I posted on the Slacking section of this blog the other day that I was having such a hard time finding vegan food at my conference this week. I had a full day and a half of not eating a regular meal at the start of the trip, and to have that happen at the beginning of a five day trip is so disconcerting. I was coasting on calories from clementines, walnuts, and a soft pretzel, and seriously wanted to cry.

I wanted to highlight some moments though that opened up to me and made me once again feel fed-

I had the most success at some of the chain lunch restaurants in the Seaport area- HoneyGrow and Dig Inn. They had TOFU and rice and greens.
We went to a tapas restaurant in Seaport called Boqueria. The waiter marked up the menu for me to show the plates that were fully vegan and the ones that could be made vegan through substitution. This happened on the evening of day 2 when my head was throbbing, and he was so gracious in the way he made sure I was set up- I was so grateful.
I had a friend join me on a walk to a fully vegan restaurant in South Boston called Lulu Green. I was grateful to her for being willing to come along and I was happy to have a menu where everything was available to me.
I’ve had moments in my life where I’ve eaten a single piece of fruit in a beautiful location, and it’s seared into my memory. I was able to have this experience on this trip, enjoying a truly delicious pear in the sunshine on Boston Common. And then I gave the core of my pear to what may have been the cutest little squirrel ever. I felt we had a connection.
I could not find any breakfast foods, until the last morning that I walked over to the convention center and turned down a street where I hadn’t ventured yet. And there, across the street, I saw a bakery cafe called Flour. I went in, expecting just to get a coffee, and lo and behold, there was a VEGAN MUFFIN in their bakery case. This was another moment when I came close to crying.
And THEN, once of my biggest surprises, was stumbling upon the salad bowl at Logan Airport, of all places. This was the moment that made me realize my quick judgement of Boston as a place with no food for me may have been faulty. I boarded my flight home feeling so content and full. I appreciate this aspect of eating primarily vegan and plant-based. I approach food selection as something I don’t take for granted, and something for which I am so grateful, when I finally find food that will nourish me. So, Boston, I thank you for these moments.

I take back everything I said, Boston

Peaceful Kitchen