Honestly, I can live without hitting a restaurant. Really, I can.
But the hard part comes in when I'm with others, traveling long distance and/or celebrating an occasion. It seems almost impossible to find a place that is able to alter something to make it Vegan friendly, or even offer a Vegan dish.
No, I am not someone who demands special treatment - please, I am much more civilized and classy than that. But one would assume (yes, I said assume) that it would be fairly easy to just steam up a side of veggies WITHOUT butter and sauces and throw them on a plate. Yes! I would pay for that, extra even, if I had to eat out...I would be so relieved!
But everywhere I have gone lately that has not been a "Vegan" place has gotten me discouraged (and I have to be extra careful even in vegan restaurants because of the amounts of oils they use to cook with - to answer why, refer back to my first post on this blog about being a Modified Vegan and what that means for me...).
Case in Point:
I recently went to Olive Garden, and within minutes found that there was nothing on the menu I could have unless I wanted the garden salad with no dressing at all. That would be fine, I love salads! Except when we ordered it (without dressing), there was dressing in the bottom - again, not something I can have because it is oil-based.
So we had to send it back - and this time I again emphasized (very nicely, no need to be rude!) that I cannot have extra oils, it's a medical necessity. They were great about it, and I asked for lemon wedges - so as soon as we got an oil-free salad I squeezed lemons all over it - it was really good, I much prefer lemon juice over dressings anyway!
One would think that the Minestrone soup and Marinara sauces are actually vegan - and many people have stated they are - but they are not. ALL the noodles at Olive Garden are egg-based noodles, and their Marinara and Minestrone have a mushroom base that uses unsalted butter and dairy milk in the mixture - which are no-no animal proteins.
*sigh*, oh well. Two of my former favorites there...but no more.
*sigh*, oh well. Two of my former favorites there...but no more.
I was there with family, so of course it's always awkward when I am the only one not able to eat with everyone during the main course. They always tell me, "Come on, once is not going to hurt you," or "Don't you think this is a little extreme?", "How can you live like this?"
Well, yes it will...and no, it's doctor's orders...and just fine, I do very well on my own.
It's with others, or going out, or traveling that I run into issues and frowns. Because I cannot cook the food myself, I find that it's a struggle. One that is sometimes embarrassing and very awkward.
It's with others, or going out, or traveling that I run into issues and frowns. Because I cannot cook the food myself, I find that it's a struggle. One that is sometimes embarrassing and very awkward.
I have heard others tell me that this is my problem, I can't change mainstream restaurants, and don't bother...just don't go out. That's a little unrealistic since I travel, and my family and friends go out to places to celebrate events and accomplishments.
And I would NEVER demand that they or restaurants accommodate me over and above everyone else - that is just ridiculous. But simple things like steamed veggies are generally on a menu somewhere. It's just a matter of steaming them and not adding extras like butter and milk sauces to it.
And I would NEVER demand that they or restaurants accommodate me over and above everyone else - that is just ridiculous. But simple things like steamed veggies are generally on a menu somewhere. It's just a matter of steaming them and not adding extras like butter and milk sauces to it.
But on the upside to all this, one thing I have started doing (if I am local and not traveling) is eating before I leave the house, or bringing a cooler of food with me during the day so I can eat just before I go into the restaurant for a lunch date or that evening when meeting people. It has helped greatly. But again, it does not combat every situation I run into, believe me.
On another positive note: I do really enjoy going to someone's home for a get-together or celebration, I always offer to bring a dish so that way no one has to cater to my special needs. This way we can all enjoy the festivities with no awkwardness.
I just wish going to restaurants was as simple!
One place that one would not think of right away is actually SUBWAY - they have a Veggie Delight that if ordered with the Italian Bread is a VEGAN option! I load it with all the veggies possible and a little regular mustard and it is a great filler - and healthy! So there is always that option - thankfully! (My husband and I are getting used to hitting a SUBWAY if we cannot find anything else while we are out)
;-)
As a side note:
The one thing I do really miss is having dessert though, being diabetic AND Vegan can be pretty tough sometimes!
And I now realize and understand what other people with specific diet concerns and constraints have to go through. It's really tough out there with our current Western societal view on eating norms and foods. I can see now after much research, and changes that I have made to my own diet, just how much our Western Diet is a true killer.
One place that one would not think of right away is actually SUBWAY - they have a Veggie Delight that if ordered with the Italian Bread is a VEGAN option! I load it with all the veggies possible and a little regular mustard and it is a great filler - and healthy! So there is always that option - thankfully! (My husband and I are getting used to hitting a SUBWAY if we cannot find anything else while we are out)
;-)
As a side note:
The one thing I do really miss is having dessert though, being diabetic AND Vegan can be pretty tough sometimes!
And I now realize and understand what other people with specific diet concerns and constraints have to go through. It's really tough out there with our current Western societal view on eating norms and foods. I can see now after much research, and changes that I have made to my own diet, just how much our Western Diet is a true killer.
UPDATE: 9/28/2012
I recently received a reply from Olive Garden on whether they can alter some existing recipes or offer some new ones as Vegan options:
Dear Heather,
I recently received a reply from Olive Garden on whether they can alter some existing recipes or offer some new ones as Vegan options:
Dear Heather,
Thank you for your interest in Olive Garden.
We consider your feedback extremely valuable to the success of our business.
Decisions about our menu are based on guest feedback and demand, along with an effort to keep our menu fresh and interesting. We have documented your suggestion to offer some Vegan options on our menu.
While we cannot meet all requests, we want you to know that annually we compile all guest suggestions and recommendations for review. The most frequently suggested items are presented to our culinary team for consideration.
Decisions about our menu are based on guest feedback and demand, along with an effort to keep our menu fresh and interesting. We have documented your suggestion to offer some Vegan options on our menu.
While we cannot meet all requests, we want you to know that annually we compile all guest suggestions and recommendations for review. The most frequently suggested items are presented to our culinary team for consideration.
We appreciate the time you took to write to us. If Guest Relations can be of further assistance, please reply to this email or write us again through our website at www.olivegarden.com.
Sincerely,
Lidia
Olive Garden Guest Relations
Lidia
Olive Garden Guest Relations
