PART TIME HALF-ASSED VEGAN NOTES - I came so very close

I had every good intention of eating full on VEGAN for dinner tonight, but the Vegan Bowl at Bolay (opened May 2017) has tomatoes and tofu.  I will rarely say yes to raw tomatoes.  As for the tofu, I just wasn't feeling it.  Tofu doesn't have the right "mouth feel" for a protein.  Maybe it's just me, but I know damn well what meat is supposed to feel like, and I feel (rather strongly) that a meat substitute should feel like what it's substituting or it's not convincing.  If I'm not convinced, how could I possibly be satisfied?

Still being game and thinking I could improvise this vegan thing, I opted to build my own bowl.  I ordered a small bowl with cilantro noodles and quinoa (pronounced keen-WAH) with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.  What I really wanted was their cauliflower because it's amazing.  It's so amazing that I wouldn't be surprised if a kid would ask for more, but cauliflower is no longer an option at Bolay.  I shed one tear and got over it.  The Brussels sprouts and sweet potato are out of this world, and I always LOVE the cilantro noodles!

Bolay makes ordering pretty easy.  Choose your size, choose your base, choose your veggies, choose your meats and then toppings.  On days when I allow myself the indulgence of protein, I really have to make a case for their shrimp.  It's plump and delicious and seasoned really well.

Then - and here's where I blew it and un-veganized my meal - I got the pesto sauce.  It contains dairy.  Diehard vegans will shake their heads disapprovingly, but I'm not even trying to go all out vegan.  I'm not even opting for all out vegetarian.  I just want to do it part time.  Half-assed.  Because I do love meat.  It's the chronic inflammation and cardiac arrest that I'd like to eliminate from my future.

Bolay is in Pembroke Pines at Hiatus Road and Pines Blvd. in the same plaza as Walgreen's, European Wax Center, Verizon, and Jared Jewelers.  For the guys, it's at the northeast corner of Hiatus and Pines.

Bo - Bowl
Olay - FUN!
Bolay!  Bolay all day!!

We start with quinoa and cilantro noodles

Quinoa, Cilantro Noodles, Kale, Baby Spinach
Bolay Pembroke Pines.
Photo by Mackenzie Littledale

Then add Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes

Finish with pesto sauce and Voila!  A half-assed vegan meal that tastes great!