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San Francisco with Kids: 4 Day Family Friendly Itinerary

San Francisco might be most famous for the Golden Gate Bridge but there is so much more to the city than the big red bridge. I was seriously surprised at how much the city has to offer – chic neighbourhoods, picture perfect streets, museums and art galleries galore, beautiful parks and gorgeous views from just about any corner. So, read on if you’re soon heading to San Francisco, with kids.

You could easily and happily spend a week here but you probably want to see more of the West Coast, so I’ll keep it shorter. Still, if you’re flying straight into San Francisco from Asia, I would recommend staying for at least 4-5 days as you’ll probably end up wasting a day, thanks to jet lag.

Our first day in San Francisco with kids was mostly zombie-like – think 16.5 hours in the air with 3 kid. That was followed by trying to stay awake the entire day to adjust to the 15-hour time difference.  By day 2, though, I was completely in love with the city – San Francisco is simply beautiful and it has such a cool vibe to it.

We rented a car and stayed in an Airbnb apartment in Daly city. We mostly drove around but took Ubers on a couple of occasions as parking can be a nightmare – difficult to find and super-expensive.

Here is a 4-day family friendly itinerary for San Francisco with kids. I drafted this based on what we did right, what we did wrong and how we could have organized our days better.

Take in spectacular views of the Bay Area from Twin Peaks

Enjoy a family picnic at Golden Gate Park

Get gorgeous views at Lands End

Walk on the Golden Gate Bridge

Make a pit-stop at the Palace of Fine Arts

Start by driving to Twin Peaks for spectacular expansive views of the Bay Area. It is free (even the parking) and yet, not too crowded. We absorbed the views from near the parking lots but you can climb to the top of one of the peaks for 360 degree views. It can get really windy up there, so make sure you have jackets and something to tie your hair. Tip: If you want to look through the telescopes, keep quarters handy.

After getting a good bird’s eye view of the Bay Area, head over to Golden Gate Park for some family fun. Rent bikes, have a picnic or just laze around. If you want to visit the California Academy of Sciences, it is within the park. I wouldn’t rate it as a must-do but it is quite good, so if you’ve got the time, the money (at $35.95 for adults, it is pricey) and kids who want to explore an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum, all under one roof, then go for it. My (and one of my 6-year-old’s) favourite part was the Earthquake simulation.

In the late afternoon, drive to Lands End – the wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco. Trails at Lands End offer a cliff-top walk through dark cypress and open grass. Spend an hour or two here, walk around to get gorgeous views from different vista points – Lands End offers 30-mile views up and down the California Coast.

Now, time to finally see the iconic landmark up close – the Golden Gate Bridge. We parked at a parking lot in Presidio, not too far from the information centre and hiked up 15-20 minutes to reach the bridge, stopping several times to get that perfect picture of the bridge. And in case you were wondering – yes, with 5 kids in the group, we are entitled to call it a hike! Walking on the bridge is an experience, so definitely go for it.

On the way back, drive around Presidio for a bit and stop at the Palace of Fine Arts for a few minutes.

View of the Bay Area from Twin Peaks

Gorgeous Views at Lands End

Walking on the Golden Gate Bridge

Palace of Fine Arts

It might look like a long day on paper, but you’ll only spend around 15 minutes each at Twin Peaks and Palace of Fine Arts. But if you start late in the day or want to take it slower, then omit the Golden Gate Park or do it on Day 3.

San Francisco with Kids

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California Road Trip: EatRoamLive

A California Road Trip with Kids: 2-Weeks Itinerary

USA has never really featured high on my travel bucket list. So, when we started planning our recent trip to California to meet family, I wasn’t really that excited. Till I started planning that is, and realized how much the state has to offer.

What started off as a meet-the-family trip, escalated into an amazing road trip across California that eventually included cityscapes, iconic attractions, lake, mountain, forest, and even an amusement park. Add to that the lovely weather, snowfall in summer and delicious plant-based food, and it readily became a cherished memory.

Planning the Trip

When it comes to an expanse as vast and vibrant as California, it is wisest to try not to cram everything into two short weeks. So, we picked and we chose, which wasn’t an easy task at all. After spending days trying to zone in on the most desirable places and experiences, we decided on the 2 top cities, a lake town and a National Park. So, San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park to Los Angeles it was!

Once we had the cities down, the planning started in earnest. Between booking a car (read van big enough to accommodate 4 adults and 5 kids), booking Airbnb apartments, realising that 3 months prior to the travel was too late to find accommodation within Yosemite National Park and finding out that part of the Pacific Coastal Highway would be closed during our trip, we managed to chalk an itinerary and most importantly, book our flights.

If you’re flying into the West Coast of USA, chances are you’ll fly into San Francisco or Los Angeles. We opted for a direct flight to SFO to make the long journey just a wee bit less painful. Before we knew it, we were on the way to sunny California.

Days 1-5: San Francisco and the Pacific Coastal Highway

View of the Bay Area from Twin Peaks

Walking on the Golden Gate Bridge

Settle in and give yourself and the kids some time to adjust to the jet lag.

We covered quite a bit in San Fran. I was seriously surprised at how much the city has to offer besides the Golden Gate Bridge – chic neighbourhoods, picture perfect streets, museums and art galleries galore, beautiful parks and gorgeous views from just about any corner. You could happily spend a week here but you probably want to see the rest of California, so 4-5 days are enough to cover the city well. In fact, check out our article for a 4-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for San Francisco for details. And if you’re vegetarian here are the 11 Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in San Francisco.

Some of our most favourite experiences in San Francisco were:

Taking in spectacular views of the sprawling Bay Area from Twin Peaks Enjoying the gorgeous views at Lands End Walking on the Golden Gate Bridge Walking along the waterfront & the piers Watching the Sea-Lions at Pier 39 Gorging on an amazing vegetarian Cauliflower Burger at Hard Rock Café Walking up and down Lombard Street

On Day 4, Visit Land’s End and drive along the scenic Pacific Coastal Highway

Gorgeous Views at Lands End

Yes, this while still staying in SF. Instead of doing the whole long PCH drive which most people do, we drove to just Santa Cruz and back in a day (because of road closures before and after the Carmel area).

If you cannot do the entire stretch because of kids or other circumstances, you should still enjoy driving along the Pacific Coastal Highway for the breath-taking views of the blue waters and the Californian coastline. Start your day by driving to Land’s End for some great views and then continue on the Pacific Coastal Highway to enjoy the scenic drive.

Days 6-8: South Lake Tahoe

The shimmering silver waters of Fallen Leaf Lake

‘Just a waterfall’ by the road

The Drive from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe can take 3.5 to 4 hours, so do start right after breakfast on Day 6. Also, try not to take more than 1 pit stop on the way. If you’re travelling with kids, discipline is key here, else you’ll just waste the entire day on the road (yup, 4 stops and lesson learnt for the next drives). As you approach Tahoe, the drive gets more and more beautiful, so also factor in some time to stop for some photo-ops.

Tahoe is better known as a winter destination, but summer here promises beaches with clear blue waters, ridiculously beautiful lake and mountain views, and a chance to have a couple of laid-back days minus the crowds. Then there is the nightlife, the shopping, the casinos and the spas.

With 2 full days to explore Tahoe, hit Emerald Bay State Park, Pope Beach, Taylor Creek and Fallen Leaf Lake. We enjoyed our trek to Vikingsholm, located at the base of Eagle Falls in Emerald Bay. Built in 1928, by a possibly eccentric millionairess, the mansion is a popular tourist attraction thanks to its scenic location. Word of warning: You might end up carrying a kid or two on the uphill hike back.

In the evenings, explore Heavenly Village with its boutiques and eateries. We enjoyed a wonderful vegetarian meal at Blue Angel Café, a very popular dining spot with the locals. The café is just a few minutes’ drive away from Heavenly Village. For the veg foodies, here are The 5 Best Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe for Vegetarian and Vegan Dining.

Day 9: Drive from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park

Driving along enjoying the views 

Onwards to Yosemite! The incredibly scenic drive from South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park is around 4 hours, but as we all know, a 4-hour-drive with kids is actually 6-7 hours on the road (factoring in meal stops). On the way to Yosemite, you can enjoy Tuolumne Meadows if you have the inclination and the time.

Tip: Make sure you get dinner on the way before you enter Yosemite Valley, especially if you’re not staying within the park.

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Top Thai Restaurants in Singapore

Arguably one of the most popular cuisines around the world, Thai food has a huge fan base paralleled by few others. A delightful mélange of flavours makes it as loved as it is. Singapore has a mind-boggling array of Thai restaurants that will keep even the critics happy. Vegetarians and vegans need not worry either, there are many Thai restaurants in Singapore that offer a decent selection of veg delights. Here is our pick of the 9 Top Thai Restaurants in Singapore, for Vegetarians and Vegans, in no particular order. The list includes both mid-range and fine-dining Thai choices.

This list is by no means exhaustive – its based on personal experience or recommendations by vegetarian friends. We requested the restaurants for images of their food, and some complied. If we missed out your favourite vegetarian-friendly Thai restaurant, do let us know by commenting on this article. Vegans, please note that although several of the dishes exclude meat, eggs and dairy, please do check with the particular restaurant about your specific dietary requirements.

Long Chim

Chive Cakes Dark Soy Garlic Chillies (Photo credit: Long Chim)

A much loved Thai restaurant helmed by celebrity chef David Thompson, Long Chim transports you to the streets of Bangkok, with both its interiors and its food. The unpretentious restaurant serves authentic street-style Thai dishes with a host of vegetarian options, in a casual setting.

Besides having vegetarian dishes on their a-la-carte menu, Long Chim also serves a Vegetarian Set Menu (S$69++) which offers common Thai choices like vegetarian spring rolls, green papaya salad, and aromatic vegetable curry; and not-so-common ones like chive cakes, beancurd seaweed asian celery broth, grilled long eggplant; to name a few. Indulge!

Oh, did we forget to mention that the celebrity restaurant is also value-for-money – think Vegetarian Weekend Brunch Menu at just S$49++. We have tried their vegetarian lunch, check out the review here.

Long Chim: Level 2 dining, L02-02, The shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018955. P: +65 66887299

Jim Thompson

The Best Phad Thai Noodles I’ve Ever Had

When you’re talking about the best Thai restraunts in Singapore, Jim Thompson’s name has to be right there among the top ones. An excellent Thai restaurant with a dedicated vegetarian following, and definitely one of our favourites! Start your meal at Jim Thompson with the off-beat Siam Sunray (S$26), aptly referred to as “Thailand in a Glass” – think delicate flavours of Thai spices like lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime and even red chilli.

For soups, its always hard to choose between the Tom Yam or the slightly-sweetish Tom Kha Pak (S$20) with a creamy coconut-galangal base. A meal here must always always have a salad – choose from any of the Pomelo Salad, Green Mango Salad or Green Papaya Salad and you can’t go wrong. From the mains, our favourites include Phad Thai Noodles (S$22), Gaeng Khew (Green curry, S$22) and Gaeng Phed (Red Curry). The Tau-Hu Phad Priew Wan (Stir-fried tofu and vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce, S$20) is also a winner, although on 1 or 2 occasions, it was a wee bit too sweet. Wind up the meal with the mandatory Mango Sticky Rice or go for something different and healthier like Som-Chun (S$12) – a mix of fresh oranges topped with lychees, shredded raw mango, sliced ginger, toasted coconut and roasted peanuts, served in ginger syrup.

To read our complete vegetarian dining review of Jim Thompson, click here.

Jim Thompson: 45 Minden Road, Dempsey Rd, Singapore 248817 P: +65 6475 6088

Patara

An elegant Thai restaurant that has been around for almost two decades, Patara has made a mark with its dishes. With a separate vegetarian menu, you can choose from a range of appetisers, salads, salads, mains and desserts. Some of the veg dishes to try here include Tom Yum Hed or the Soup Phak (Clear broth with mixed vegetables). Among the appetisers, try the Porpia Jay (assortment of crispy spring rolls), or the Kaffir Corn Fritters. For mains, Patara offers an array of vegetarian gems like the Gai Jay Krapao (sautéed mock chicken with garlic, chilli and crisp basil), Tofu Ob Mor Din Jay (baked tofu and vegetables in a clay pot with ginger and spring onions), Gang Kiew Wan Hed (Green Curry) and Gang Dang Phak (Red Curry).

To wind up your meal, venture beyond Mango Sticky Rice and get adventurous with Durian Sticky Rice, Chocolate Lava with chilli chocolate or Mun Chuem which is caramelised tapioca with coconut milk. Patara’s 3-course Executive Set Lunch (S$20++) has vegetarian options too.

Patara: Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, #03-14, Singapore   247933. P: 6737 0818

Also Read: Best Mainstream Restaurants in Singapore for Vegetarian Fine Dining Also Read: 9 Top Mexican Restaurants in Singapore for Vegetarians

Thanying Restaurant

Exquisite Fruit Carving at Thanying Restaurant (Photo credit: Thanying)

Located in the chic city hotel Amara Singapore, Thanying Restaurant is all about authentic royal Thai food served in a traditionally decorated space. I still remember Thanying as being the first Thai restaurant I went to when we moved to Singapore 12 years ago. I haven’t been in over a year now, but for years we freuented Thanying regularly for vegetarian Thai food.

As a part of the royal thai tradition of pampering guests, all dishes are served in bite sized portions. Thanying is also big on veg fare, with their vegetarian menu offering close to 30 dishes. Among their vegetarian delights, you can taste the Tawd Mun Kaopod (S$18++, Deep-fried sweet corn cakes, served with cucumber and sweet sauce), Keow Wahn Ma-Kua-Yaao (S$20++, Brinjal with thick green curry) and Phad Grapao Tao Hoo (S$20++, Stir-fried beancurd with hot basil leaf, chilli and green peppercorn).

Thanying Restaurant: 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539. P: +65 6222 4688

  Sabai

A Thai restaurant with awesome food and great views, Sabai Fine Thai on the Bay focuses on the finest ingredients. Sabai Thai offers a grand vegetarian a-la-carte menu as well as a Vegetarian Set Menu (S$70++) and Weekday Set Lunch with veg options (S$31++ for 2-course, S$35++ for 3-course). The veg menus let you choose from an ample selection of appetisers, soups, curries, stir fries, rice, noodles and desserts. The Tawd Mun Kaopote (deep-fried sweet corn cakes, S$16.5), make for a good start. For mains, try the Panang Tao Huu (deep-fried beancurd topped with panang curry), Kao Op Sapparod (fried rice with deep-fried beancurd, pineapple, carrots, curry, S$18.5) or Guay Tiew Gaprao (stir-fried spicy noodles with deep-fried bean curd, chilli, fresh peppercorns and holy basil leaves). The veg menu does seem to have an over-dose of beancurd.

Sabai Thai: 70 Collyer Quay, #01-02 Customs House, Singapore 049323. P: +65 6535 3718-9

Jane Thai

Green Curry with Vegetables, Jane Thai (Photo Credit: Jane Thai)

With a special all vegetarian menu available, Jane Thai is a popular Thai restaurant which is getting a lot of love from vegetarians. Choose from Soups & Curries (S$10), Stir Fires (S$7.50) and Rice (S$8.50-8.90, with seamed rice for S$1). Their most popular vegetarian dishes include the delicious Green Curry with vegetables, Fried Tofu, Phad Thai and Pineapple Rice. Be warned that most food could be spicy, so do ask for the spice-level to be adjusted.

Jane Thai: 41 East Coast Road, 428761 Singapore. P: +65 6209 0448

Also Read: Top 8 Vegetarian Dishes at Jamie’s Italian, Singapore Also Read: Go Vegetarian at Michelin Starred The Song of India.

Jai Thai / Jai Siam

Fried Tofu with Basil (Image Credits: Jai Thai)

Jai Thai and Jai Siam is basically the same company with the same management. The difference is that the 2 Jai Siam restaurants are Halal ceritfied. The wallet-friendly chain offers a Vegetarian Menu with around 30 authentic Thai vegetarian dishes and you can choose to order them with/without garlic, onion or egg. The most popular veg dishes include Fried Rice (S$6), Green Curry, Panang Curry Beancurd and Fried Tofu Basil (S$7). Jai Siam also offers Vegetarian Bento Set Menu for S$8, including Olive Rice, Green Curry Vegetarian (S$7), Mango Salad and Beancurd Cashew Nut. They also offer Halal catering services that include an all-vegetarian menu for those parties where you want to treat your vegetarian family & friends.

Jai Thai: 7 Clover Way, Singapore 579080. P: 6258 0228. Jai Thai: 27 Purvis Street, #01-01 An Chuan Building, Singapore 188604. P: 6336 6908 Jai Siam (Halal Certified): 11 Orchard Road, Dhoby X’Change #B1-12, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, Singapore 238826. P: 6338 5766. Jai Siam (Halal Certified): 205 East Coast Road, Singapore 428904. P: 6346 4940.  

Bali Thai

We’re not saying this is the best veg Thai food in town, but Bali Thai has a dedicated vegetarian menu with quite decent vegetarian options. Besides, Bali Thai has multiple locations around town, which makes it one of the more accessible Thai choices when you’re just out and about and Thai cravings set in – I have personally eaten here several times, while walking around malls.

Not just vegetarians, Bali Thai also serves Buddhist Vegetarians, with garlic and onion free options available on request. Bali Thai has a Vegetarian Bento Box (Bento Boxes starting at S$11.80) and a wide variety of vegetarian dishes on offer. Some of our favourite orders here include the vegetarian versions of the Thai Green Curry, Tom Yum soup and the Papaya Salad. My kids, who are too young to try spicy Thai cuisine, love the Thai Black Olive Rice, which is non-spicy and doesn’t have any strong flavours that might not appeal to fussy eaters. They can tone down the spicy-levels on request. I once forgot to request for medium-spicy and I couldn’t manage more than two bites of the fiery Papaya Salad.

Bali Thai: Check out their multiple locations  at http://www.balithai.com.sg/stores/

Pepper Jade

A dream destination for Thai loving vegetarians and vegans, Pepper Jade’s wide range of  vegetarian salads, starters, soups, mains, rice, noodles and desserts whip up quite an appetite. The restaurant is all-vegetarian, they don’t use garlic and onions and they have vegan dishes on the menu too.

Some of the favourites here include Thai Fish Cakes, Tom Yum Soup in Claypot, Phap Thai, Blue Butterfly Pea Truffle Fried Rice and the ever-green Green Curry. Don’t eat eggs? Try the Son-In-Law Eggs with the whites made up of mashed yam and the yolks with mashed pumpkin. The “eggs” are then deep-fried and drizzled with a tangy sauce. Creative!

Pepper Jade: 91 Bencoolen Street Sunshine Plaza #01-18-19/20. P: +65 63377030

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8 Mainstream Restaurants for Vegetarian Fine Dining in Singapore

I’ve been a vegetarian all my life and I have never sought out an all-vegetarian restaurant to dine at. Not once! But then, I grew up in India where being vegetarian is as much of a norm as being a meat-eater. This means that every restaurant has 50% vegetarian dishes on their menu, give or take.

While this might be the dream for the fast-growing vegetarian community in Singapore, in reality, vegetarianism isn’t really mainstream here and plant-eaters are often faced with the problem of restricted choice. The veg options available at most restaurants are few and far between and while dining out with family, friends or colleagues, the plant-eaters mostly end up playing second fiddle to the meat-eaters. Of course, we love that more and more vegetarian and vegan restaurants are cropping up around town, but we still seek inclusivity.

So here’s a list of 8 of my favourite restaurants for vegetarian fine dining in Singapore, or in some cases just a notch down from fine dining, but fantastic dining still. Yes, all of these restaurants offer everything from chicken to beef to seafood, but they’ve made sure that the herbivores are well catered to as well. The plethora of vegetarian choices available at all these restaurants will ensure that any vegetarian is spoilt for choice.

And of course, we wish that more restaurants would take a cue from these great 8 and add more vegetarian and vegan choices to their menus. So read on for 8 of our favourite mainstream restaurants for fine and fantastic vegetarian dining in Singapore.

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Singapore to San Fran: 11 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in San Francisco

No trip to California is complete without a stop at the foggy, hill city of San Francisco. While it is best known for its Golden Gate Bridge, the food scene in San Francisco is a melting pot of cultures and captivating in its own right. In fact, this is one city which might give Singapore a run for its money, when it comes to dining. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan and headed to California, you definitely won’t have to worry about getting good plant-based food, in the Bay Area.

And we’ve done the ground work, so you don’t have to go looking when you’re there. While vegetarian dishes are readily available at the many vegetarian-friendly eateries around town, here is a round up of 11 of the Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in San Francisco (or vegetarian-friendly ones). While I was personally unable to visit all of them during my recent trip, this list has been compiled based on either my own visit, or based recommendations from locals.

1. Nourish Café

Sampler Toast with Chia Pudding

Get nourished inside out with the Nourish Bowl Salad

Nourish café lays emphasis on serving 100% plant based food, created using wholesome, organic, non-GMO ingredients, with minimal use of oils, and only natural sweeteners; to keep things as healthy as possible.

While here, try the Nourish Bowl Salad ($14). With ingredients like Quinoa, spring mix, yam, avocado, sprouts, hummus, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sauerkraut, toasted sunflower seeds and oil-free creamy hemp dressing, this salad will actually nourish you inside out. Also great are their toasts, order the Sampler Toast $8, and a Chia Pudding $6 on the side to mix things up. With ingredients like almond milk, chia seeds, dates, cacao, vanilla and sea salt, this chia goodness is available in a variety of flavors including dragonfruit, creamy cashew, dark chocolate, and vanilla raspberry.

Love smoothies? Imagine a combination and you’ll probably find it on their menu. Sweet tooth? Why not dive into the Acai Bowl; or sink your teeth into a gluten free Chocolate Chip Cookie (made using almond flour and vegan dark chocolate chips). Outright impressive!

Nourish Café: 189 6th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118. P: +1 (415) 571 8780 Nourish Café: 1030 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. P: +1 (415) 580 7463

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Best Pizza Deliveries in Singapore for Vegetarians

If you’re reading this, then you probably love pizzas as much as we do. We know it’s fun to go out and enjoy a gourmet pizza in a nice restaurant. But, there are times when you just want to escape getting dressed and enjoy them in your PJs, while binge-watching the latest Netflix shows. For this, we have compiled a list of the Best Pizza Deliveries in Singapore for Vegetarians.  While almost every restaurant delivers now (thanks to Deliveroo and Food Panda), this article lists the pizzerias that are most popular for pizza delivery and have plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. So go on and enjoy these Pizzas with Pizzazz! (And if you still want to head out, here is a list of Best Gourmet Vegetarian Pizzas in Town for dining out.

Spizza

The Vegan Claudia (Image Credit: Spizza) 

qually popular for dine-in and delivery, Spizzas are a cut above the ‘traditional’ delivery pizzas. We love their Margherita (S$ 21++/25++), but team ERL’s favourite Spizzas are the Elisa (tomato, mozzarella, pesto sauce, olives, pine kernels and parmesan cheese) and the very creative Quinta (tomato, mozzarella, egg, black truffle paste) – we’ve had the egg removed upon request. Claudia (tomato, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplants, artichokes and mushrooms) is suitable for vegans. They even have Zara (a sweet pizza with Nutella, banana and almond flakes at S$ 16++/20++) for the sweet-toothed. These guys definitely take the cake for the best pizza delivery in town. 

You can order on their website, with their Mobile App or by calling 6377 7773.

Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar

Crust Pizza: Vegetarian Supreme (Image: Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar) 

Crust has a menu option for ‘Vegetarian & Healthier Choice Pizzas’. Go figure! On offer are the Vegetarian Supreme (grilled eggplants, artichoke, baby spinach, roasted red peppers, button mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, bocconcini cheese and pesto aioli sauce); Wild Mushroom (wild mushroom mix, asparagus, pine nuts, garnished with truffle oil & parmesan cheese); the Gourmet Cheese; Margherita; Roasted Beetroot (roasted beet roots, baby spinach, bocconcini cheese, garnished with walnuts & honey); Baby Spinach (spinach, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese, roasted red peppers, walnuts) and the classic Bruschetta (tomato slices, Spanish onions, bocconcini cheese, garnished with fresh basil leaves & balsamic glaze). So, take your pick and enjoy.  Order online or via their app. To order via phone, call 6467 2224 for Holland Village and 6636 7666 for Serangoon Garden.    

Also Read: Vegetarian Burgers in Town

Also Read: Best Vegetarian Pizzas in Town

Sarpinos

(Image: Sarpino’s via FB)

Sarpinos has been our favourite for years. Or more specifically, their Tuscany (white onion, sun dried tomatoes, baby spinach, roasted garlic, artichoke heart, topped with feta, parmesan and mozzarella cheese) and Pesto Veggie (sun dried tomatoes, green & red pepper, fresh spinach leaves, white onions, roast garlic, olive oil, cheddar and mozzarella cheese on a bed of pesto sauce) have been. Other veg options include Cheese, Margherita, Kalamata Delight and Vegetarian Special.  You can order online or via phone on 6636 3636.

Domino’s

(Image: Domino’s via Facebook) 

No pizza lover can claim indifference to Domino’s. We love Domino’s for the ease of ordering, and the ability to customize. Their option to ‘Track your Order’ is also pretty neat. The menu has only three veg options – Romano Margherita (topped with feta, cherry tomatoes and olives on napolitana sauce); Valenciana Mushroom (Belgian spinach, onion and pesto sauce) and Very Veggie (mozzarella cheese, green and red pepper, cherry tomato, mushroom, ripe olive and pineapples). But fear not as they offer a highly user-friendly website with the ability to customize your pizzas vis-à-vis crusts, sauces and toppings.

The image above shows the Basilico Chicken edited to add on Red and Green Peppers and Spinach and remove the Roasted Chicken. What’s best is they even adjust the price, so you’re not paying more after removing the meat. Or you can just Make Your Own pizza or do a Half & Half if you’ve got a meat eater in the house.  Order online or can 6222 6333. They’re very liberal with coupons and promotions, so always check those out before ordering.

Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza

Spinach with Green Olive (Image: Canadian Pizza via FB)

A popular and pocket-friendly pizza delivery option! Their pizzas start at S$21.90 but since they always offer 1-for-1, you get 2 pizzas at that price. Besides the standard Margherita and Super Cheese, they have quite a few interesting vegetarian pizzas – Garden Veggie (onions, mushrooms, capsicum, black olives, fresh tomatoes and pineapple); Spinach with Olive (spinach, green olives, caramelised onions and feta cheese); Spinach Jalapeño (Spinach, caramelised onions and jalapeños); Pesto Cheese (mozzarella, gouda, parmesan, cheddar, edam, feta cheese, basil, oregano, pesto sauce and olives); and Spinach Delight (spinach, feta cheese, onion and cheese mix). So, if variety is what you seek, this is just the place to order. Order online or call 6241 0241

Peperoni Pizzeria

If you’ve got guests or a party to cater for, Peperoni’s XXL pizza (think 21”) could feed half a dozen without breaking the bank. Besides the 2 cheesy-s: Quattro Formaggi and Margherita; you get three veg-s: Verdurine é Funghi (rocket leaves, cherry tomatoes, gouda cheese, caramelised onions, porcini and button mushrooms), Funghi, Vegetariana (shitake mushrooms, artichoke, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers & black olives) and Portobello Funghi (Portobello mushroom, tomato concasse, egg, spring onion, truffle oil). All pizzas are priced at S$19/24/55 for 9”/12”/21” respectively. Definitely among the best pizza deliveries in Singapore!  Order online or call the delivery hotline at 6899 6899. You get a 10% discount for ordering online, so go for that.

Extra Virgin Pizza

Vegetarian pizzas galore at this eatery, which, uses only Caputo doppio zero pizza flour, renowned as the best in the world. The menu starts with 4 veg pizzas – Margherita (S$ 20), Bufala Margherita, Four Cheese and Mushroom Bianco (S$26). More interesting options are the Truffle Kerfuffle (béchamel, mozzarella, fontina, sautéed leek, sautéed mushroom) and Pistachio Pesto (pistachio pesto, mozzarella, baby arugula, lemon vinaigrette, pecorino, provolone).

Disadvantage: They don’t deliver islandwide, so check their website for delivery locations.  

Some of the other popular pizza deliveries in Singapore, include Napolizz Pizza Delivery, Pizza Hut, Pezzo Pizza, Rite Pizza, Pasta Mania. We didn’t include them in the list as they don’t cater to vegetarians that well.

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5 Ancient Vegetarian Foods Seeing a Revival

Good food is music for the soul and what makes one generation sway may not work for another. In recent times, food has seen a sea change given the attention and importance being devoted to health. People are increasingly becoming aware of the repercussions of processed foods and turning away from these.

Be it grains, dairy or meats, least processed and indigenous foods are becoming the buzz words for their freshness, easy availability, cost effectiveness and nutrient retention qualities, among others. The future of food is definitely in the past. On its way out is the fascination with processed foods like supermarket bread, industrially flavoured ice cream, gelatinous milkshakes, assembly line puddings and premix teas. On the way in are healthier foods that our fore fathers swore by.

So what’s seducing international palates these days? Here is a look at 5 ancient vegetarian foods that are making a comeback.

Ancient Grains

So you think quinoa, amaranth, chia seeds, flax seeds, buckwheat and millet are some new age foods? You couldn’t be further from the truth. These super foods have been around for ages. Our forefathers had them as a part of their everyday diet, but it is only now that we are rediscovering the benefits of these ancient grains and seeds. Rich in nutrients and high in fibre, they are featuring as the stars in salads, mains and even desserts at the most highly rated eateries around the world.

Coarse Loaves

Who wants a buttered slice of cardboard to start their day? Hint – not many people in 2017! The limelight is now increasingly off processed foods and on bread that is home-made and full of coarsely milled grains (and waiting to be dipped into home-made dips and curries). Coarse loafs incorporate locally available grains and mill them to a consistency where you can feel the taste and texture of each grain. A single serving gives you much more texture per bite than the factory packed variety. In fact, more and more people are becoming aware of the nasties in supermarket breads and going in for fresh bakes from cafes and bakeries, or baking it at home. Free from preservatives and colouring, these might cost a few extra bucks, but are surely worth it.

Artisanal Ice Creams

If frozen-desserts masquerading as ice creams in mind numbing, chalky flavours aren’t your idea of decadence, you are not alone. As the market for home-made ice creams in seasonal flavours rises, so does the number of small batch producers who churn them. Made using hand held churners with indulgent chunks of garden fresh fruits and nuts in the creamiest cream that hasn’t been thickened with additives, these are made the old school way and people are lapping them up like never before. Think freshly shaved tender coconut, home candied fruits, caramelised nuts, chunks of mango and a medley of hand-picked berries that waltz on your palette. 

Traditional Tea

Green tea and infusions have been around for a while and on the same lines, there has been a revival of indigenous teas from different regions. The matcha mania is not built around a new supplement but is actually an ancient tea rich in amino acids that was grown in shade, deveined and stemmed before being processed and finely ground to a powder – the now widely recognised vibrant green colour. Another hot favourite is white tea that brims with antioxidants.

Fermented Foods

On one of his sailing trips in the late-mid 1700s, Captain James Cook, made his crew eat sauerkraut which resulted in exceptional survival record and health of shipmates, attributed to the fermented cabbage. This German food has made a huge comeback with people heralding it as the new super food and delicacy. Before freezing, refrigeration and easy transport was available, fermenting was a method of preserving food. Other regions have their share of fermented foods such as the popular Kimchi from Korea, the European Dill pickles and Atsara in Philippines. Even fermented fish, the putrid smelling but much loved Fesikh, is lapped up by tourists to Egypt. 

Give these foods a go and your taste buds will rejoice while your health thanks you for it!

http://eatroamlive.com/5-ancient-foods-seeing-a-revival/

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4 Day Family Friendly Itinerary for San Francisco

San Francisco might be most famous for the Golden Gate Bridge but there is so much more to the city than the big red bridge. I was seriously surprised at how much the city has to offer – chic neighbourhoods, picture perfect streets, museums and art galleries galore, beautiful parks and gorgeous views from just about any corner.

You could easily and happily spend a week here but you probably want to see more of the West Coast, so I’ll keep it shorter. Still, if you’re flying straight into San Francisco from Asia, I would recommend staying for at least 4-5 days as you’ll probably end up wasting a day, thanks to jet lag.

Our first day in San Francisco was mostly zombie-like – think 16.5 hours in the air with 3 kids, followed by trying to stay awake the entire day to adjust to the 15-hour time difference.  By day 2, though, I was completely in love with the city – San Francisco is simply beautiful and it has such a cool vibe to it.

We rented a car and stayed in an Airbnb apartment in Daly city. We mostly drove around but took Ubers on a couple of occasions as parking can be a nightmare – difficult to find and super-expensive.

Here is a 4-day family friendly itinerary for San Francisco. I drafted this based on what we did right, what we did wrong and how we could have organized our days better.

Day 1

   Take in spectacular views of the Bay Area from Twin Peaks    Enjoy a family picnic at Golden Gate Park    Get gorgeous views at Lands End    Walk on the Golden Gate Bridge    Make a pit-stop at the Palace of Fine Arts

Start by driving to Twin Peaks for spectacular expansive views of the Bay Area. It is free (even the parking) and yet, not too crowded. We absorbed the views from near the parking lots but you can climb to the top of one of the peaks for 360 degree views. It can get really windy up there, so make sure you have jackets and something to tie your hair. Tip: If you want to look through the telescopes, keep quarters handy.

After getting a good bird’s eye view of the Bay Area, head over to Golden Gate Park for some family fun. Rent bikes, have a picnic or just laze around. If you want to visit the California Academy of Sciences, it is within the park. I wouldn’t rate it as a must-do but it is quite good, so if you’ve got the time, the money (at $35.95 for adults, it is pricey) and kids who want to explore an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum, all under one roof, then go for it. My (and one of my 6-year-old’s) favourite part was the Earthquake simulation.

In the late afternoon, drive to Lands End – the wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco. Trails at Lands End offer a cliff-top walk through dark cypress and open grass. Spend an hour or two here, walk around to get gorgeous views from different vista points – Lands End offers 30-mile views up and down the California Coast.

Now, time to finally see the iconic landmark up close – the Golden Gate Bridge. We parked at a parking lot in Presidio, not too far from the information centre and hiked up 15-20 minutes to reach the bridge, stopping several times to get that perfect picture of the bridge. And in case you were wondering – yes, with 5 kids in the group, we are entitled to call it a hike! Walking on the bridge is an experience, so definitely go for it.

On the way back, drive around Presidio for a bit and stop at the Palace of Fine Arts for a few minutes. Family Friendly Itinerary for San Francisco - Twin Peaks

View of the Bay Area from Twin Peaks 

Gorgeous Views at Lands End 

Walking on the Golden Gate Bridge 

Palace of Fine Arts 

It might look like a long day on paper, but you’ll only spend around 15 minutes each at Twin Peaks and Palace of Fine Arts. But if you start late in the day or want to take it slower, then omit the Golden Gate Park or do it on Day 3.

Day 2

   Watch the sealions at Pier 39    Walk around Fisherman’s Wharf    Buy chocolates at Ghirardelli Square    Ride the Cable Car    Walk up and down Lombard Street    Shop at Union Square

Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square cover several blocks along the waterfront. This is basically one of the popular and touristy things to do in San Francisco.

You can start around the Ferry Building and walk along the piers. Pier 7 is “supposedly” less crowded and offers great views. The Exploratorium at Pier 15 is a hands-on science museum for kids. We wanted to go but couldn’t manage it because of a poorly planned day ☹. Keep walking along the piers – take in the views and make a few stops so kids can jump, run around and admire the docked ships.

As you get closer to Pier 39, the hustle bustle starts to increase. Pier 39 gets crowded but the sea lions are a must for kids. After exploring the area, have an early lunch at Hard Rock Café. I loved the Cauliflower Burger – Hard Rock Café lets you mix and match the burgers, so I had my Cauliflower patty topped with condiments from the Atomic Burger.

Post lunch, walk through Fisherman’s Wharf to Ghirardelli Square. You can make pit-stops on the way to buy souvenirs, pretzels or chocolate milk. If When the kids start whining about being tired, bribe them with the promise of chocolates – the folks at Ghirardelli will take care of this as they dish out a free chocolate to everyone who enters.

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop and Café is a haven for chocoholics – watch chocolate being made while you enjoy a hot fudge sundae and go crazy shopping for chocolates for the folks back home (or at least, that’ll be the official version). Tip: DO NOT buy the small packs of squares, or you’re so gonna regret it once you’re back home and hooked on your daily dose of a post-dinner Ghirardelli. And if you’re delusional enough to think that you won’t get hooked to these, you’ve got another thing coming 😉.

Post the choco-mania, cross the street to where you can see a huge queue. This is where you can (and with kids you probably should) board the famous San Francisco Cable Car (Powell-Hyde Line). Then again, if you’re from Singapore you probably already joined the queue first and wondered later what it was for 😉. Ride the Cable Car up and down the steep streets of San Francisco, all the way to Union Square. Tip: Sit at the open front of the car. It gets pretty crowded, so you’ll miss the views if you’re in the back.

But first, get off on Lombard Street just a few stops away. Lombard Street was one of my favourite things to do/see in San Francisco. The street is famous for a steep section with 8 hairpin turns. Walk down the street, take in the views and plenty of pictures before you hop back on the Cable Car and continue on to Union Square. Once there, shop, eat, walk, photograph and shop some more. Family Friendly Itinerary for San Francisco

Walking along the Waterfront and the Piers 

Sealions at Pier 39 

Pier 39 – The view 

Fisherman’s Wharf 

Ghirardelli Square 

Chocolate Galore at Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop 

The world famous San Francisco Cable Car 

Picture Perfect – Get a Bollywood pose with the cable car 

Lombard Street 

View from the bottom of Lombard Street 

Union Square 

Union Square 

Day 3

   Alcatraz Tour    Shopping or additional sightseeing

The former prison is rated as the top attraction in San Francisco. The tours get sold out weeks in advance so make sure you book early. We made the blunder of leaving it to chance and were pretty bummed out ‘coz we ended up missing it. The ticket price includes the ferry and the tour. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit the Alcatraz Cruises website.

The Day Tour ($37.25) is approximately 2.5 hours and would be most appropriate with kids. You can also opt for a combined tour of Alcatraz and Angel Island ($71.50/Adult).

Depending on what tour you take, you can plan for the rest of the day. Besides, you’re travelling with kids! So, let’s face it – things probably didn’t go to plan the first couple of days and you ended up missing stuff. Use the remaining part of this day to see what you missed, or any extras that you might be interested in –The de Young Museum, SFMOMA, Coit Towers, Chinatown, San Francisco Zoo, just to name a few.

Chic SFO neighbourhoods supporting Pride 

Just about any street is clickable 

Day 4

   Muir Woods    Sausalito

You’ll have to take a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to get to Muir Woods and Sausalito. I would suggest doing Muir Woods first but if you’re not driving, then you can take the ferry from San Francisco to Sausalito and start there.

The easiest way to get to Muir Woods is by car. Instead of driving all the way, I recommend parking at Pohono St Park & Ride and taking the Muir Woods Shuttle from there. It’s just easier. The shuttle costs $5 for a round trip for adults. Kids are free. Remember that there is no cell phone service in Muir Woods so you can’t rely on Uber for your pick-up.

Once you get to Muir Woods, you can do one of the many hikes through the forest. Or, if you’re travelling with young children, my guess is that you might just want to take a leisurely stroll amongst the majestic redwoods. Muir Woods will enchant you with its beauty – it is peaceful and beautiful. For more information on Muir Woods and the Shuttle, click here.

Spend the second half of the day at Sausalito. This cute little bay side town has a European feel to it. Experience the quaint charm of Sausalito’s waterfront, by strolling along the waterfront near the harbour, watching the ferries and hopefully a few seals. Walk along the main street lined with restaurants, cafes and shops; stop for an ice-cream. Sausalito is also a great dining destination, we had dinner at  Poggio Trattoria – the food was amazing with great vegetarian choices (more on this later).

Majestic Redwood Trees at Muir Woods 

Connect with nature at Muir Woods 

Sausalito Waterfront 

Poggio Trattoria at Sausalito 

Tips for the trip:

   Always, always keep a jacket – summer in San Francisco is not like the Singaporean summer. During our visit (June 2017), temperatures often dropped in the evening, even if it was sunny during the day. It is often windy, so it also feels cooler than the temperature might suggest.    Driving distances from one sight to another can be longish, 20-40 minutes or occasionally more. So always keep some water and snacks in the car, for the kids. You might also do well to keep a tablet, in case you need to diffuse a fight that starts out of boredom.    Depending on what attractions you want to cover, the San Francisco City Pass and/or the GO Card may be more value for money. Check them out while you draw up your itinerary.

http://eatroamlive.com/4-day-family-friendly-itinerary-for-san-francisco/

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9 Most Frequent Packing Faux Pas to Avoid

Ever had a phone charger that won’t work because your sunscreen wrecked it, or been stuck with a battery-less camera? Ever had to pay a hefty fee for extra baggage as you ‘thought’ the luggage looked within limits? Fret not, for it has happened to all of us, sometime or the other. But the thing is that it doesn’t have to. As long as you can carry your luggage (try it) and the seams all seem to be in place, you shouldn’t have a problem if you follow these tips –

   Keep essentials on you – Keep all important documents, including your passport in your handbag, with photocopies in your luggage and with someone back home. A toothbrush and important medication are also best kept on you.

   Package the leaky & delicate stuff right – Try not to pack full size bottles of everything as – a) If you are going for longer, you can buy them there, b) They add to the weight, c) That much more stuff that can leak and cause problems. Even the travel sized packs are best stowed inside Ziplock bags, between layers of clothing to buffer any bad handling. This includes all make up, toiletries, dainty jewellery, and anything with a liquid or gel consistency. If in doubt, double pack.

   Don’t over-pack . Or under-pack for that matter – Lay clothes out on the bed so you can mix and match outfits to see what works. Pick a couple of neutral coloured bottoms that would go well with most tops. Make sure you pack extra pairs of underwear. And always pack swimwear. You might think that you’re not headed to the beach so why bother. But, when you reach your resort you realise it has one of the nicest pools and you are itching to jump in. It doesn’t take much space and can mean the difference between sitting by the pool and having a ball.

   Double check the medicines – Check up on the rules and regulations governing medicines to comply with the destinations you are flying to and even a transit station, in case you have them in your carry on. Make sure you pack all your medication with the prescriptions and keep emergency medication on you. Try to keep them together in a pouch so as not to arouse unnecessary suspicion.

   Carry an extra outfit in your carry-on – Luggage could get delayed or lost for a number of reasons. Keep a set of compact and lightweight clothes in your handbag, just in case.

   Always check the destination’s weather beforehand and never leave without a jacket – A rain shower can bring down the temperatures quite quickly and make the evening weather much cooler even in summertime.

   Weigh it, measure it – Even though it might look okay, weigh it and measure the dimensions and make sure both are within permissible limits. Each airline has different criteria regarding weight limits – if you’re going to take different airlines during your trip, make sure you check the luggage guidelines for all of them. Stick to the lowest permissible limits in case of multiple airlines.

   Shop in proportion to your luggage – You don’t want to pick up the life-sized wooden cats that would look so good in your living room if you are travelling with just handbags. Even if you have a big suitcase and the space is already maxed out, resist the urge to shop unless you want to buy additional luggage.

   Keep an extra big folding bag – If you know you will find it hard to resist shopping, be ready before hand. Stash a collapsible bag in your suitcase and voila, you have space for all that you shop for. Just remember to stay within your baggage allowance.

# Bonus – Pack well in advance – Make a rough list of all that you need and if you are unsure, download a checklist online. Pack a few days before you are scheduled to leave as there are going to be many things that you will remember even after you have zipped up the bags. Add those that you need to buy to a list on your phone and collect those that need to be picked up from around the house. Pair up cameras and charged batteries, phones and chargers, outfits and accessories, etc.

http://eatroamlive.com/9-most-frequent-packing-faux-pas-to-avoid/

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8 Useful Tips for Flying Long-haul with Kids

We’ve all probably had to fly long-haul with young children at some point and there’s a very good chance that you were worse for wear when you actually got to the other side. While planning ahead (and having nerves of steel) do help, there is only so much that you can do. Be prepared for things not sticking to the plan at all and you might just come out less traumatized than you were expecting.

Oh, and perhaps reading our list of useful tips might help a little too:-

   Travel as light as possible (But don’t forget the wet wipes)    If you’re juggling two or more little ones, a nappy bag, a purse and possible activity bags for the kids, you’re going to lose something or someone at some point. Pack as little as possible and keep cabin baggage to a bare minimum. For your hand luggage, consider a backpack, so you can have your hands (comparatively) free. Always keep things as simple as possible – but remember to keep the medicine bag close to you.

   Comfort first, fashion later    Leave the jeans or smart clothes for another time. Dress little ones in soft clothes like their favourite t-shirts and pyjamas, and add a sweater or jacket when you need to. Keep socks on and you should have a happy little toddler on your hands (for some time at least).

   Pack snacks

You know this already – little snacks and a small variety of them are great for diffusing the worst of situations. If it helps, pack a meal for your children if they are fussy eaters – you can save the kids’ meal for yourself for later.

Trust your gut when it comes to jetlag When you (or your wife) were pregnant, you probably had the entire country giving you advice on do’s and don’t dos. Ditto when it comes to jetlag and sleep depriving children before the long haul so that they sleep through the entire flight. You know your child best and what happens when the child is over-stimulated and cranky. I suggest keeping to your child’s schedule and worrying about jet-lag if and when it hits. (That said, sleep-depriving kids before a flight from Singapore to San Francisco, recently worked wonders for a friend, so much so that she was able to get her kids on American schedule from day 1. So, if you think your kids can handle it, go for it. Like I said, you know your children best).

Pressure drop means ear aches Go candy! Pack a lollipop or boiled sweets for toddlers to suck on during take-off and landing to help with the ear ache that comes from a drop in cabin pressure. This is also the one time I don’t refuse my kids gummies and jelly candies. Give babies their pacifier (if they take one) or a bottle of milk or water if they aren’t on solid food yet.

Pack an activity bag

   A little toy, colouring book and colour pencils, stickers, reading books or activity books – pack whatever your child likes to keep them entertained for a little while on the plane.

   Stick to regular toilet breaks    With toddlers and pre-schoolers, the time between “I don’t need the loo” and “I need the toilet NOW” is often very short. To minimise the chances of toilet accidents, stick to regular toilet breaks, especially during ‘off-peak’ hours.

   It’s ok to use devices    Even if your kids are only allowed the iPad or the tablet occasionally, it’s an absolute boon when you need to take a break, eat something yourself or just distract the children for a little while.

And last but not least, don’t forget to breathe. You’ll probably do much better than you think you could. You’re going on holiday so don’t worry if things aren’t as perfect as you want them to be. Happy travelling people.

http://eatroamlive.com/8-useful-tips-for-flying-long-haul-with-kids/

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Top 5 Veganism Myths Busted

Veganism is easier than you think. Contrary to the belief that a (plain and boring) vegan diet revolves around plants only and that one must adapt to rabbit food, the truth is that a vegan lifestyle is about plant-based foods. This means that vegetables, grains, lentils (or pulses), nuts and fruits are all on the table. Pun intended. Here are some of the top veganism myths busted.

Myth 1. Veganism and vegetarianism is the same thing.

Fact: Nope. Vegans go one step further than vegetarians – besides not eating meats, they also don’t eat foods (or other products) that come from animals. So besides meat, fish and poultry, vegans also exclude dairy products, eggs and honey from their diet.

Myth 2. Salads must make up the dominating component of the vegan diet?

Fact: Not at all. Think of it as building blocks using starchy foods such as potatoes and whole grains, which are then used to make hearty comfort foods such as risottos, stews, pastas, sandwiches and more. In fact, thanks to the gradually increasing trend of going vegan, eating out and grocery shopping for such a lifestyle has become much easier now than it was a few years ago, making the vegan diet more plausible. Indeed, just because they won’t eat eggs or dairy does not mean that vegans are sacrificing delicious cakes, pizzas or even ice cream. That’s probably why more and more celebrities (think Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Jennifer Lopez) have been jumping on the vegan bandwagon, making fads like Meatless Mondays more than a passing fashion statement.

Myth 3. Vegans don’t get adequate protein, calcium or iron and/or are physically unhealthy.

Fact: Wrong again, on all counts. Several published studies show that vegans have lower cholesterol, BMI and triglyceride levels (which can lead to heart disease in elevated levels).

Also, vegetarian and vegan populations have lower rates of heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. As with any restricted diet, vegans must include adequate amounts of foods that contain vitamins B12 and D, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iodine and zinc, and be mindful that they are consuming enough calories.

Vegans can get their iron from dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach; dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots; iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas; peas etc. Similarly, the calcium may be easily obtained from plant based sources like leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, legumes and some nuts and seeds. On the protein front, think hummus, kidney beans salad, trail mix, soy milk shake, almond milk, quinoa, oats… I could go on and on!

Myth 4. Being on this “special” diet is expensive.

Fact: Hardly. Unlike organic food which is usually heavy on the pocket, eating this low-fat plant-based diet actually means that it’s cheaper than eating meat.

Myth 5. You can’t maintain an active lifestyle if you’re vegan.

Fact: Heard of world-class athletes like ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek, Ironman Brendan Brazier and Ultraman Rich Roll? All three proclaim that they can train even harder and recover faster from workouts after going vegan. What’s their secret? Making ample use of plant-based proteins, such as hemp seeds, tofu, edamame, beans, nuts and seeds.

http://eatroamlive.com/top-veganism-myths-busted/