For most of my 62 plus years I’ve been an omnivore. There are very few foods I won’t eat, and I’m usually open to trying exotic fare. So when my gastroenterologist put me on a dairy free diet for two weeks I figured I’d suffer through it and then go back to my regular diet (stomach permitting) once those two weeks were up.
The first week I didn’t do very well. Our grandkids were visiting from Illinois, and I was often in a hurry to grab something that seemed okay. It turns out there are dairy products in so many things that we’d never think to question, like crackers, breads, dry cereals. and processed meats. Even non-dairy toppings may have dairy. Go figure.
Once the grandkids departed I got serious about going dairy free. Since I don’t cook much, or well, I went in search of vegan restaurants in Tallahassee, figuring they’d be the best sources of dairy-free foods, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
Sweet Pea Cafe on Tharpe Street is an excellent vegan cafe. I’ve eaten there several times now. Just today I had yummy tacos and the most incredible sweet potato fries I’ve ever tasted. Their baked goods are top notch, too. Seriously good stuff. That’s their menu board pictured below.
The Soul Vegan Express on Adams is good, as well. It’s a bit of a drive from my home, but I’ve eaten there once and highly recommend it.
Other Tallahassee restaurants have vegan options on their menu, so I’ve had a variety of choice places to eat.
I’ve also been shopping for frozen vegan foods and have found there are some great offerings. Amy’s Kitchen brand features a couple of vegan entrees. Nature’s Path makes a terrific frozen vegan waffle. I actually prefer them to Eggos brand! There’s a flatbread pizza made by American Flatbread that is amazing. One has to read the labels, but the vegan designation always means the product will be dairy free.
Of course I can have fruits and greens, so that’s fairly easy. And I’ve discovered some tasty vegan candies. The best thing is, I feel good.
I have a follow up visit with my gastroenterologist later this month, and I’m planning to stay at least dairy free, maybe even vegan only, until I see him. I’m kind of interested in seeing how this all turns out.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Vegan can be so amazing. I cut out dairy completely when I was trying to understand inflammatory responses and arthritis. I was able to slowly add some dairy back in, but I still keep it to a minimum. Vegan “cheese” is about the only thing I just won’t do!
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Is it telling that my taste buds aren’t offended by vegan cheese? I must be a total barbarian.
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Let’s just say that you’re more easily adaptable than I am!
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I will admit that I’m most bummed about discovering that most wines are not dairy free. 😢
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Local delivery from a Total Wine and More type establishment maybe…? Some place huge like that must have vegan wines…
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I’m still letting my system settle down. Once it does I’ll search for a wine!
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Good plan, and fyi TWAM does have vegan wine and they ship all over! Probably would end up being an expensive bottle of wine, but hey sometimes it’s worth it 😉
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Surely I can find some locally!
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Kim Crawford is Vegan! Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Gris
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Good to know! Thank you!
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Vegan cheese is not that best lmao…I tried this smoked gouda by Daiya once & I’m still traumatized 😀 BUT, if you’re looking for a super easy parmesan alternative you ca; blend up some raw unsalted cashews, nutritional yeast, & salt for preservation. This stuff last weeks and coats noodles in the same way dairy parmesan does! Tapioca starch blended with cashews is also great for making stringy “mozzarella” for vegan pizzas/lasagnas :
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Great information! Thank you so much!
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Agree on the vegan cheese! Do you eat eggs at all? I do but I make sure they’re free range and local. Without a few eggs per week I get kinda weak and light-headed.
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Good luck with all this Leslie
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Thanks, sweetie!
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I noticed a calming in my GI tract the minute I cut out dairy and gluten. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
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Good to know! I’m going to stick with it!
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Did you know there is also dairy and egg in wine too! I have to stop drinking wine because of it, and now I cannot find a good vegan wine I like…or perhaps I have lost the taste for wine altogether.
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I know! Apparently kosher wines are dairy free. I found a list of good kosher wines online, but none of our local stores carry them.
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My daughter works at a liquor store, but there are not that many available here
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I haven’t visited our biggest liquor store yet. If they don’t have it I’ll have to order some. For my sanity.
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Lol….i switched to rum
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👍
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Yay, get healthy, go vegan. I love my dairy free, meat free eating plan. Works for me. Feel much better for it and I think you will too.
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I’m already feeling some benefits. I just want to be well!
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Of course you do. I have many reasons for being vegan but my health is the major factor. I read, Dr Michael Greger’s book “How Not To Die” and I was sold on the benefits of a plant based diet. I’m glad you are feeling better.
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Thank you! Thanks, also, for the book suggestion. I’ll look into that.
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I love all the foods you describe! I make vegan parmesan “cheese” with ground cashews – delicious
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Oh wow! I would never have thought of doing that. Great idea.
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There’s a couple more ingredients, nutritional yeast, salt it’s simple
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One of my sons-in-law went vegan for a month for a charity fundraiser. He has continued for a few years now
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That’s encouraging! I certainly think it’s worth doing.
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Great post 😁
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Thanks!
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So glad you’re feeling better, Leslie.
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Same here!
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Thank you!
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Glad you are on the mend. The food looks delicious. Great picture.
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It’s really good!
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Good read. Glad I found your blog. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen so far 🥕🛵
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Thank you! I’m kind of erratic in my topics. I’ll check out your blog.
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