Vegan Practically

For the past week I’ve been in Haliburton, Ontario staying with my dad while I attend “Learn to Take Better Portraits,” a photography course at the Haliburton School of Art and Design. The school has a well-known summer program of short intensive courses in a huge range of creative arts. My brother has done pottery courses and my sister-in-law has done painting. Since photography is my creative passion, I thought I’d see what the school had to offer in photography this summer and I’m glad I did.

The school has a lot going for it, including a beautiful setting right beside the sculpture forest, but a wide selection of vegan lunches isn’t among its merits. There is a lovely bright space for eating and a small counter where you can get some basics. But what I like most is that they have a fridge and microwave for students, as well as kettles for boiling your own water and fountains for refilling your water bottles.

I would much rather take care of my own lunch for a week than make do with whatever I can find among limited options. I know lots of people looking for quick and sometimes portable vegan lunch ideas. Here is how I approached the week.

Monday: Chickpea pasta salad made with edamame and cucumber in an olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and hemp seed dressing. I made it the night before and it’s good for more than one lunch. It’s high in protein because the chickpea pasta really packs it in at 20g per serving. I added a side of grape tomatoes and a cut up apple for dessert (I splurged on Cosmic Crisp). In the afternoon I had a snack of chocolate date truffles (so good) and roasted cashews.

Tuesday. Vegan BLT made with Lightlife Smart Bacon, sliced tomato, lettuce, and a bit of vegan mayo on granary bread (a dense multigrain bread from Toronto’s ACE Bakery). I cut up some cucumber and peppers to eat with it. Later for a snack I had mint chocolate with some roasted cashews, and a sliced Cosmic Crisp apple.

Wednesday. A repeat of Monday with some roasted red pepper and Kalamata olives added to the chickpea pasta salad, and a side of hummus and pita. Same snacks.

Thursday. A repeat of Tuesday with a side serving of hummus and pita. I added raisins to the chocolate and cashew mix. Didn’t get around to eating the apple but had an iced soy latte at the Castle Café and Antiques because we spent the morning in town on assignment. The assignment was to take as many portraits of people as would let us.

Friday. Herbed cashew spread with roasted red peppers and lettuce on granary bread. Slice cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. Cosmic Crisp apple. Some candied ginger and cashews (ran out of chocolate on Thursday — sob).

There was a microwave so I could have taken some leftover stir-fry on Thursday or Friday. But I opted for the more picnic style lunches to keep things simple. I am used to and indeed prefer to pack my lunch when I’m working or attending an all-day class such as I did this week. I find that what I make is usually better than what I can buy for that many days in a row. And it’s a heck of a lot cheaper and guaranteed to be vegan. It doesn’t need to be difficult and you can repeat days, as I did on Wednesday, when I repeated Monday’s lunch, and Thursday, when I repeated Friday’s lunch.

Don’t get stuck scrambling for a vegan option. Pack a lunch.

Bon appétit!