I feel like the only vegan in Bradenton, Fl :(
Posted by nursingveg on Feb 23, 2011 · Member since Jan 2011 · 5 posts
I'm on vacation in Bradenton, Florida, and there is not a whole foods anywhere nearby that I can find!
I'm so spoiled, back home I have about 3 in a 10 mile radius
I was also looking forward to going to some cool vegetarian or vegan restaurants while here, but I can't find any of those either! The only things around are BBQ, seafood, and fried chicken
While I'm at home I have so much to eat, but here I feel like all I can eat are salads! If anybody lives in Bradenton or knows anything about it, I would appreciate some tips! Thanks!
P.S. I am staying with my grandmother and all she eats is chicken! Aahhh!!!!
type "health food stores near Bradenton, Florida" into the Google map search field.
Bradenton has Good Earth Natural Foods and Richard's Foodporium / Richard's Whole Foods. Sarasota has The Granary.
type "vegan near Bradenton, Florida", too.
Bradenton has Alpha Omega Cafe. Sarasota has Sahara Cafe & Mediterranean Food.
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I live in SoCal, where we have pretty much everything we want in terms of vegan options. Having tried most of them, I like locally owned health food stores more than Whole Foods. Each WF store independently buys their items, so they don't get a bulk purchase savings. On top of that, they have to pay for a more aggressive advertising campaign. Locally owned stores often have better prices. Additionally, although WF seems large, they spread everything out and really don't have more stuff than a local place - except for knick-knacks.
Thanks for the tip!
I was thinking about stopping by Richards Whole Foods at some point, and probably some farmers markets. I like WF mostly for the soy cheese and things like that. I also eat a lot of setian, and usually make it while I'm home but can't seeing as I'm on vacation.
WAIT.
What.
I'm in Bradenton.
THERE ARE OTHER VEGANS? (Wait, just read that you're on vacation, haha. Got over excited)
Good earth is better. I go to the one on 70 (which is 53rd Ave) They closed the BEST one. Richards is nice, they have more bulk bins than good earth does. We'll have to meet up at some point for food!
Vertoris (on 14th st towards Sarasota) has daiya vegan cheese pizzas!
And there is a Whole Foods in Sarasota, if you just take 14th (or 41, or tamiami trail, they're all the same thing it just has a billion names) It's downtown off of fruitville. (I'm sure if you type in 34205 on the whole foods store locator it will pop up on a map)
Oh also, check out Taste of Asia, its in Sarasota (They moved it, jerks.) Theres a place called Veg, but its in south Sarasota, so its about a 30 minute drive in traffic.
I generally get veggie burritos at Chipotle when I'm hungry for food (but not very different from stuff you can just get from anywhere).
My local hfs has a larger selection of vegan cheese than WFs, so you may get lucky.
Are you able to use your grandmother's kitchen, buy vital wheat gluten and make baked seitan.
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=33785.0
Perhaps this is a time to explore different meals.
1. Salad: Pimp out your salads. I love my daily salad that's half toppings.
2. Biscuits 'n Gravy: You could also make baking powder biscuits in the morning with mushroom gravy. Your grandma may enjoy the treat of someone else cooking a hearty morning meal.
3. Burgers: Make burgers. I bet you could find the "vegan" ingredients in bulk, they freeze well, and will take you through the end of your vacation. Serve them with bbq sauce 'n the fixings.
Burgers: These are giving in regard to the proportions of ingredients, but crumbly without the vwg.
1 (15-ounce) can refried beans
1 cup cooked rice
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup salt-free seasoning blend*
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
1. In a bowl, combine beans, rice, and rolled oats; mix together. Stir in nutritional yeast, seasoning blend, and soy sauce.
2. In portions, sprinkle gluten over mixture and mash in. Repeat until all of the gluten is incorporated.
3. If the mix is too dry to hold together, add nondairy milk or water. If the mix is goopy wet, add more rolled oats.
4. Shape into patties and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until burger is "set" and firm to the touch.
* For the seasoning blend, you can use a chili or taco seasoning pouch (they're often vegan) and then not add the additional salt.
uS posted twice in the amount of time it took me to finish one. She's a better resource.
I got a tad excited.
Oh also, Jerusalem Cafe might be open now. Its a kosher place, they also have vegan, vegetarian, and raw food. They closed to re-do the place. And their website is down. I have no idea if they're open yet. But it on Holmes Beach.
Until Wednesday there will be two vegans in Bradenton, Sarah! We will have to go out to lunch sometime before I go!
We went to Sweet Tomatoes in Sarasota, and that was pretty good. And Pei Wei also has a veggie/tofu/rice bowl that is fantastic. I'll look into some of those other restaurants that you guys suggested. It's good to have people that I can go to for advice :)