A Very Vegan Fourth of July
I hope all of the Americans out there enjoyed as vegan-filled a Fourth of July as I did. And if you live elsewhere, I still hope that you enjoyed some delicious veganness on this Saturday, July 4.
After a relaxing morning, complete with a bike ride to Mugshots, a local vegan-friendly coffee house, for fruit smoothies, a hummus and veggies wrap, and a game of scrabble with my roommate, we headed into the city for Philadelphia’s annual Welcome American festival, concert, and fireworks. We first spent a few hours handing out vegetarian pamphlets from Vegan Outreach. Then we headed out to dinner.
We ate at Continental Mid-town, a local restaurant that is known for having lots of veg options. The menu had recently been redone and now includes a vegetarian section. Unfortunately, the menu does not fully explain the dishes and I ended up ordering two things that were very not vegan. The waitress more than happily, and a bit apologetically, got me new plates sans cheese and eggs. The bus boy even apologized and mentioned that the same mistake had already happened to another vegan earlier in the week.
After enjoying a blend off mushrooms on flat bread and an insanely delicious layered dish that included tofu, whipped edamame, avocado, arugula, and a mustard sauce, we went on a hunt for vegan dessert. Across the street at the new ice cream store I asked if there were any vegan options. Another apology, but also another comment about my not being the first person to ask. Down the road at the chocolate shop I found a few dark chocolate delights - plus, the sales girl said that several other vegans had come in hoping for vegan dessert!
Hopefully some of these restaurants and stores start to take note and offer more vegan options!
July 5th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Like almost every summer I had to go to the fireworks by myself. My friends are otherwise very cool, but regarding the 4th/fireworks they think it is a prowar, pro *ist values celebration. So I go and enjoy it by myself. Every year I go and come back. Miraculously I don’t switch to being a Republican nor do I go out lobbying for military action anywhere, but they are still unconvinced.
This year I sent an invitation out to a local veg*n mailing list. The one person who replied told me that she was against it since the sound of fireworks traumatizes animals.
I was sitting a few people down from a woman who had her pet poodle with her. Those dogs, usually hyper, couldn’t have been more relaxed.