Our fantastic vegan voyage continues!
Currently, we’re stationed in Ventura, CA, enjoying oat lattes and frequenting local plant-based eatery Seed Ranger—The Great Vegan Food Station. In Santa Barbara, the majestic city next door, we’ve indulged in wine, cocktails, and fine cuisine at Mesa Verde and Oliver’s.
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.
We have yet to regale our hungry admirers with tales of our food-first journeys through Mexico City, the capital in the clouds; into the Mojave Desert’s Sin City and the smaller desert oasis of Palm Springs; north to Portland; and south to Austin.
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 2016 as the days grew shorter and the trees loosened themselves of their leaves. 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! This leads me to my crazy, loveable, furry companions…
Romeo Einstein Mozart, First Mate, answers to Romeo. Don’t be fooled by the name, ladies and gents. This 10-pound hunka burnin’ love is as clever as he is charming, with a rare ear for music witnessed in his dance moves. 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.
Last but not least is 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 moment when plant-forward restaurants are sprouting up like wildflowers in the springtime. Upon the launch of my vegan voyage six 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 July 5, 2023
