Our fantastic vegan voyage continues!
Currently, we’re stationed in Ventura, CA, enjoying oat lattes and frequenting local plant-based eateries Seed Ranger, La Jenelle Natural Cafe, and Hip Vegan. In Santa Barbara, the majestic city next door, we indulge in Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine at Rascal’s Vegan and Fala Bar.
Over years past, we’ve shared numerous accounts of our gastronomic triumphs dotted across the country, like the X-Ray Speculoos, a cookie butter-filled confection by Donut Friend in Los Angeles; the delightful avocado frozen margarita by Avo in Nashville; the devilishly good mac & cheese by NuVegan Café in Washington D.C.; and the buttered cornbread by Imagine Vegan Cafe in Memphis.
Long hours on the road have ended in sweet and savory rewards, like the heavenly iced coconut latte brewed by Gaia’s Garden Cafe in St. George, creamy Mac N’ Cheesy at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen in Palm Springs, and veggies in every color of the rainbow at Shine Cafe in Morro Bay.
We have yet to regale our hungry admirers with tales of our food-first journeys into the Mojave Desert’s Sin City; across Manhattan in the Big Apple; through Paris, the most romantic city in the world; north to London; and south to Barcelona.
Every story will be told in due time. But right now, I’d like to introduce the crew.
That’s me, the Captain. I first embarked on this deliciously kind adventure in late 2016, as the days grew shorter and the trees began to lose their leaves. Just a few weeks earlier—having made the sudden decision to become vegan—I quit my corporate job and vowed to create a life centered around my newfound passion. I never looked back.
And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. —Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Well, that’s exactly what happened. To fund our travels and my extraordinary appetite, I eagerly accepted a position with Mercy For Animals, a nonprofit dedicated to ending the exploitation of animals for food. It was like entering a whole new world. I found myself working with a team of remarkable animal advocates—several of whom would become lifelong friends—and learning everything there is to know about factory farming and the many reasons why it must be eradicated.
Life took its twists and turns, and in April 2021, I landed at Compassion in World Farming, doing the same work but on a smaller scale. The slower pace has allowed me to prioritize my self-care, my family, and ADVENTURE TIME! Which leads me to my crazy, lovable, furry companions…
Romeo Einstein Mozart, First Mate, answers to Romeo or Papa. He lives up to his name. This 10-pound hunka burnin’ love is as clever as he is charming, with a rare ear for music witnessed in his affinity for dancing. He’s been with the crew since Deliciously Kind’s inception.
You might wonder, What can a dog contribute to the mission? Well, as the second in command, he offers the steady, moral support needed to navigate the highs and lows of a usually lonesome pursuit. Romeo’s also the in-house vegan junk food specialist—to him, raw fruits and vegetables have zero appeal. If there’s ever any question of where a product or dish lands on the scale of good-for-your-body to good-for-your-naughty-craving, he’s the man for the job.
Meet Cruz, Second Mate and the newest member of the crew. With energy like the Tasmanian Devil—and a soft side as sweet as an accidentally vegan strawberry Skittle—he’s the smallest and by far the most extroverted and attention-seeking of us three. If this was The Office, he’d be Michael Scott. If this was Friends, he’d be Chandler. If we were wheels on a cherry red Radio Flyer wagon, he’d be the squeaky one.
Cruz brings life and laughs to the Deliciously Kind crew. He’s spunky, athletic, and FAST. He would excel at any sport, but I imagine him most as a soccer player, like a young Cristiano Ronaldo: slim, focused, superb eye-paw coordination, and with the prettiest face that makes every passerby swoon.
Unlike his big brother, Cruz goes nuts for the healthier options. A few of his faves are celery with a dab of hummus, cucumber, and those little bone-shaped banana & peanut butter treats from Trader Joe’s.
That’s us! The tres amigos. Three perfectly matched souls destined to explore the universe together. 💜
On occasion, we welcome a very special guest to the Deliciously Kind crew: La Cocinera, aka Grandma (to Romeo and Cruz), aka Mom (to me).
When it comes to her culinary prowess, she’s best known by familia Valladolid for her golden taquitos—jackfruit-filled for me. I go crazy for her frijoles too.
So this short dedication goes to her, the woman nicknamed “Gaston” (Beauty and the Beast), because compliments work wonders on her, with the self-serving intention of getting more veganized Mexican family recipes to share with you all.
We are all living at an exciting time, when plant-forward restaurants are sprouting up like wildflowers in the springtime. Upon the launch of my vegan voyage eight years ago, I believed I’d visit every one of them, on the planet. Now I can see that I don’t stand a chance. And that’s a beautiful thing. ✨
Updated January 2025
