Restaurant Review: Golden Lotus

Me and Thai Iced Tea

I love to eat. Although, many in my circle tease me for eating like a rabbit. Little do they know that not much can put a smile on my face like good quality food. My weeks are full of smoothies, fresh juices, salads, beans, quinoa, fruits, veggies and nuts- but sometimes- (like once every month for about a week)- I crave heavier, rich, filling foods. When these cravings come on there are few restaurants that meet my standards for quality, taste, and health under one roof.
 

Vegan Veggie Pot Stickers with Peanut Sauce

A place I often turn to when I have meat eating visitors or when my palate is craving faux meat is Golden Lotus Restaurant. One of Oakland, California’s most popular vegan restaurants. They are located in the heart of downtown open for lunch until late into the night. Their extensive menu will have you wishing you were hungrier, richer, or available to return the next day. The warm family style atmosphere is light and jovial. The wait staff is attentive and friendly. The Golden Lotus menu creatively names their dishes after popular meat dishes, although everything is vegan. This place is great for large groups, couples, and even a solo date. 
 

Sweet and Sour Chicken with Brown Rice

Gourmet Spicy Lemongrass Chicken

I have frequented this place for over six years now. After trying many different entrees still I return to my favorite: Special #16 Gourmet Spicy Lemongrass Chicken with a side of brown rice and a vegan Thai Ice Tea. I top it off with my favorite dessert of all time: Sweet Sticky Rice and Mango. YUMM!!!

Check this place out and share your experience here. Happy Eating!!!

How to Make a Green Smoothie

Corazon Juice Bar's: Liquid Love

The "heart" of San Francisco California, is in the Mission district where fresh squeezed juice and smoothies from Corazon juice bar call your name. This urban abode is just the place for a pick me up, liquid meal, juice cleanse, or end of the day rejuvenater  It is ran by a native San Franciscan family with a great a story to tell. The menu is creative and reasonably priced. The juice bar is trendy, well lit, and minimal.

Although, it appears small there is enough sitting for a party of 10  (trust me I counted because as soon as I left all I could think of was inviting all of my juicing friends over for a party). Their most popular drink currently is the Super Fresh which is a mix of: cucumber, mint, spinach, pineapple, and apple. This tasty juice is packed with antioxidants, iron, essential minerals, and a fresh kick. I also like the Rhyming Orange. (I haven't tried them all yet)

For many reasons Corazon's existence excites and inspires me.

 1. A juice bar in the Mission District. The Mission is known for many things and most of them are not positive. The mere presence of fresh juice uplifts the community. The enzymes from the juice allow the body to accept nutrients leaving us feeling satisfied and happier. Also, the aroma of fresh juice is so pleasant, young children may begin to ask why "Tampico" doesn't smell that way?

2. Owned by native San Franciscan's: I love seeing natives investing in their own community as opposed to relocating and taking their business dollars away from the cities and towns that nurtured, taught, and raised them. Corazon is contributing to their native city economically by keeping the dollars in the city. While also improving the communities health by offering fresh juices that are known to improve digestion, healing, wellness, and overall well being.

3. Owned by people of color: The people who are plagued most with diet/lifestyle related illnesses such as diabetes, heat disease, obesity and cancer are people of color. Yet, the majority of vegetarian and vegan restaurants/venues/advocates are not these people. I am elated to support any business of color that is promoting health and wellness to others especially if located in a community where people of color reside. Food justice is an epidemic in America. Without access to good quality foods or at least the option to it in my eyes it is a crime.

4. Benefits of juicing: A juice bar helps share the benefits of juicing with others. It plants a seed figuratively and literally into the body about growing into optimum health and wellness. It is a better alternative in both taste and benefit to other popular beverages such as soda, coffee, and energy drinks

"Super Fresh": Cucumber, mint leaves, spinach, pineapple, apple

Above is my "end of the day pick-me-up" after long day with students. As I walk to the juice bar I always see at least five others pouncing the Mission pavement with Corazon cups. What I love most is that these people come from every walk of life I see mothers, business men, students, and teachers like myself drinking the liquid love that comes from Corazon juice bar.

At Home Chef: Vegan Taco Recipe

Homemade Vegan Tacos

Ingredients:

Romaine Lettuce or red cabbage or dino kale
1/2 Red Pepper
1 Tomato
1/2 Onion
Guacamole
Corn tortillas
Daiya Mozzarella Cheese
Seasonings to taste (Chilli powder, Himalayan salt, black pepper)
Your favorite brand of fuax meat

Prep:
Chopp all vegetables: tomato, onion, red pepper, lettuce.

Cook:
In a pan pour in 1/2 of chopped yellow onion with 1/4c. water. This will create its own oil which will rule out having to use any oils that could become carcinogenic if used at high temperatures. Next pour in your faux meat, stir as you season it. Cook for 4-6 minutes.

In a skillet with water and onion or oil lightly fry the tortilla to your liking. Let sit on a paper towel to catch excess oil.

Presentation:
On a plate, in this order add tortilla face up, meat, cheese, lettuce, veggies, guacamole and salsa if you like. Wah La!!!! Vegan Tacos. Enjoy!!!

Portal Restaurant's Vegan Brunch

I visited Portal Restaurant for their Sunday Brunch and it was awesome. Great service, great prices, great music, great location, and an assortment of menu options. I got the fruit bowl with a side of granola this was the safest vegan option however, this is a great place for vegetarians. I ate on the patio which overlooked Oakland's Lake Merritt it was beautiful. I will be back.

At Home Chef: Bean and Sprouts Bowl

This is one of my staple meals that I find myself eating several times a week. I make a large pot of black beans and purchase all of my veggies on Sunday. Creating this meal takes very little time. I have included the ingredients below.

Ingredients:
1 bunch Kale
Red pepper
4 cups cooked Black beans (with onion, garlic, vegetable broth)
Broccoli sprouts 

First I soak the beans overnight to release the enzyme inhibitors. Next, in a big pot I combine the black beans, vegetable broth, onions, and garlic into a crock pot (slow cooker) to cook overnight. Once the beans are done I get a bowl fill it with shredded kale, chopped red peppers, cooked black beans, and finally I cover it with broccoli sprouts. I also like to add shredded carrots, radish, and spinach.

Sound Familiar?

Encuentro Cafe and Wine Bar: Raw Vegan Dinner

Whoever said vegans have no fun- didn't have me in mind.

 I have fun daily preparing my meals in my kitchen and eating out at least 2x a week with friends. Last week I ate at a fairly new Downtown Oakland Vegetarian/Vegan and raw vegan friendly Cafe and Wine Bar named Encuentro. There were many fresh options on the menu ALL vegetarian with a vegan option. Although, I didn't leave fully satisfied my salad was very tasty and pleasing to the eye.

Watermelon Salad

Raw Strawberry Cheesecake

My Vegan Supplements and Vitamins

On a daily I wash my system with green juices, green leafy veggies, wheat grass, and several servings of fruit and veggies along with complete vegan proteins and healthy fats. So, if you ask me I think my diet supplies me with ALLLLL of the nutrients I need. However, I do know there are a few things that could be supplemented to ensure this to be fact. 

      Below are the supplements I take along with the benefits they provide. I always buy them vegan and if I ever question their integrity I read the back for clue words to reveal otherwise. Clue words to look out for: gelatin, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish.....etc...(sounds odd but these items can sometimes be in your capsules) 

B12:  Is needed for formation of blood cells, it prevents anemia, aids in DNA synthesis, and it helps break down fats and proteins.

Calcium-Magnesium: This double threat supplement helps balance each other in the body. The individual benefits are sustained by the other supplements support to absorb properly in the body. Calcium: builds and maintains bones and teeth, regulates heartbeat, sleep patterns, and nutrient passage. Magnesium: is a mineral that regulates normal heart rhythm, converts blood sugar into energy, and metabolizes calcium properly.

Probiotics: Known as “friendly bacteria” helps to restore symbiosis (balance) between the harmful bacteria and good bacteria in the stomach. It supports the immune system and protects against yeast build up in the body.

Digestive enzymes: This is absolutely necessary if you eat cooked food which is enzyme-less. These supplements properly digest all foods breaking the nutrients down into a form that can pass through the intestine wall and into the bloodstream.

D3: Protects from cancer, enhances immune function by fighting off infectious diseases, and improves cardiovascular health. 

Daily Multivitamin: just to be sure : )


In addition, to these I also add supplements to my smoothies. These include:

Chia seeds: High in fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids 

Maca Powder: Peruvian root that helps balance hormones and caffeine free energy 

Aloe Vera Juice: Supports digestion, relieves aches and pains 

Vega Protein powder: 15g non-dairy protein 


Chlorophyll (add to water): Gives oxygen to cells, supports immune function, contains magnesium

Flacos Vegan Tacos

Flacos Vegan Taco and Tequito 

I am not a fan of faux meat or soy products however, I made an exception for Flacos Vegan Restaurant in Berkeley, CA. My goal is try every vegan eatery in my surrounding area, this goal led me to Flacos where the service was warm, prices good, and the food very tasty. I also, had a vegan horchata made from rice milk it was delicious. (Sorry, no picture for it.) Check them out if you're ever in town.

My Vegan Meal Plan

Vegan Food Pyramid

I’d like to think I’m a fairly organized person- I organize my days, my to-do list, sometimes my house- but always my meals. Meal planning keeps my lifestyle stress free as I balance work, exercise, and a social life. When I plan my meals out I am rarely hungry, meals are simple and easier to prepare, and it leaves less room to eat foods I do not consider desirable. 

There are a few steps I follow to keep meal planning and preparing simple. First, I create a weekly meal plan every Sunday next, I create a grocery list, then I purchase my groceries, and finally I prepare and store my meals for the week.

I do not shop without my list and I try not to deviate from it. I do allow myself one extra thing not on the list for fun this structure supports my finances and my diet. I strive to purchase only whole foods, unproccessed, unpackaged, and  uncanned. Although, sometimes I do buy frozen berries for smoothies. When I create my meal plans I always  take into account my activity level. I run between 25-35 miles a week in addition to 3-4 weight training sessions a week. With that in mind I need enough oxygen giving foods from green leafy vegetables, protein from nuts, seeds, beans, and quinoa, healthy fats from avocado and coconut oil and lots of water from fruits, veggies, and by the glass of course.

In a nutshell:

1. Create a meal plan on Sunday
2. Make grocery list
3. Purchase groceries
4. Prepare meals for the week
5. Store them in glass containers or plastic bags in fridge

My Sweet tooth is slowly fading away!

A sample meal plan for me looks like this:
Days 1,3,5 (Very active days)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday total: 1,823 Calories

	Meal 1	Meal 2	Meal 3	Meal 4	Meal 5	Meal 6
Hot water w/ lemon + Glutamine, Probitotic	Green Smoothie: Spinach, strawberries, blueberries, banana, coconut water, aloe vera juice, maca powder, chia seeds + Multivitamin 300 calories	4 Collards Wraps w/ hummus, sprouts, celery, cucumber, tomato, red pepper + Digestive Enzyme 275 calories	Big Fat Salad: Kale, spinach, tomato, sprouts, cucumber, avocado, red pepper, seeds, tahini dressing 260 calories	Peanut Butter and Banana 305 calories	Kale, quinoa, black beans, sweet potato + all supplements 470 calories	Banana, almond milk Vega Protein powder smoothie 213 calories

You notice there aren’t any sweets on this meal plan aside from fruit. My sweet tooth is slowly fading away. I used to crave cookies, pies, and ice cream. Now, I reach for a banana, a handful of grapes, or a few dates. AND when these aren’t enough (which sometimes they’re not during certain times of the month) I reach for 80% dark chocolate or raw coconut ice cream.

Green Juice gets Swag

Vegan Kitchen Staples