Hey there! It’s your girl LA from Black Girls Eat checking in after what was quite the 3 day weekend. My mom, daughter and I traveled to Richmond, Virginia to visit with my grandpa, aunts and uncles. Grand-dad is 96. And no, he is not at all interested in plant-based nutrition. Lol.
My grandpa is from Valdosta, Georgia. He stands way over 6 feet tall and is one of the funniest guys I know. Such a great story teller. He could have been a comedian. I was happy to visit but really worried about food.
Once you start leaning into plant-based nutrition and traveling, things can get tricky. When I’m home in NYC, I have it all figured out. If I forget my meal, I have my go-to restaurants to help me out. But when you are in another state or country, you can feel a little vulnerable. That’s how I felt in Richmond.
But I wasn’t nervous at the start of the trip. Although the flight from New York to Richmond is only about 90 minutes long, I was prepared. I had my own mix of sunflower seeds, craisins and walnuts in a zip lock bag. I even had a little dish of hummus and pretzels. I wasn’t sure if they would consider hummus a liquid. I was really glad that the airport staff didn’t make me toss it from my carry on luggage.
So the first night in Richmond, I was faced with the first of food dilemmas. My Aunt arranged for us to take a hip-hop dance class and I was hyped to go. But we were all hungry. We drove around the strip mall and the only thing lit up and open at that time was a Chick-Fil-A.
Omg... I have not had chicken in about 4 or 5 years. My 12 year old has shared that she would like to become a vegan at 14. But that meant for right now, she was all about the Chick-N-Strips.
The menu is just a repetition of a theme. You can get a chicken sandwich made 6 different ways: Original, Deluxe, Spicy, Spicy Deluxe, Grilled and as a club sandwich with bacon. So I did what any plant-based advocate would do. I sauntered up to the counter and ordered the Spicy Southwest Salad without chicken, waffle fries and a lemonade. I knew that the black beans and salad greens would provide me with the fiber that I needed to feel satisfied. My goal was not to complain but to take care of myself. All I can say is….Success!
The next afternoon would prove to be a little less stressful. The Olive Garden was the scene of the next family dinner. You’ve seen the commercials. Stacks of pasta smothered in cheese or Alfredo sauce. I have a love/hate relationship with cheese so it’s not often on my plate. But I felt really confident that there would be something for me to eat there.
And I was correct. First let me say that I only ate two breadsticks. They are not lying when they say it’s a never ending basket but I had to have some kind of self control! Second, I started my meal with lots of the Olive Garden house salad and a bowl of minestrone soup. Was the salad amazing? No. Would I have preferred a dark leafy green to the wilting iceberg in the bowl? Of course I would have but hey…a girl had to do what a girl had to do!
After two breadsticks, salad and soup, I was feeling great. I ordered a bowl of Fettuccine Alfredo and a side of broccoli. Mission accomplished. Whew! I am living proof that you can enjoy your plant-based lifestyle when faced with navigating new territory.
The Recipe: Butternut Squash Sauce
Are you fan of Alfredo Sauce? Wondering how you can get that same creamy taste without the dairy? Check out my recipe for Butternut Squash Sauce. Enjoy it with your favorite pasta or even alone!
The Random: My Love for Airport Lounges
I’m an airport snob so I always wait for my flight in one of the lounges. I enjoy sitting comfortably charging my phone and relaxing. The food is usually better than anything you can buy at the gate and this past trip to Richmond was no exception. Your girl was happy with her spinach frittata, potatoes with basil pesto, olives and more hummus! Shout out to the team at the Delta Sky Club at LaGuardia Airport for helping a plant-based sister out!
Are you an airport snob? Do you insist on waiting for your flight in one of the lounges at the airport when you travel?
Sending plant-based hugs to each of you! Find me on IG and Tik-Tok and keep reading to stay connected!
thank you for always making my days so much better with your posts!! xoxo