Green Tortoise, Seattle!

I am extremely happy my first hostel experience was at one of the world famous Green Tortoise hostels! Located across from Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle, the hostel was easy to find, and in a good, clean location. Not only was everyone friendly and professional (including the guests), but I completely felt at home.

This historic hostel was built following the tradition of the Green Tortoise Adventure Club, which started over 30 years ago, and offers a wonderful atmosphere for "young travelers of all ages". Included in a stay is free internet terminals, free WIFI connection, free continental breakfast (7 days a week), free dinner three times a week, and a Wednesday night open mic. The common area is clean, with plenty of tables, chairs and lounging area to plug-in and chill out.

They also offer many different lodging options. A single traveller has an option of a same-sex dorm room, sleeping 8, 6 or 4 people, the prices varying with the number of people. Two people can reserve a double bed (in the same dorm-style atmosphere) or a private room, for an extra cost. Being I am low-maintenance (not even used to having hot water), I opted for the 8 person dorm. Each time I was lucky to have a bed near the door, both on the bottom bunk (yay!). The very spacious locker under the bunk gave me not only enough space for my luggage, but also for me to lay out my necessary items for the next day.

After a long night of sleep in the perfect environment (quiet, with no one on their cell phones or snoring loudly), I was up and enjoying the free continental breakfast. Due to the number of bathrooms, six for every floor, I was able to get out of the hostel and out in the streets in supersonic time.



***I was very upset when I saw the myspace page for those dissatisfied with their stay at the Green Tortoise... not possible! Ironically, the myspace page has only one friend... Tom.

Vancouver's Own.... Chi Cake!!!

Chi (pronounced "chee") Cake is Vancouver's very own low-fat, gluten-free, vegan cheesecake! This amazing cheesecake alternative dessert is made with organic, local ingredients and is lactose, trans fat, and cholesterol free.

Once I researched the Vancouver vegan scene, I knew I had to try some of this local favorite! Out of the many locations that offer Chi Cake, I decided to check it out when I was at Drive Organics, on Commercial Drive. The rich, creamy texture matched with the light crust is a great combination.

Available in NY Style, chocolate hazelnut, even pumpkin, this is a treat worth checking out. Check them out online at http://www.chicake.com



(photo from Chi Cake website.. ate mine so fast didn't have time to snap one of my own!)

The Naam Vancouver, Canada

2724 W. 4th
(Stevens & Mac Donald)
Kitsilano
(604) 738-7151
http://www.thenaam.com
Child Friendly
Open 24 Hours
All major cards accepted

Breakfast menu: http://www.thenaam.com/naam/menus/breakfast1.htm
Lunch/Dinner menu: http://www.thenaam.com/naam/menus/dinner1.htm


Any vegetarian should be aware of this famous restaurant! Depending where you are staying this might be a little out of the way, but this must-see restaurant is open 24 hours a day and is always delicious. Their wide menu and convenient hours make The Naam a modern-day Nirvana!

Since 1967 this hot spot has been offering their extensive menu right along with their award-winning "indifferent" service. OK- the service is not the best ever offered, but the food is amazing & comes quickly.

Their array of different foods from Asian dishes to Mexican, Mediterranean to classic American, there is something for everyone, morning, noon, and night. Boasting burritos, quesadillas, Vietnamese noodle and vegetable bowls, soups, veggie burgers, pita pizzas, enchiladas, nachos, sandwiches, and lots more, makes every visit different and enjoyable for breakfast, lunch or dinner.


The quesadillas are a perfect opportunity to get a true tasting of Vancouver's very own Daiya Cheese, a locally made vegan cheese substitute. A great way to enjoy a classic comfort food, these quesadillas are crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy inside, and seasoned perfectly with just a touch of jalopeno and green onion. Accompanied by a small salad and their signature fries with miso gravy, this is an extremely tasty and fulfilling meal.

After the main meal, they offer many desserts, hot beverages, shakes, beers and ciders.

All of their dishes are vegetarian, and they offer some vegan and macrobiotic options. Also, as they mention on their menu, the complete list of ingredients for each dish are not listed, so it is a good idea to ask your server exactly what you are ordering. If they are a bit short or curt with you, it is what they are known for. Smile and know you have an amazing experience coming!

Sweet Cheribum Vegetarian Eatery (Vancouver, Canada)

1105 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, Canada
(604) 253-0969
10 AM - 10 PM
http://www.sweetcheribum.com
Menu: http://www.sweetcherubim.com/pdf/SweetCherubimMenu.pdf
All major credit cards accepted!

This major vegetarian/vegan conglomerate has been a part of Vancouver, Canada since 1980, when the Bagga family started this veggie venture. They promote vegetarianism for the reasons of world hunger, world health, world peace & world environment.


The first entrance leads to their small, but packed health store stocking everything from whole ingredients to prepackaged foods, bath and beauty supplies to books, they have it all. Perfect for the traveler who is not allowed many beautification product on the plane, or someone interested in the best products from Vancouver.


Exploring the store is a great adventure of local and organic products, but proves difficult for the dessert lover, for the smells and scents coming through the threshold of the bakery.

The postre collection Sweet Cheribum has to offer is outstanding. Not only do they host a large cookie selection, but they also display many creative, natural desserts like fruit and nut combination delights, balls & squares. This is all well and good for those who have a far smaller sweet tooth, but if you are looking for the big contenders there are cookies, cakes & cupcakes. All the desserts are vegetarian, some being vegan. Their chocolate covered macaroon is a very satisfying choice. This moist cookie, with a hint of coconut and covered in chocolate, is the satisfaction that a sweet tooth is looking for!

Even if Sweet Cheribum is visited just for the bakery, the eatery is worth checking out. Their hot buffet has an Indian feel, with their selections of dahls, nan, and wide variety of somosas and subjis, but they also have many mediterannian salads and pakoras, tapas, and other choices. The bufet and restaurant is very clean and organized, and the dishes are all vegetarian, mostly vegan.

The main entrée of lentil dahl with multigrain vegan bread & salad offers an amazing taste combination. The dahl is very flavorful, with a heat that lingers a bit (but definitely not too hot) and the freshly baked bread is an appropriate accent.
The raw salad dressing packs a possible larger punch then the dahl! Consisting of tahini, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, dates & lemon as the main ingredients, this dressing offers a huge blast of flavor that compliment the spiciness of the dahl.

With many lunch and dinner entrees and combinations, and even snacks on the go, Sweet Cheribum is a place that can be visited over and over again for different experiences.. all of them delicious!

Teapot Vegan House Seattle, WA

354 15th Ave. E.
Capitol Hill
(206) 325-1010
www.teapotvegetarianhouse.com

Seattle's favorite tea house is 100% vegan, mostly serving Pan-Asian cuisine. Their small lunch menu, they boast a much larger dinner menu, is great for lunch, a mid-day snack, or a group tea. Now located above a Subway sandwich shop at Harrison Street, the decor, Asian specialties, good tea selection, and vegan desserts make this a worthy stop while in the area.

Their red tea with pot stickers is a good combination, and main courses like Mandarin Crispy Tofu & Mongolian Beef are widely talked about. If you are going for a main dish, leave room for their desserts, like Mango Cheesecake! Also, every Saturday night they have live entertainment. Call ahead to check the schedule.

Check Us Out On Vegdining.com!

When I was just getting into writing, I didn't know what avenues to take to start a professional career. I tried to write about what I knew... Life in the Caribbean? That's interesting! So is Puerto Rican history. What does San Juan have? Tourists. By the boatload. I brainstormed, and finally came down to travel writing, and vegan living. These were the two I had the most passion for, and confidence in.

As I started my blogs, and was writing/brainstorming how to keep them interesting, I would take little breaks and go to http://www.vegdining.com to review vegan restaurants that I had eaten in. It was a great feeling to escape the mess I was unraveling, and to accomplish a full review (one to three paragraphs?). I would go back to my disaster with a much more optimistic outlook.

It turns out, I had written many reviews.. somewhere around 35. They were having a contest at the time, and even thought I would not fly to the states to cash in a vegan dinner certificate, I figured at least I could win some books, or information. I dug deep, thought of every place I had ever gone, and did not lie about a one. It felt good, and fed the writing fire.

I must have gotten their attention, for Dennis contacted me and asked if I would like to freelance write for the travel section of vegdining.com! I was so excited! This tied my two passions together perfectly, and I can now actually say I am a freelance travel writer! I never felt happier.

So, if you have an account, or would like to start one, please check out my first two articles on St. Thomas, USVI, and Old San Juan, PR. The words and photos are from yours truly!

And a BIG thank you to Dennis for making this happen & giving me the opportunity!


http://www.vegdining.com