Mardi Gras: Phat Eateries that can Slim You Down

In late 1995 I became a vegan. It was a journey I had been taking since a high school senior when I gave up pork. Three years later, after gradually eliminating meats, then fish, and finally dairy, I embarked on a memorable journey that lasted about 6 years. It was rough some days, but beautiful most days. I had slip ups where I ate dairy or fish, and some days I despised veggie burgars.

Though I ultimately gave in to fish and dairy by 2002, I knew more about the lifestyle and totally appreciate my tenacity to be healthy and how my body was saved from a lot of issues that meat has caused the planet. Still, majority of my meals are veggies and fruits, and I am lactose intolerant, therefore forcing me to elimate dairy.

One of the issues I had as a vegan was the availability of restaurants that respected vegan lifestyles and also the price. As a journalist and active person, I was always on the go. However, the prices were astounding sometime. Nevertheless, I am a sucker for some good vegan foods.

America eats too much meat. Stats say that most of the corn grown in the U.S. goes to feeding livestock rather than as a food source for humans. That is worrisome, considering that hunger is a national and global issue. I contend that if everyone did yoga, got a good massage, had a great lover, and could travel to places where they could swim naked and laugh while dancing under the moon...life everywhere would be a whole lot better.

On a serious note let me give you some facts. If you eat meat and dairy every day, your chances of illnesses such as cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease are more likely. Mind you, we must keep in mind that the U.S. meat of today is so pumped with steroids and antibiotics that it is more synthetic drugs than meat. I contend that the BS put in these products to increase growth and speed up growth, as well as cut down the disease from animals being crammed in cages without free movement is much of the problem. Add on to the fact that we don't drink enough water, get enough exercise, are stressed the hell out, and do not get enough sleep, puts us in a lifelong battle with preventable illnesses.

Though I am not a vegan anymore (oh, that is so hard to say) I do support vegan and vegetarian restaurants. I've jotted down some, most I have not patronized, but it is worth checking out.

One thing I must note, I have had some funky experiences in a certain vegan soul food chain while living in ATL. The issues were around poor service, inconsistencies, and crazy a$$ male managers that I had to remind that I respect their faith and customs, but I will not be treated like some down-trodden chick. Other than that, I met some cool folk. When I stop through I will let you know. Happy Eats...blog on...kns

Veggie Restaurant Roll Call
Naturally Yours Cafe (American and Soul Food)
4830 Almeda Road
Houston, TX 77002713.520.7694
Calabash Vegetarian Kitchen (Soul Food)
233 Mitchell St
SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Café Sunflower
Buckhead Location
2140 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 352-8859
Sandy Springs Location
5975 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 256-1675
http://www.cafesunflower.com/
Veggie Heaven (Chinese)
631 Valley Road
Montclair, NJ 07043
The Chicago Diner (American)
3411 N Halsted
Chicago IL 60657-2412
773-935-6696
http://www.veggiediner.com/wp/
Karyn’s Fresh Corner (Raw)
1901 North Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Phone: 312.255.1590
http://www.karynraw.com/
Cousin's Incredible Vitality
3038 West Irving Park Rd,
Chicago, IL 60618
Contact Us at 773.478.6868
http://www.cousinsiv.com/
Vegetate
1414 9th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20001
202-232-4585
http://www.vegetatedc.com/
Nirvana (Indian and South Asian)
1810 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
http://www.dcnirvana.com/
Sticky Fingers (Vegan Bakery)
1370 Park Road, NW
Washington, DC 20010
202-299-9700
http://www.stickyfingersbakery.com/index.php

Veggie Chains
Hillside Quickies http://www.hillsidequickie.com/
Hillside Quickies Vegan Sandwich Shop
4106 Brooklyn Ave
Seattle Wa. 98105
(206) 632-3037
Hillside Quickie's Cafe
324 15th Ave E.
Seattle WA 98112
Quickie Too
1324 So MLK Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 572-4549

Soul Vegetarian http://www.soulvegetarian.com/restaurants.php
Source of Life Juice Bar & Deli
(Inside Everlasting Life Health Food Store)
Soul Vegetarian Gourmet - Hampton Mall 9185 Central Avenue
Largo, MD 20743
(301) 324-6900
Soul Vegetarian Restaurant & Exodus Carry-Out
2606 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) EAT-SOUL (328-7685)
Source of Life Juice Bar & Deli
(Inside Everlasting Life Health Food Store)
2928 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 232-1700
Soul Vegetarian East
205 E. 75th St.
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 224-0104
Soul Vegetarian Restaurant
879-A Ralph Abernathy Blvd. SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 752-5194
Soul Vegetarian International
652 North Highland
Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 874-0145
Everlasting Life Raw Food Bar
878 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd
Atlanta GA 30310
(404) 758-1110
Eternity Vegetarian Deli & Juice Bar
11 South Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 454-1851
Soul Vegetarian South
3225-A Rivers Avenue North
Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 744-1155
Soul Vegetarian on Wheels
Kleman Plaza 200 North Duvall Street
Tallahasee, FL 32301
(850) 575-9342