My suitcases are packed and I'm counting the days!!!

[MommC]

Lots of goodies to bring down to spread around.......
Now for those living there I'd appreciate some info if you have it!
My cardiologist has me on a very strict (restricted) vegan diet and I need to know if/where I can find things like tofu, tempeh, yogurt (not the drinkable kind but the more solid variety), soy protein isolate powder etc.
If anyone knows could you please list it here for me. I'd hate to have to cut my stay short because I can't find the nutrients I need to be able to continue my stay.
Thanks in advance!!

To Jim Hinch:
If you're reading this please email me! I know I must owe you something for the internet access this past winter (I may need it again) and I hate having a debt unpaid (considering that had I passed when I had my heart attack you might have been SOL period!!). Thanks again!!

I can't wait to get back to see all our friends there.
Have a good New Year!!

[Hlywud]

Have a good trip, and enjoy.
Be healthy and happy.

[MommC]

Hope you survive the trip to Florida with the inlaws!!
I'm thankful my kids spouses LIKE travelling with me and PapaTony!
Maybe we'll get to meet on your next trip down to the DR!!

[Chirimoya]

HI MommC
welcome back, it's good to hear you're in good health. Perhaps some posters in or near Juan Dolio can tell you whether the products you need are available there. I can give you the information you need about the capital.

Tofu is sold in larger branches of Supermercado Nacional, as well as health food shops like Organica in Piantini and Mercado Ecologico in Mirador Sur.

I have seen Tempeh in Organica but I am not sure they have a constant supply.

The yogurt you need - low fat, unsweetened - is available at all supermarkets, no doubt easy to find near you. All brands tend to be on the runny side though.

The soy protein powder - possibly at places like the GNC outlets and specialists like the Fat Free shop in Naco.

Hope this helps,

Chiri

[MommC]

I'll email you when I get there to get directions to some of the places you've mentioned! Maybe we can get together for a day of "Health food " shopping. If it's anything like here at home I have to go to six different stores to buy everything on my grocery list!! And No fat, unsweetened yogurt is almost impossible to find - everything has aspartame or sugar in it!!
The only yogurt I've seen in San Pedro comes in little plastic bottles that you pour into a glass and drink so I guess it'll be Santo Domingo supermarkets for me this year (and next and next ad infinity!).
I guess there are some things that make living in a large city worthwhile. While I was more of a vegetarian than a meat eater to begin with this really restricted diet sure consumes a lot of my day. Hubby will only eat some things (he still needs his meat and oils) so I basically make two different meals for mealtimes. Plus the fact that everything is "from scratch" and all plant based means I spend a lot of time scrubbing, peeling, slicing and dicing.
Ah well....I won't have to worry about sunburn when I arrive!!
Have a great New year and I'll be in touch!

[jsizemore]

Mommc realizing this may be out of the area of being retired but why not make your own yogurt. There is plenty of info out there on how to do it. Supposed to be fairly easy to do in a thermose. I read an article in a yacht magazine of how a family that lives aboard does it and uses it as replacement for sour creme when ever they are when they cant get it.
John
http://www.leeners.com/yogurtrecipes.html

[MommC]

Actually I have thought of making my own - just wasn't sure if I could get the necessary ingredients down there.
Thanks for the link! I'll look it over and maybe take the plunge!
Can't wait to get the garden started.....hope things grow fast this year!

[jsizemore]

In 518 days I retire from the navy so somewhere within a week or so after that I will be down. I can't wait either. BTW if you start making your own yogurt with the right mix of fruits and so forth you may have a nice little cottage industry for sellign to gringos. Joust a thought.
John

[MommC]

Now I just live to work! Ha! Ha!
Not really but I've had lots of people wanting to go into business with me but I really don't want to work any more than I have to.
I'm mainly working out to live and following Dr's orders which takes up a lot of my day so I really don't have time to work for money! Altho' a little pocket change would be nice!
If I do start making yogurt I might be persuaded to sell you a bit when you retire here.
Keep counting.......time flies when you're looking forward to something!

[jsizemore]

When I get down you will need to tell me your diet and I will bring my ice carving stuff and have a cool shindig that matches what you can eat.
John