soo good, but the sauce is really thick!!! so i thined it a little and it was still really thick.. and it made alot of sauce... which for one person made it very cheesy and sticky ^_^

Yup! And some beautiful scenery to boot, especially this time of year. Not much else here (though some would disagree with that).

Are there any good hiking spots in PEI? I'm getting the itch to backpack this fall and I'm thinking of going to Fundy National Park, like I always do, but I'm considering Pei as well.

Hey. Me again. All right. I'm all set for my little jaunt to ****iac.

I've got the address to the Calactus Cafe printed out in my wallet. No idea how I'm gonna get there.

I have, in my suitcase:

- twelve Luna Bars

- two other kinds of vegan bars I've never tried before

- a three-pack of individual soy milk

- ten Fruit To Go Bars

- a big thing of trail mix

- six dried Nile Spice cup-a-soups

- one To Good To Be True instant veggie chili

- a spoon

and

- a mini kettle

Wish me luck! Maybe I'll see some of you there. I'll be the good-looking guy with the shaved head looking all sad and hungry. :(

Cheers!
TJ

Hey. Me again. All right. I'm all set for my little jaunt to ****iac.

I've got the address to the Calactus Cafe printed out in my wallet. No idea how I'm gonna get there.

I have, in my suitcase:

- twelve Luna Bars

- two other kinds of vegan bars I've never tried before

- a three-pack of individual soy milk

- ten Fruit To Go Bars

- a big thing of trail mix

- six dried Nile Spice cup-a-soups

- one To Good To Be True instant veggie chili

- a spoon

and

- a mini kettle

Wish me luck! Maybe I'll see some of you there. I'll be the good-looking guy with the shaved head looking all sad and hungry. :(

Cheers!
TJ


LOL you sound prepared! When will you be in Shediac, exactly? I've been running back and forth between Ch'town, PEI and Miramichi, NB and Shediac is about the halfway point.

Is there nobody who would be willing to take an hour and drive you into Moncton to pick up some groceries??? :surprised

TJ I think you'll be fine..I do hope you get a chance to make it to Galactussss...:) It's soooo yummy :lick:
Let us know how the trip goes

TJ I think you'll be fine..I do hope you get a chance to make it to Galactussss...:) It's soooo yummy :lick:
Let us know how the trip goes

Oh, okay, sure. :)

Sadly, with no car I had little control over my Calculuscactuswhatchamacallit Cafe destiny.

I was told it was a $20-$30 taxi ride to Moncton. One way. Yikes.

All of the omnis who had cars had the notion that they should eat seafood when on the east coast and not drive out of the way to appease a pesky vegan.

So, yeah. That sucked.

As for the local restaurants...

Chez Brut had NOTHING to offer vegans. I don't even want to talk about the restaurant that time forgot.

The Bed and Breakfast we stayed at was a stone's throw from the Green House which had a veggie stir fry coconut curry type dish which I was told was vegan and had no cause to disbelieve. Had that twice. Could have been spicier but it was pleasant enough.

Had a decent penne with veg and olive oil dish at Fisherman's something-or-other restaurant (it seems like 92% of restaurants in and around Shediac had '"fisherman" in the name and featured some sort of artist's interpretation of a lobster, each one more bizarre than the next. One looked like a fresh pile of flourescent orange dog s**t with eyes.)

The B&B had Special K which I had heard wasn't vegan and avoided in the past, but the recipe in Canada appears to differ from the States and contains no whey powder. So I had a bowl of that with sliced bananas and soy milk and got to listen to how much my friends love bacon every morning.

I went to a grocery store which didn't sell hummus. Thank god they had fruit.

Otherwise I pretty much lived off what I brought.

There seems to be only one street in Shediac: Main street. At at any given time it seems like the entire population of New Brunswick is on it. When your room with 100-year-old windows faces this road you find yourself lying in bed cursing instead of sleeping. I am soooo sleep deprived as I type this.

And of course being at a wedding and meeting new people who see me eating something different (and with friends who feel the need to explain that I'm vegan rather than giving me the chance to change the subject) got me no less than three: "What do you eats". and two "Where do you get your proteins".

The beach in Shedica was nice enough, and living smack dab in the middle of two oceans I feel the inexplicable urge to jump in and enjoy the salty goodness any time I am near one. Bone achingly cold is how I would describe the experience.

There were small pockets of beer induced fun to be had. But I would never go back. Probably a vegetarian would do far better than a vegan there.

Cheers!
TJ

"What do you eats". and two "Where do you get your proteins".

TJ,

Just wondering which responses you pulled out of your bag of tricks and how did they go over?

TJ,

Just wondering which responses you pulled out of your bag of tricks and how did they go over?

Silly rabbit! Tricks are for kids. (Unless they involve pancakes.)

It is my policy to behave at weddings and not make a stink about these things.

So I crank up my sarcasm control to eleven and start with:

"You know, you're actually the first person who's ever asked me that"

Followed by:

"Same as you except for beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy. I eat everything that's leftover."

or

"From food. And osmosis."

Thus the reason I didn't post in the witty comebacks thread today.

(I purposely leave honey off the list as it only leads to more confusion.)

Honestly, mostly I just change the subject as soon as I can and ask them questions. Most people, even those unfortunate enough to live on New Brunswick, seem to want to talk about themselves more than they want to hear about my veganism.

Cheers!
TJ

TJ, sorry to hear youd idn't have a good time :( Keep in mind though, that you were visiting a small, out of the way, town, and it isn't really representative of the rest of the province. I'm betting you would have had a much different experience in Moncton as opposed to Shediac. And it sounds like those around you weren't much help either.. though that is the attitude of many. I just ask you not to judge as us all based on the actions of a few. And don't completely write off coming back to Atlantic Canada due to one bad experience (which to me, sounds like you were set up to have based on your location, circumstances, and less-than-accommodating people).

Despite all that, I can agree with many of your complaints as completely valid in parts of the Maritimes.

Yeah, my comments were based only on Shediac. Just to be clear.

it sounds like those around you weren't much help either


To be fair, our B&B had menus for various restaurants and most of my friends preferred going for dinner at another place that had zero vegan options but opted to go to the Fisherman's Whatever so that my wife and I would would fair better.

So my friends aren't all bad.

I just like to make them out that way on account of my martyr complex.


And don't completely write off coming back to Atlantic Canada due to one bad experience


Hey, I had a good time in Halifax a few years back and I really like the city. It helps when there's a vegetarian restaurant in town. My wife has family there, we know a couple who moved there from our area, and I'm sure we'll be back soon enough.

And I so have to go to Newfoundland some time, if for no other reason than it's the only province in Canada I have yet to visit, but mostly just to drink and listen to fiddle music. Plus I've never met a Newfoundlander I didn't like.

Cheers!
TJ, I'se the B'y

Cheers!
TJ, I'se the B'y


:lol: Yup, definitely go to Newfoundland. It may be strange, and backwards, but the people there are so amazingly great and friendly, if you can understand what they are saying. And the scenery is gorgeous too. But I'm biased. My mom is Newfish :)

Aww TJ I'm soooo sorry to hear the trip to Shediac did not go as well as hoped for. The real kicker part is ..it's really to bad I hadn't thought of this earlier but my honey and I could have met up with you and your lovely wife and had dinner at Calactus (I'd even get the two of ya in Shediac etc) I spend a fair amount of time in Shediac..my folks have a cottage there etc. I love Shediac but am always prepared.

Originally Posted by jeezycreezy
There seems to be only one street in Shediac: Main street. At at any given time it seems like the entire population of New Brunswick is on it

LOL that just cracks me up..cause it does feel that way..Shediac traffic is insane.

Originally Posted by jeezycreezy
he beach in Shedica was nice enough, and living smack dab in the middle of two oceans I feel the inexplicable urge to jump in and enjoy the salty goodness any time I am near one. Bone achingly cold is how I would describe the experience.
As for the water..I'm not suprised that it would be cold right now ..we haven't had the warmest of weather these past few weeks :( Summer feels like it's over..winter feels like it's just around the corner..
Do hope that the next time you visit this area that you have a better trip..
:)

Long time VeggieBoards stalker, but messageboard newbie.

Just wanted to say 'sup people! :up:

Long time VeggieBoards stalker, but messageboard newbie.

Just wanted to say 'sup people! :up:


Welcome to VB (well.. welcome to posting on VB!). Are you from NB??

Hehehh Welcome to VB Nat :)

Hi everyone i'm new to this. I'm from Saint John I am sad to say dont know any vegetarians. I have decided to go veg since i watched meat your meat, a few months ago. I'm finding it hard, my friends love eating out does anyone know where is the best place for all of us to go? I'm getting sick of fries and veggie subs from subway.

Welcome to VB Canadian25! I find there are many restaurants that have veggie options, but fast food places are limited...taco bell, subway,Quiznos,Burger king. If you ever go to Moncton there's a really good vegeterian restaurant Calactus.
I wish you the best of luck in your journey

Hi everyone i'm new to this. I'm from Saint John I am sad to say dont know any vegetarians. I have decided to go veg since i watched meat your meat, a few months ago. I'm finding it hard, my friends love eating out does anyone know where is the best place for all of us to go? I'm getting sick of fries and veggie subs from subway.


If there is a favorite place your friends like to go, try calling ahead of time to see if there is anything the cooks can make for you that might not be on the menu. Scan the menu for things that are easily "converted" to a vegetarian meal by just leaving out the meat (and cheese, etc if you are vegan). For example, chicken fajitas can easily become vegetarian by leaving out the chicken, and vegan by also leaving out the sour cream, if it is offered (ask for extra salsa instead). In my experience, most decent places are willing to work with you on this. Just the other day I stopped at a restuarant and the only vegan thing on the menu was the sweet potato fries. Got those, and asked the server if there was anything else I could get. She went out back and whipped up the most lovely salad. Yes, it was a boring old salad and not ideal, but I was starving at the time and it tasted great!

Good luck - you'll find lots of support and helpful ideas here on this board. Keep in mind that the transitioning part is the hardest - once you get used to it, it's easy!

Thanks guys for the ideas. I'll have to go to Moncton and cheak out Calactus. Where is it in relation to chapters?

hey folks

i live in Halifax right now, but am from NB. I grew up in Hillsborough\Alma - about half an hour outside of Moncton.

Just wanted to say that Calactus is GREAT. I've only eaten there once, a couple of months ago when I was home visiting my dad. It wasn't there when I lived there. But the food was excellent, and the menu looked wonderful. I wish we had it here in Halifax!

Thanks guys for the ideas. I'll have to go to Moncton and cheak out Calactus. Where is it in relation to chapters?


How familiar are you with Moncton? I'm assuming you mean the Chapters (Indigo) by Champlain Place? (It's been a while since I've been shopping there and I'm no longer familiar with the placement of the stores). Do you know how to get to Mountain Rd from Chapters? Just follow it a little until you see a Tim's on the left - take a left there onto St George. Calactus is on the corner of St George and Church. Follow St George and you will see it on the left. If memory serves correctly, it's either right after or right before a set of train tracks.

If all else fails, try www.mapquest.com for directions :)

Thanks for the directions. A friend offered to try it with me so i cant wait to try it. I'm always up for a good road trip. :)

It's not that far from chapters it's on St George street... :) it's a great place to eat..although I must admit my last experience there was crappy... the waiters werent' the regular staff and they forgot about us :( took an hour to get our food :(

How familiar are you with Moncton? I'm assuming you mean the Chapters (Indigo) by Champlain Place? (It's been a while since I've been shopping there and I'm no longer familiar with the placement of the stores). Do you know how to get to Mountain Rd from Chapters? Just follow it a little until you see a Tim's on the left - take a left there onto St George. Calactus is on the corner of St George and Church. Follow St George and you will see it on the left. If memory serves correctly, it's either right after or right before a set of train tracks.

If all else fails, try www.mapquest.com for directions :)


Oops let me modify my directions: Calactus is on the right hand side, not the left.

I attached a map for Cafe Calactus (if it works)
Also please check out the Zen Cafe 179 Mountain Road also vegetarian and not far from Calactus