20 Hours in Amsterdam 🚲

Call me crazy! A 20-hour layover with vivid memories of Amsterdam still remains in my mind. Instead of sitting in a cramped seat for 8 more hours in addition to my already 11 hour trip from Kenya, I took a chance and made a quick stop into Amsterdam before heading home.

I stayed at XO Couture Hotel, an overpriced but nice hotel in a residential area. A 15-minute train ride and a 15-minute walk from Schiphol International Airport, checkin was via computer and I was able to easily rent a bike from the hotel. Biking through beautiful Vondel Park on a day filled with sunshine beats self-medicating with cheap wine to ease the leg pain on a full flight back to the U.S.

I headed to an interesting burger joint called Vegan Junk Food. I had a hipster kinda experience with paper drinking straws made to look like bamboo, a vegan burger with fake cheese that looks real, and an elderflower drink without sugar. The guy taking my order had a cool mustache and was really laid back and comfortably chatty.

Finally back to the hotel with limited channels and great internet. Morning brings a different perspective, in this order: check out, find a breakfast place that’s open, make my way to the wrong train station, find the right train station and finally check-in to get my flight on time. Still, it was all well worth the adventure. Next time if time permits I’m going to the Rijksmuseum. Maybe you can add this to your trip if you get in at the right time. Front Image: Hung Tran

100% Plant-Based Cafe 🌱

Nourish is a 100% plant-based and Non-GMO cafe with a large selection of items, the restaurant offers Savory and Sweet Toast as well as salads, sandwiches, rice bowls, waffles, baked goods, soup of the day and juices. I tried the toast sampler, frittata, and almond pudding. The savory and sweet toast was amazing, I picked the lox, butter & jam, pumpkin, avocado toast. ( the sampler has 3 smaller toast). Both the lox and pumpkin were made with creamy nut cheese from Kite Hill. The butter & jam is made with a drizzle of Miyoko's Vegan Butter and the avocado was simple but my favorite. Well worth the $3.50 the frittata is moist and flavorful with hints of rosemary. I can't wait to go back and try the mock tuna salad and soup of the day. Nourish has two locations both with different menu's, Hyde St. and California St. and 6th Ave and California St.

Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary: Wine and Goats

Goatlandia is a Farm Sanctuary where the goats will go on living until a ripe old age. If you want an Airbnb Experience that you will never forget Goatlandia is the place. Learn about the animals, feed the goats, pick food from the garden for your meal, and enjoy a 4-course delicious meal paired with wine. Goalandia owner Deb is no stranger to delicious food, she owns several top-notch restaurants in San Francisco which include Delarosa, Lolinda, Starbelly, and Beretta.

Greeted at the door by Alana (she teaches goat yoga at the farm) we were given a cocktail with a sprig of rosemary from the garden and offered several plant-based appetizers. After mingling with the other guest we are off to see the goats, chickens, and pigs. Deb gave us the animals names and history and we quickly make friends with the goats. The highlight was bottle feeding the soft baby goats as they tried chewing your hair, clothes and jumping on your lap. Just can't get enough of the goats! Meh, Meh

Before going back inside we make a quick stop at the garden to pick some herbs and greens.

Our dinner was 100% plant based and free of animal products. It included a salad, a herbed mushroom soup, spring risotto with asparagas and a delicious chocolate molten cake. (it changes according to what's available and in season). The 4-course meal was paired with 4 different wines that accentuated the flavors of the meal. Heading back to the car we take a detour to visit the goats one final time! If you want to meet the goats, Goatlandia Farm Sancturay has many other events you can participate in on their events page.

Shinzen Sushi translates to Nature Sushi

Where is the vegan sushi?? Shinzen, Vegan Sushi Bar & Izakaya in the Mission offers some of the most thought out creations of vegan food I've ever seen. This might explain the line outside the place on this particular Saturday evening. I make it a rule not to wait in lines... but eating by yourself has it perks! I get a seat at the last spot at the sushi bar. The menu is genius for vegans, you can get Nigiri with roasted pepper, eggplant, tomato and green mango. The rolls have clever titles; Secret Weapon, Colonel's Pipe, the Surprise Ending (comes with a shot of sake in the center), the Candlestick ( presented with a flame on the side, seriously), and Hidden Agenda. I've heard from repeat customers that the ramen is excellent. The dessert delivered next to me (sorry for staring) looked exceptional, green tea ice cream with fresh fruit placed beautifully around the ice cream. The beauty is in the presentation, excellent flavor and a place that transcends beyond the monotonous vegan fare.

Plant-Based Mexican Cuisine in the Mission District

Gracias Madre is a plant-based Mexican food restaurant in the heart of the Mission District (between 18th & 19th Street) in San Francisco. What makes this place so special is its ambiance, handcrafted iron works, a beautiful mural in the outside dining area as well as the wood floor inside, and matching chairs. The food can be hit or miss so be sure to ask your waiter or look at the 1,500 images that Yelpers have provided.One thing that stands out is how well the dishes are plated. I tried the Chilaquiles with cashew cheese and Rojo sauce (pretty good), the salsas in the trays, green and red had a perfect blend and balance of peppers and spices which made it hard for me to chose which one to put on my dish. I spent time alternating between the two.

Uncommon Offerings: North Lake Tahoe Market & Kitchen

For vegan and vegetarian food while in North Lake Tahoe check out Stony Ridge Uncommon Kitchen in the back of New Moon Market, it has great vegan and vegetarian options. I had the falafel salad, great dressing! We sat at the counter that faced the snow-covered yard and enjoyed the low key ambiance. If you want to grab some great organic produce the selection is top notch or browse the exotic craft brews.

Sunset Farmers Market

If your looking for organic fruits and vegetables this is a great stop for a Sunday morning. Nestled between two buildings in a parking lot the market offers a relaxing environment with a smaller feel than most farmer's markets in San Francisco.  My favorite booth is the Fifth Crow Farm booth, although a little bit more expensive they provide top notch quality produce. Be sure to stop across the street for some bakery goodies at Arezmendi's Bakery.