The KInd Life Community Forum
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Anyone who is a vegan in Grand Rapids please friend me on Facebook... you can look me up by my name.. Krysten Voss (there are two Krysten Voss -es on Facebook... I'm the one who is not Asian). I live in San Diego at the moment but will be moving back to GR in June and all my friends/family there are meat-eaters so I really need to make some new vegan Michigan friends!! Thanks =)
Ok, I know I am a ways out of Grand Rapids. But where do y'all find your odd ingredients. I am having a really hard time with mochi, daikon and wakame primarily. We have one small health food store down here (which doesn't stock them) and then just Meijer. Any suggestions?
Hey everyone! I just finished reading The Kind Diet book and decided to join the site. :)
I'm from Kalamazoo! There are a few places around here that are very vegan friendly too! My favorite is this hole in the wall type place called Crow's Nest which is right above 4th Coast Cafe right near downtown. It's one of the only places I've found where I can just order something and say I want it vegan (Their zucchini bread is to DIE FOR!!!) and all of the wait staff is educated enough to make sure not a single thing on my plate has animal products in it.
The Burdick's in the Radisson hotel has a vegan black burger on their menu that has a bun made from a local bakery! It's YUM!
There are other places that have vegan options if you asked, but I have found that in this town, it's much easier (unfortunately) for me to outright lie and say I'm allergic to dairy products and eggs. People turn their nose at me for some reason when I try to explain I'm vegan.
Willo, I know you're from Vicksburg... have you tried Sawall Health Foods in Kalamazoo on Oakland? In that same plaza, they have an Asian grocery called Pacific Rim and I'm almost positive they have everything else there. Also, I'm pretty sure I've seen daikon sold at the Meijers around here. :)
Hey! I haven't tried Crow's Nest yet, but really want to. It might have to wait though, as I am really trying to cut sugar and gluten too. I frequent Sawall's monthly, with no luck. They flat out told me they stopped selling mochi. And I have tried Meijer (weekly) with no success either :(
I would try Pacific Rim that's in that same plaza (sort of behind Treat Street...). It's an Asian grocery.
If you tell the wait staff at Crow's Nest your dietary needs, they'll be able to help you out. :) They're really good about suggesting menu items to fit whatever your fancy may be!
That stinks about Sawall's. :( I feel like that place is hit or miss: You either get someone extremely knowledgeable and helpful and there are other times when I get so frustrated with them!!
I have a few other veg friends in the area. I'll ask around and see if anyone knows where we can get our hands on these things. I just got done reading the book and I'm eager to purchase and try a ton of these new so-good-for-you foods!
My BF and I went to the Meijer on Gull Rd. and there was a sign for daikon, but no daikon in sight. =( It looked as though they all had been snatched up, but that must mean other people are eating healthy and I'm okay with that. :)
Alright, so I finally made it to Pacific Rim. They have daikon AND umeboshi! Sawall's had umeboshi for $18.95 and I found about the same amount for $4.49. :)
I was in a hurry, so I didn't have time/forgot to ask about the mochi. They have a ton of mochi products there though, so I'm assuming they have just plain 'ol mochi. There are some of the nicest folks at that place!! :)
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