Journey Of: Nomads in the Desert

(2-minute read)

Utah stretched out beneath the wintry sky — and as local restaurants were still lagging behind the health-food revolution, we brought our blender with us.

The food crisis in the Western diet took a toll on my friends. Aging, with a body struggling to make nutrients out of processed food and supplements that are proven not to work, is a bad deal.

So 3 months ago, I decided to try whole plant foods. Easy to do at home, but how would I manage on a long-awaited birthday trip coming up? I was already reaping the benefits of eating better, and decided “no matter what, I’m sticking to this vegetarian food thing.”

Rest stops along the 12-hour road trip? What would I find? While cars are supplied with gasoline, our bodies get bathrooms . . . and mostly sugary, processed foods.

But I did find breathtakingly refreshing places to eat, in the most unlikely places.

Little did I know that a 24-hour oasis was right down the road (Love’s Truck Stop, Cedar City, Utah)

Truck stops — the real kind, where long haul drivers seek showers and laundry services — unexpectedly us offered real food.

But ironically, in the tourist town where we stayed, the restaurants were a challenge. Geared to be a meat-eaters paradise, the vegetables were over-cooked and the salads swam in fatty dressings.

We were prepared for this. We had brought coolers from home, packed with pre-made meals, fruit and veggies. We chose to drive, so came equipped with a Vitamixer, pan, electric burner, and dinnerware. We ate like kings & queens.

Or more like motel campers.

Spring rolls with all the fixings.