Vegan at Disney

Eating well while traveling, it's hard. Being a vegan and traveling... Even harder! However, Disney accommodates all types of dietary needs and are very good for a vegan lifestyle! As a Disney Cast Member and avid park goer, I have found many nooks and crannies and tried many of the delicious vegan options, and want to share my knowledge with all those worried about being able to eat at the resort! Below are some of my favorite vegan Disney meals and some others listed I haven't tried or taken pictures of!

Sunshine Seasons (in the Land) at Epcot!

Vegan korma with Gardein Meatless Chik'n- with jasmine rice.

Highly recommend, so tasty!

Also pictured: veggie roll with avocado, cucumber and ginger!

My mom and I enjoying the 2015 International Food and Wine Festival! They only had two vegan options however, a vegan Korean BBQ in South Korea (using Gardein beefless tips, very good), and Vegan Moussaka in Greece.

My go to: Morocco's quick service- Vegetarian platter! Hummus, olives, salad, falafel, couscous, and lentils! Very filling, healthy, and delicious. 10/10

Craving ice cream on a hot day? The ice cream shop on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom serves Tofutti and Rice Dream! Ask for flavors, they sometimes change. I believe the Electric Umbrella at Epcot sells as well.

Vegan Brownie Sunday at 50s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios, chef made for us on my 23rd birthday! Fantastic. They have recently changed their meat balls from vegan to vegetarian, containing egg now. Big disappointment their spaghetti and meatballs was a favorite in the fun environment.

Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC (formerly BabyCakes) is a vegan and gluten free bakery with all sorts of delicious treats at Disney Springs!

Also at Hollywood Studios, at Pizza Planet you can request dairy free Daiya cheese on your pizza! Very good.

Not Pictured Vegan Spots!

-Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco at Epcot

-Veggie Burger at Sci Fi Cafe at Hollywood Studios

-Lighthouse Sandwich (without the broccoli slaw) at Magic Kingdom

-Veggie Burger at Cosmic Rays Primetime Cafe at Magic Kingdom
-Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge is known to be very vegan friendly

Also, Disney is very accommodating! If you ask ahead, the chefs are more than happy to create a delicious meal for you! Feel free to email or comment with questions :)

Health and happiness!

Let's Be Gentler

I could talk all day about how running makes me a better human, but in every way possible it truly makes me a better person. A more patient person, you can't fast forward a run. You have to take every step. Kinder, it makes me kinder to myself and to others, you can't think bad thoughts when you are doing something you love.

Above all, it makes me more gentle. And at this time, especially now, I think the world needs this. Now this may be very controversial to talk about so soon but I think it is a perspective others need to consider. The attacks on Paris and Beirut this past week were horrifying and unforgivable. I cannot even fathom the sorrow from those who lost loved ones, the Parisians, and the people of France. Our world has darkness in it, and darkness has left its mark and shown its face openly this week.

However, the way to improve peace in this dark world is to always be gentle. Be gentle with your word and actions to others, always. Speak kindly about all. This includes ALL countries of the Earth, and all its inhabitants. We are one people living on this rock floating through time together. We do not need to be separated by borders, cultures, races, nor religions. This week we are not praying for Paris, we are hoping for peace for mankind.

To all whom we meet, those traveling who may not speak our language; be patient. We all share the same bond of humanity. Language does not separate us. To those believing other religions; be understanding. Do not raise your beliefs above theirs and do not criticize theirs for what they think. Islam is not bad, the radical sectors of the religion like ISIS and the Taliban are. Be educated and know the difference. Be open, allow your heart to be open to those that need your heart. The world needs our heart, Syria, the entire Middle East, Paris, they need our heart and understanding. Bombs are not quieted by bombs.

We are not praying for Paris, we are praying for the world. But even more, we are working to improve the world. Let's take our activism another step; instead of sharing the same logo of peace or changing your profile picture to a French flag do something that makes a difference. Get off your computer and go into the world. Be accepting with everyone you meet. Be more patient when you are driving and lay off your horn. Do not hurry others at the checkout line. Say hello to someone with their head down. Strike up a conversation with the lonely person in a coffee shop. Call your mom. Quiet your negative thoughts. Imagine a world where you didn't have someone angrily honking behind you at a stoplight. Peace starts here. Peace starts small. Share kindness to everyone you meet and everyone you see. 

The Dalai Lama summed it up perfectly, read the interview here: www.dw.com/en/dalai-lama-on-paris-attacks-work-for-peace-and-dont-expect-help-from-god-and-governments/a-18852858

Compassion is Key

Fishing: I had been begging my parents to take me fishing for weeks on our annual summer trip to North Carolina. Probably around the age of 7, my father finally gave into my request. "Kelsey, before we pay we are going to observe to make sure this is something you want to do." However, my mind was set that I needed to fish. My father was wise, knowing I had a compassionate little heart for all living things, and as soon as I saw a fish pulled out of the lake with blood gushing out of its punctured lip, I was sobbing to leave. This is my earliest memory of passion for animals.

Being vegan is not nearly as important for my health as it is for the well being of all living things and the planet. Yes, the planet. My journey to becoming a vegan and a vegan activist encompassed my entire life; from being raised with a knowledge of what happens to animals, as a vegetarian family, and my furthered education in my college years has all shaped how I see animals today. Daily life for me is shaped by my compassion for animals; running gives me tunnel vision for nature and living creates. I eat ethically; a plant based and simple diet free of any animal derivatives, and I share my feelings and knowledge on the topic of animal rights and the environmental impact with anyone who will listen. I find many are "interested" but it's just "too hard" for them to give up meat. I reply that is bullshit, eating plant based is the most natural and simple way to live! 

Running has helped me to delve feeler into my passion for the environment and animals. On my runs I think and appreciate the earth more than ever else in my life. While running I enjoy listening to like minded individuals on their podcasts that open my eyes to other people who care strongly about animals, the Earth, fitness, nutrition, and consciousness. I look up to people like Rich Roll, Scott Jurek, Jackson Foster of Plantriotic. These activists lend their lives to sharing their knowledge of the subject and spreading the wealth with anyone they can. 

I believe that through actions like this, and forms of exercise or meditation they can help us to clear our minds and think more deeply about subjects that are important and matter to us. These are uninterrupted hours of my day where I can direct all of my thoughts and feeling onto these things that matter most to me.

So now, I contemplate my next steps. I want and need to make a difference in this world for compassion for all living things, people and animals alike. I have decided to change the name and the purpose of my blog to better represent who I am and what I want to write about. Writing solely about running out me in a bit of a corner because running means so much more to me than just a form of exercise. I also don't want to be a "mainstream" blogger writing about products and running fads, but more about sharing my passions, my thoughts, and my writing beyond just running to include poetry and meditative thoughts. Join me on my mission and follow my thoughts about peace for all.