I think you mean fortunately you'll be at Fantasy Fest.  I think there are worse trade-offs for veg fest!  Hope you have a fun time.

okay...i feel like i need to represent and provide some sort of update, so here goes a quick and condensed version, what with reading and essay-writing too close on the horizon:

-seemed like a good showing, though it was nastily humid and i feel like there would've been even more peeps had it been better weather.  still a better crowd than i'd (maybe ::)) imagined!

-on top of free larabars, juices, etc., my favorite part was the educate-kids stuff.  we went with friends and their collection of kids and friends, and it was cool to see them sporting their peta2 stickers.  flipping through the booklets showing the sad life of a cow taken away from its mother, etc., was nice - not nice for the cows, of course, but nice as in how cool that these things exist for kids to learn from now.

-orlando is getting its first totally vegan restaurant!!  at least that's what the flyer said.  ethos vegan kitchen, scheduled to open later this year (no exact date).  yippee!!  ethosvegankitchen.com.  (ps i am not affiliated with them in any way and am not promoting - just sharing the word)

-orlando food not bombs.  really, if you can swing out to lake eola on a wed. at 5 p.m. to feed the homeless vegan food, do it.  the city passed its ordinance just last year that you cannot feed more than 25 people - a direct attack against the homeless and those feeding them.  if you won't stand for that kind of crap, and you're in the area, i say give it a shot.  i don't think it's a total shakedown just yet (just partially), but i feel inclined to help them out after listening to the b.s. they have to put up with, all in the name of being a kind human...oh, they take books, clothes, etc. to give out, too, if you just happen to stop by.  orlandofoodnotbombs.org.

hope some of you local-types were able to make it before the rain started and get some goodies, make connections, learn something - whatevah!

PS i like how i write this assuming that loads of people in central fla are lurking and reading this post.  there must be some, though, right??  ;)

Hooray!!  It wasn't just me!  8)

The vegan hot dog guy actually keeps his cart out on Orange Ave., right in the heart of downtown, usually near The Social, so people have a vegan option when they emerge from bars in a swagger with alcohol-induced munchies.  I'm not 100% on what brand he uses, but if you make it out when the bars are open and Orange Ave. is closed (at night), you'll find him and be able to ask.  I know it's not tons of help but hopefully at least a little!

Also, not sure where exactly in West Orlando you are, but there's a restaurant on West Colonial Drive called Caribbean Sunshine, sort of near Pine Hills and the Fairgrounds, that is Jamaican Vegetarian.  I'm not sure what Vegan options they have (I went there before I was transitioning to vegan) but they might be worth contacting if that's close to you.  They have all sorts of fake meats, like the Garden Cafe (also on Colonial but closer to the Arena near I-4).

I'm excited for the Ethos Kitchen to open though.  So nice to expand our options and know that people are not only aware but embracing veganism.  Hope you had fun pigging out - you were def not alone there!  ;)

PS i like how i write this assuming that loads of people in central fla are lurking and reading this post.  there must be some, though, right??  ;)

Absolutely!  And some in West Florday too. :)  I missed the big event due to being flat on my injured back, but I do so appreciate the event review. 

oh dear.  i'm sorry to hear about your injury but hope you are healing well.  or, in the paraphrased words of comedian demetri martin, forget get well soon - get well now!  glad you appreciate the review  :)

Ethos Vegan Kitchen is open!!!!!  We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. 

www.EthosVeganKitchen.com

1235 North Orange Ave
Orlando, Florida
(407) 228-3899

awesome!!  thanks for sharing - i saw that they were opening this week but probably won't have a chance to check it out until next week...glad to hear the food is good!