Keeping Your Vegan Attitude at High Altitude

Hey, friends! Long time, no write. 

In case you're wondering where I've been, the short answer is filming/editing for my YouTube, a temp job (we gotta save up those 2019 travel funds, fam), and I've also decided to contribute to a few other online magazines - you'll find out which ones, soon! 

I'm still around! I'm just spacing my Uprooted Foodie blogs to once per month, toward the beginning of every month. So, thanks for your patience. The ball is rolling!... just, in a few different directions.

Rightfully still waking up while drinking some coffee. Probably.

If you're new here, welcome! Thanks for stopping by. I'm Miranda; I cover yummy vegan food, travel, and everything in between. I'm excited to have you hang out. Feel free to browse some past recipes, my posts regarding city-hopping, and please let me know if you have any requests for food, destinations, or topics you'd like to read more about. 

But for now, let's jump right into this month's blog post:

Keeping Your Vegan Attitude at High Altitude

What exactly do I mean by this? Well, for starters, I'm in Colorado, if you didn't know. Additionally, the further into the wild you get (I'm talking those high-altitude mountains in the Rockies: Silverthorne, Breckenridge, and the almighty top-of-the-top, Leadville) the rarer it becomes to find those sweet vegan spots that are so much easier to find in a bustling metropolis like Denver. 

This is where I'll come in to throw a few ideas your way.

First, if you've ever been out west, you'll know that the oxygen becomes more dispersed the higher you are. I actually wrote a fun little blog on my theatre website regarding altitude sickness signs and symptoms, and how I've coped in the past. So, if you're into the science and stats behind that, go read that blog first.

Once you realize that your best friend when avoiding AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness) is carbs (you heard me right) then you best know it's time to get to eatin'. 

SILVERTHORNE, COLORADO

The Bakers' Brewery

531 Silverthorne LN

We found this gem only half-busy because it's a little bit off the main mountain-town drag that's usually bustling with tourists. You'll find yourself able to breathe easier and eat with a little more space if you boogie on over to Bakers' - because it's where the locals go. Omni with veg-friendly options, it's a good place to go if you're with a group of mixed eaters.

This is the house-made black bean burger. She's thick. She's hearty. She's savory. She's drizzled with an avocado sauce that is - yep - VEGAN. This is one of few black bean burgers you'll find around the area that is made without an egg binder. As long as you sub the bun for the focaccia bread and ask for no aioli, you're home free. (The bun is made with butter and the focaccia bread is made with oil.

You could also go with the taco salad and add the black bean burger on top for another filling vegan option. I also highly recommend the pretzels and the french fries. This kitchen prides itself on making their food from scratch, and the cozy vibe with friendly service will make you feel at home after a day in the mountains.

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

Piante Pizzeria

520 S. Main St. 3M (top floor)

This pizzeria is worthy of a restaurant article all its own (and I may eventually dedicate a specific post to them in the future). You'll find this 100% plant-based pizzeria on the main drag of Breckenridge amidst a bunch of fun shops and bars. 

Be ready for a potential wait, a cozy seating space, and the best damn pizza of your life. Yes, vegan or otherwise.

Pictured above, you will find the Buffalo Soldier pizza.

EVOO brushed crust, garlic, buffalo sauce, and organic cashew mozzerella... topped with red onion, green onion, fire-roasted buffalo cauliflower, and house-made ranch.

All vegan.

This pizza... I can't even tell you. You just need to book a flight out here. Now.

We've also tried the Angorio, the BBQ, the Garlic Knots, and the Kale Caesar Salad. They serve delicious local brews (as do all of these places I'll mention today). Unfortunately, they've been out of the cheesecake and the tiramisu each time we've gone - but it's because they sell out. So, get your hands on the dessert if you can, and tell me how the heck it is!

LEADVILLE, COLORADO

Tennessee Pass Cafe

222 Harrison Ave.

At the recommendation of a fellow veg-centric and MCC-Americorps friend who used to live in this old western town (shout-out to you, Aneliya!), we had to put Tennessee Pass Cafe on our list of places to stop - with the instruction that we MUST try the Brussels sprouts.

Photo courtesy of Tennessee Pass Cafe's Website

Trust me, there was no hesitation here.

You can choose to dine on the honey-sriracha sauce provided or not, but these sprouts are super-seasoned and flash-fried to a perfect crisp level. Your mouth does not want to miss out on these.

Now, I know, that's not really a "meal", per se... but when you're at the highest-elevated habitable town on the North American continent, your appetite is a smidge suppressed anyway, so you might as well get something you know you'll enjoy filling up on quickly. (That, and you can't visit this western historical town without saving room for a few drinks at the local saloon. AmIright?)

That wraps it up for this round of Foodie Finds. Hopefully I gave you a few suggestions for places to discover vegan options after some time in the mountains, or at least a place or two to whet your whistle after a long day on the slopes.

What's to come? 

Well, I'm planning a Foodie Tour of Chicago at the end of April. When May rolls around, you can also be sure to find me at the Vegan Dairy Fair in Boulder as well as Denver's FIRST All-Vegan Restaurant Week, and VegFest Colorado later in the year. I'm absolutely looking into attending veg festivals/events in other U.S. cities (particularly Chicago, New York City, and L.A.) - such as Eat Drink Vegan, Vegandale, and others - so let me know in the comments if there's one that I simply can't miss!

Keep your eyes on my YouTube for ridiculous food, travel, or other random uploads - and follow me on Twitter and Instagram so you don't miss where or what I'm posting next. This is where you'll be able to find other articles I'm guest blogging for in the near future, and fun finds around Denver, as well.

Until the next post: Peace & Plants ☮🍃