In San Francisco, because coastal California is so veggie-heavy, even the German food we can get here is a little lighter... at Berliner Berliner where I got my Oktoberfest full meal, I was surprised at how much cabbage and onions there were with my Berliner Döner (local take on a Döner Kebab) ... HOWEVER, the vegetables were so fresh, and a German woman of mature age took her time and prepared all of that with love ... the meat was grilled to perfection, and there was just enough of it. I plan on going back for the Bavarian-style meal to try the bacon sauerkraut that comes with the bratwurst and pretzel.

I know about the typical German food ... I am a large woman and could have gotten into it twenty years ago ... but I understand now why that is only eaten for holidays. The lighter fare lets me continue to be a little less large as I pursue my other passion beloved also by many Germans: nature. I cannot eat the heavy food with my walking schedule in the parks and up the local hills -- but the beautiful German-style veggies fit right in to my more active and lighter lifestyle!