Being vegan means having it all

Last Friday I turned 35, and as a treat, Scott and I went to NYC for some vegan eats at some of the fine restaurants there. From Friday evening until sometime late Saturday afternoon, I indulged in great food, vegan shopping, and even dessert. It began at Blossom for dinner. Just incredible! The food was top-notch, all vegan, and organic. It's hard to describe the feeling of opening a menu and knowing that nothing you read inside will bring to mind the horrors of animal suffering or factory farming. At this place, no server will come to your table and announce that the daily specials will include nothing that doesn't make your heart despair. Instead, the specials were cruelty-free and made the decision about what to have just that much harder. Scott's mom Blanche provided the birthday dessert: scrumptious vegan brownies and champagne.

I ran 8 miles in Queens Saturday morning, and after a delicious breakfast of vegan pancakes and smoothies, again compliments of Blanche and her culinary talents, we were off to the city again. The afternoon found us in various exciting locations: Red Bamboo Soul Cafe, Moo Shoes, and Babycakes, a vegan bakery. And I thought my vegan cupcakes were good! These were divine. I even parted from my anti-materialist ways and treated myself to a pair of new Vegetarian Shoes. I'm so inspired about my lifestyle these days, so this time in the city really came at a good time. For almost 24 hours, I felt as though I had been transported to another place, where animal cruelty was a thing of the past. Going from one vegan-friendly place to another was stone-stepping through the usual harsh realities that vegans have to wade through most days, especially at restaurants.

We probably spent more than we should have, but it really provided a relaxing and exciting respite (even though my feet were sore from so much walking!). The best part is that there are still a ton of vegan places there (and elsewhere), so here's hoping I've got enough birthdays left to try them all!