A Whistler Story...

We just returned from a trip to Whistler (which explains my fewer posts). After almost a week there, I can tell all of you my vegan people that Whistler is unfortunately not vegan-friendly. You would think it should be, right?! Active people, healthy lifestyle, eco-friendly, living connected to the earth. All those active and 'sustainable' people are eatin' meat and cheese I tell you! Steak houses rule in Whistler, and since it is a hot tourist destination, and since most tourists are into living large and indulging heavily, there is no place for vegan fare.

We had been to Whistler before so I knew what to expect really. But, we had only spent a couple of days there before, so this time I was hoping to be able to go to a cafe for lunch. I didn't care too much about dinner hour. I had planned some simple meals and we stuffed the trunk with everything we needed, knowing that a dinner out was near impossible. But, a lunch break I was hoping for... as much as I love cooking, I'm entitled to a break during vacation, right??! Unfortunately, even the 'crunchy' cafes had NOTHING vegan. It was unbelievable. We also asked around - at the farmers' market and at a health food store. They explained that vegan and 'healthy' had been attempted in Whistler before, but wouldn't take because of the tourist population. Wow.

Speaking of the farmers' market, this was my one bright vegan light. There were a couple of stalls from Pemberton vendors, and they understood vegan. At one I was able to pick up a zucchini bread (much like a banana bread) and a small kamut bread. They were pricey, but I was willing to spend it at that point! I also expected to find a raw booth. One of hubby's colleagues gave him a business card of a gal that had a raw stall at the farmers' market, so I eagerly searched... then... like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow (and we got our dose of rain in Whistler!), there she was, Sarinda of Wild Planet Raw Foods.

Stock up I did! Here are a few pics of some of Sarinda's creations. Raw macaroons in the foreground, and raw granola in the background (and the granola I most enjoy as a night-time treat with ice cream - you shoulda' known, right?)

Raw onion crackers and raw tortilla chips. My fave are the tortilla chips, made with sweet corn... hubby's fave are the onion crackers. Sarinda also had nori crackers that were selling very well. I do not like the taste of nori. I've tried, but no matter what form, in sushi or crackers or whatever... it makes me feel sickly. But, I'm obviously in the minority because these nori crackers were a bit hit!

Apart from food, I must say that the air in Whistler is incredibly clean. After leaving and we drove into the Vancouver area, there was this heavy dense feel and smell in the air, and I realized just how much pollution we have, even though we are surrounded by much natural beauty. We did a 'tree trek' tour which brought us high into the trees and moving from area to area by suspension bridges. The air was indescribably clean and crisp. Here, you see a picture of some cables in the trees. Well... these cables are for something called "ziplining". See how high we are in the trees and with glacial waters running below us? Now, check out this next pic. See those very faint lines running through? Look at that tree on the right of the pic, there's a faint line close to the tree top. Oh yes, those are the same cables that people 'zip' on, like so! Freaky crazy and cool, huh?!!!

So, that's my short story of our trip to Whistler. No vegan dining, a little too much rain, but some good fun and very clean air! If you're going to Whistler, be sure to get there on a Sunday for the farmers' market and get to Sarinda's booth!