Vegie Valley

[Guest guest]

now if a name like that doesn't inspire you to try a restuarant, what

will?

if you are anywhere near Glen Waverley in melbourne (australia) then

this place is worth trying.

I first heard about it as being the culinary arm of a buddhist temple

in a nearby suburb and had thought it was just your average chinese

reataurant. then i leanr they specialise in mock meat dishes (one of at

least 5 in melbourne) and i was put off as I dont like imitation

anything and usually find the ingredients less appetizing than the real

thing (I was at macrowholefoods earlier and picked up a block of vegan

cheese just to see if anything had changed in the 15 years since i had

last ventured to read its ingredients list and hastily placed it back

in the fridge - though why it needed to be kept in the refrigerated

section of the supermarket i could not guess - I did not think that

plastic could spoil ;-)

anyway back to vegie valley - in addition to the mock everything dishes

- from pretend prawn crackers to seafood dishes - they certainly did

not lack imagination.

But there were also a great variety of dishes that shone of their

accord and were not trying to imitate evertying - which was what we had

mostly. It was great to see and experience a chinese restaurant that

really had a variety of dishes with traditional chinese veggies cooked

imaginatively and with lots of flavour without resorting to garlic (the

whole restaurant is garlic and onion free because of its religious

beliefs) - actually when leaving i noticed how clean my palate felt and

how energized and light my body felt even though i was more than

satiated - but not uncomfortably so. either the mock satay chicken (I

did have to be reassured more than once that it really was imitation!)

contained some wierd attitive or the chef really cooked with happy and

loving vibes as more than one person who has dined there and who cannot

usually tolerate restaurant food has told me) I was certainly a lot

chirpier and even felt physically stronger when i left. interesting

my fellow diner (my dad) who is not noted for his non carnivorous ways

was impressed with the auality and enjoyed it. he could not be

persuaded to order any of the mock meat dishes but did not a "chicken"

satay skewer and looked impressed. he said if he had not been told he

would not have known the difference.

oh and for those of you who are wondering - organic - yes organic

arrowroot is finally here in australia - not just preservative free but

organic! I found it at macro wholefoods but i am sure other health

shops will have it too. the commonly available one till now in health

food shops had preservatives. So in the lat week we have come very far

here in melbourne - arrowroot, amaranth, chia, sorghum agave sweetened

raw chocolate...what next - I know - teff but alas it does not look

like that will happen anytime soon.

if anyone wants more info on any of these items - just ask...

--

Ilanit Tof - Signature

Ilanit

Ms Ilanit Tof

B.A. (Psychophysiology/Psychology)

Advanced Diploma Healing with Wholefoods

PhD Holistic Nutrition (candidate)

Little Tree Oriental Healing Arts

Helping you grow to new heights of wellbeing

with Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition

ilanit@...

www.littletree.com.au