You Might Ask

Is there more to Portland than just books?  Well yes and no.  There is amazing food to eat while reading books.  Portland is I believe what you want it to be - it can be a stop off place of outlet shopping further south - there is some boutique shopping as a well as the major department stores downtown.  It can be a place for outdoor activities - Nike/US Olympic team are in the Portland area in addition to several marathons etc.

The city is easy to access on foot and by tram, it is small with minimal in the way of hills, this is no Seattle that is for sure.

Though I would like to bring attention to what we really like best - FOOD!

On Sunday when we couldn't find any other breakfast place that was open or spacious enough to sit ourselves down for a few hours to avoid the sportactic deluges, we found Prasad.  I believe every traveler should have one meal that is as Nigella Lawson calls it "temple food" something clean, whole and almost all just vegetables.  Ms. J and I tried their Gaucho Wrap (Ms J) and Dragon bowl (kale, sprouts, avocado, black eye peas, quinoa and peanut sauce) for lunch.  They have a large selection of smoothies, juices, sweets and coffee.  We shared coffee (served in a press), cowgirl cookies and two smoothies.  I have to say the part I loved the most was being able to see the kitchen.  You were able to see them prepare the food from scratch, see the dried beans and the spices.   I think this kind of kitchen should really be cherished.  For those looking to get some asana time in - the kitchen shares its space with a really nice yoga studio.

PS If you stop in you might just see Serena Ryder...

Prasad - 925 NW Davis, Portland OR 97209 : within Yoga Pearl rate:5/5

Gluten, Dairy and Soy Free and Vegan friendly restaurant - just ask the staff as to what is soy free - as the gaucho wrap for example had tempeh in addition to being wrapped in a flour tortilla.  I will give the staff credit that she warned me that the wrap was not GF, in addition to it being labelled as having Gluten and the menu stated the same...

PS. Did we mention it often poured in Portland - this is Ms. J's attempt to stress how often the sky opened for substantial chunks of time

Food!

Because food is really the only important part of our lives, aside from Twitter and used books, oh and Fringe, I am devoting another post to its lovely-ness.

The train ride to Portland is 8 hours. Eek.  The time is fine, the eating on the train not so much.  I'm not concerned about the cost (it's actually quite reasonable) I'm concerned about what foods we consider when we think of snacks and convenience.  Those foods usually involve cheese, butter or bread.  Even foods you might think of as free from these issues like say McD's hash browns - which actually contain dairy, wheat and beef flavouring - so they are SO not vegan, vegetarian or safe for most people to consume - bless their hearts for making us think other wise...

So then, I will be making Vietnamese salad rolls with peanut sauce for lunch, and an assortment of crackers, chevre, sun dried tomato bruschetta and nuts and in the end praying for the best - hopefully it will be a cute border person we deal with who won't confiscate our breakfast

Food

I am a troublesome travelling companion this year - poor J.  I have recently gone dairy, soy and wheat/gluten free due to allergies and other issues.  So you might be wondering what can I eat.  Meat! Actually given that was vegan for two years, meat is okay, not great.  I do, like all real women, love carbohydrates, good alcohol and chocolate.  So given those requirements and my new found love Gluten Free Portland I believe the following are good options:

Abby's Table - Why? Because it has been featured on TV shows for its novel concept in dining - and well it looks good too.

!Oba! - Why? Because I am all for Latin/Spanish cuisine and this looks amazing - early b-day dinner?

New Cascadia Traditional Bakery - Why? Because I need bread - I need to know the luscious warm embrace of sourdough with butter (non-dairy of course) once again.

Iorio Restaurant Why? Because if pasta made Sofia Loren who she is, then I want pasta, that and I miss some other related Italian dishes that can't genuninely be made with dry store bought pasta.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29066126@N02/4283584395/