One of the reasons I’ve found it difficult to stick to my values regarding a meatless existence is our trips to Mexico. My husband has extended family in both Guadalajara and rural areas. On our last trip, I was lulled into thinking this might work as we arrived in the mountaintop town of Franco Reyes, Michoacan. We were warmly greeted with a meal of sopa (rice) and chicken in red sauce. I ate my fill of sopa and was happy.

However, that was the last time I had much of a choice. The staples of the rest of the week were carne asada, (grilled steak) locally-raised (as in backyard) chicken, and ham. Often these were served with just warn tortillas, and so I had a meal of tortillas with butter. Needless to say, I got pretty hungry about a week in. I made meals of store bought white bread, kids sugary cereal, and potato chips. Even breakfasts were meat based, although I do admit to missing the warm pan dulce (sweet bread).

There is a word for vegetarian in Spanish- vegetariano- but as you can surely tell, it’s mainly derivative of the English vocabulary, and is generally regarded as an oddity in many rural areas of Mexico, especially mountainous regions where crops aren’t plentiful, and raising animals is a given.

If this post has made you crave some enchiladas de queso, or other vegg Mexican food, be sure to check out these recipes.

Meanwhile, please (please!) leave some advice for us newbie vegg’s about how to prepare our menus for vacations/foreign travel.

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written by Allena Rose Tapia, October 18, 2007

yeah, but a lot of things are not allowed to cross the border, so we do tend to need to go purchase food. However, keep in mind this would be considered very rude when you're staying in someones casa in Mexico! :) we did our best!

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written by Kathy, October 12, 2007

As a vegtarian, (and even for omnivores trying to follow a healthful diet), I don't even think to rely on others to amke sure that I have something acceptable to eat. I make sure to carry at least a few items - or for a long trip, plan to buy something in local stores - that I can and want to eat. Packable fruit, canned goods, etc. in our own U.S culture, I find this to be imperative as bad food is ubiquitous.