Happy in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Yes...these are tortillas with beet juice
artwork. Tortillas are a mainstay of
all of us here in Mexico

Living in Mexico has become the "norm" or "home" for Richard and I over the last 5+ years so I thought I would take this blog post to talk about some of the plant based events and favorite places that I have in San Miguel de Allende, this "disney-like" town. I say this because it is so beautiful and almost perfect with its weather, old colonial buildings, kind and gentle Mexican people and there is truly something here for everyone. It is one of the reasons it has been given the title of #1 City in the world in 2013 by Conde Nast Traveler. This is not the only award. To some of us locals, we understand these ratings but do not necessarily feel good about what it means for tourism and overwhelming the infrastructure. Anyway, because of this - we have food to please all palates and plants abound in all ways. The Mexicans do have a way of mixing their beautiful delicious fresh produce with loads of cheese or animal ingredients but it is still possible to avoid it with conscious effort.

Free workshop - vegan milks and cheese

Ready for our "students" at TOSMA,
San Miguel de Allende, MX

I have a new friend, Dulce (means sweet in English) who I joined for a special vegan class to make plant based milks at our weekly Saturday Farmer's market.

It was fun sharing this knowledge with others and for me, some of the recipes were new too. Dulce has a little tea shop in SMA with many plant based items for food and body care as well.

The workshop in SMA

Preparing an Indian meal in Mexico!

Another very special event was the serendipitous meeting with Gaia and Jen (my yoga instructor). Gaia was visiting from India and learning about Mexican cooking so I was able to connect her with one of our favorite chefs, Javier at Don Lupe Grill for a shopping and cooking class. That night Richard and I were invited to Jen's for a special and very delicious Indian meal made by Gaia. I sure hope to connect with her again sometime in this world.

Spinach-mushroom quesadillas without
cheese at favorite Don Lupe Grill

And now to some of my very favorite meals and the restaurants that I frequent the most. I like to support restaurants who have plant based items on their menus.....not the ones who will make something special when requested, but the ones who treat us as important enough to put it right out there on the menu. I do my best to educate restaurant owners when it is possible that we just want to be like anyone else - read a menu and make our choices, not be treated differently.

Falafel salad at Media Naranja

"Cookie" and fruit at Oso Azul

My favorite salad for sure is Media Naranja on the corner of Hidalgo and Calz de la Luz - falafel salad.
My favorite breakfast place is Oso Azul - with my new favorite addiction - vegan, sugar free, gluten free cookie - a whole meal in itself.

Richard's favorite spinach soup at Oso Azul