My take on walking the Camino with plant-based fuel. My eating plan for health reasons is "nothing with a face or a mother." I am a V-N-O, vegan, no oil. (Or nuts) After two strokes. I found this plant based program and have had my 4th anniversary as a vegan. I worried that I would have problems on the Camino.
I did not.
Some reasons why the Camino was so successful:
1) I made laminated cards stating in Spanish, what I could not eat and what I could eat. The word "stroke" doesn't translate well so I put "Heart Attack Survivor"
Dear Chef, Thank you for helping me stay healthy.
( what I can eat and not eat... I put the NO OIL in caps. That's the most challenging issue. )
What I can eat.
At the end I mentioned, "I do drink wine." Now everyone is happy for me, yeah!
I have my emergency energy kit. like seeds, nutritional yeast, spices and mustard. And when I can find them, herbs. A restaurant house salad comes alive with a dressing of spices, nutritional yeast, mustard and wine... Just a little from my glass. I ask for fresh veggies and beans. Some of the plates are photo shoots. Think success and satisfying.
Big find. Health food stores generically called Herbolario or Herbolaro . This is the mother load. Tofu, soy milk, rice and almond milk, tempeh, dried fruits, seeds, and spices. Other items all are at least vegetarian. I found Herbolario s even in small towns.
My Supermarkets list: Garbanzo beans, roasted red peppers in water, white asperagus, lemon, veggies, greens. Lentils (make sure it is not prepared with meat broth) ( bottle of wine) Balsamic vinigar. Freezer bag.
Great salad mixings.
Hummus recipe. garbanzo beans, spices, cut up roasted red peppers, lemon. Balsamic viniger. Put in heavy freezer zip-lock bag. Use wine bottle as a rolling pin until all ingredients are the consistency of paste. Serve with crackers or bread and balsamic vinigar .. Lots of favors... And wine.
Another addition to the salad dressing is a little orange juice.
If I get to cook:
Stayed two days at an albergo in Pamplona, the other guests named me, Spice Girl, and gave me an apron with the city's symbol of the bull. Made me feel young.
Dry roasted mushrooms. Clean and cut mushrooms. That's all. Cook over a medium heat add salt. Salt helps the mushrooms release their liquor.
Melangé of ingredients for a one-pot meal. Lentils, beans, frozen tiny peas, veggies, can of tomatoes, spices. Can be served over greens, rice, or pasta.
Dessert: pumpkin seeds or pepitos, sugar and a touch of Cayenne. Skillet. parchment paper. Yea, I carry that with me along with a light plastic cutting board and my knife.
Warm sugar until it melts, add pumpkin seeds and stir till they are coated. Finish with a touch of cayenne. Pour out onto the parchment paper. Let cool. Break apart into peanut-brittle sized pieces.
If I have an oven... Rare
I grill veggies in a roasting bag
Another desert is baked apples, cinnamon and sugar. (You can do this in a skillet on the stove, too. ) mix 1- part cinnamon and 3 parts sugar in a flat pan. Cut and core an apple place cut side on mixture. 350F for 45 minutes depending on the apple.
WARNING: People will want what your food.
So bottom line to my fello Vegans pilgrims..... You Can Do It!
Not to fear with a touch of creativity and planning, you will be plant-strong and on track.
Sources.
How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, by Dr. Esselstyne who is my doctor as well as President Clinton's and a whole lot of others.
Engine 2 Book by Rip Esselstyne, tri-athlete
No Meat Athlete. Blog by Matt. Marathon runner
Forks Over Knives. Movie
Buen Camino.... See you in April 2016 Elin