davidmNY

I appreciate where you're coming from completely. Obviously, the vacations I mentioned would appeal to a certain group of people. I mentioned the clothing optional because there have been talks about it on the forum in the past. Just as I wouldn't go to a vacation that catered specifically to golfers [say], people offended by nudity should probably avoid going on a clothing optional vacation. Just throwing out some suggestions to broaden our scope of options. I think it's all good. It's definitely restrictive since things aren't always so cheap but, it's also nice to splurge on a special vacation once in a while. peace

Personally, I enjoy the camaraderie of an adult group. With kids around, there can be a fuss about editing language and reserving conversations for when they're not around. I have 13 nieces and nephews so, a vacation without kids around is most welcome. I'm sure many parents can relate too. Cost-wise, both the mentioned vacations would run over the 2 thousand USD range and most parents may not want to spend that for a kid to go on vacation and, lastly, a clothing optional vacation [if that were chosen] may be more suitable for adults IMO. All in all - it's just a different energy when the kids aren't around.

Welcome Pharmakon. You're hysterical. Have you considered stand-up comedy? I think you should. Loved the Cheney comments on stillbeating. peace

I'm sorry I'm going to miss out on Vegan Vacation but, I've also been thinking about other vacations that I thought I would throw out there that could be considered for the future. I wouldn't mind saving up money for a big vacation in an amazing place. First - I've seen retreats offered by the Kalani Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. I'd be interested in an 'adults' [18+] vacation and from what I've seen on the boards about some desires for 'clothing optional', Kalani would be the place. They do vegan meals and prices include your food and room. Some of their retreats emphasize the 'clothing optional' and I'm sure with a group like Vegan Bodybuilding, they would reserve a specific week on their calendar just for us if there was interest. ... kalani.com Another one that I stumbled upon was Dr. McDougall's Adventures. I really don't know much about this guy but, he does all vegan vacations in Costa Rica with zip-line canopy tours, river/ ocean and beach tours, rafting, hiking, entertainment and local guided tours. ... www.drmcdougall.com

::: sigh ::: SO wish I could be there. Sydney is such an amazing place. I had my first Australia dream [since my Nov 06 vacation] - I was in Bondi - I remember the feeling was very bittersweet and I was looking for the 7-11 so I could buy a phone card. Hope you partake and have a great time!

http://www.vegetariansummerfest.org/ Johnstown, PA (East of Pittsburgh) FULL: July 25 - 29 WEEKEND: July 27 - 29 Wanting to hear any feedback from previous years attendees; good, bad or otherwise. Going the full stretch vs. just weekend [?] ...and, anyone planning on attending?

Thank you Trev! I really appreciate the advice. Did some fruit & veggie shopping yesterday. I'm looking forward to ramping this up and making some progress. Peace

That's got lactic acid in it, The cream has some stearates in it. Probably not vegan... Hey - did my research. For anyone interested, I contacted Bikini Zone and the stearates and lactic acid in their products are plant derived. Bikini Zone is vegan.

Our friends in the UK are enjoying this great new talent. Mika is the vocal reincarnation of Freddy Mercury - so says me... and he's pretty to boot. http://youtube.com/watch?v=uzA0nG_PurQ Check his website if you need to know more: http://www.mikasounds.com/

Thank you so much Diane. I do feel the deficiency in my diet of not enough fruits and veggies. I'm looking into ramping that up when I can spend a good day really looking into my option by shopping with a knowledgable person. I will keep everyone up to date. PEACE - David

Oops. Shows how much I pay attention. I thought it was all just man-made stuff.

There's a Whole Foods in Ft Laud ~ 2000 North Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale, FL but, I'm not sure if you want to head North from airport to get there. If you can spend even ONE dinner in Ft. Laud, it will be worth it for Sublime (sublimeveg.com) which is one of the most amazing Vegan restaurants and close to the Whole Foods as well. There's another Whole Foods going down between Hollywood & N Miami at 21105 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. This one place looks cool too and plenty other places at this site as well: http://www.greenpeople.org/searchResults.cfm?memid=2570

Had some waxing done and just wanted to chime in with a great 'after product' my aesthetician turned me on to called Bikini Zone. Most drug stores in the U.S. carry it -CVS, Eckerd, Rite Aid, Wallgreens, Duane Reed, etc. It keeps the bumps and ingrowns down and really soothes. Rub it on next time you get back from a waxing.

Thanks!

Thanks Gabriel!

I actually gave it some thought. I'm not sure where my summer will take me. Lots of stuff to figure out - creatively and future endeavor wise. I know I need to get out there some day because I can't stay where I am. I think some day I'm going to have to make the decision to move to a more vegan-friendly place like Portland or San Fran.

Cullinary School? Thanks for the welcome Diane.

Hey - just saw this post! Yeah - Matamoras isn't far at all. Cool.

I've been to Provincetown once. Had a nice time. Very cool & quaint. Believe it or not, Newburgh is better than most towns as far as location goes. There's all vegan 'Pure City' 20 minutes away in Pine Bush NY. Gourmet dishes/ mock meats and the most incredible chocolate tofu cake [like chocolate silk pie.] There's the best Thai restaurant in Beacon - Sukhothai which will vegan any dish. The panang curry is incredible. Indian in Middletown, Fishkill and New Paltz. New Paltz also has the Main Street Bistro with regular vegan specials and just north of there is the Rosendale Cafe which features vegan and vegetarian fare. Newburgh has Nature's Pantry for all your healthy shopping needs. Mother Earth's has similar items as well as a mostly vegan deli counter just 20 minutes away in Dutchess County and we also have a good share of farm markets and organic co-op farms.

Very cool. It was at the Boston Veg Fest over 2 years ago where I heard Eric Markus speak when I decided to transition from vegetarian to vegan.

Very cool. I actually lived in Maryland for a few years [89-91]. Baltimore is a fun city. Cheers on moving to London. Lucky! I've wanted to go to the London Vegan Festival. http://www.vegancampaigns.org.uk/festival/ You'll have to go and report back! Thanks for the welcome.

Hello all. I'm thinking this is the year I get serious about getting in shape. I'm 37, 5'11" 165 at about 20% bf. I would love to meet people in the Hudson Valley NY area or within travel distance and maybe get an occasional work-out boost from someone a little more accomplished in the gym. I've been lurking on the Vegan Bodybuilding website and forums for quite some time. Thought it would be good to finally introduce myself. PEACE- David

Hi vegan people. It's been some time since my first post but, I've still been lurking. I would like some feedback on my diet and maybe some ideas on working out. I'm 37, 5'11", 165lbs and about 20% bf. Luckily, I'm not grossly out of shape but, there is work to be done and I feel in my gut [the one I wish to flatten] that this is the year I'm serious about getting in shape. I'm hitting the gym about 5 times a week but, that's mostly on my lunch hour. With travel time, that only works out to about 35 minutes in the gym. Since I want to lose fat and tone, I'm doing about 20 minutes on the eliptical [some joints can't take the pounding of a treadmill] - I DO break a decent sweat and then I'll do like the gravitron [upper body] and some abs where you lie flat and alternate knees to elbows like you're cycling kinda. On other days, instead of the gravitron, I'll do some chest and/or legs and/or curls- changing up body parts. Because of time, It's usually 2-3 machines and I have to get back to work. I'll get back to the workout dilema. The food... I'm not a big sugar addict like I use to be but, it does pop up in small amounts in my diet as you'll see. Typical foods include a natural oatmeal breakfast with about 1/4 cup natural applesauce & cinnamon. I usually have a small glass of oj to down a daily vitamin. During the day I snack once every couple hours, sometimes more if the workout makes me famished. One snack is a piece of cinnamon raisin ezekiel sprouted bread with natural peanut butter [about 1.5 TBSP] - that snack is about 2x a day. An additional daily snack may be the Ruth's Ginger Almond Maca bar [ http://www.ruthshempfoods.com/maca_bars.html ] and I reason it's 'healthier' because it's made with agave. If I get hungrier, sometimes I'll add a clif bar and I have to admit, my favorite is the Chocolate Brownie [ http://www.clifbar.com/eat/eat.cfm?location=bar&id=70 ]. OK - after all that sin - here is the rest of the meals. Daily, I usually have a chickpea salad sandwich which is 1/2 can of chickpeas - TBSP of veganaise and some spices in a 1/2 a pita [Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Flour Pita Bread: 1 Pita = Calories: 60 Total Fat: 2 g Sodium: 300mg Total Carbs: 8g Dietary Fiber: 4g Protein: 6g]. I usually have a salad with lunch, an apple after workout and one of those aforementioned peanut butter snacks. Dinner is usually an Amy's Vegan Burrito OR brown rice with black beans & spices - maybe 1/2 an avocado or some hummus & pita. I was thinking about adding a spoonful of Vega in some juice but, not sure if I should add right now. Oh yes - I also have the Happy Herbert's Spelt Pretzels [low sodium- http://www.happyherberts.com/NutritonalInfo/Pretzel/SpltMniPrtzLoSdm.html ] on hand for occasional snacking. I never pig out. So, there's THE DIET. I also drink plenty of water of daily and have a can of seltzer with a fruit essence - NO sweetener - with lunch. I should also mention, I'm pretty good about not eating 2 hours prior to bed. I realize the workout lacks and I'd do better with a personal trainer but, I'm turned off by the flabby trainers at my local Gold's that I go to. I'd really like to have a body transformation coach. I live in the NY burbs about 60 miles north of NYC and considered a trainer that maybe I can travel to a couple times or even take a vacation to start with one. It would be even better if there was a vegan trainer nearby. Any other workout suggestions would be cool. I've been kind of fantasizing that I'd have enough energy to take yoga at night to supplement my workout or maybe buy a bike this spring and do that. All in all - I just want to be comfortable taking my shirt off this summer, walking around in my swimsuit and maybe attracting some admiring glances.