A Very Merry Vegan Christmas

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas 

and Happy Holidays from Argentina! 

The Easiest Vegan Cookies You'll Ever Make

 These vegan cookies are delicious, total guilt-free and easy enough to make on the road (only two basic ingredients: oatmeal and banana). I highly recommend them to all you vegan travelers out there!

Two Ingredient Cookie Recipe

Mine came out a little bit funky-looking because of the chocolate chips I used, but I promise you they tasted great! They were very moist and had a banana flavor and for my toppings I added dairy-free chocolate chips, walnuts, vanilla, and raisins. Yum!

My 2 Ingredient Vegan Cookies

The Best Lower Body Hotel Room Workouts

Maintaining a healthy body is part of encompassing a vegan lifestyle and as a traveling vegan, it becomes an even greater challenge to keep in shape without the help of your local fitness center.

So as a way to help all of my fitness-loving vegans who are on the road and missing the gym, here are just a few of my favorite equipment-free YouTube workouts that target the lower body (hips, butt and thighs). I hope you will find a favorite among these and stay tuned for more of my favorite hotel workouts that target the rest of the body!

Pilates Butt Blaster

Lower Body Workout for Cellulite

Butt Blasting Routine

Victorias Secret Butt Workout

Victorias Secret Leg Workout

How To Deal With New Cultures As A Traveling Vegan

If you have not experienced this yet, it is almost 100% guaranteed that you will be asked the following questions at some point along your journey upon revealing that you are a vegan: 

1. "But..Why?"
2. "So wait...you don't eat ANY meat?"
3. "So...what DO you eat?"
4. "Where do you get your protein?"
5. "Where do you get your calcium?"
6. "Isn't that unhealthy?"
7. "Aren't humans supposed to have meat in our diets because we are omnivores?"
8. "How do you 'enjoy life'?"

I have found that Veganism is not only uncommon here in South America, but a completely alien concept to many. I am the first vegan that my boyfriend's parents have ever met, for example, and most people have a very hard time understanding the rationale behind this "strange" lifestyle.

For this reason, it is important to be prepared when traveling and know how to handle these situations in the best light possible. Of course, any vegan is already used to being asked these questions by people every day of their lives, but being surrounded by a completely different culture takes extra care and consideration. On one hand, you want to integrate into the local culture and do not want to offend anybody or come off as rude, "preachy" or demeaning to your host country. However, on the other hand, you want to educate and spread truth throughout the world along your travels.

 I have found so far that the best response to these questions is to give a brief explanation followed by a recommendation of some of your favorite vegan books, articles, or videos to those who are interested in learning more about veganism. There are truly so many great sources of information out there available in so many different languages and this may be the easiest way to educate others while traveling.

Just a few of my favorites are the documentaries include: "Forks Over Knives", "Earthlings", "Food Inc" and "Fast Food Nation". Three of my favorite books are "The China Study", "Slaughterhouse", and "Skinny Bitch" (the book that first turned my attention from vegetarianism to veganism).

For travelers, my number one source recommendation is Gary Yourofsky's speech on Youtube, "The Best Speech Ever," because it is available in almost every language (Spanish included), has a title that people will easily remember, and has a ton of information in a one hour long speech. You can check it out here and upload it to any social media site to share with your new travel buddies who might be giving you a hard time!

The Best Speech You Will Ever Hear: Gary Yourofsky

Forks Over Knives Official Website

The China Study Official Website

10 Must-See Veggie Movies

Savory Lentil Brown Rice Veggie Burgers

Introducing my latest vegan traveler challenge.... 

BROWN RICE LENTIL BURGERS! 

With so few faux meat options here in Argentina, I was seriously craving some sort of veggie burger and decided to take things into my own hands! I knew this was going to be a tricky one to pull off, but desperate times call for desperate matters!

The Final Result

I decided to try a lentil burger above other veg options, because lentils (or lentejas in Spanish) are plentiful and cheap in Argentinian supermarkets. The lentils and other ingredients fit easily into my travelers budget and I wanted to make a big portion so that I could eat them over a few days.

For my recipe, I looked through these options and ended up combining them according to what I had available in my kitchen. Below you will find the recipes I stumbled upon (there's so many available). I definitely think that it's easiest to pick the one that best fits your circumstances as a traveler and go from there. For most of these, you can omit some fancy ingredients and they will still come out just fine. 

Lentil Burger Tutorial 1

Lentil Burger Tutorial 2

Brown Rice and Lentil Burger Recipe

Easy Lentil Veggie Burgers Vegan

Hearty Lentil and Brown Rice Burger

I decided on boiling the lentils, blending half of them, and adding salt/pepper, and sauteed shredded carrots, onions, garlic, and beets. I then mixed them all together with whole wheat breadcrumbs and brown rice. Then after greasing my pan, I shaped them into patties and baked them for about 25 minutes.

The outcome: The lentil burgers tasted great but came out a bit dry and didn't stick together really well. The taste was actually much better when frying them on the stove, but the consistency turned out much better in the oven (they hardened more in the oven and fell apart on the stove). 

Bottom Line: As a traveler, it would have been easier and taken much less time and effort just to boil your lentils and then sautee them with the veggies and breadcrumbs. You would get the same delicious taste and all the same nutrients without all the hassle. But if you have some time, go for it! However, I think this challenge was a little bit too ambitious for me along my cooking journey and so I probably won't be trying this recipe again until I return home.

Easy Raw Vegan Guacamole Lettuce Wraps

Here's a quick idea for a super cheap and easy raw vegan snack while traveling: Guacamole Salad Wraps. Just pick up some avocado, onion, salt, pepper, tomato, lemon, and iceberg lettuce from the local super market, prepare your guacamole to taste, and fill the lettuce with your guacamole. Then just wrap it up and enjoy!

For the smoothie in this picture (which turned out to be delicious by the way!), I just added some canned pineapple, shredded coconut, banana, green apple, 1 packet natural sweetener and ice into a blender and voila!

This is a super healthy vitamin-packed lunch recipe that will make you feel revived and energized instantly! Enjoy!

Vegan Salad Topping Ideas

Since finding healthy and vegan options can be challenging while abroad, here's a list of some of the vegan-friendly salad toppings that I have used so far while in Argentina. Hope it helps!

• Beets
• Carrots
• Arugula
• Lentils
• Quinoa (yes they have quinoa here!)
• Canned Beans (Cannelli, Garbanzo, Kidney, Black)
• Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Peanuts)
• Seeds (Chia, Sesame and Flax Seeds are surprisingly abundant)
• Corn
• Tomatoes
• Celery
• Peppers
• Romaine
• Spinach
• Bean sprouts
• Broccoli
• Onion
• Fruits (apple's are easiest to find)
• Brown Rice
• Whole wheat crackers
• Potato or Sweet Potato (goes by batata)
• Avocado

Energizer Detox Water

Feeling a bit bloated after having to revert to large amount of vegan pizzas, pastas and breads while traveling through South America and beyond? If you've over-indulged a bit on your trip and need a quick fix, you can try this easy on-the-go recipe for detox water! It will help flush impurities from your system and detoxify your body.

Detox Water Recipe

Creamy Avocado Pasta

Last night, I stumbled upon this vegan dinner recipe for Creamy Avocado Pasta and decided to give it a shot. The recipe looked simple enough for vegan travelers and I was lucky enough to already have all of the ingredients in my kitchen here in Argentina. 

All it takes is some fettucine, avocado, garlic, lemon juice, tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil, all of which I have easily located here in the local supermarkets for a travelers budget.

Creamy Avocado Pasta Recipe

This recipe caught my attention at first, because I thought the idea to blend avocado as an creamy alfredo sauce alternative was brilliant! I'm not sure why I never thought to do this before!

Turns out, the creamy avocado pasta was fairly easy and quick to prepare (and trust me, easy for me really means EASY). The only change I would make to this recipe when making it the next time is to use a little bit less garlic in the avocado sauce. I also ended up dicing my tomatoes instead of baking them, because as it turns out, I am not highly skilled at turning on an Argentinian manual gas oven (so complicated!).

But overall, the dinner came out great and the taste was very similar to a real Italian dinner! Even my boyfriend's father, who is the farthest thing from a vegan, gave it a taste and didn't think it was so bad!

I highly recommend this recipe to vegan travelers who are having problems finding vegan ingredients but still craving something rich, creamy and satisfying!

Oatmeal in Argentina

 A great find today in the local supermarket

 here in San Nicolas! 

Quaker Avena Instantanea 

After three unsuccessful trips, I have finally discovered one of my favorite vegan breakfast staples hidden sneakily amongst the pasta aisle!

Both back at home and as a traveler, oatmeal is hands down one of the best vegan breakfast options available. It's cheap, nutritious, convenient, tasty and comes in many flavors...you just can't go wrong!

And the best part is that for us lazy or domestically-challenged folk, all you have to do is add your water/milk substitute and the toppings of your choice (blueberries, strawberries and banana are my favorite) and voila! So needless to say, I was a bit frustrated when I was not initially able to find it here in the supermarkets.

With Banana, Walnuts, and Raisins

There were not many varieties available (I could only find the Instant and Unflavored variety) and not a very large supply, but I was finally able to spot it in the most random part of the supermarket. Back home, it would be located in the breakfast cereal section, however here in Argentina, you never know where you might find it!

I wasn't able to find my favorite flavors (Maple Brown Sugar & Apple Cinnamon..YUM!) but with some added fruits, raisins and a packet of natural sweetener (Truvia) that I brought from home, I was able to make a great breakfast that reminded me a lot of home. Another big plus was that they don't sell the individual packets and so being forced to buy a large box full of oatmeal, you are sure to have enough to last for the majority of your trip!

So the tip of the day is: If you don't find a certain item in the first few shopping trips, don't give up and keep on looking! You might not find exactly what you are looking for, but I promise that if you are patient, you will find enough options to help you get by and survive your trip!

I Recommend: Quaker Instant Oatmeal or in Spanish: "Quaker Avena Instantanea"

Vegan Recipes on Pinterest

Are You A Vegan Traveler Feeling Homesick?  

My Vegan Recipes

Check out my list of Vegan Recipes on Pinterest and marvel in all the delicious vegan foods awaiting you upon your return home! 

Be thankful for the opportunity to realize just how fortunate you are to live in a country with so much variety and so many cruelty-free options! I know I am :-) !!

Happy Travels!

Animal Ingredients List in Spanish

1) Grasa Bovina/Grasa Cerdo: Beef/Pork Fat

• Be sure to keep an extra eye out for this one! It has surprised me many times so far, hidden in seemingly innocent products such as breads, empanada crusts, and personal pizza doughs. 

2) Leche en Polvo: Powdered Milk

• This one is not quite as surprising as the first, but nonetheless I have found it unnecessarily stuffed into many breads and wheat products.

Lactal Generic Whole Wheat Bread with Powdered Milk

Bottom Line Is: Watch out, stay on your toes, be inquisitive, don't be shy to ask questions, and brush up on your Spanish!

I know that as vegans, reading the ingredient list is second nature, but living here in Argentina requires extra care and attention. I have found that they somehow find a way to add animal ingredients to food for seemingly no reason here except that they just love their animal products!

I think even long-time vegans may be thrown off by some of the ingredients I have across across so far (and my journey is still just beginning!).

Tip of the Day:  Don't rely too heavily only on your vegan intuition and go the extra-mile to research strange or foreign ingredients, they might surprise you!

• Stay Tuned for more additions to my list :) !