Exploring the Southwest Vegan Festival: Inspiration, Delicious Eats, and New Adventures! SERIES 4 EPISODE 6

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Navigating Vegan Life in Spain: Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Discoveries
Welcome back to The Whole Food Vegan Podcast! 🌱 Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just curious about incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet, we're here to help you enjoy a wonderfully varied, tasty, easy-to-prepare, and nutritious whole food plant-based diet. No Crap. No Agenda.
Living and Eating Vegan in Spain: What We Learned
In our latest adventure, we packed our bags (and our vegan essentials) and headed to sunny Spain for a month of working remotely and, of course, exploring the local vegan food scene. What we found was both surprising and challenging—but ultimately rewarding. Here’s the lowdown on what it’s like to live and eat as a vegan in Spain.
Before You Go: Setting Expectations
Spain is known for its rich culinary traditions, but those traditions don't always cater to a vegan lifestyle. Our expectations were a mix of optimism and caution. We anticipated some challenges but also expected to find hidden vegan gems along the way. And while Spain didn’t disappoint, it certainly kept us on our toes!
Self-Catering: A Vegan's Best Friend
We opted for self-catering accommodation to ensure we could prepare our own meals when needed. This was a lifesaver, as the availability of vegan options in local shops was limited. For instance, we couldn’t find vegan mayonnaise or tofu in the smaller towns, which meant we had to get creative. Making homemade vegan mayo with soy milk, mustard, lemon, and oil became a go-to, especially once we borrowed a stick blender from our Airbnb hosts (pro tip: always ask if your accommodation has one!).
Navigating the Local Markets
Spain’s fresh produce is a dream—think giant, juicy peppers and lemons straight from the tree. However, the way you buy vegetables is a bit different. In many local shops, you’ll need to queue to be served rather than helping yourself. Once we got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing. The fruit and veg are worth the effort, and you’ll never look at a supermarket tomato the same way again.
The Search for Protein: Dried Beans to the Rescue
One of the biggest surprises was the lack of canned beans. Instead, we found dried beans, which required a bit more preparation but ended up being a cheaper and more sustainable option. Batch cooking and freezing portions saved the day—definitely something to consider if you're planning a long stay.
Eating Out: Manage Your Expectations
Eating out as a vegan in Spain can be hit or miss. In some areas, you might find a single vegan option on the menu (hello, salad!). But don’t be afraid to ask—the locals are often willing to accommodate, even if it’s not explicitly on the menu. And if you’re ever near Gibraltar, a stop at Sam’s Kitchen is a must for vegan goodies.
Our Top Tips for Vegan Travel in Spain:

• 1. Self-Catering is Key: Make sure your accommodation has an oven, hob, and ideally a stick blender.
• 2. Batch Cooking is Your Friend: Prepare large quantities of beans, sauces, and other essentials ahead of time.
• 3. Stock Up When You Can: Larger supermarkets have a better selection of vegan products, so grab what you need when you find it.
• 4. Use Google Translate: It’s invaluable for reading labels and communicating dietary needs.
• 5. Bring Your Essentials: Consider bringing small but crucial items like Marmite, spices, and coffee filters.

Final Thoughts: Is Spain Vegan-Friendly?
If you’re prepared to cook and get creative, Spain can be a fantastic place to live as a vegan. Th

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