Month: June 2016

Summer Days

Published by Molly Catherine

Irek and I are finally back to our regular routines… Took me a good week and a half to feel 100% after France. Our schedule was so hectic during those two weeks, we didn’t get much sleep, and our diet was off. Definitely takes a toll on your body! But now we’re back and we have some nice sunny, summer weather! We satisfied our Heirloom Vegetarian craving (favourite restaurant in BC) and we’re also getting back into some cross-fit workouts! It feels really good to be on track again. We’re also going to start playing tennis in the evenings, we played 2 or 3 times per week last year and really enjoyed it. Hope everyone is having a lovely summer thus far! All the best. Molly xx Ps. I’m wearing Tonic Lifestyle Apparel in these photos and am actually an ambassador for this brand! I fell in love with them the first time I tried on their gear. Tonic is Vancouver based and they have a huge focus on sustainability- really awesome company! __________ “It’s …

Veganism in France

Published by Molly Catherine

Irek and I recently spent 2 weeks in France and we divided our time between Paris, Nice and Cannes. We originally planned to spend some time in Monaco as well, but the trip ended up being quite hectic so we figured it was best to do Monaco next year. Coming from my vegan bubble in Vancouver, I was quite disappointed and discouraged to discover how lacking the country is when it comes to plant-based options (call me ignorant / naive – going into the trip, I was both). Now, when I say my ‘vegan bubble’, what I mean is that Vancouver is super progressive in terms of the acceptance and continual growth of people leading fully plant-based, cruelty-free lives. There are tons and tons of vegan and vegetarian restaurants all around Metro-Vancouver as well as the outskirts. Vancouver actually ranks in the top 3 cities of the world in regards to the amount of vegan restaurants we have… I will clarify that in Paris you can definitely find vegan restaurants – they exist and they’re lovely. …

Paper Plane Restaurant

Published by Molly Catherine

On our last day in Nice, Irek and I found this little vegetarian brunch spot, called Paper Plane, which also had some decent vegan options. It wasn’t the most amazing food we’ve ever eaten, but it was tasty and it hit the spot… I wasn’t able to eat the second portion of my meal because although they said there were no peanuts in the food, we could clearly see that there were… Since I have an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts I obviously had to pass. If you’re traveling abroad and have a peanut allergy you need to be so careful. Even if they tell you that there aren’t peanuts in the dishes you still need to be skeptical and super cautious. It’s safest to eat at places where they do not have any peanuts on the premises at all. If you are skeptical or have any hesitations, just walk away. It’s not worth the risk. Now, all this being said, if you do not have any food restrictions, Paper Plane is a good option for vegan brunch in …

Cannes, France

Published by Molly Catherine

Irek and I were in Cannes last week for four days. Unfortunately two of the four days the weather did not cooperate! The first day it was cloudy and rainy, and the second day it was so windy that we couldn’t even hang at the beach! So suffice to say, we didn’t get to explore as much as we would have liked… However, once the sun came out on the third day and the weather calmed, we took advantage and headed straight for the beach! The view from the beach is incredible too with beautiful mountains in the background and gorgeous yachts all around! It was very inspiring! Cannes is beautiful, but it definitely had a more westernized feel than Nice. There were high-end shops everywhere you look; Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci etc. It wasn’t exactly my style, as I’m not one for shopping really. Irek and I both prefer to be outdoors and exploring nature, than inside shopping for handbags and watches! But, if that is your style, then Cannes is most definitely the …

Le Speakeasy Restaurant

Published by Molly Catherine

There are only a handful of vegan restaurants in all of Nice, and one that you MUST visit is Le Speakeasy. This little restaurant was opened by a California native 18 years ago, and became the first vegan restaurant in existence in Nice. The owner is also the server AND the chef – and she is mega talented. The flavours of her cooking reminded me of Thanksgiving dinner – less the animal cruelty! This amazing woman dedicated her life to spreading the vegan message and offering plant-based alternatives to the people of Nice and the tourists who visit each year. It has not been an easy road for her… Owning a small business in France (never mind a vegan restaurant!) is riddled with challenges, harassment, and corruption. If you do not conform – it will not be easy for you. Period. I was truly inspired by her story and she actually mentioned that she’s considering writing a book in the future to create awareness and educate people regarding the challenges she has faced in France, and …

Sunshine and Cocktails in Nice

Published by Molly Catherine

A few days ago we did some exploring in Nice and ended up climbing to the top of this hill that overlooks the city and has incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s so important when traveling to find areas where you can get different perspectives to really appreciate your surroundings. Looking down on Nice from above made me feel entirely grateful for this life, for the people I travel with, and for the ability to experience different places and cultures. After we walked around for a while just soaking in the beauty, we had a few cocktails and some snacks at a little bar by the water… then we proceeded to the beach! This was the first time during the entire trip that we really took some time to just relax and take it easy! It was much needed and we all felt very rejuvenated after. 🙂 Have a beautiful day and keep smiling! Cheers, Molly xx Ps. Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful Dad; I love you so very much. __________ “Life is a …

Èze Village, France

Published by Molly Catherine

The other day we went to the most beautiful little town called Èze Village. It’s actually the highest point in all of Côte D’Azur so the view of the Mediterranean Sea was breathtaking. It was first populated around 2000 BC, so you can imagine all the history that lives there. Walt Disney actually spent a significant amount of time in this medieval village over the years. I have never fallen in love with a place so fast like I did with Èze; the cobblestone pathways, the stone buildings, the colourful flowers, the cute little shops… It was something out of a story book; so charming and romantic. I can only imagine all the inspiration Walt Disney must have cultivated in this beautiful place. We explored the exotic gardens at the very top of the village and I was in absolute awe of the beautiful succulents and cacti from all around the world. Irek and I also shared a bottle of rose at this amazing bar overlooking the sea. We both agreed that it was the most beautiful …

Caju Vegan Restaurant

Published by Molly Catherine

If you’re looking for healthy, raw, plant-based options in Nice I have the perfect solution for you! There is this incredible little restaurant in Old Town called Caju Vegan. They are not fully raw but have tons of raw options, cold-pressed juices, amazing smoothies, and so much more. It was exactly what Irek and I needed to refuel our bodies after too much wine in Paris! Not only was the food amazing, but the two owners were the loveliest people we’ve come across during our travels in France. They gave us suggestions of where to travel, and just had such beautiful energy. It was so refreshing visiting this restaurant- it had a very similar feel to many of the vegan restaurants we go to in Vancouver- so if you’re in Nice and dying for some high quality plant-based food, you MUST go to Caju Vegan. We are heading back to Nice for a couple of days on the weekend and will most definitely be going back. 🙂 Cheers, Molly xx __________ “Ethical veganism results in a profound …

Nice, France

Published by Molly Catherine

Since I’m not one for major touristy things, Paris was a bit overwhelming for me! The crowds were extra crazy due to the Euro Cup and so it wasn’t relaxing by any means… That being said, it was still an amazing experience and I’m super grateful to have been able to see all the amazing buildings, structures, and famous landmarks Paris has to offer. Also, we had wonderful company, which makes any city you travel to that much more enjoyable and memorable. All that being said, when Irek and I arrived in Nice a few days ago, it was like a breath of fresh air! We definitely prefer to be close to the sea or ocean as much as possible, and also enjoy warmer climates… So we really have come to love Nice! We found a beautiful Airbnb about a 20 minute walk down to the beach, so the location was super convenient. It was also very nice to start the day with a bit of a walk… Although we’ve been walking 15-20 km everyday! …

Gentle Gourmet Cafe

Published by Molly Catherine

As I mentioned in my last blog post, vegan places have been somewhat difficult to find in France. That being said, they are around you just have to make a point to find them! On our second day in Paris, we went to a beautiful little restaurant called Gentle Gourmet Cafe. I can honestly say, it was one of the best vegan lunches I’ve ever had… I feel like I say that a lot, but it’s the truth! My sister and I both ordered the risotto which was so unexpectedly flavourful we couldn’t believe it! Irek and my brother-in-law, Shane, had the portobello burgers, which were also delicious and the presentation was just incredible. We also tried the vegan fois grois… I was a bit hesitant seeing as fois grois is duck pate. But it was actually very enjoyable as well, and again such strong and intricate flavours! If you’re in Paris and looking for plant-based options, in my opinion, this restaurant receives a 5 star rating. Have a beautiful day! Molly xx __________ “Vegan food …