Hey guys! When I first became vegetarian I felt like a lost puppy in sea of unknown (sometimes I still do lol), especially when it comes to eating out at restaurants. Now that I’m trying out eating vegan, you can imagine how harrowing it might seem to find food options when eating out. Obviously, you can bypass any trouble and just head to a vegan restaurant! I’ve compiled some vegan and vegetarian resources if you’re interested in scoping them out. I will continue to update this list as I become more acquainted with what’s out there. A big thanks goes to my new buddy Jo who has sent me loads of awesome info. on being vegan.

Restaurant Guides

Organic

• Eat Well Guide

Vegan

• Happy Cow
• Veg Guide

Vegetarian

• Happy Cow
• Veg Guide
• Veg Dining

Los Angeles/Orange County Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants (These are the ones I know of — but there are *tons*)

• Native Foods (Vegan) – Los Angeles & Orange County
• Real Food Daily (Vegan) – Los Angeles
• Swingers (Has vegan, vegetarian and/or organic options) – Los Angeles
• Veggie Grill (Vegan) – Los Angeles & Orange County
• 118 Degrees (Raw Vegan Organic) – Orange County
• Urth Cafe (Organic with some vegetarian and a couple vegan options)
• Baby Cakes (Vegan Desserts) — Opened yesterday in downtown Los Angeles!!!

Online Vegan Stores

• Cosmo’s Vegan Shoppe
• Vegan Essentials

My Fave Vegetarian Recipe Blogs/Websites

• 101 Cookbooks
• Vegetarian Times online (Has option to search only vegan recipes, too)

My Fave Vegan Recipe Blogs/Websites

• Vegan Yum Yum
• Happy Herbivore
• Fat Free Vegan
• Post Punk Kitchen
• Dreena’s Vegan Recipes
• Vegan Lunch Box
• Vegan Feast Kitchen
• What Do Vegans Eat?

Additional Resources

• Check out the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart (backed by doctors and Alicia Silverstone) — A vegan challenge began the first of this year and the site provides recipe plans each day for 21 days.
• List of vegetarian restaurants in Los Angeles, CA here

Tips for Eating Out at Non-Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants

• Do your research beforehand!  Most large restaurant chains put information online as to what’s in their dishes and even break it down for you in list fashion which dishes are vegetarian and/or vegan.  For instance, check out California Pizza Kitchen’s vegetarian/vegan list here. Check out Subway here
• Google search your fave place to eat and its vegan/vegetarian options. A lot of your co-veggie-peeps have done the research for you and have put their research on the web for your convenience! (Always double-check and use your good judgment though…;)

Any of you have additional resources to add?

<3,

The Cranky One

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