Sunday, May 13, 2007

A Perfect Weekend

This is a photo essay of my weekend. Saturday I picked up Chase and Liz and we had a light lunch before heading to the Mela Fair at Barsana Dham. I made Susan V’s Mini Crustless Tofu Quiches and Vegan Lunch Box Banana Oatmeal Cookies to have with hummus and salad pita wraps.




The compound is located about an hour away toward the hill country. The weather was warm and perfect.






The elephants arrived at the same time we did.







Just inside the gates is a pavillion where performers entertained all afternoon.




The temple is the first building you see. It was beautiful.








We opted to start away from the crowds and headed off to the trails encircling the grounds. We made the right choice. So much nature in one setting.

















We were thrilled to discover a waterfall at the far end of the trails.




Near the waterfall is a wedding gazebo.




We saw the most amazing flowers in brilliant colors.












The last of the bluebonnets.







At the end of trail we came upon a huge peach orchard. Our hill country is famous for its peaches!




Next we went through the dining hall, but didn’t get anything to eat (shock!). Yes, it smelled wonderful and we love Indian food, but we had dinner plans. We shopped and played a few games before we left.





Chase ran into a guy handing out flyers for a veggie hot dog eating contest! It’s in two weeks and Chase is so there. He is sure he will win. He doesn’t even care what the prize is or that it’s the day he can move into his shiny new apartment. Liz and I will enjoy Temptation ice cream while we watch Chase down a few dogs.






We went home to relax a bit and wash our feet and change shoes! I don’t think I will ever get over going through a dining hall and public restroom in bare feet, then putting my feet back in my shoes.

Dinner time and we’re off to Casa de Luz. It’s pizza night and we are hungry!









Wheatfree, vegan, organic, all you can eat food, lunch and dinner, every day. On the menu tonight is Sweet Potato Veggie Soup with brown rice miso, Garden Salad with creamy almond herb dressing, Daikon, carrot and beet pickles…..







…. and Spelt crust pizza topped with a creamy pepita walnut basil pesto sauce, sautéed crimini mushrooms, black olives, caramelized onions and mochi “cheese” – not the prettiest pizza but definitely one of the best pizzas any of us had ever eaten. Also on the plate is red lentils, leafy greens with roasted garlic tahini herb sauce (the sauce was incredible), and stirfried burdock, broccoli, asparagus and corn.




We ate all we could, then strolled through the campus and headed home.

Of course today I spent with my wonderful mom and wonderful son. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too.

17 comments:

Candi said...

Your photos are so gorgeous! I love all the flowers. I hope you had a great mother's day!!

PS? Your previous post with the broiled avocado has me excited! What a great idea!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful weekend! your photos are beautiful as always :) mmm... for all the veggie goodness, too!

erica said...

What a great weekend! I had my mom over for banana ice cream - my parents were amazed there was nothing but bananas in it :D

Saturday was her birthday as well, so I made sure there was chocolate sauce & nuts, too (but she didn't touch the sprinkles).

Anonymous said...

amazing weekend, i just imagine i was there, beautifull photos. i enjoy the post so much.

Dori said...

Awesome pictures! Happy mothers day to you. Good luck to Chase at the hotdog eating event and on his upcoming move. Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend and the food looks wonderful too. I went to my favorite orienta buffet on mom's day and received flowers and garden stuff (like I requested).

johnhenry said...

I read your blog and I love it. I was just wondering... Your title says "The adventures of a gluten free vegan," but you have some very glutenous things... Oats, Spelt and *gasp* Semolina (a type of wheat) are very much NOT gluten free. Could you explain? Thanks!

aTxVegn said...

Hi, Denise. I'm happy to explain. I am NOT celiac, just intolerant. My family is not celiac or intolerant. I sometimes cook for my family using wheaty items and when I do, I don't indulge or I just take a taste. Sorry for the confusion. Also, I've read that oats are generally considered "OK" for celiacs and I seem to tolerate them just fine.

- Diann

urban vegan said...

I am fascinated by the Hindu deities--there are so many of them and they are all mystical and magical.

Happy belated mothers' day!

Douglas said...

I love the food pics but I am an honest person and have to speak my mind.

I cringed when I came on and saw the pic of the elephants walking with a basket on there backs so they can give people a ride? It makes me sad to see something like that. Those poor babies belongin the wild not in amongst people to be stared at.

Sorry but I am an honest guy. I love all the other pics:)

aTxVegn said...

Douglas, I hear ya. It's an Indian thing and we certainly didn't ride them. The ride was, sadly, the most popular thing to do there. But, to see the elephants up close - they are magnificent creatures! There were three huge, muscular, beautiful, and very healthy looking specimens.

Kati said...

What a fun weekend! Those flowers are so pretty and all your food looks so good. I had to laugh about the veggie dog eating contest - can't wait to see the pictures!

MeloMeals said...

omg, I am SOOOO impressed with that restaurant! (I googled them).. how freaken cool are they?

It looks like you had a great time at the festival.. I love your nature photos... just beautiful.

Happy belated Mother's Day!

Good luck to Chase in his veggie dog contest.

Amey said...

That looks like such an amazing and magical place! I love all those pictures from your hike - the flowers and the waterfall... so beautiful!

Keep us posted on the veggie dog contest!

bazu said...

I love these photos- what a beautiful weekend! The quality of the sun and the air reminded me of when I lived in the south- (Florida) I miss being closer to the equator! Your flower photos are simply hypnotic. Can't. Stop. Staring.

Emmy said...

The pics of the temple and the grounds are gorgeous. I love the waterfall pics. The flower pics are just amazing. It's unbelievable what vibrant colors can be found naturally.

I can't believe there's a veggie hot dog eating contest. What a hoot. Good luck to Chase!!!

Christina said...

You might already know this, but there's a Natural Epicurean/Casa de Luz Community potluck. The Natural Epicurean is the culinary arts school on Casa's campus. The potluck is usually held at the home of one of the students, but they are open to the community.

I've also heard that there's another vegan potluck/musical jam session that's trying to establish itself as a monthly event. I saw it on craigslist last month, but was unable to attend.

laura k said...

Wow, those flower pics are amazing. Wonderful post.