegan groups there that you can browse, I just like to message local vegans directly and say that I’m coming to their city and would love to hear their suggestions. People are always happy to share their thoughts, and I’ve come away with some great tips from this. Not only can you ask about restaurants but you can inquire about good grocery stores for vegan options, as eating out every meal will get pricey.

Don’t hesitate to ask the staff of your hostel/hotel or the host of your Airbnb. They are equally valuable resources, too!

Lastly, there are lots of great vegan travel blogs, too. Some of my favorites are Burger Abroad, Justin Plus Lauren, Vegan Food Quest, and of course, my own blog, Lessons Learned Abroad.

Have you had any dietary mishaps while traveling? Many! Just like every other aspect of traveling, your planning will only take you so far. Sometimes things go off the rails and you need to adapt.

When I was in Mongolia, my partner and I were invited to lunch by a local. We were a bit hesitant, considering our diets (my partner is vegetarian), but didn’t want to be rude. So we accepted. It turns out the family had already eaten — they just wanted to make us a meal. They served up some meat dumplings (there are not many cows in Mongolia, so I think it might have been horse meat), kimchi, and fermented milk green tea. Not exactly my standard vegan meal.

But we adapted.

I pretended to drink the tea while my partner downed her glass. We then covertly swapped cups so they wouldn’t notice, thereby leading them to think we both drank the tea.

I ate all the kimchi and then tried to gesture that I was full — they didn’t speak English, after all, so gestures were all I had. They insisted I eat some dumplings, and not taking no for an answer, I had to bite the bullet. I picked up a few and popped them into my mouth. As soon as they looked away I spat them out and put them into my pocket. They were so hot and greasy, they kind of burned my leg as they dripped through my pocket but I played it cool.

After the meal we all went outside and their dogs started hounding me. I tossed them the scraps, and no one was the wiser.

How do you get over the language barrier and let someone know your dietary needs? There are three basic ways to do this:

1. Write it down. I write down phrases in my notebook for each country I visit. I’ll write down things like “I do not eat meat” so that I can show it to servers at restaurants. I’ll write it in the local language, and then phonetically in English so I can read it aloud without too much embarrassment. This is my standard method — which probably hints at just how old I am — though I am slowly coming around to this next method.

2. Use Google Translate. If you have Internet access, then Google Translate is a great method. To be safe, I suggest downloading the necessary languages so you have access offline. You can also use the app to take photos of menus and translate them, which has been super helpful on many occasions!

3. The Vegan Passport. This little book has helpful vegan phrases you can use as you travel. There are versions in around 80 different languages, making it a pretty handy resource for an RTW trip. It costs around $10 but could likely save you some trouble on the road.

Where are the best places in the world to travel to as a vegan? Nowadays you can find vegan restaurants pretty much everywhere. That being said, there are a few places in the world that showcase some impressive offerings. NYC, Berlin, Toronto, and Austin are all great vegan hubs. I’ve had some of the best food of my life in those cities. Additionally, countries with a higher percentage of vegetarians and vegans (like Germany or Sweden) also make it easy to find vegan food products in grocery stores, covering you for all those days you don’t want to eat out (or can’t afford to!). Are there any places that are really difficult? Not surprisingly, I found Russia, Norway, and Mongolia to be challenging as a vegan. Essentially, if a country doesn’t grow many fruits or vegetables then you are sort of out of luck for a lot of options. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all three place but my diet there was mostly bread and unflavored instant noodles. There just weren’t a lot of options.

How do you manage in countries with few vegan options? Plan ahead! Always travel with some extra granola bars or trail mix from home. This will keep you covered during those few instances when it is hard to find a proper meal. I took 30 power bars with me to Russia and ate almost 100 granola bars during my 800km walk along the Camino.

Traveling as a vegan means your meals will not always be glamorous. Making your diet a priority, you sometimes will end up having some pretty bland and unexciting meals. It won’t always be awesome vegan food, so be prepared for those rough patches by bringing some backup snacks. You’ll thank me later.

You’re an avid Couchsurfer! Many people are put off by Couchsurfing, since you are essentially staying with a stranger. Why do you like it? Honestly, CS is my favorite way of finding accommodation precisely because you are staying with a stranger. I like it better than hostels because you generally have more privacy and it is quieter than hostels (no snoring backpackers!). You also get to connect with a local who can answer all of your travel questions. This is a priceless resource, making CS worth its weight in gold! On top of that, there are lots of events and meetups available on Couchsurfing, which are great ways to meet other locals and travelers. The fact that it is free is just the icing on the cake.

What tips do you have for those considering Couchsurfing as a means of find accommodation? If you are planning on using Couchsurfing as your primary accommodation resource, you’ll want to do at least these three things:

1. Get verified. This means you pay a small fee and have your address and phone number verified. You can also send in a copy of a passport, too. What this does is show everyone you’re a legit human being and not someone trying to scam the system.

2. Add tons of photos and information to your profile. Be detailed, so everyone can get a sense of your personality. Share your favorite movies and books, your past trips and adventures, and anything else you think is interesting! Hosts generally prefer to have guests that they share interests with, so this is the best way to find like-minded CSers.

3. Get references. References are the backbone of Couchsurfing. Without them, you’ll almost never find a host. Find friends or coworkers who can vouch for you so that you have some references before you travel. That will increase the odds of you finding a host tenfold.

You’ve been traveling for a while. What’s your #1 tip for new travelers? If I had to boil down everything I’ve learned into one tip it would be this: slow the heck down. I’ve seen too many people rush around, trying to check countries off their bucket list, only to spend most of their trip on buses and planes and trains. Rushing around really takes away from the experience; you are too hurried to really stop and smell the roses. Sure, you may get some great photos for your Instagram, but there is much more to traveling than that!

By slowing down, you really start to soak up each destination. You allow yourself more time to get off the beaten path and to embrace new opportunities as they arise. If you are rushing around, you won’t be able to change your schedule if you find a place you really like. Or what if you meet some cool people who invite you to tag along on their journey? This wouldn’t be possible if you were committed to a hasty itinerary. It’s also cheaper since you won’t be spending so much time and money on transportation!

So, when it comes to traveling, remember: less is more.

Chris is a stalwart budget traveler who is always on the lookout for a good adventure. A vegan of 12 years, he is adept at navigating the ups and downs of traveling with dietary restrictions. When not wandering the world he can usually be found in Gothenburg, Sweden, plotting his next adventure. For more vegan tips and travel tales, you can visit his bog, Lessons Learned Abroad. You can also find him running our forums and Superstar Blogging community.

Photo Credit: 1

The post How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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[tamboradventure]

How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

As an omnivore, traveling is pretty easy on my stomach. There’s nothing I won’t eat (or at least try once. Like those fried maggots in Thailand) and I don’t have any food allergies to worry about. Outside of an inability to handle spicy food, I’m pretty lucky. I know scores of travelers who’s food allergies and dietary restrictions make traveling to many regions of the world very, very difficult. Luckily, thanks to the web and apps, it’s become a lot easier to convey your dietary needs to shop owners around the world! In today’s article, I sit down with our community manager and fellow blogger, Chris, who has been a vegan for 12 years. He shares with us how he does it, his favorite resources, and his advice for the non-omnivores out there!

Nomadic Matt: Tell us about yourself!

Chris: I live abroad in “sunny” Sweden. I’m vegan, straight-edge, Buddhist, and balding. I’m also a huge nerd (I have a Star Wars tattoo and am a big fan of Dungeons and Dragons).

I grew up in small-town Canada, and after university, I intended to go to law school and get a respectable job, make mad cash, and live the Canadian Dream. I worked two jobs to put myself through school and was able to graduate without any debt. However, somewhere along the way I realized I wasn’t really loving the path I was walking.

Growing up, it was always assumed that if you did well in school, you were sort of obligated to go to university, get a good job, marry, have 2.5 children, etc, etc.

It wasn’t until after my first year of university that I finally had the space and time to really think if I wanted that path. While everything was going well – I was getting good marks, eating well (ish), and going to the gym every day – I didn’t feel challenged by my current situation. There had to be more to life than just jumping through hoops and building a routine. It was then that I gave up my plans of following the career-house-family model and started to look for alternatives ways of living.

How did you get into traveling?

Honestly, I think it all started when I was 10. My dad and I went down to Florida to Disney for my birthday, and — not surprisingly — it was an amazing time. I have lots of fond memories from that trip, though what stands out the most isn’t what you’d think. What started me down my road of travel? A seatbelt.

Some of you will remember the car company Saturn. They used to have a car with an automatic seatbelt. It was a cumbersome contraption, but as a 10-year-old, having just arrived in America for the first time, I thought it was amazing. An automatic seatbelt?! It blew my mind. I was captivated by it. I think that’s where it all started. From then on, I realized that there were so many mysterious and exciting things out there. And I wanted to uncover them all.

Ten years later, I was hacking my way through the jungles of Costa Rica. While there, I almost got killed by a jaguar while hiking in the rain forest. It had stalked my group to the top of a mountain, and when I was more or less alone it started to weave toward me. By the time it got close, my guide showed up and we scared it away (though it did stalk us for another few hundred meters). A week later I was chased by a crocodile while kayaking up a river (talk about bad luck, right!?). That trip rekindled my desire to travel and inspired me to change my priorities. I left university early and moved to Japan to live at a Zen monastery where I could have some time to figure out what I wanted to do in life.

I’ve more or less been traveling since.

You’re vegan. Is it easy to travel as a vegan?

For the most part but it all depends on your destination and your preparation. In North America and Western Europe, most people understand what you mean when you say you’re vegan or vegetarian. Moreover, if they don’t understand, they likely speak enough English that you can clarify. Many cities in Europe are actually amazing vegan hubs (Berlin and Glasgow to name two).

The trouble arises when you visit somewhere with a high language barrier that also has very different cultural food norms. There are many countries in the world where being vegan/vegetarian is something uncommon and perhaps not entirely understood. In countries like this, the difficulty isn’t finding food — basic staples like rice and vegetables and fruits can always be found at markets and stores — but interacting with locals and having to explain your diet, which can come off as some sort of implicit judgment of their own diet. If you don’t do your research, you can get into some awkward situations.

As a vegan, we sometimes miss out on cultural exchanges. Having a local invite you into their home is something many travelers dream of but, as a vegan, this can be tricky as you now have to politely explain that you cannot eat the food they’re offering. It’s a fine, challenging line to walk.

What are some good resources and tools for vegans planning to travel?

Happy Cow is the go-to resource for finding vegan restaurants abroad; it’s like vegan Yelp. You can read reviews and find information about menus, hours, and locations. This is my main resource when I’m searching for good vegan grub abroad.

Another tool I use is Couchsurfing. While there are vegan groups there that you can browse, I just like to message local vegans directly and say that I’m coming to their city and would love to hear their suggestions. People are always happy to share their thoughts, and I’ve come away with some great tips from this. Not only can you ask about restaurants but you can inquire about good grocery stores for vegan options, as eating out every meal will get pricey.

Don’t hesitate to ask the staff of your hostel/hotel or the host of your Airbnb. They are equally valuable resources, too!

Lastly, there are lots of great vegan travel blogs, too. Some of my favorites are Burger Abroad, Justin Plus Lauren, Vegan Food Quest, and of course, my own blog, Lessons Learned Abroad.

Have you had any dietary mishaps while traveling?

Many! Just like every other aspect of traveling, your planning will only take you so far. Sometimes things go off the rails and you need to adapt.

When I was in Mongolia, my partner and I were invited to lunch by a local. We were a bit hesitant, considering our diets (my partner is vegetarian), but didn’t want to be rude. So we accepted. It turns out the family had already eaten — they just wanted to make us a meal. They served up some meat dumplings (there are not many cows in Mongolia, so I think it might have been horse meat), kimchi, and fermented milk green tea. Not exactly my standard vegan meal.

But we adapted.

I pretended to drink the tea while my partner downed her glass. We then covertly swapped cups so they wouldn’t notice, thereby leading them to think we both drank the tea.

I ate all the kimchi and then tried to gesture that I was full — they didn’t speak English, after all, so gestures were all I had. They insisted I eat some dumplings, and not taking no for an answer, I had to bite the bullet. I picked up a few and popped them into my mouth. As soon as they looked away I spat them out and put them into my pocket. They were so hot and greasy, they kind of burned my leg as they dripped through my pocket but I played it cool.

After the meal we all went outside and their dogs started hounding me. I tossed them the scraps, and no one was the wiser.

How do you get over the language barrier and let someone know your dietary needs?

There are three basic ways to do this:

1. Write it down. I write down phrases in my notebook for each country I visit. I’ll write down things like “I do not eat meat” so that I can show it to servers at restaurants. I’ll write it in the local language, and then phonetically in English so I can read it aloud without too much embarrassment. This is my standard method — which probably hints at just how old I am — though I am slowly coming around to this next method.

2. Use Google Translate. If you have Internet access, then Google Translate is a great method. To be safe, I suggest downloading the necessary languages so you have access offline. You can also use the app to take photos of menus and translate them, which has been super helpful on many occasions!

3. The Vegan Passport. This little book has helpful vegan phrases you can use as you travel. There are versions in around 80 different languages, making it a pretty handy resource for an RTW trip. It costs around $10 but could likely save you some trouble on the road.

Where are the best places in the world to travel to as a vegan?

Nowadays you can find vegan restaurants pretty much everywhere. That being said, there are a few places in the world that showcase some impressive offerings. NYC, Berlin, Toronto, and Austin are all great vegan hubs. I’ve had some of the best food of my life in those cities. Additionally, countries with a higher percentage of vegetarians and vegans (like Germany or Sweden) also make it easy to find vegan food products in grocery stores, covering you for all those days you don’t want to eat out (or can’t afford to!).

Are there any places that are really difficult?

Not surprisingly, I found Russia, Norway, and Mongolia to be challenging as a vegan. Essentially, if a country doesn’t grow many fruits or vegetables then you are sort of out of luck for a lot of options. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all three place but my diet there was mostly bread and unflavored instant noodles. There just weren’t a lot of options.

How do you manage in countries with few vegan options?

Plan ahead! Always travel with some extra granola bars or trail mix from home. This will keep you covered during those few instances when it is hard to find a proper meal. I took 30 power bars with me to Russia and ate almost 100 granola bars during my 800km walk along the Camino.

Traveling as a vegan means your meals will not always be glamorous. Making your diet a priority, you sometimes will end up having some pretty bland and unexciting meals. It won’t always be awesome vegan food, so be prepared for those rough patches by bringing some backup snacks. You’ll thank me later.

You’re an avid Couchsurfer! Many people are put off by Couchsurfing, since you are essentially staying with a stranger. Why do you like it?

Honestly, CS is my favorite way of finding accommodation precisely because you are staying with a stranger. I like it better than hostels because you generally have more privacy and it is quieter than hostels (no snoring backpackers!). You also get to connect with a local who can answer all of your travel questions. This is a priceless resource, making CS worth its weight in gold! On top of that, there are lots of events and meetups available on Couchsurfing, which are great ways to meet other locals and travelers. The fact that it is free is just the icing on the cake.

What tips do you have for those considering Couchsurfing as a means of find accommodation?

If you are planning on using Couchsurfing as your primary accommodation resource, you’ll want to do at least these three things:

1. Get verified. This means you pay a small fee and have your address and phone number verified. You can also send in a copy of a passport, too. What this does is show everyone you’re a legit human being and not someone trying to scam the system.

2. Add tons of photos and information to your profile. Be detailed, so everyone can get a sense of your personality. Share your favorite movies and books, your past trips and adventures, and anything else you think is interesting! Hosts generally prefer to have guests that they share interests with, so this is the best way to find like-minded CSers.

3. Get references. References are the backbone of Couchsurfing. Without them, you’ll almost never find a host. Find friends or coworkers who can vouch for you so that you have some references before you travel. That will increase the odds of you finding a host tenfold.

You’ve been traveling for a while. What’s your #1 tip for new travelers?

If I had to boil down everything I’ve learned into one tip it would be this: slow the heck down. I’ve seen too many people rush around, trying to check countries off their bucket list, only to spend most of their trip on buses and planes and trains. Rushing around really takes away from the experience; you are too hurried to really stop and smell the roses. Sure, you may get some great photos for your Instagram, but there is much more to traveling than that!

By slowing down, you really start to soak up each destination. You allow yourself more time to get off the beaten path and to embrace new opportunities as they arise. If you are rushing around, you won’t be able to change your schedule if you find a place you really like. Or what if you meet some cool people who invite you to tag along on their journey? This wouldn’t be possible if you were committed to a hasty itinerary. It’s also cheaper since you won’t be spending so much time and money on transportation!

So, when it comes to traveling, remember: less is more.

Chris is a stalwart budget traveler who is always on the lookout for a good adventure. A vegan of 12 years, he is adept at navigating the ups and downs of traveling with dietary restrictions. When not wandering the world he can usually be found in Gothenburg, Sweden, plotting his next adventure. For more vegan tips and travel tales, you can visit his bog, Lessons Learned Abroad. You can also find him running our forums and Superstar Blogging community.

The post How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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[vidovicart]

How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

As an omnivore, traveling is pretty easy on my stomach. There’s nothing I won’t eat (or at least try once. Like those fried maggots in Thailand) and I don’t have any food allergies to worry about. Outside of an inability to handle spicy food, I’m pretty lucky. I know scores of travelers who’s food allergies and dietary restrictions make traveling to many regions of the world very, very difficult. Luckily, thanks to the web and apps, it’s become a lot easier to convey your dietary needs to shop owners around the world! In today’s article, I sit down with our community manager and fellow blogger, Chris, who has been a vegan for 12 years. He shares with us how he does it, his favorite resources, and his advice for the non-omnivores out there!

Nomadic Matt: Tell us about yourself!

Chris: I live abroad in “sunny” Sweden. I’m vegan, straight-edge, Buddhist, and balding. I’m also a huge nerd (I have a Star Wars tattoo and am a big fan of Dungeons and Dragons).

I grew up in small-town Canada, and after university, I intended to go to law school and get a respectable job, make mad cash, and live the Canadian Dream. I worked two jobs to put myself through school and was able to graduate without any debt. However, somewhere along the way I realized I wasn’t really loving the path I was walking.

Growing up, it was always assumed that if you did well in school, you were sort of obligated to go to university, get a good job, marry, have 2.5 children, etc, etc.

It wasn’t until after my first year of university that I finally had the space and time to really think if I wanted that path. While everything was going well – I was getting good marks, eating well (ish), and going to the gym every day – I didn’t feel challenged by my current situation. There had to be more to life than just jumping through hoops and building a routine. It was then that I gave up my plans of following the career-house-family model and started to look for alternatives ways of living.

How did you get into traveling?

Honestly, I think it all started when I was 10. My dad and I went down to Florida to Disney for my birthday, and — not surprisingly — it was an amazing time. I have lots of fond memories from that trip, though what stands out the most isn’t what you’d think. What started me down my road of travel? A seatbelt.

Some of you will remember the car company Saturn. They used to have a car with an automatic seatbelt. It was a cumbersome contraption, but as a 10-year-old, having just arrived in America for the first time, I thought it was amazing. An automatic seatbelt?! It blew my mind. I was captivated by it. I think that’s where it all started. From then on, I realized that there were so many mysterious and exciting things out there. And I wanted to uncover them all.

Ten years later, I was hacking my way through the jungles of Costa Rica. While there, I almost got killed by a jaguar while hiking in the rain forest. It had stalked my group to the top of a mountain, and when I was more or less alone it started to weave toward me. By the time it got close, my guide showed up and we scared it away (though it did stalk us for another few hundred meters). A week later I was chased by a crocodile while kayaking up a river (talk about bad luck, right!?). That trip rekindled my desire to travel and inspired me to change my priorities. I left university early and moved to Japan to live at a Zen monastery where I could have some time to figure out what I wanted to do in life.

I’ve more or less been traveling since.

You’re vegan. Is it easy to travel as a vegan?

For the most part but it all depends on your destination and your preparation. In North America and Western Europe, most people understand what you mean when you say you’re vegan or vegetarian. Moreover, if they don’t understand, they likely speak enough English that you can clarify. Many cities in Europe are actually amazing vegan hubs (Berlin and Glasgow to name two).

The trouble arises when you visit somewhere with a high language barrier that also has very different cultural food norms. There are many countries in the world where being vegan/vegetarian is something uncommon and perhaps not entirely understood. In countries like this, the difficulty isn’t finding food — basic staples like rice and vegetables and fruits can always be found at markets and stores — but interacting with locals and having to explain your diet, which can come off as some sort of implicit judgment of their own diet. If you don’t do your research, you can get into some awkward situations.

As a vegan, we sometimes miss out on cultural exchanges. Having a local invite you into their home is something many travelers dream of but, as a vegan, this can be tricky as you now have to politely explain that you cannot eat the food they’re offering. It’s a fine, challenging line to walk.

What are some good resources and tools for vegans planning to travel?

Happy Cow is the go-to resource for finding vegan restaurants abroad; it’s like vegan Yelp. You can read reviews and find information about menus, hours, and locations. This is my main resource when I’m searching for good vegan grub abroad.

Another tool I use is Couchsurfing. While there are vegan groups there that you can browse, I just like to message local vegans directly and say that I’m coming to their city and would love to hear their suggestions. People are always happy to share their thoughts, and I’ve come away with some great tips from this. Not only can you ask about restaurants but you can inquire about good grocery stores for vegan options, as eating out every meal will get pricey.

Don’t hesitate to ask the staff of your hostel/hotel or the host of your Airbnb. They are equally valuable resources, too!

Lastly, there are lots of great vegan travel blogs, too. Some of my favorites are Burger Abroad, Justin Plus Lauren, Vegan Food Quest, and of course, my own blog, Lessons Learned Abroad.

Have you had any dietary mishaps while traveling?

Many! Just like every other aspect of traveling, your planning will only take you so far. Sometimes things go off the rails and you need to adapt.

When I was in Mongolia, my partner and I were invited to lunch by a local. We were a bit hesitant, considering our diets (my partner is vegetarian), but didn’t want to be rude. So we accepted. It turns out the family had already eaten — they just wanted to make us a meal. They served up some meat dumplings (there are not many cows in Mongolia, so I think it might have been horse meat), kimchi, and fermented milk green tea. Not exactly my standard vegan meal.

But we adapted.

I pretended to drink the tea while my partner downed her glass. We then covertly swapped cups so they wouldn’t notice, thereby leading them to think we both drank the tea.

I ate all the kimchi and then tried to gesture that I was full — they didn’t speak English, after all, so gestures were all I had. They insisted I eat some dumplings, and not taking no for an answer, I had to bite the bullet. I picked up a few and popped them into my mouth. As soon as they looked away I spat them out and put them into my pocket. They were so hot and greasy, they kind of burned my leg as they dripped through my pocket but I played it cool.

After the meal we all went outside and their dogs started hounding me. I tossed them the scraps, and no one was the wiser.

How do you get over the language barrier and let someone know your dietary needs?

There are three basic ways to do this:

1. Write it down. I write down phrases in my notebook for each country I visit. I’ll write down things like “I do not eat meat” so that I can show it to servers at restaurants. I’ll write it in the local language, and then phonetically in English so I can read it aloud without too much embarrassment. This is my standard method — which probably hints at just how old I am — though I am slowly coming around to this next method.

2. Use Google Translate. If you have Internet access, then Google Translate is a great method. To be safe, I suggest downloading the necessary languages so you have access offline. You can also use the app to take photos of menus and translate them, which has been super helpful on many occasions!

3. The Vegan Passport. This little book has helpful vegan phrases you can use as you travel. There are versions in around 80 different languages, making it a pretty handy resource for an RTW trip. It costs around $10 but could likely save you some trouble on the road.

Where are the best places in the world to travel to as a vegan?

Nowadays you can find vegan restaurants pretty much everywhere. That being said, there are a few places in the world that showcase some impressive offerings. NYC, Berlin, Toronto, and Austin are all great vegan hubs. I’ve had some of the best food of my life in those cities. Additionally, countries with a higher percentage of vegetarians and vegans (like Germany or Sweden) also make it easy to find vegan food products in grocery stores, covering you for all those days you don’t want to eat out (or can’t afford to!).

Are there any places that are really difficult?

Not surprisingly, I found Russia, Norway, and Mongolia to be challenging as a vegan. Essentially, if a country doesn’t grow many fruits or vegetables then you are sort of out of luck for a lot of options. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all three place but my diet there was mostly bread and unflavored instant noodles. There just weren’t a lot of options.

How do you manage in countries with few vegan options?

Plan ahead! Always travel with some extra granola bars or trail mix from home. This will keep you covered during those few instances when it is hard to find a proper meal. I took 30 power bars with me to Russia and ate almost 100 granola bars during my 800km walk along the Camino.

Traveling as a vegan means your meals will not always be glamorous. Making your diet a priority, you sometimes will end up having some pretty bland and unexciting meals. It won’t always be awesome vegan food, so be prepared for those rough patches by bringing some backup snacks. You’ll thank me later.

You’re an avid Couchsurfer! Many people are put off by Couchsurfing, since you are essentially staying with a stranger. Why do you like it?

Honestly, CS is my favorite way of finding accommodation precisely because you are staying with a stranger. I like it better than hostels because you generally have more privacy and it is quieter than hostels (no snoring backpackers!). You also get to connect with a local who can answer all of your travel questions. This is a priceless resource, making CS worth its weight in gold! On top of that, there are lots of events and meetups available on Couchsurfing, which are great ways to meet other locals and travelers. The fact that it is free is just the icing on the cake.

What tips do you have for those considering Couchsurfing as a means of find accommodation?

If you are planning on using Couchsurfing as your primary accommodation resource, you’ll want to do at least these three things:

1. Get verified. This means you pay a small fee and have your address and phone number verified. You can also send in a copy of a passport, too. What this does is show everyone you’re a legit human being and not someone trying to scam the system.

2. Add tons of photos and information to your profile. Be detailed, so everyone can get a sense of your personality. Share your favorite movies and books, your past trips and adventures, and anything else you think is interesting! Hosts generally prefer to have guests that they share interests with, so this is the best way to find like-minded CSers.

3. Get references. References are the backbone of Couchsurfing. Without them, you’ll almost never find a host. Find friends or coworkers who can vouch for you so that you have some references before you travel. That will increase the odds of you finding a host tenfold.

You’ve been traveling for a while. What’s your #1 tip for new travelers?

If I had to boil down everything I’ve learned into one tip it would be this: slow the heck down. I’ve seen too many people rush around, trying to check countries off their bucket list, only to spend most of their trip on buses and planes and trains. Rushing around really takes away from the experience; you are too hurried to really stop and smell the roses. Sure, you may get some great photos for your Instagram, but there is much more to traveling than that!

By slowing down, you really start to soak up each destination. You allow yourself more time to get off the beaten path and to embrace new opportunities as they arise. If you are rushing around, you won’t be able to change your schedule if you find a place you really like. Or what if you meet some cool people who invite you to tag along on their journey? This wouldn’t be possible if you were committed to a hasty itinerary. It’s also cheaper since you won’t be spending so much time and money on transportation!

So, when it comes to traveling, remember: less is more.

Chris is a stalwart budget traveler who is always on the lookout for a good adventure. A vegan of 12 years, he is adept at navigating the ups and downs of traveling with dietary restrictions. When not wandering the world he can usually be found in Gothenburg, Sweden, plotting his next adventure. For more vegan tips and travel tales, you can visit his bog, Lessons Learned Abroad. You can also find him running our forums and Superstar Blogging community.

The post How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.