My internal thermostat, which had no trouble adjusting to 70+ degree and sunny weather in Corpus Christi last Wednesday, is still rebelling against the 12° temps that greeted me Saturday upon my return to Iowa. On the other hand, I was able to avoid dairy products, and as a result arrived home with energy and without a raging headache, sinus infection, or any intestinal distress. Here are a few discoveries that made the dairy-free diet an easy pill to swallow:
- The Starbucks at the Dallas/Forth Worth airport carried a Garbanzo Bean/Lime Salad that was delicious. The beans were mixed with finely chopped tomatoes and onions and garnished with sweet red pepper and cilantro. The dressing was lime juice, kosher salt, and something hot that gave it a perfect kick. Yum and double yum!
- Starbucks employees will add soy milk to your coffee. Since they don’t set out soy milk at the condiment bar, you can ask them to steam the soy first. I love that extra perk!
- The mom and pop Mexican place in Corpus Christi where we ate supper one night served a soft drink called rice water. Don’t let the name fool you. This delicious drink (I had just a sip) contains condensed milk.
- Order all the shrimp and vegetable dishes you can in south Texas–and there are lots of them, almost all without cheese or any dairy products.
- Speakers often receive a gift bag which usually contains chocolate. MILK chocolate. I left the candy with a thank you note for the maids at the hotel. If anyone deserves chocolate, a hotel maid does.
- When everybody decides to go to Baskin Robbins for ice cream, go along and order their daiquiri ice. The lime with rum flavoring is good. Really good. Really really good. And it sits very light on the stomach.
So, what dairy-free food finds have you discovered while traveling in Texas or anywhere else? Leave a comment!
