Birthday Party!

"How about a vegan restaurant?" Simone's hubby suggested.

"Really?" Simone couldn't get over hubby's choice of location to celebrate his birthday. Not that she hadn't hinted that maybe they needed a healthier lifestyle... Still, it seemed a radical change of venue when compared to the usual fare of over-extensive food selections designed to please everyone found at the usual restaurant chains.

"Yes, really," hubby said. "After reading that book on the way animals are dealt with and processed, I'm ready to try a vegan diet for a four to six week period and I'm not taking a break just because it's my birthday."

"Okee dokee," said Simone, wondering how the kids would feel about the menu at a vegan restaurant but game to try it out anyhow.

"Hey! Sushi!" One kid exclaimed after the other.

"Not real sushi," replied hubby in the interest of fairness. "It's made with vegetable protein, not fish."

"They have french fries!" Said the 14 year old, relief evident in his voice. "With ketchup. Do you think they have real ketchup?"

"I'll have the mango salad," said the 16 year old.

"Sweet and sour fireballs for me," said the fourteen year old.

The 11 year old polished off a plate of teriyaki mystery protein on rice noodles.

"Is that real icing? Is that real cake?" The 14 year old switched his "cheesecake" for Simone's slice of mocha cake.

In the end, only a small portion of pad thai was left over behind. Spiced up, it provided a little more heat than usual but delivered a mighty flavour punch. It might have been an unusual restaurant choice but it certainly satisfied!