I have written an article published in the March issue of La Concha. "Plant Powered on the Camino - Tips from the Spice Girl " americanpilgrims.org
Plant Powered on the Camino - Tips from Spice Girl
by Elin Babcock, Ashland, OR
This is a take on walking the Camino on my plant-based plan: "nothing with a face or a mother." I am a V-N-O: vegan, no oil. (Or nuts) I did worry that I would have problems on the Camino.
I did not.
The Card to Success
Make a card in Spanish, to specify what I can and what I cannot eat:
"Dear Chef, Thank you for helping me stay healthy.”
List what you can and cannot eat.
At the end I mentioned, "I do drink wine." Now everyone is happy for me, yeah!
Emergency Kit
EK includes seeds, nutritional yeast, spices, herbs and mustard.
The Mother Load
Big nd. Health food stores called an Herbolario.Tofu, soy milk, rice and almond milk, tempeh, dried fruits, seeds, and spices.
Supermarkets
Beans, roasted red peppers, asparagus, lemon, frozen veggies, greens, lentils (bottle of wine) Balsamic vinegar, freezer bags
On Trail Recipes
Hummus: garbanzo beans, spices, roasted red peppers, lemon, balsamic vinegar. Put in heavy freezer zip-lock bag. Use wine bottle as rolling pin.
This is a take on walking the Camino on my plant-based plan: "nothing with a face or a mother." I am a V-N-O: vegan, no oil. (Or nuts) I did worry that I would have problems on the Camino.
I did not.
The Card to Success
Make a card in Spanish, to specify what I can and what I cannot eat:
"Dear Chef, Thank you for helping me stay healthy.”
List what you can and cannot eat.
At the end I mentioned, "I do drink wine." Now everyone is happy for me, yeah!
Emergency Kit
EK includes seeds, nutritional yeast, spices, herbs and mustard.
The Mother Load
Big nd. Health food stores called an Herbolario.Tofu, soy milk, rice and almond milk, tempeh, dried fruits, seeds, and spices.
Supermarkets
Beans, roasted red peppers, asparagus, lemon, frozen veggies, greens, lentils (bottle of wine) Balsamic vinegar, freezer bags
On Trail Recipes
Hummus: garbanzo beans, spices, roasted red peppers, lemon, balsamic vinegar. Put in heavy freezer zip-lock bag. Use wine bottle as rolling pin.
If I Get to Cook:
Stayed two days at an albergue in Pamplona. The other guests named me Spice Girl and gave me an apron with the city’s symbol of the bull. They were not too sure when I said I was xing vegetarian but by the time the aromas lled the common room even the owner came to dinner.
Dry roasted mushrooms: No oil necessary. Cut them and place in skillet over a medium heat. Salt releases their liquor.
One Pot meal: Lentils, beans, frozen tiny peas,
veggies, spices. Can be served over greens, rice, or pasta.
Dessert: pumpkin seeds or pepitos, sugar, skillet, parchment paper. Yea, I carry that with me along with a light weight cutting board and my knife.
Warm sugar until it starts to melt, add pumpkin seeds and stir till they are coated. Pour out onto the parchment paper. Let cool. Break apart into peanut-brittle sized pieces.
If I have an oven... Rare: Another dessert is baked apples, cinnamon and sugar.
WARNING: People will want your food.
Not to fear. With a touch of planning, you will be plant- strong and on track.
So bottom line to my fellow vegans and vegetarian pilgrims: You Can Do It.
By Elin Babcock Ashland, Oregon
Stayed two days at an albergue in Pamplona. The other guests named me Spice Girl and gave me an apron with the city’s symbol of the bull. They were not too sure when I said I was xing vegetarian but by the time the aromas lled the common room even the owner came to dinner.
Dry roasted mushrooms: No oil necessary. Cut them and place in skillet over a medium heat. Salt releases their liquor.
One Pot meal: Lentils, beans, frozen tiny peas,
veggies, spices. Can be served over greens, rice, or pasta.
Dessert: pumpkin seeds or pepitos, sugar, skillet, parchment paper. Yea, I carry that with me along with a light weight cutting board and my knife.
Warm sugar until it starts to melt, add pumpkin seeds and stir till they are coated. Pour out onto the parchment paper. Let cool. Break apart into peanut-brittle sized pieces.
If I have an oven... Rare: Another dessert is baked apples, cinnamon and sugar.
WARNING: People will want your food.
Not to fear. With a touch of planning, you will be plant- strong and on track.
So bottom line to my fellow vegans and vegetarian pilgrims: You Can Do It.
By Elin Babcock Ashland, Oregon
