What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to eat food that promotes a sustainable community!
The 2014 Earth Day event hosted by Vegetarians of Central Florida was my very first time attending the annual event. I was really excited, not so much about the great information that I was sure to learn. Nope. I had $20 to spend, and I was so excited that it was planned for one thing only: food. After a quick once around to make my final decision on what I would be spending my money on, I made what I believe were 4 great decisions.
Here’s how I ate my way through the 2014 Central Florida Earth Day Celebration:
$7 Nachos (Dandelion Communitea Café)
Let me start by saying that I haven’t eaten nachos in years, and it’s not because I don’t like them. Nachos were my snack of choice when I went to the movies. I remember the heaping of chips and the hot, thick yellow cheese that accompanied them. I also remember the stomachaches and the regret I felt after consuming such a meal, which is why I was so excited to try vegan nachos. Let me tell you, they were oh, so good. Not only was there so much that I couldn’t finish it, but it was made of natural, healthy ingredients.
Taken from the restaurant’s website, here is what the nachos were made of:
- Organic blue corn chips
- Fresh, diced tomatoes
- Homemade queso (made with peanut butter, roasted red peppers, garlic, cayenne, cumin, sea salt, and other natural ingredients)
The best part is that if you missed the event or didn’t have a chance to try the nachos, Dandelion Communitea Café is a local gem that is located at 618 N Thornton Ave. Plus, the nachos, called Machos Libre, are on its regular menu and includes a topping of chili. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
$3 Red Velvet Cake Push Pop (All From Scratch)
When I visited the All From Scratch table, I had fully intended on buying a big, chocolaty brownie (or two), but then I saw a box full of upright contraptions, which I would quickly come to learn were “push pop” like devices that were filled with cake and icing. Instead of going the brownie route, I ordered the red velvet cake push pop. I was really impressed. The cake, which wasn’t as red as you would normally see it because it was made from all natural ingredients, was so moist, and this was after a 30-minute car ride. I especially liked the icing. It was light and creamy, definitely not the kind of icing to give a sugar rush, which I was so thankful for. Eating the cake push pop really took me back to my younger days as I continued to push the lever up to reveal more and more of the cake and icing combination. Come to think of it, it would be a great addition to have at a birthday party or wedding maybe in lieu of a cake.
All From Scratch bakes all natural and organic goods and also includes gluten free and vegan options. It is located in the Central Florida area at 2781 Wrights Road (Oviedo).
$6 Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (Love is Love Vegan Soul Food Café)
They had me at vegan soul food. It is exactly what kept me waiting in the long line to order my food, then the additional ten minutes it took for my order to be ready. It was so worth the wait. From the looks of it, I wasn’t quite sure what to think. It was made very simply, sandwiched between two pieces of white bread. Thankfully, it was so much more in taste than it was on looks. The sandwich was bursting with flavor. I wasn’t sure what type of protein was used in lieu of the chicken, but it had a nice outer coating of breading and sauce. The best part of the sandwich was a white sauce that was buttered across the chicken pieces. It was really good, and gave the final 1, 2 knockout punch to the flavor of the sandwich.
If you are like me and are looking for a place to take in some good soul food sans meat, the ladies at Love is Love Vegan Soul Food Café need your help. Owners, Alexandrah and Veronica are looking to open up their soul food café in Orlando. They currently cater parties and events. For more information about how you can help, visit www.GoFundMe.com/LoveIsLoveOrlando.
$4 Coconut Classic Drink (Lemon Bar)
I finished my visit to Central Florida Earth Day with the Coconut Classic Drink from the Lemon Bar. If my budget had allowed, I would’ve purchased two of these drinks or at least purchased the larger size. That is how good it was. It was the perfect thing to accompany me as I pretty much ran back to my car in fear that I had received a parking ticket. The drink was bursting with coconut flavor, which I loved! Of course, the best part was the ingredients: cane sugar, fresh citrus and fruit, and water.
By the time I left the event, my entire $20 budget was gone. I left with no change, but I did leave having tasted some great food and adding some great restaurants to my list.
Flip through my pics to see the awesome things I ate at the event!
