Des Moines, Iowa

If you travel often, the perks can make the road a little easier to take. I’m Platinum Elite at Marriott properties. That means room upgrades, access to the concierge lounge if available, and more points. The conference I’m attending had a Marriott Renaissance as a recommended hotel. I booked in for 4 nights at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dsmbr-renaissance-des-moines-savery-hotel/#close. This is a converted hotel and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I actually look forward to staying in places such as this rather than a cookie-cutter hotel room that looks the same in Boston as it does in San Francisco. But, this means you need to be prepared for the quirks of an old building. There may be older fixtures and accessories. Embrace the differences rather than finding the flaws.

Upon my arrival late Sunday night, I was warmly greeted by the hotel staff, provided a room upgrade to a larger room on the top floor down the hall from the concierge lounge. The concierge lounge provides access to free beverages and snacks, free morning breakfast and free evening appetizers. I was comped the 2 Gatorade’s I grabbed from the drink cabinet at check-in, as the concierge lounge closed 5 minutes before my arrival, and I got to “spin the wheel” and received an extra 750 Marriot points. Why are points important? Not only do your yearly points determine your status for the next year but you redeem points for free hotel stays. For instance, my wife and I have to drop our daughter off at Boston’s Logan airport next week so she can travel to Paris for thesis research. After we drop her off and get done crying, we are heading in to the city to spend the night at a Marriott Vacation Club property, Pulse at Custom House, right in downtown Boston https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosch-marriott-vacation-club-pulse-at-custom-house-boston/ using points. I’ll only pay to park the car. Running in Boston Gardens is on the menu but we’ll save that for another blog.

Monday I visited the concierge lounge for breakfast which for me was steel-cut oatmeal with a tablespoon of granola and a plate of fresh fruit, heavy on the blackberries. The berries boost your immune system and can help stave off a number of disease conditions. This was my go-to breakfast for the rest of the week, with a Vega shake thrown in for variety (I bring my own shaker on the road).

Monday night I visited Zombie Burger(http://zombieburgerdm.com/)  located just across the river in downtown Des Moines on the recommendation of a few Iowans . You can choose your own patty and they have 2 vegetarian options; Nibog Veggie Nut Patty and a Grilled Portobello. I had the Nibog patty which was fine, but often when I’m getting a veggie burger or veggie hot dog, it’s all about the toppings. Fries can be important, and I approve of the fries at Zombie Burger. They were crisp and hot. I went with the 28 Days Later burger, with blue cheese, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, fresh white onion, mayo (I’m not 100% vegan yet, try not to judge). I liked the burger and the bun. They also have gourmet shakes but I had just run 5 miles and I couldn’t bring myself to add the calories.

Tuesday night I was dragged along by my co-workers to El Bait Shop (http://elbaitshop.com/ ), which is near the Iowa Cubs ballpark and boasts the world’s largest selection of American craft beers, with over 185 on tap. The beer menu is pages long and while it is all lost on me (I no longer drink alcohol) two of my co-workers order up. There’s a fun atmosphere to the place, which I guess should be no surprise with all that beer flowing. We ordered Guac and Chips and the Hot Pepper Cheese sticks which were not bad. I like my guacamole with chunks of avocado in it, theirs was smooth, and so I can’t be sure it was freshly made onsite. There are a few vegetarian items on the menu but only one entrée, so I didn’t have to struggle to make a decision, Vegetarian Burrito it is. It was filling but nothing special. However, if you are not a vegetarian and you like a craft beer, the menu is varied and it’s conveniently located near the ballpark and the downtown area.

Wednesday night was a much better experience for a vegetarian. A colleague and I met up with 2 customers at Eatery/A  (http://www.eateryadsm.com/) located in the Woodland Heights neighborhood. I passed through the neighborhood earlier in the day while on a run and had noticed a number of trendy looking restaurants. This neighborhood is about 2 miles from the Renaissance – Hotel Savory. I had looked at the menu on my phone and knew I’d have more to choose from. The restaurant is on Ingersoll and has patio seating but we chose to stay inside and dine at the bar. My colleague was born in India but spent a lot of time in Egypt and enjoys the cuisine and we were able to quickly agree on appetizers of Hummus and Fiery Baba Ghanoush. Both exceeded my expectations. For my main course, I went with the Cauliflower & Chickpea Falafel, which comes with flatbread, hummus, pickled veggies and raita (picture below). This was really, really good and I left nothing on my plate. A few Apple Beignets and an espresso ended the evening. This was more food than I usually eat in two days, never mind one meal, but it tasted so good and the company and atmosphere lent itself to enjoying a great meal. Take a look at their website for pictures on the interior and exterior but let me say that the service as top-notch and I will definitely return to Eatery/A on my next visit.

My last day in Des Moines has me on a 6:40 pm flight. Thunderstorms and tornado warnings have plagued the area the last few days. I put my chances of getting home tonight at 50/50 but I’m determined to make the most of the day. Another perk of my Marriott Platinum status is late check-out. Yes, anyone can ask for a late check-out but it is always at the discretion of the hotel. Being platinum, I’ve never been turned down. When I call down and ask, the very cheery clerk says something to the effect of “Oh, I have to take care of my platinum guests, how about x:00 pm”. This is fantastic as it means I can get over to the last ½ day of the conference and then come back and change into casual clothes for the long trip back east. My fellow travelers who’ve had to change in an airport bathroom stall know what I’m talking about.

For my last meal in Des Moines, I turn to the internet and search for vegan/vegetarian restaurants and spot a hip looking place about a mile down the road from me called Ritual Café (http://www.ritualcafedsmiowa.net/#about) and see they have an all vegetarian menu, (Hemp-nut Smoothies?!?!) albeit a small one. I head down Locust and when I get to 1301 Locust, there is no Ritual Café, just an entrance to an apartment building and a restaurant called Proof that isn’t open yet. This isn’t the first time I’ve found a restaurant on the interwebs only to find it shut down when I get there. You’d think I’d have learned to make a simple phone call first, but I haven’t. 

Bummed out, I head back down Locust towards my hotel, figuring I’ll stop somewhere along the way. I stop at Centro (http://www.centrodesmoines.com/) and ask to see the menu. I spot a few likely lunch items and take a seat in the bar area. I really want to try the Fried Brussel Sprouts but the price tells me it’s a large portion. George’s Veggie Burger (wood-grilled veggie burger, pepper jack cheese, roasted corn relish, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red onion and chipotle dressing on a toasted ciabatta bun) catches my eye, but how many veggie burgers can one man eat in a lifetime? I order the small portion of Portobello Fries and a ½ portion of the Tofu Gnocchi (sautéed mushroom, red onion, tomato, spinach, garlic, basil, shallots, olive oil). While I’m waiting for my food, I go back online to see if I can find out when Ritual Café shut down. Maybe they moved. I look at the reviews on a few sites to see if I can find a timeline and notice some recent posts, some with pictures, and the Google information that appears first on the phone which shows map location, contact info, and hours open shows “open today”. I start to think I somehow missed it. Is it on a higher floor? I’ve already placed my order at Centro so decide to head back after I eat, find out where I went wrong and maybe grab a coffee. Again, my eyes are bigger than my stomach, but I’m not regretting my choices. The gnocchi and Portobello fries are excellent and the service is great.

After lunch, I step out into the heat and head back up Locust for another try. This time, as I’m coming up to the intersection of Locust and 13^th ST, I notice the building extends up 13^TH, and there it is, Ritual Café ( http://www.ritualcafedsmiowa.net/#about). I’m not the smartest guy on the planet, but am I the only one to have missed this address the first time around? To me, it is clearly on 13^th ST, not Locust, but what do I know about city living, I live in a town of 5,000 people. If I had done my homework ahead of time, not only would I have gotten the location correct, but I would have ended up here for coffee every morning of my visit. It’s my kind of place, with the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and the place decorated with local artists’ work. It has a small but all-vegetarian menu, with vegan items as well, but I am really full from lunch. This doesn’t stop me from eating a pumpkin muffin with my espresso, though. I’m sure to return on my next visit.

As I’m set to leave the city, I realize Des Moines has a lot to offer, with different neighborhoods with distinct vibes. There is a lot of building going on downtown, with new condos all over.  I’m told by the locals that the real estate market is hot, with new condos going up downtown and lean listings. Now, if they could just do something about the winters.

Willows Plant-based Eatery

 

It’s March 30 and I’m in Concord, New Hampshire on business. I like to check out local establishments when I travel and with a little luck and a google search, I can usually find options to fit the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle. Last night’s experience at a local Applebee’s won’t be repeated. I have a friend who lives in Concord and since I was in town on business, I arranged to pick him up to meet for dinner. My mistake was allowing him to pick the restaurant. I dimly remembered that one of the chains (TGI Friday, Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday) had a sparse vegetarian menu and it turned out to be Applebee’s. Hey, it’s their restaurant and they can (obviously) choose to serve whatever they want. I just find it strange that there is not a single vegetarian option on the entire menu. Page after page of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and entrees and not a single thing a non-meat eater can chow down on. You’d think that there’d be something by accident!  Nada! I asked the waitress if they had a vegetarian burger patty. No, sorry…. How hard is it to keep a box of frozen Black Bean burgers in the corner of the freezer? Cross that restaurant chain off the list.

In between meetings the next day I decide to check out a restaurant called “Willows Plant-Based Eatery” located at 55 South Main Street. I’d driven by it on other trips to Concord but had yet to stop in. For whatever reason, my usual routine had included a veggie burger at “The Common Man”. Good thing I stepped outside the routine.

It’s a mild spring day (unlike today with snow falling as I write this). There’s some construction happening on a good stretch of Main Street but don’t let that deter you. It’s worth the effort. I park on the street and walk a block up to the restaurant. The outside façade is nondescript and the inside is nothing fancy but we’re here for the food, not the décor, right?

 


The menu has a surprising variety and all the items are vegan. You could eat here every week and it would be a while before you ran out of options. I’m happy to see seitan entrees in addition to tofu. In my opinion, seitan tastes better and is more versatile than tofu. I like the consistency better than tofu, as well.

I start off with a cup of the Tofu Noodle soup. One mouthful and I immediately regret not getting a bowl instead of a cup. It’s nice and spicy with what appears to be black pepper. I finish it off by upending the cup to get the last of it. Hey, it’s called a cup for a reason.

I’m tempted to go with the Tofu Scramble special displayed on the specials board outside the restaurant but at the last minute I go with the High Vibes. This has seared seitan, sautéed peppers and onions, garlic and spinach. It shows up with a handful of tasty blue corn chips. The wrap tastes as good as it looks and I leave the restaurant satisfied and wishing I had come here sooner.

Next time you find yourself in Concord, I recommend you stop at Willow’s. You won’t be disappointed.

I’m not here to push an agenda. This isn’t a weight-loss program, though I’m going to talk about losing weight. This isn’t about telling you what to eat or not to eat, though I’m going to talk about the choices we make and the impact that has on our health. This isn’t about trying to convince you to be a vegetarian, though I’m going to talk about the effect this can have on health. So what am I talking about? Lifestyle. Pure and simple. And I’m probably going to say things that you might regard as controversial or radical and might make you angry. So be it.  

As a bit of background, I’ve been a vegetarian for about 7 years with a 1 year stint as a vegan. Currently I am about 90% vegan and 10% vegetarian. I am just about at the jumping off point again after reading Russell Simmons’ book, The Happy Vegan, which also prompted me to attend my first beginner’s yoga class last week. Next one is tomorrow morning. Yoga is a present to me after dropping 28 pounds in 6 months, 28 pounds I didn’t know I needed to lose. I thought, maybe 10, but in the program I went through with my wife, the weight just kept coming off. I’m in the maintenance phase now. How long is the maintenance phase? Oh, it only lasts until I die. It doesn’t feel like a chore, though. By the way, my wife lost 40 pounds. She looks fantastic and feels even better. I look and feel better than I have at any point in my 51 years on the planet in this current incarnation. I try not to be self-centered but then I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror as I’m getting dressed and I have to stop. I can’t help it. Who knew that changing what I eat and adding exercise could result in such a drastic change? Ok, probably a lot of people knew it. I just didn’t think it applied to me or that I could do it. Or that I would enjoy it so much. I’m here to tell you that it can apply to you too, if you want it to.

I realize what a person eats is a very personal thing. My decision to not eat animals is very personal to me. The fact that I still have some dairy in my diet will cause some militant vegans to call me out for not being there yet. Their strident voices are ringing in my ears as I write this. They do more to turn people away than to convert them to their cause. No one wants to be told what they should eat. I think the way to get there should be based on attraction rather than promotion. I won’t tell people what to eat or why they shouldn’t eat a particular food. What I will do is tell them what works for me and when they question my choices, which they almost always do, I’ll patiently explain how I arrived at the place I’m at now. Once in a while, I’ll get an angry response. Again, what we eat is a personal choice. But sometimes, people feel threatened by my vegetarianism, as if what I eat somehow affects them. I don’t understand it, other than to assume that I’ve touched a nerve, caused them to have to look at their own behaviors. All the better.

I’m going to wrap up this current post on the advice of my daughter, who provided the constructive criticism that my Valentine’s Day post was too long. In the coming weeks I’ll describe the lifestyle changes that led to the weight loss for me and my wife. I’ll tell you what you (and your significant other) can do to achieve the same results. I’m hope you’ll find it informative and interesting. But I invite you to form your own program and to investigate things on your own. I’ll give you a preview: make a conscious decision to know what’s in anything you put in your mouth. Sounds simple but it’s actually astounding that most of us have no idea what we are eating and the effect it has on our health and how we feel.

Last but not least, here are a few of the podcasts I follow. I highly recommend them:

·        

      The Rich Roll Podcast

·         Dr. Rhonda Patrick (Foundmyfitness)

I’m about a week later than I wanted to be getting this Valentine’s Day 2016 blog post out. I blame it on Fallout 4. Some of you will understand only too well. If you are like me, you will find almost any excuse to not do the very thing that you are supposed to.

Our Valentine’s Day getaway begins on Saturday with a drive up to the northwest corner of Connecticut. Our destination is the Mountain View Inn ( http://www.mvinn.com/) in Norfolk. Nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires and boasting the summer session of the Yale School of Music and Art.  What’s drawing us there is the Infinity Music Hall & Bistro (http://www.infinityhall.com/Venues/Infinity-Norfolk/) and a Saturday night concert by Tim Reynolds and TR3. If you are a Dave Matthews Band fan, you will recognize Tim Reynolds as the wildly talented guitar player for the band. When DMB is not touring or recording, Tim Reynolds & TR3 can be seen in smaller venues all over. We had never seen the TR3 and were looking forward to the event. It was coincidental that it was on Valentine’s Day weekend and in such a picturesque location. That being the case, we decided to make a weekend of it. It’s hard to plan on the weather, and that weekend happened to be one of the coldest in recent memory. Below is a pic from the temperature gauge in our car.

We located the Mountain View Inn about a mile from the venue and checked in. We were greeted at the door by one of the owners, Dean. We met his wonderful wife, Jean Marie, the next morning. Dean led us up to our beautiful room which included an un-heated sleeping porch! Our very survival dictated we save the sleeping porch for a return trip in the summer. Look closely at the photos, notice the  frosted windows and a temperature reading -9`?!  The Inn is truly a thing to behold and if you want to see additional photos, check out their many positive reviews on Trip Advisor.

We had just enough time for a quick nap before heading to our reservations at the Bistro, part of the Infinity Music Hall & Bistro.

The restaurant was a busy but well run operation, with most of the patrons trying to get in and out in time for the show. We had checked out the menu online beforehand (Remember me giving that advice in an earlier post?!?!) so we knew there would be vegetarian options. We just didn’t know the decision was going to be so difficult. We decided to split a Baked Brie Turnover (Fig Marmalade|Toasted Walnuts|Cranberry Coulis) and a Goat Cheese and Beets salad. (I don’t want to blow anyone’s mind or anything, but did you know that not all cheese is vegetarian? I’ll save the entire story for another blog but if you just can’t wait, google ”rennet” and remember; don’t hate the messenger, hate the people that can’t stop finding uses for calves). For an entrée, my wife had the Baked Gnocchi (Spinach|Walnut Pesto|Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce) and I went with the Teriyaki Tofu Chow Mein (Soy-Plum Glaze|Udon Noodles|Broccoli|Carrots|Scallions|Sesame Seeds).  All the food was fantastic and had nothing to do with the fact that my wife and I were nearing the end of a 6 month weight loss study during which we had drastically cut down on eating out. This weight loss study had created a fundamental shift in the way we think about food and now influences not only what we eat but our exercise, podcast listening choices, books we read; in other words, a lifestyle change. I’ve lost 25 Lbs I didn’t know I needed to lose and my wife has lost 38 lbs and is still going. But, you don’t want to hear about that, do you?

We finished up and headed to our seats in the concert hall. This is an intimate, 300 seat venue that was built in 1883 as an opera house. It’s a great place to see a show. I’ll let someone else provide the concert review, but suffice it to say we had a great time!  Tim Reynolds is a gifted, prolific guitarist and the bassist and drummer are fine musicians in their own right.

After the show, we hurried back to our car through the -9` night for the quick drive back to the Inn and a warm bed.

We awoke to the windows frosted over as a result of the continuing deep freeze. Staying at a Bed & Breakfast is different than staying at a hotel in a lot of ways. It’s much more personal, as you are sharing a home with the owners, no matter the size of the accommodations. The “Breakfast” part of the B&B for the Mountain View Inn was posted as being from 8:30 am – 9:30 am. Since we were a little early, we poured coffee and walked around the lower floor, admiring the artwork painted by Dean himself. Dean let us know when the meal was ready and we headed in to the dining room.

As long-time vegetarians, there are certain meal situations in which you expect to be disappointed and hungry. A B&B is one of those places. They serve a minimal number of guests fresh homemade breakfast. They don’t serve multiple options to the masses. Most importantly, this is someone’s home and we did not expect, or ask, them to do anything differently.

There was plenty of good food for us vegetarians including sweet potatoes, egg-bake with asparagus, fresh fruit, and muffins. We left the table and the Inn well-rested and well-fed for the drive back home. 

It’s the morning after Superbowl 50 and it’s 5:00 am. I’m not a morning person at the best of times but on a cold morning in February, I especially dislike it. I’ve only managed about 6 hours sleep as I never sleep well when I know I have an early plane to catch. My flight is at 7:05 am out of Bradley and I have things timed out pretty well. A quick shower (I shaved the night before which is one of my secrets) and a bite to eat and out the door. But first, I step on the scale and though I’m still half-asleep, I’m shocked at what I see. Somehow I’ve put on 2.5 lbs from Friday morning to Monday. Ok, Friday was a snow day which means my beautiful wife made chocolate chip cookies, and we ordered in a pizza for dinner, and I didn’t get out to the gym because of the snow but I still managed to run 5 miles around the block on Sunday. And, if you read my last blog post, you know I didn’t eat much on Superbowl Sunday, so where the hell did the weight gain come from? I’ll have to figure that out later. Right now I have a plane to catch. So I go into survival mode. I have a quick turn-around tonight to get back home and I won’t be walking in the door until 11:00 pm at the earliest. That means no opportunity to work out. I have to work with what I have.

Eating on the road as a vegetarian and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle can be tricky. I decide to pack accordingly. I’m not taking any luggage, just my briefcase so whatever I’m taking needs to fit in there with all my business gear. Breakfast consists of a Think Thin protein bar. This will give me a good start to the morning. Enough calories and protein to get me going (along with a few cups of black coffee). In the bag goes a Clif Bar, another protein bar, and my portable shaker with a packet of Vega One shake mix. As it turns out, I don’t end up using it on this day but it’s good to have it available. I can mix the powder with water or milk or a milk substitute (Almond milk is my favorite), shake for a minute or two, and I have a meal.

At the airport, I have 15 minutes to spare in the Admirals Club lounge. I eat a 100 calorie yogurt and mix in a spoonful of walnuts from the toppings selection. This gives me something of substance in my stomach and I’m on my first flight to Philly. In Philly, I have a few hours before my flight to Harrisburg and I again make use of the Admirals Club Lounge. Philly is not high on my list of favorite airports, but the club lounge there is nice. I camp out in the Quiet Area and spend a few hours working. Other than a cup of coffee (Starbucks Via that I always bring with me) I manage to stay away from the food offerings. As I’m getting on the shuttle bus over to Terminal F, I mentally kick myself for not walking the route given I won’t be hitting the gym. That’s an opportunity lost.

At the Harrisburg Airport, I’m picked up by a co-worker and we head to a Starbucks’s near the client site. This gives us free wifi and the chance to go over our presentation. Our meeting isn’t until 3:00 pm so we are left with a little time on our hands and lunch is in order. There’s a Qdoba fast food place in the same plaza so we head over. As I’m staring at the menu board, the staff person asks if she can help. I ask if she has any nutritional information on the menu items. With an apologetic tone, she informs me they had something at one time but lost it. Can she help me with something specific? I tell her I’m a vegetarian and am trying to watch what I eat. She steers me to the salads. This is dangerous ground. The next time you’re out to eat at a place that has the caloric values on the menu, check out the salads. You might be surprised to find that often the salads are no more healthier than a burger. I decide to make my own salad (picture included!) and go with greens, a small portion of corn, a scoop of beans for protein and to fill me up, and no dressing. I augment this with a protein bar from my bag. This is my lunch.

Our meeting goes well and my co-worker drops me back at the Harrisburg airport at around 5:30 pm. I eat the Clif Bar while waiting for my flight which takes me back through Philly. The F Terminal is fairly new and has a number of restaurant choices. I spend 15 minutes wandering around looking longingly at the menus. Yes, I can have a gourmet veggie burger and fries for about 1,000 calories but the scale reading this morning keeps me from pulling the trigger. Back to the club Lounge I go. There, I eat exactly 3 short stalks of celery, 2 cherry tomatoes, and 4 baby carrots. It’s been snowing all day in Connecticut and I land at 10:30 to a slow drive home. I’m in bed at about 11:30 pm after a loooooong day. The next morning I step on the scale to see if my strategy has worked. I’m down 2.5 lbs from my Friday weight! What the hell?!?! My guess is I had water retention from sodium intake, with the pizza being the likely culprit. I could have had the BURGER! But, truth be told, I’m glad I skipped it.

Thanks for tuning in. In my upcoming blogs I’ll be talking about my work-out regimen, a healthy lifestyle/weight loss program I’ve been participating in, and a Valentine’s Day weekend at a Bed & Breakfast with a concert by Tim Reynolds & TR3 thrown in. 

Monday after the Super Bowl starts with a 5:00 am wake-up. I need to get ready to head to the airport for a 7:00 am flight but not before a quick look outside. Forecast called for early morning snow but thankfully (?) nothing is falling at the moment. I have a long day ahead of me, with my return flight scheduled to land at 11:30 pm. With luck, I’ll be in my own bed at 12:30 am, but not before a nineteen or twenty hour day is lived to its fullest. But seriously, it’s the day after the Super Bowl, I’ve had about 5 hours of broken sleep, and I’m just hoping to present professionally in front of the client. In the next article I’ll talk about food for this Monday trip but first I’ll share about last night’s Super Bowl party.

I belong to a social club in downtown Hartford, CT. I’ll save the type of club for another day but I’ve been a member for about 2 years. I’ll drop in maybe once a week and a probably 2x a month my wife and I will stop in after enjoying dinner somewhere. The party in the club lounge was reserved for members only and you could bring 1 guest. The cost was $20.00 as it was going to be catered, with beer also provided. The owner is a great guy and appreciates my business. I’m sure if I had called to tell him I’m a vegetarian, he would have accommodated me in some manner. But, I didn’t. I assumed there would be something there for me to enjoy, some cheese, a salad assortment, etc. And for a vegetarian, that is rolling the dice. So, while everyone enjoyed 5 different entrees, all with meat, I enjoyed a plate of rice and boiled cabbage. Yes, I could have called up the street for a pizza, but that would have made the owner feel bad and I would have stood out like a sore thumb.

What’s the lesson learned here? Don’t hesitate to make the call, especially when you’re paying the same as everyone else. Worst case, they’ve already ordered the food and can’t accommodate you. But at least then you can bring the pizza with a clear conscience. 

It isn't always easy being a vegetarian in this world of ours. If you adhere to a vegetarian eating lifestyle, you've dealt with your share of frustrations when dining out or attending gatherings for work or pleasure. With perseverance and the right attitude, it can be done. It helps to be proactive. When dining out, check the menu of the restaurant beforehand. If the menu isn't available online, don't be embarrassed to ask the server for suggestions or to inquire if a particular item is vegetarian. I'm still somewhat surprised how often the server and sometimes the restaurant isn't sure exactly what's in the dish. Hey, you're serving it and you don't know the ingredients?  Is it made with chicken stock or vegetable stock? Wait, it has gelatin in it? Do you know what gelatin is, man? Nasty stuff.

But, with a smartphone and access to the internet, things can go much easier. Yelp is a go-to app for me, as I can often use it to track down vegetarian restaurants in whatever city I'm in. And there's no denying that vegetarian eating is becoming more mainstream. When all else fails, I find a local Whole Foods and make my own meal from their food bar.

More about watching what you eat on the road in my next post.