Instalately: Airplane Food, Los Angeles, a Baby, Farm Snacks

The last year of my life hasn't been a particularly nice one, and so I've shifted a few priorities in response. Primarily food and travel are achieving their previously high rank in the list of things I give a shit about, which means I've got more cool stuff going on. Here are some Instagram shots from the last month of my life. For those of you who have an Instagram account, you can follow me @kippysnacks.

Top left: Airlines are well versed at crafting thoughtful and delicious vegan meals. SAID NO ONE EVER. I gave up ordering them, opting instead to bring my own. That's vegan fried chicken. Thank you May Wah for excellent faux meat and thank you mom for buying so much of it that you don't miss the odd bag or seventeen that I liberate to my suitcase every time I'm home.

Top middle: Espresso milkshake from Sticky Fingers vegan bakery in Washington, D.C., a city that's incredibly beautiful and vegan friendly yet no one wants to go there. Shame on all y'all!

Top right: Amsterdam Falafel in Annapolis, Maryland. This place opened not long ago and it's made my life that much more like magic candy sparkle goodness when I'm visiting family in the area.

Second row from top, left: A platter of wonderful comfort food heaven from Stuff I Eat in Inglewood. It was my first stop after landing at LAX (and it should be yours too – it's close).

Second row from top, middle: Fish tacos from Sage Organic Vegan Bistro in Culver City. I didn't bother with the Silver Lake branch because they're dry and Culver City has a beer garden. I had to gear up for L.A. Vegan Beer Fest, which is part of why I went to Los Angeles in the first place.

Second row from top, right: Vegan reuben from Locali deli. You haven't lived until you've put this in your gob. No, seriously. This is the best reuben in the universe. If you don't believe me then go to LA and try it, and if you don't agree with me after that then we aren't friends.

Second row from bottom, left: Tamal mojado from Gracias Madre in West Hollywood, which is a restaurant to put on your bucket list. I ate there twice, but I wish it had been three times because Crossroads isn't worth your bloody time. Gracias Madre is my happy place.

Second row from bottom, middle: Vegan big mac from Doomies. It's on the secret menu and it really is like a big mac. I ate it half for dinner and half for breakfast, and I'd like another one right now. It's pretty impressive.

Second row from bottom, right: Mac and Cheese and BBQ sandwich from the grilled cheese truck at the Los Angeles Vegan Beer and Food Fest, because after all that beer it seemed right to eat something too. Or eat all the things. This particular thing was not at all too shabby.

Bottom left: My first of the day. Not my last.

Bottom middle: The purpose of visiting the U.S. was to meet my freshly popped great nephew, who is sort of visible in the background with his mom. I got distracted by the obvious.

Bottom right: That's my dad picking fresh spinach at the farm (which is isn't much of one these days) for my dinner. I couldn't help because I was otherwise occupied with my friend chocolate soy milk.