Ireland is Very Green

Ireland: It's that green!  Photo by Noah Kaufman.  Kaufman Green Guide

It's hard to describe just how green Ireland is without being there.  All I can say is that it is the most beautiful shade of green I have ever seen.  I first realized that as the plane was lowering towards the airport in Dublin.

If you want to see the countryside without driving there are several ways to do so.  One way is to go with a tour group.  There is also bus and sometimes train service available.

As far as vegetarian and vegan food being available, even in restaurants in the Irish countryside that did not have a vegetarian or vegan option, the staff there were happy to make me a special meal.

                                                              

What's next at Kaufman Books

So for those interested here is what my plans are for the new year.  If you have feedback on what you would like please let me know.

• I'm working on finishing up a green travel guide to Budapest which I hope to have out within the next month.
• A fiction book symbolically dealing with the issues of animal rights, the environment, and self-centered people.  
• A green guide on Washington DC.  Let me know if there is anywhere you want reviewed in particular in DC.  
• A least one other travel guide.  While obviously I can't promise anything if you have a city or cities you would like please let me know.  
• I'm considering finishing up a book I started on childhood obesity.

So that's whats in the works.  

As for what I already have for sale see below:

St. Peters Church and the head of Oliver Plunkett

St. Peters Church photo by Noah Kaufman, Kaufman Green Guide

Located in the suburbs of Dublin in the city of Drogheda is the beautiful and interesting St. Peters Church.  Looking at the picture you can see just how beautiful it is.  What you can't see is how interesting it is.  This is the church that has the head of Saint Oliver Plunkett.

Oliver Plunkett was an archbishop who among others was falsely accused in the anti-Catholic Popish Plot of plotting with others to want to murder King Charles II.  He was held in a prison cell, the gate of which the church also has, and then executed.  One of his followers was able to grab his head, which eventually made its way to finding a home at St. Peters.

St. Oliver Plunketts head from a distance.  Photo by Noah Kaufman, Kaufman Green Guide

Going to the church is very informal.  There is no ticket office, you just leave a donation in the areas with Saint Oliver Plunkett's head.  You can get to Drogheda by commuter rail or bus.

                                                                     

Musical Pub Crawl

I don't think a trip to Ireland could be truly complete without experiencing Ireland's great music.  While in Ireland we went on the Musical Pub Crawl (http://www.discoverdublin.ie/musical-pub-crawl/).  It was a lot of fun and the music was great.

We traveled to two different pubs.  At the first the musicians mainly performed.  Then at the second they asked for audience participation.  They had members of the audience singing tunes from where they were from.  Some sang quite well!

                                      

Why I first became vegetarian 21 years ago.

Today I thought I would share the story about how I first became vegetarian.  When I was thirteen we had fish including catfish.  The catfish and algae eaters were some of my favorite fish in the tank.

One day at a family gathering someone brought over catfish to be grilled.  It was at that point that I made the connection between what I was eating and the pets I was fond of.

Because my parents were not fully in support of me becoming a vegetarian I did not instantly become a vegetarian.  They generally though it was good I wasn't eating beef, somewhat accepted I didn't want to eat fowl and tried to shove fish down my throat.  They were also convinced that it was just a phase.

Also 21 years ago you have to remember the internet not widespread and so getting information to my parents or even for my own use was somewhat limited.  Getting good vegetarian, not to mention vegan, food literally meant going about half an hour to a specialty health food store.

But eventually I was able to convince my parents of my choice to be vegetarian.  I took up doing my own cooking and even started cooking vegetarian meals for my family.  They now admit that it was not a phase.


                                 

Minneapolis Skyway

Last year I went to a number of places.  One of these places was Minneapolis.  While I went in the summer Minneapolis offers an interesting and pedestrian friendly solution to cold Minnesota winters: The Skyway.  

The Skyway is a huge series of walkways connecting various buildings in Minnesota.  There is even a map of the Skyway at http://skywaymyway.com/ .

The Skyway does suffer from the limitation that all parts are not open 24/7 or even close to that.  When we visited on a Saturday many of the businesses were closed which limited your ability to connect or find things to do there.  Even without the Skyway, downtown Minneapolis is very walkable and even offers a free bus in the central downtown area.


                                        

What time to get to Dublin Airport at for flight?

So in today's question file we are tackling the question "How early do I need to arrive at Dublin Airport?".

My first response to this question is a question.  Where are you from?

If the answer is the United States, you actually need to be at Dublin Airport 3 hours early.  Those going to the United States clear US customs in Dublin.  Also keep in mind once you clear customs you will have limited food and shopping options, but WIFI is still available.

For most other countries 2 hours will do.  Dublin Airport does not see particularly long, nor particularly short lines.  Of course this will vary.

                                                     

SUV crash at PETA illustrates why we need more regulations for SUVs

As many who are reading this probably already know a  large SUV crashed through the front of the PETA building in Los Angeles.  Luckily no one at PETA was hurt nor were any of the office dogs hurt.  This was incredibly lucky as a there were people in harms way just minutes before.  But when put in danger by SUVs many have not been so lucky to escape injury or death.

This raises the question of why are we not regulating more strictly who can drive a giant 7000+ lb tank.  We regulate so much else that is so much less harmful.  Why are we letting bad drivers behind the wheel of giant deadly tanks?

Why does an elderly couple like the ones who crashed into PETA need to be driving around an urban area in a giant tank that is endangering the lives of others?  They don't.  We are trading lives for vanity.

If a vehicle like that is being driven and putting lives and property in danger than it should have to not only have a justifiable reason, but the drivers should have to get a higher level license such as a CDL.

At some point we are going to realize we are wasting a lot of time worrying about things that are hardly even dangerous while ignoring giants tanks being driven by drivers who aren't even safe enough to be operating your average sedan.

                                                

Quick Vegan Guide: Mall of America

 Updated: Vegan options have greatly increased at Mall of America, since my previous quick vegan guide to Mall of America.   Also, in very exciting news Mall of America now has all vegan Earth Burger.

But I have to say the options are really much improved from our last trip a few years ago.  One note though: vegan food is fairly limited before 11 am.   If you are staying at the mall get food the night before (the Marriott has mini-fridges) and if you are visiting early bring your own. 

With options so numerous we will list them below with a few notes.  For more details, we will be working on an updated Bloomington book and separate Twin Cities book probably available sometime early next year.   But for now:

Chipotle:   The usual-I'd guess most people have heard of it!   Fairly easy to eat vegan there.   Burrito/Mexican food.

Earth Burger: All vegan.   See our much longer review of almost everything on the menu here.

Masu Sushi: Probably the most vegan options of any place until Earth Burger opens up.   As a sit down it's a little more expensive and portions aren't that big.   They have probably at least 8 vegan dishes, not even including a number of vegan sushi rolls and appetizers.   On third floor.

Naf Naf: Middle Eastern food- Doesn't have a huge number of options-but I'd say at least half of there menu is vegan and items that are vegan are labeled vegan.   Until Earth Burger, probably my top choice for a fast food option.   On third floor in food court area near the golf course.   

Noodles and Company: The Japanese pan noodles are vegan and an off menu option is the spaghetti and meatballs without the meatballs. On third floor. 

Panera:  Has a vegan lentil/kale soup type thing.   Sometimes seems to come with bread sometimes doesn't: not sure why!  Small and a bit pricey for what it is, but a bit healthier than a lot of other options.   Also fruit cups.   Also have peanut butter and jelly, but beware it comes with a yogurt stick, so be sure to request they leave the yogurt off.  On third floor.

Qdoba:  Burrito/Mexican Food.  Similar to Chipotle.  On third floor food court near the golf course.   
Subway:  Beware the veggie patty is not vegan.   However, you could get a sandwich with just bread and vegetables. 

Thai Express:  Can make a lot of the menu vegan.  Has special vegan sauce, so make sure to specify vegan.   It is labeled on the menu which dishes can be made vegan.

As far as we know, the mall doesn't have a grocery store, although they do have a few places that sell food products such as Five and Under. 

And one other side note I feel worthy of mentions on the shoe shopping front:  Tom's actually has a number of vegan shoes and labels which shoes are vegan.

Mall of America is huge and I'm sure I've missed something.   If you know of additional vegan options please let us know in the comments! 



                                     

What motivated me to get my books done

Updated: Jan 2020

I received the comment "Interested in your travel books and how you got started writing them"! So today I'm going to try to answer the second part of that question.  Since writing my shorter original answer I have been asked this several more times.   

For a really long time, perhaps forever, I had thought about writing books, but didn't get around to it. I think what really gave me motivation to get serious about getting books done and writing was when my mom was diagnosed with cancer about a year and a half ago. My mom had always talked about wanting to write books and had started books but never gotten anywhere close to completing the books. My mom being diagnosed with cancer made me realize perhaps that time is not indefinite. That if I had a dream, such as creating the numerous books I wanted to create, I should do it now.

I will mention that starting is just the beginning.   Writing is easier and more fun than editing.   So it took a lot of perseverance to keep going.   When writing my first book, which was my Dublin travel guide, I didn't even know if and how I would be able to publish it. 

I was pleased to find publishing and copyrighting was fairly simple.  Once I knew that self-publishing was easy it was easier to find motivation.  But what isn't simple and is still a challenge is marketing in a very flooded market.   There are so many books out there and sales are a challenge.   At least, sales on the level I would like to have them. 

Still, despite not selling as many copies as I would hope, I am still glad that I have written my books.  I have enjoyed the process...well at least most of the time.   I have also reached some people with my message.   Hope to reach more in the future. 

I am also happy to report that my mom's cancer is currently in remission. 

So I believe if you have a dream to write a book find the time and stick with it even if you make slow progress!


                                           

Quick Vegan Guide to International Airplane Travel

There are basically two things one should do when vegan and traveling internationally by airplane.  These also apply to vegetarians or those with other dietary needs.  

1.  Make sure to order a vegan meal in advance.  How to do this depends on the airline.  I have often found that I could not do this when setting up a flight so methods I have used include calling customer service (United) and using the contact us form and requesting confirmation (KLM)

2.  Bring extra food with you.  This serves two purposes.  First purpose to supplement your meals.  The second purpose is in case you don't get your meal-which by the way hasn't happened to me...but others on the internet say it has happened to them.  

By the way I fly United and KLM internationally and both have gotten me my meals.  

                                                    

Why is there no charge to travel on roads?

And another question.  Why haven't we asked this question? (or asked it enough).  Especially those of us in the green movement.

When we ride public transit we are charged money every time to off-set the cost.  Why are those who drive on the roads not required to do the same.  And even more so why aren't those with heavier vehicles (such as SUVs) required to may even more as they do more damage to the roads.

In the environmentalist movement I think we tend to focus on the same things over and over, but there are so many for things we can be doing and should be demanding.

If the roads are free, than public transit should be also.  And if public transit costs money than it should also cost money to use the roads.