Blog Posts by Healthy Voyager

raw zucchini pesto pastaLooking to get all the flavor and satisfaction from your favorite pasta but looking to cut out the calories and starch? Eat all the pasta you want with this raw zucchini pasta! It's easy, colorful, full of flavor and best of all, mega healthy! Leave the guilt behind and indulge in this yummalicious new way to make an Italian fave!

• 2-3 medium zucchinis - slice into fettuccine noodles with a vegetable peeler or mandolin. If you have a spiral vegetable cutter, it will make beautiful spaghetti noodles!
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup raw pine nuts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves raw garlic
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast or grated pumpkin seeds

Blend all ingredients, except for the zucchini, in a food processor until smooth. Scoop zucchini pasta into bowls and top with pesto sauce.

Add in vegetables of choice to add flavor, color and texture such as olives, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, artichoke and colorful peppers.

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Thanksgiving TableReady. Set. Go! The holidays are here and Thanksgiving weekend kicks off over a month of festivities, cooking eating and gathering with friends and family. There's a lot to consider this holiday when it comes to putting together a feast as well as all that comes with the weekend (i.e. cleaning, hosting house guests, cooking, black Friday shopping, cleaning again, etc.)

But while we can't help you with your house guests, clean your kitchen or fight holiday shopping mobs for you, we can offer you an easy plan for cooking up your Thanksgiving feast as well as what to do with those mountains of leftovers! Here we go!

Thanksgiving Eve

Eat light because you don't want to get a head start on gorging! You'll have plenty of time to do that all 4 day weekend long!

• Autumnal Minestrone
• Raspberry Cranberry Pecan Salad

Thanksgiving Day

Let the feast begin!

• Pumpkin Empanadas
• Maple Chipotle Sweet Potato Bisque
• Garlic Rosemary Mashed

San DiegoWhether you are doing a tour of California for a little r and r or frequently travel San Diego for ComicCon, the southernmost metropolis of California, is a great place to visit. Beachy, relaxed and beautiful, healthy food is easy to find in this bayside border town. From my first San Diego post many years ago until now, lots of great stuff has popped up so I've decided to go back and check out some of the new places in and around town.

San Diego is packed with cool little pockets of hip neighborhoods that boast cool places to drink and be merry. One such place is Hamiltons Tavern (no relation to me or my in-laws). A great, English style pub with tons of beers, including vegan and gluten free options, you don't have to starve at this local watering hole. They offer fun vegan bar food like a hearty veggie chili, vegan sausages with loads of toppings and other, ever changing menu items fit for vegheads who like to drink with their meals (or vice versa!)

In the same building, down

SeattleFor my third Seattle post, I saved some goodies for last! While I could have spent weeks dining in and around the Seattle area, I only had time enough for what I've covered but I know I'll be back to uncover some more good eats! Let's get rollin' on the final five healthy, vegan and gluten free hot spots I found in this evergreen city!

Ok, I'm warning you now that this will probably be the "raviest" review I've ever given. Located next to a yoga studio by the same name, run by husband and wife and owners of both the studio and the fine dining establishment, Sutra is hands down, one of the most incredible places I have ever had the pleasure of dining at. This small, quaint restaurant is more then just a place to get fabulous, fresh vegan food, it's an experience. With a concept like no other, Sutra is only open for dinner a few nights a week and additionally, only offers "seatings". This meaning that you reserve spots for you and your dining partners and show up for the "show". The

Seattle, the Pacific Northwest's Emerald City. Home of the Space Needle and Public Market as well as the birthplace of grunge music and Starbucks. This city by the sound is beautiful, lush and a hub for delicious eats. It's a bustling town of hip and young folks and families, who have built a green and veg friendly metropolis. Seattle is jam packed with special diet friendly options so I'll be splitting up this town into 3 posts so as to keep from writing a novel! Let's get started!!

For the week I was in town, I was lucky enough to be able to stay at downtown's greenest hotel, the Hyatt Olive 8. The first LEED certified hotel in the city, the Olive 8 is a model for eco chic accommodations. Boasting an award winning spa, a fabulous local fare eatery and bar, an indoor salt water pool, rooftop garden and even hypo-allergenic rooms, Hyatt has outdone itself, making sure that every possible detail is beneficial to its guests as well as the environment. I loved the green details of my

As promised, here are some more delicious Seattle secrets! Whether you are taking a leisurely city sightseeing tour or just passin' through on a west coast tour, these tasty hot spots are a must visit, regardless of your time in town. Ok, at least make time for a few of these because you'll be glad you did!

For breakfast, or any time of the day, pop on over to Tangletown and go nuts at Mighty O Donuts. An organic, vegan donut shop, no matter what your diet of choice, these sweet treats will knock your socks off and more! With freshly made deliciousness like french toast donuts, real raspberry chocolate raspberry donuts and real apple filled apple fritters, you can't choose just one. Order a bunch and enjoy them throughout your stay in Seattle. Then ship a bunch home so you have plenty to enjoy later!

If the Capitol Hill district isn't on your list of places to check out, make it one because if even just to dine at Plum Vegan Bistro, it's worth the visit. It's gourmet, it's

There is something about being in the oldest city in the United States that evokes a feeling of pride, patriotism and hunger! Taking a guided tour through the fort, going to the oldest school house and visiting the fountain of youth can whip up a mean appetite. St. Augustine offers up a variety of sightseeing tours but where can a health nut chow in an old timey town? I'll tell ya!

Rolling into town, I needed sustenance. I had read up on The Manatee Cafe and had to hunt it down. And was I glad I did! I had a killer breakfast burrito with hummus, beans, avocado and all kinds of other healthy fillings. I wanted to eat everything on the menu but I knew there was more to try throughout the day so I behaved. For any meal of the day, definitly make one of them at The Manatee Cafe!
Stepping out for the day in downtown, I needed a pick me up. I strolled over to Crucial Coffee Shop because the sweet smell yanked me over! Crucial is in the thick of the historic district, in a cute old

Taking a tour of North Carolina, we made a pit stop in Hendersonville, located about 30 minutes from Asheville. Cute, quiet and lush with green forests, this small, American town had some fine places to dine. Not far from here, Dirty Dancing was filmed (you can take a guided tour of it), and its no wonder as the calm and peaceful, rolling hills are a slice of American splendor ; )

A way stylish joint with a creative menu, the Never Blue was our first meal in town. I devoured my home made hummus (yummy with spinach and lots of garlic) along with my fresh beet salad (sans cheese). Some great Spanishy & Asiany culinary action going on here. This place is such a treat for anyone passing through town. For more information, visit the Never Blue website.

Square 1 Bistro felt like chic and hipster Asheville had moved to small town America. Open for brunch, tapas and dinner, Square 1 prides itself on serving sustainable, green and local cuisine. The menu is based on what is in season and