Healthy Tips for Dining Out: Plant-Based Asian Cuisine

Faux Shrimp Won Ton soup at Wheel of Life Vegan - Irvine, CA

Asian food is absolutely one of my favorite types of food! Whether I'm going out to eat, or I'm cooking and preparing dinner in my own kitchen, Asian food makes me a HAPPY girl! 

I owe my love of Asian food to my parents!  I can still remember the comforting feeling I would get as a child  at our favorite Chinese food restaurant.slowly sipping my hot delicious Wor Wonton noodle soup with crunchy noodles on top.

Since I went Vegan in 2007, I avoided many of my favorite foods because plant-based cuisine was not as popular and definitely not understood.  Now, thankfully, most Asian restaurants, especially Thai, Vietnamese, and Sushi, are vegan-friendly!  I always recommend calling ahead to make sure they can accommodate a vegan diet, some restaurants make their broths and sauces with bones or fish flakes and may not be able to alter a recipe.

Remember to do your research before you go out.  I have gone through many evenings driving around looking for the perfect Pho restaurant or Sushi spot that could accommodate my special requests.

Here are some tips for enjoying your favorite Asian food when dining out:

• Substitute Tofu for meat in any dish.
• Ask for No Egg in Fried Rice dishes and Pad Thai.
• Request vegetarian broth made with no meat.
• Ask for ingredients in sauces, make sure they don't use Fish flakes.



Embracing my Asian heritage

• Teppanyaki: ask for the chef to prepare your veggies first, without butter.

Suitable for Vegans:

• Salad dressings made with ginger and miso
• Vegetable Spring Rolls
• Tofu based dishes
• Vegetable chow mein
• Pad Thai with Tofu (specify No Egg)
• Steamed brown rice
• Sesame noodles
• Vegetable broth Pho 
• Vegetable sushi rolls
• Miso soup (without fish flakes)
• Korean Soon Tofu with vegetarian broth
• Sriracha
• Black bean sauce
• Boba Tea
• Green Tea
• Jasmine Tea

I hope you will continue to enjoy your favorite types of cuisine, whether you eat out or dine in!  With so many options, meat alternatives, and substitutes, we are free to explore our taste buds with passion!

Vegan Foodie Adventures: Seabirds Kitchen Costa Mesa, CA

 

As a mommy of three vegan environmentalists-in-training who love veggies just like me, it's easy for me to find a spot for lunch.  We have our favorites here in Orange County; but today, we chose Seabirds Kitchen at The LAB Anti Mall in Costa Mesa.

  

Seabirds started as a very popular food truck and recently opened Seabirds Kitchen here in the heart of the OC.  Founder Stephanie Morgan's passion is providing locally sourced veggies and reducing the amount of time from farm to table.  The menu is fresh, light, lean, and revolutionary!  You'll find amazing Grilled Street Corn, Cold Zucchini Noodles, Burnt Brussels Sprouts, Squash Blossoms and a few other items on the small plates menu.  Entrées include a Local's Bowl, Portobello Mole Quesadilla and Tempeh + Shiitakes.  Salads are unique, desserts are delish and even the drinks are one of a kind.  The most impressive menu item for me is the Jackfruit Tacos.  

The Beer Battered fried Avocado tacos are a close second.  But let me just prepare you, Jackfruit is the CARNE ASADA of the Future!  It is no surprise that multi-billionaires are investing in companies which produce meatless meat.  Bill Gates blog, written by Gates himself, says the Future of Food is Vegan.  James Cameron and his wife have invested in a fully plant-based school!  Meat consumption is growing at a dangerously exponential rate and whether you are a Vegan warrior like me, or you just want to make a difference in the world and make an impact, Vegan alternatives are the way to go! 

Jackfruit has taken me by surprise.  I first heard about it from my friend Robert Cheeke, over at Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness, when he posted a photo on his Instagram and Facebook page.  My first experience with Jackfruit was here at Seabirds a few weeks ago for their Taco Tuesday special.  Being the Vegan Foodie that I am, of course I posted a picture of my Taco and all my friends and followers went crazy!  "THAT is Vegan??"  "Now I could eat THAT!"   The texture is absolutely meaty, carne asada-like, and shreds just like meat.  Everyone is different, but although I haven't had a shred of animal flesh in years, I do like some of my foods to have a meaty texture.  This will satisfy that craving for you.

We also ordered the Local Bowl with brown rice, black beans, and delicious Dinosaur Kale, topped with Coconut Bacon. YES BACON!!

Double Trouble

Overall, Seabirds is awesome and I hope you will visit.  The Lab is a semi-outdoor shopping center labeled an "Anti-Mall."  Complete with a Buffalo Exchange, Urban Outfitters, and the eclectic and unique Habana restaurant on one end, The Lab is a fun destination where you can dine and find some interesting clothes, accessories, vinyl, and collectibles.

Leave me a comment below if you have any questions on the Vegan Plant-Based Lifestyle.  I offer a Free 30 Day Coaching Challenge!  Sign up for my mailing list here!

♥Karinna

  

Breakfast: Sweet or Savory?

We all have a preference; sugar and sweetness, or salty spiciness.  How do you kick start your day? 

Most of the foods you already eat are plant-based or can easily be made vegan.  The key is to get comfortable with alternatives and get ready to add explosively delicious flavor to your dishes!

  Here is a list of some easy to make breakfast ideas from my vegan cookbook!

Sweet Breakfast Ideas:

~ Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

~Vegan Banana Waffles 

~Oatmeal with Almond Milk and Fresh Berries

~Toasted Bagel with Daiya Strawberry "Cream Cheese" Spread

~Perfect Breakfast in Bed

~Homemade Vegan Granola with Rice Milk

~Cinnamon-Agave Bulghur & Oats with Fresh Fruit

Savory Breakfast Ideas:

~Kale and Mushroom Tofu Scramble

~Soyrizo and Black Bean Burrito

~Roasted Baby Potatoes with Tempeh Bacon

~Veggie Stuffed Tofu Omelette

~Organic Tomatillo Salsa

~Avocado Smoothie

~Spicy Chilaquiles

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Leave me a comment below if you have a specific question on cooking Vegan.  I love your feedback!

♥K