Claire
Posted in Travel on 31. Aug, 2010
I have been going to Vegas for the past 12 years at least once a year. In fact my husband, Brad, and I love Vegas so much we even got married there. No, we were not married by Elvis or at the drive through chapel:) We have stayed at pretty much all the major hotels and usually like to stay somewhere different each time. On our most recent trip to Vegas we stayed at the Encore and were thoroughly impressed with the rooms, the spa, and the staff. However, we didn’t really eat there because there wasn’t much in the way of vegan food. Boy, how times have changed. Recently Steve Wynn has made it a requirement for all the restaurants at both Wynn and Encore to have vegan options on the menu. Even the buffet will have a selection of vegan desserts.
It has been rumoured that Mr. Wynn has become vegan but it has yet to be confirmed. If he has become vegan that’s great, but even if he hasn’t I think it’s fantastic that he is doing this. Like I said I was thoroughly impressed by Encore before all this happened but now I can’t see myself staying anywhere else. I just wish more hotels and restaurants would wake up and start adding more vegan items to their menus.
James Kimbell
This is Part Three of Five in my response to the 5 Questions for Vegans from a Non-Vegan post by Megan aka Koolmeg aka My Corrie. These responses are personal, not representative.
Question 3: Do You Judge Meat Eaters for Being Non-Vegan?
You know, I’ve written several responses to this and deleted each one. It’s such a slippery question. I’ve never really known what people mean when they use the word “judge” like this (is it about what I do? what I say? what I think?) and I don’t think it’s real helpful to talk about “judging” and “moral superiority” and other silly concepts, but at the same time, even though I don’t know exactly what you mean, I know exactly what you mean, you know what I mean?
Imagine that you are concerned with the plight of child laborers in the developing world. The first thing you might do is stop buying $4 t-shirts and stop supporting sweatshops with your money. Okay, that was easy – what next? I think it’s probably reasonable that the next thing you might do is to tell your friends about it.
–Hey, you would tell them, did you know how bad it is over there?
–No, they would say, but why should I care?
–Because, you would say, they suffer over there. Imagine yourself in that position.
–That’s nice, they would say, but I think I’ll help out in my own community first.
And you would be frustrated. Would you “judge” them? I don’t know. I suppose you could say that you’re not frustrated with your friends and their attitudes, you’re frustrated with the effect of your friends and their attitudes. You’re frustrated with the fact that the kids over there are suffering.
And that’s really the point: I’m vegan because I think it matters. If it were just a personal choice, if one person’s decisions had no effect on the outside world, then I’d be eating bacon. So I can’t honestly say that I’m fine with other people eating meat, just as an environmentalist can’t honestly say that he’s fine with other people driving Hummers.
But that’s not all you mean when you ask about “judging.” The judging thing implies a lack of empathy, a complete refusal to see the other side, and this isn’t true, because few vegans were born vegans. Almost all vegans know what it’s like to eat meat. We know what it’s like to think vegans are silly. We know what it’s like to wonder if they’re judging us.
Carolyn Scott
Posted in Travel on 27. Aug, 2010
This is it, the last official holiday weekend of summer. Back-to-school, back to work, winter break is months away. For some, big vacations are the way to end summer 2010 with a bang but for others, time and finances may make that type of trip impossible. Regardless, make this last big weekend count so here are a few tips on how you can make the most of summer no matter your schedule or budget!
Be a Hometown Tourist
Many residents don’t take the time to visit all the landmarks and attractions that their hometown is famous for. Make like a tourist and visit a popular monument, a local museum or attend a hockey game. Sometimes a stay-cation is all you need to recharge ; )
Theme Park it!
Be a kid again. Gather some friends and spend a few hours at a nearby theme park. Let loose and ride the roller coasters. Look out for resident deals to save you some cash. If you’re afraid of what to chow on while you’re there, check out my healthy theme parks article! Summer time brings out the kid in all of us so a theme park suits the mood.
Sleep Away
Go online and find a reasonably priced hotel in your own city, book a room for a night or two and go. Since your stay will be short, you can even splurge and go for that five star hotel that you have always wanted to visit.
Enjoy the luxuries of room service and all the amenities, such as the pool and jacuzzi. This provides the feeling of being away without the mileage or the airfare. Take the night to just relax by yourself or with someone special. If you have kids, find a hotel with fun activities or a neat pool while you take time to chillax!
Take a Hike!
Find a nearby nature preserve or mountain with marked hiking trails. Grab your boots, backpack and water bottle and get moving. Make the most of the sun and warm weather by taking in all that nature has to offer. Pack a lunch and make a day out of it with pals.
Day Tripping
Plan to do something fun for the day. Look up towns and landmarks that are up to 2 hours away so you can make it up and back comfortably with time to explore. You’d be surprised how even being 30 minutes outside of the city can feel like being a world away ; )
Weekend Getaway
Plan ahead to take the whole weekend off and devote it to yourself, your friends or your family. Find good last minute deals for spas, hotels and even flights. For us Southern Californians, Vegas is a quick and inexpensive getaway if you know where to look. For Floridians, Orlando. Explore as far as you can for as long as you can.
Camping is also a great, affordable weekend trip that gets you away from the big city stress and in touch with nature.
Get Creative
No matter what you do this Labor Day, get out there and do SOMETHING! Whether you need some time to yourself to prepare for school or a new job or have a family and want to make some final summer memories, explore your world and enjoy it while you can ; )
For more information, visit www.healthyvoyager.com
Carolyn Scott
Posted in Travel on 20. Aug, 2010
I LOVE Portland and can’t wait to go back soon! The abundance of healthy, plant based food as well as the
overall healthy mindset of its inhabitants makes it a very appealing city to visit. Eco friendly, artsy amidst all the
beauty of being in the Pacific North West, Portland is fabulous ; )
See how much fun I had (and how much I ate) in the City of Roses!
For more information, visit www.healthyvoyager.com
Claire
The other day I was driving along the highway and passed a cattle truck full of cows on their way to who knows where (most likely to be slaughtered). Every time I pass one of these trucks it really bothers me and it makes me think of how people were shipped off to concentration camps in “cattle cars” during the Holocaust. I guess what really disturbs me is that while I see both being equally appalling, most people drive by cattle trucks and never think twice about it. Why is it that if people saw a truck full of humans being shipped off to their death in over crowded, disgusting (animals have to piss and shit where they stand), too hot or too cold conditions, they would outraged, but they see this happen to animals all the time and never do anything about it?
Poor little piggy:(
Although it makes me really sad to see those trucks at least I know that I’m not contributing to the problem. I can pass that truck with a clear conscience knowing that one of those cows, sheep, pigs, whatever it is, isn’t going to end up on my dinner plate. Can you say the same? Think about it the next time you pass a livestock truck and maybe you too will decide to Go Veg:)
