Monday, June 15, 2009

baltimore bytes and philly bikes

Baltimore Bytes

Last Saturday I visited my amigo, Leonard, two hours south in Baltimore. Charm City is always a feast for the eyes and the palette. For the eyes: this lovely art deco theater at dusk.


For the palette: a grilled pizza for lunch at Kooper's on Fells Point.



More visual sustenance...We did a mini art crawl and took in the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Walters Art Museum.


Besides boasting a world-class art collection that spans pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th century Europe, the Walters also houses an impressive collection of armour. I must admit, though: if I saw this happy soldier running at me, I'd be more inclined to give him a hug than to pull out my sword.



Newly remodeled church, against the clean blue sky.



Dinner: Tasty, filling falafel at Egyptian Pizza.



I came home with a container of Baltimore's famous Old Bay Seasoning to grace my austere [read with tongue-in-cheek] spice cupboard. I love Old Bay sprinkled on fries and on popcorn.


Philly Bikes

On Sunday, I rose bright and early. For breakfast, I made "Fronch" Toast from Vegan with a Vengeance, topped with a strawberry sauce that I threw together.



Here's the toast a-toasting, and the sauce a-simmering.



Photo by Chris Boyd.

I like to run outdoors whenever possible. Last Sunday's run coincided with the 25th Annual Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, known locally as the Manayunk Bike Race. Cheering on the occasional rainbow blur of bikers certainly made my jaunt much more interesting and fun. The 57.6 race is famous....or infamous... for the bikers' four treks up the steep and grueling Manayunk Wall.



After my run, I browsed the stalls of the countless health-centric vendors who had set up shop along the course. Here, Pablo inspects the mountain of *free* goodies that I toted home in my *free* backpack [not pictured]. As you can see, I hit the Larabar mother lode. The sales rep needed to clear out her stash so she urged me to "Take more, take more!"


I enjoyed a simple summertime dinner: Sloppy Joes and corn on the cob. (This classic recipe will appear in my upcoming cookbook.)


24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your posts.

The falafel and grilled pizza look delicious.

Eating Consciously said...

man, that sloppy joe looks delicious!!

The Vegan Snorkeler said...

Love the art deco theater photo! That pizza looks mouth-watering.

Theresa said...

That looks like two great summer days :)

aimee said...

Wow, Pablo is so much a part of your family now you'd never guess he was a stray. Kudos to you for being such a great kitty mom!

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

Looks like fun! That's a serious Larabar stash!

Tami said...

What a great shot of the theater...and all the food, of course.

Looks like you had a wonderful weekend.

buffalodick said...

Good food, good fun, good for you!

Unknown said...

whoa - sloppy joes and corn on the cob sounds like gold right now!

Carrie™ said...

Love those sloppy joes! I've made them twice more since the recipe test. They are truly the best!
I'd love to visit that museum. The pictures you posted are wonderful! Yea for free stuff! I've never tried Lara bars. I'm actually kind of scared to. I've never really liked energy bars. They always taste like chemicals to me. I bought a couple of Clif bars and hated them. Are the Lara Bars any different?

Carrie™ said...

BTW, what is Old Bay seasoning? Is it only available in Baltimore?

tavolini said...

mmmmm! I want that corn on the cob and sloppy joe!

Bike races are fun--we've happened upon a few here, too.

Baltimore looks great--I love that town. So many good restaurants!

East Village Vegan said...

Baltimore sounds like a great city filled with beautiful art galleries! Also,I love those mini Larabars. Used to get them at the Greenfest on South Street.

urban vegan said...

Carrie: Larabars are great--they are actually raw food. Just dried fruits, nuts and a spice or two, depending on the variety.

Old Bay is a seafood seasoning, made in Baltimore. It's usually used to flavor crab cakes, but I make a version with it that Omniman says tastes exactly the same.

You can buy Old Bay on the Internet.

Ariela said...

mmm everything looks amazing! those little lara bars are too cute for words! :)

I read your blog all the time, but this is my first time commenting. I live in Philly and intern in nyc with GirlieGirl Army http://www.girliegirlarmy.com !

Like you, we're spreadin' the veggin' world, and keepin' it real :) .

KleoPatra said...

i have missed your blog, so glad i linked over from Facebook.

Talk about good times!!

And good eats!

And good workouts!

Love it...
xo

MeloMeals said...

I LOVED your interview with Ed Collins! Your approach to food is wonderful and inspiring. I can't wait for your cookbook!

Judy said...

I am now torn between having fronch toast and falafel for breakfast... Nice score with the Lara Bars - I have only just discovered these, and they are all so good!

Carol said...

My family visited Baltimore last fall, not expecting much--it's a wonderful city, and extremely vegan-friendly for being a smaller metro area! Please tell me you've been to Liquid Earth at some point--their sandwiches are to die for.

urban vegan said...

Carol: I've been to Liquid Earth a few times. I also love it.

You can see photos on the old blog (Link is at the bottom of the right raisl)

Anonymous said...

I live right around the corner from the Walters Art Museum! Philly seems much more vegan friendly than Bmore (more actual vegan restaurants) but I do love living here...

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I do have a big tin of Old Bay sitting on my counter :)

supra shoes said...

great summer

jordan 6 rings said...

I bought a couple of Clif bars and hated them. Are the Lara Bars any different?