Out of my Kitchen Comfort Zone...part I

so today was my first official day eating out as a vegan, without going to a vegetarian  or vegan diet specific restaurant, and I have to admit, it was quite the ordeal.  You can only ask for them to do so much before they are ready to throw you out!! 

"Low Fat" Vegan  - FAIL!  short of just ordering a plain garden salad with NO dressing, maybe some salt and pepper, there was nothing on the menu. If I want salad, I'll go graze in some field somewhere, at least it would be free.

"Vegan"  - Questionable at best.  - Though there were a few items on the menu that did not indicate they had any meat, egg or dairy products in them, what went in during the prep process is unknown. This is where you are forced to ask questions to the point where the waitress doesn't have a damn clue and thinks you should just F' ing make it yourself.  However, there were a few promising items like Hummus w/ pita , fried zuccini sticks, greek salad minus the feta cheese, rice and potato.  You can see where the lack of Low Fat comes in.
I was disappointed in that I was hoping to fall back on the good old North American staple of spaghetti with plain tomato sauce , however, the fine diner I was eating at actually puts Parmesan Cheese  in their sauce.
I know... who wouldn't. At least it saves them from allowing piggies from wasting 1/2 the Parmesan shaker on top of their own dish. 

"Vegetarian" - Depending on whether or not you are a "Lacto Ovo Vegetarian" or just a "Lacto Vegetarian" makes all the difference.  Its definately easier if you are Lacto Ovo and dont have to worryy about if there is egg product in your meal, but if you are a Lacto Vegetarian, and only eat dairy, then you really have to question what ingredents are in the products they are cooking with.   But with any Lacto Ovo , skies the limit , as its easy to have your favorite dish removed of meat product ... but I'm amazed at how much CHEESE is used in the industry ... everyting has cheese on it.  The Veggie burgers, pastas, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, your baked potato, your veggies. 

I'm starting to wonder if it isn't Cheese that makes the world go Fat!
I think Asian cooking is one of the culinary cultures that doesn't use a whole lot of cheese product. Look how skinny they are.  hhhmmmm... and all Asian diet challenge next.??.. it has possibilities

If there are restaurants out there listening!!!  Get some Vegan Dishes will ya ! you are excluding a huge population that could be dinning at your tables instead of grazing the field across the street !!

Stay tune for part II..... as the weekend continues.

PS - incase you couldn't figure it out , Lacto Ovos eat NO animal flesh, but will eat Eggs and Dairy products... and Lacto's ( no ovo)  have figured out that eggs are just baby chickens and consider them "unborn flesh" , so they only will eat Dairy products.