Vegan Wing Review: No FOWL play at FOTM

My history with eating chicken wings doesn't span very much of my life's timeline.

Bourbon Chipotle Seitan Wings.

If I'm being honest with you, I don't believe I've ever eaten a hot wing made from a chicken (and I'm, clearly, one hundred percent okay with that).

That's not to say I never ate chicken - I did. I just ate chicken tenders because I liked the breading, and the occasional grilled chicken at my grandmother's, once upon a time or two.

So, when I came into my own with veganism, I wasn't really thinking about places that served hot wings, let alone vegan wings. My veganism started out with whole foods and the rare novelty items that were around in the early 2000s (namely Follow Your Heart mozzarella, Veganaise, and soy or rice milk).

2019 is a WHOLE different ball game.

Commence my further infatuation with veganized fridge staples, curiosity about vegan fast food items, and my affection for entire restaurants that are solely vegan. Of all the places around the U.S. I've inhabited, I feel like Denver keeps surprising me. And it's so wonderful.

So, let's get into it!

This blog post is more than just a shout-out to just Fire on the Mountain. This is a thank you to my boyfriend for going out of town for a week and leaving my mind to wander, wondering what vegan finds Denver had that I had yet to explore. 😂

It's also a shout out to the adorable cafe across the street from FOTM... Cafe Zuri!

Manhattan, stirred, Cafe Zuri.

What does this cute little cocktail have to do with my wing night? I'll tell you.

When I walked into Fire on the Mountain, it was swarming with wingnuts. I was inevitably going to be put on the waitlist for a table, and while I was given 45 minutes to wait for their text confirmation of an open table, I wandered. (Go figure.)

Photo courtesy of Cafe Zuri social media.

As I planned to walk a few blocks to the nearest brewery, this cafe caught my eye. I was drawn to them, even if I had to settle for a non-alcoholic beverage while I waited - but, glory be, they had alcohol, as well.

Zuri has a no WiFi & no laptop policy so that everyone can enjoy the intimate ambiance without feeling too detached. They not only serve caffeine and alcoholic beverages, but they also serve adorable baked goods and a vegan option among their panini selection.

I struck up some small conversation with the bartender and a local. By the time I really started to enjoy myself, my phone prematurely vibrated with a text that my table was ready (in only ten minutes as opposed to a full 45 - woo!) - so I slammed my carefully crafted & strong Manhattan, asserted my goodbyes & thanks, and walked back across the street, ready for a solo wing night.

Mural on the side of FOTM's buidling.

I was guided to the far corner of the restaurant at a two-top, tucked in the back. I notice the table is well-stocked with silverware, napkins, and condiments, including malt vinegar (rightfully, so). Fire staff seats you with a menu and invites you to order at the counter when you're ready.

FOTM Food Menu.

This night, there were lots of folks in line, both to dine in and to carry out, but it was well worth the wait. The hostess took her time with each customer and was thoroughly friendly. My cashier was patient and kind, so I was excited to tell him I was loving their extensive vegan options - and when I casually ordered my "wings" (without specifying), he clarified that I wanted the seitan wings... and I am so grateful for that potentially expensive mistake, both in my wallet and in my gut.

Vegan Ranch, Cauliflower Wings with Raspberry Habanero, and a small fry.

Let's get to what we all really want to talk about: the food.

First things first: I noticed immediately that my ranch was left with the "VR" label on the lid when delivered to me - again, much appreciated! Knowing that my meal is truly, fully vegan is always the biggest relief when going to an omnivorous joint for grub.

Second, these fries.

Now, I may not have ever *eaten* wings before, but I neglected to mention one little fun fact about my past... I worked at a Buffalo Wild Wings. While vegan. Hey - it was 2009, and ya girl needed a job in a college town, okurr? Point being - WHILE I was working at B-dubs, I served a lot of french fries. And for some reason, at these wing joints, all the wings have a similar dusting of seasoning... if you're a wing aficionado, you'll know what I'm talking about. And these fries... they're dusted. 👌 Nice.

Round #1: Cauliflower Wings.

A basket. I chose raspberry habanero for my wing sauce, without realizing it was automatically served on the side - which, when realized upon receiving, I was instantly happy about. Who likes soggy cauliflower? NOBODY, JANET.

Cauliflower Wings

I reached for the crispy girl first (Hallelujah! Crispy fried food!) and was impressed. This choice? Strong. I love cauliflower wings more than most folks, and I usually prefer them to seitan wings. These are simultaneously juicy and crispy. So pleasant.

The raspberry habanero is probably my favorite sauce of all. Spicy and sweet, it doesn't leave you without tastebuds. Respect.

Let's talk ranch, quick.

Milky, buttery, sweet. Not a mayo consistency, but legitimately saucy (therefore, not quite hitting the "dip" mark of what I was expecting, but the flavor is so on point that I don't even care). I don't think I've ever tasted a more legit ranch. And for a wing place, that's how it ought to be! I don't know if this is a vegan brand that they buy in bulk or if they make it in house, but I will say that they absolutely know what they're doing with vegan ranch in this place.

Wing Trio: Cauliflower Basket, Bourbon Chipotle Seitan, & Jamaican Jerk Seitan.

Round #2: Bourbon Chipotle Seitan Wings.

As a woman who just came across the street after having a Four Roses Manhattan straight up, I'll let you know a little secret... I am a bourbon lover.

The flavor is almost sweet, at first, then it hits you high on the back of your palate and kicks you in the throat. (Like I said: bourbon, you do me proud!)

Bourbon Chipotle Seitan Wings

Texture: a great chewy texture. And in all honesty, it does have that particular seitan texture, which resembles steak more than chicken, in my opinion. The flavor and the chewing process take a while, so you probably don't need too many wings to enjoy the experience of your vegan wing night. But we're not amateurs, so we're going in for Round 3.

Round 3: Jamaican Jerk Seitan Wings.

Jamaican Jerk Seitan Wings.

Not gonna lie - I had to research this sauce, beforehand. (I told you, my wing history is nearly a clean slate.) Every sauce on the menu seems to have a spice kick, especially if you're sticking to the vegan options (R.I.P. Honey BBQ), however, you can taste all of them before you order! Yes, you heard me right, folks. You can sample any of the sauces listed on their menu with pretzel sticks as you're ordering at the counter, to ensure that you make a choice you're proud of (or at least a choice that you can't blame on the restaurant if you dislike it, later). Each sauce is marked with vegan and gluten-free notes, so you can be in-the-know. Here, I'll even show you the menu, below, for reference.

FOTM Food Menu.

Anyway. Jerk sauce seems to be sweetened, typically, with brown sugar. A nice contrast to all of the buffalo, habanero, hot, etc. markings. 

Flavor reaction? 

"Okay. Yep."

Cloves.

Smoky, sugar-y, saucy cloves. 

This is almost like a sweet gravy at first (think Sputnik's incredible vegan brown gravy *drool*) and then it slaps you with that familiar clove smokiness once you've swallowed and licked your lips. (Sorry for the foodporn-dirty talk. But... I'm being honest.) I do wish the gravy aspect lingered more.

Texture: Somehow more crumbly than the bourbon chipotle basket. I enjoyed this more than the bourbon chipotle, surprisingly. I think the jerk must just soak into the seitan better. 

At the end of the day, which round would I go back for?

Round #1: Cauliflower Wings.

Cauliflower Wings win me over every time, fam. But that's also due to the fact that I never liked meat or meaty textures growing up - hence why I'm vegan now!

I love a crispy fried veg any day of the week, and this basket did not disappoint. If you're in a similar boat as me, preferring the vegetable option to the faux-meats, then I'd opt for this basket and order a few sauces on the side to get a nice spectrum of flavor. The lime-chipotle, spicy peanut, and raspberry habanero would all be wonderful companions to this juicy, fried wing.

All in all, this place is rockin' with the vegan options. You can sub any protein of your choice for their sandwiches, salads, etc. - play around with it, and have fun! They're super accommodating. (They'll also be at Vegan Restaurant Week in May - so perhaps you can give them a go, then, if you're local.)

And that's all, folks! 

Additional things to note regarding Fire on the Mountain's vegan options:

• Every Thursday is $2 off meatless menu items including vegan cauliflower and seitan wings!
• Vegan week special menu starting 11am on Thursday 5/16 through Thursday 5/30
• Munchies- Fried mac and "cheese" balls 3 for $9 served with vegan sriracha ranch 
• Salad- Kale pesto pasta salad. kale pesto- peas - tomato- green onion- carrots- pasta bowl for $5
• Sandwich- Jack fruit pulled BBQ sandwich with avocado ranch slaw served with a side of fries. $12

Be sure to grab one of FOTM's bazillion delightful beers to wash down those plant-based wings. And don't forget to tip the staff after you order at the counter, because they're working their butts off. I tipped an extra $5-6 bucks, and they're worth every penny for their stellar service. 

Fire on the Mountain: Worth It. They... bring the heat, as it were. 😉

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 ☮🍃

The Food, The Beer, The Atmosphere

Alternation + WongWay Veg: A Dynamic Duo

When I first moved to Denver last fall, I’d heard of a brewery that invited all-vegan food trucks to be parked outside. As a vegan in a beer-loving town (and a beer-lover in a vegan-friendly town), I had to see what was up.

Courtesy of Alternation

My boyfriend and I knew we wanted to stop in and see if it lived up to the hype, so we made a couple of attempts. The first visit, we found the place one hundred percent jam-packed on Halloween – so, we sadly headed elsewhere. On the next visit, we had poor time management yet again, and the food truck had sold out – so, again, we left with our tails between our legs.

To hold myself better accountable, I started really following this place (Alternation Brewing Company) on social media. I noticed The Humane League was hosting quite a few of their monthly social “Vegan Drinks” events here. This caught my eye, so we made sure to show up one evening – early enough to get our pub grub on, this time.

Courtesy of Alternation

We came back to find WongWay Veg out front in a bright orange truck, and a few seats open at the bar. Little did we know that The Humane League event was taking place in the back room – but we heard most folks discussing veganism and enjoying the food, so were just happy to finally be able to nab a seat.

While glancing over the menu in our hands, we noticed a small disclaimer at the bottom of the menu: every brew was cruelty-free. Could this be true? Then it all started to make sense: the strictly-vegan food trucks, The Humane League meet-up events, and the names of some of these brews, such as the rotating draft know as “For The Animals”… Of COURSE we were in a vegan haven!

Courtesy of WWV

Two bites into my better-than-Taco-Bell “Crunchy Tostada Wrap” and two sips into my carefully crafted plant-based brew, I was hooked.

It was right around this time in mid-November that a wonderful collaboration was about to be born.

Courtesy of Alternation

The vegan community quickly gathered for what is now a weekly “Kegs Not Eggs!” brunch. Here, the dream team behind Alternation’s inventive (and ever-rotating) beer list and WongWay Veg‘s comfort-based food truck came together to put on a cruelty-free Sunday Brunch from 11 AM – 2 PM. Yes, you can now have tasty bloody-beers and beer-mosas alongside your biscuits and gravy, and it’s just as magical as you imagine.

Not only is the food and beverage combo from these two businesses unparalleled, but the service is spectacular. The owners and staff of Alternation are so casually friendly that you’d think they know you from somewhere else – if you didn’t just move to town. And the ladies behind WongWay have an infectious ebullience that clearly shines through from their mobile kitchen to the compostable plates they hand you, filled to the brim. Alternation hosts in an inclusive environment, from vegans to non-vegans, from friends and families to lone strangers; Paired with WongWay, they’re nailing the whole brunch experience.

Courtesy of WWV

It has to be mentioned that each of these businesses are involved with many other vegan organizations around town, collaborating on one surprise after the next. You can usually find WongWay Veg by checking their website schedule or social media updates. And as for Alternation, they’re always shaking things up, whether that’s on their tap list or by hosting other tasty events. Be sure to follow these folks so you know what delicious shenanigans they’ll be up to in the future (@wongwayveg and @alternationbrewing).

In the mean time… maybe I’ll see you at the next “Kegs Not Eggs!” Sunday brunch. I’ll be the blonde in the back, playing Scrabble or some other board game, enjoying the newest IPA with my good ol’ BnG. (That’s short for biscuits ‘n gravy… Now you know.) Cheers!

About the author: Miranda is currently a Denver-based foodie and traveler whose motto is “Eat your veggies, See the world, Share your story!” Follow her HappyCow account, social media handles, and YouTube channel: @UprootedFoodie. Website: TheUprootedFoodie.blogspot.com

All content within this post was written as a guest blog for Happy Cow on behalf of Uprooted Foodie. The original article can be found here. Many thanks to Happy Cow for this opportunity!

Denver: Updates, Progress, The New Year

Hey hey, happy 2019, everybody!

I wanted to take a moment and jump right into a new post, discussing how the move to Denver has been treating me. 

Let's get started, shall we?

I'm pleased to say that the new year has brought an influx of things to Uprooted Foodie, even though my personal journey into the new year was a bit rough - but we'll get to that soon enough. First, I'll rattle off some of the good!

The end of 2018 brought my new YouTube channel, where you can watch things as simple as pie recipe tutorials all the way to my first chiropractic care visit. This platform of expression has proven to be very different than I initially expected. Different, of course, as I'm more in the forefront and less behind-a-laptop... but the style of my videos has kind of taken off with a mind of its own. So, if you decide to check me out on that platform, be warned that I am in full goof-ing mode over there.

This being a new platform for me, I wanted to start off the new year with a bang: a travel docu-series entitled 

GOODBYE, CALIFORNIA.

In this multi-episodic series, I take you all the way back to the beginning of where Uprooted Foodie began – California – and bring you with me as I enjoy my favorite spots one last time before moving to Colroado. I'm excited for you to tag along with me and catch some beautiful footage of my travels!

Other things 2018 brought was - clearly - ending up in Colorado! 

So, how is Denver treating us? Well, I'm glad you asked.

Before heading this way, I decided the best way to approach a whimsical move was to put ourselves in affordable, comfortable housing situations. Namely, Airbnbs.

This was a great idea for a couple of reasons:

1. We didn't have to commit to an apartment that we'd never seen before our arrival.
2. We could have some sense of privacy and get on our feet without the expense of hotels.

There's a high chance I'll elaborate on the concept of staying in Airbnbs as a form of a moving tactic. For now, I'll suffice it to say that it did the job we needed it to, albeit we had some issues along the way. The details of which are a little further down in this post, but basically, let's just remember that these are the homes of real people. Real people who have real biases and opinions that may not align with your lifestyle. (Or sometimes, they're just rude.) And because of that, I am oh-so-glad that we are finally moved into our new place.

Our living room with Kyle's stand-up bass case. Photo by Tim Brogan.

Speaking of Airbnb, our current home was recently a Denver hotspot of a listing! Recently, the landlords decided they wanted to take it off of Airbnb and just rent it longer-term. (If you've ever hosted on Airbnb, you'll know that flipping the space is a part-time job all its own. Can't say I blame them for wanting to officially rent it out.) We were the lucky folks who got the place right off the bat.

It's a six month sublet, which for us, is great. It gives us plenty of time to settle in one spot to call our own, but also plenty of time to look for a more private place down the line.

The two landlords are artists who hand-decorated the entire sublet. For that reason alone, it's worth the cost of rent, if simply to admire. We have the entire main level to ourselves, including a guest room/office, and we share the kitchen with our landlords (who live on the level below us). It's fully furnished, which is especially convenient for us, as we have traveled so frequently that we don't have much to furnish with at this point in time. There are also two pups and a fuzzball of a cat. And I do have to admit, it feels like a cozy little family over here. I am not mad about it.

Actual Puppy Portraits in our home.

Aren't they ADORABLE?

Other wonderful Denver things: THE VEGAN SCENE.

If you're anything like me... this is my favorite part about being in a new city. Denver has a plethora of all-vegan eats, plenty of spots with separate vegan menus available, and even more places willing to accommodate vegan palates.

Speaking of the vegan scene, I am very excited to discover that Denver will be hosting an all-vegan restaurant week in May! This is the first year it's happening in Denver, and it's sponsored by The Veganizers and Veg Fest Colorado.

(Incidentally, I am actively seeking sponsorship(s) to review this event in exchange for the ultimate taste-test pass. If anyone reading this knows of anyone who can make that dream a reality, please direct any leads my way via email: uprootedfoodie@gmail.com.)

Nashville Hot Sliders from WongWay Veg's comfort food menu.

Further regarding my never-ending foodie agenda, 

I have a couple of blog posts in the works to feature Denver-specific hotspots: 

I'm planning to give a run-down of vegan food trucks and the food truck scene out here, list my top favorite all-vegan Denver restaurants, and there will be a collaboration piece going up very soon about one of my favorite weekly vegan events that takes place in the Denver vegan foodie scene. I'm pretty excited to share that last one, as it'll be a guest post on a well-known vegan platform that's been around since 1999. Any guesses?

The final thing I'll mention regarding the Uprooted platform is: my first giveaway happened! I collaborated with YoFiit, a Canadian company, to give away an entire box of energy bars to one lucky winner on my Instagram following.

I plan on posting another giveaway this spring in collaboration with an outdoor company. If you're at all interested in winning outdoor gear... be sure to follow me on social media so that you don't miss out on the next giveaway opportunity.

Now for the rough parts. Wah wah wahhh.

(Maybe if I rip it off, like a Band-aide, it won't hurt so much? Let's try.)

Deep inhale.

I was in a car accident. I'm okay, and it wasn't my fault, but due to this, my car has been in the shop for 4+ weeks. This has hindered income, mobility, getting out much for fun or sanity purposes, but has been very rewarding for the focus it's given to my freelance work, at least.

We experienced discrimination from our last Airbnb host. If you've ever read my very first blog entry, you'll see a photo of a very loud-colored vehicle, fondly dubbed The Rainbow Rider.

It's borderline embarrassing to admit that we were treated poorly due to the way our vehicle looked. I won't get into it, here, but needless to say we reported this host to Airbnb for discrimination. However, while Airbnb insisted they do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, they would not honor our request for a refund... which leads me to thinking twice about booking with them in the future, unfortunately.

All in all, it's been a swift kick into the new year, the good coming with the bad. I suppose it evens out, but I wouldn't say that makes it fair or easy, by any means.

What I can say is I'm grateful to have a warm, charming home to live in. I'm grateful to find the joy in new opportunities. I'm grateful to have friends like Tim Brogan from Top Self Development come to Colorado on a whim to work alongside. (Shameless plug: go read his blog article to learn more about his stay with me in Denver - and subscribe to his YouTube channel to catch our future collaboration regarding our Americorps days, travel, and veganism!)

Tim and myself at the MLK memorial statue, after collaborating on videos about service projects, ON MLK DAY
- which is the federally recognized National Day of Service. *Synchronicity.*

I hope whatever and whoever you left behind in 2018 stays there. I hope you rang in the new year surrounded by love, whether with yourself or with others. I hope you can see yourself achieving everything you're dreaming of for 2019.

When life throws you lemons... something about lemonade?

Sweet, sweet lemonade.

Plant-Based Thanksgiving Menu

What do you think about when Thanksgiving rolls around?

Are you excited about eating lots of hearty food? Do you recognize and honor things to be grateful for? Is it nice to be around family and friends, or is it stressful (and why)?

I was looking on my Facebook “memories” this morning, and I got to see where I've been on this day in years past. It was funny... because six years ago I was visiting some friends in Denver and Boulder (the area where I currently live) – and tonight, I will actually be attending a protest in Boulder, and I haven't been there since. I love when synchronicities like that occur.

Another memory I found was from two years ago, when my boyfriend (Kyle) and I drove to the Standing Rock Reservation.

This always hits me a little hard this time of year. The injustices that happened on that reservation so close to Thanksgiving... it makes me sick to think about.

But, while there was horror, I very much honor that time, that place, and the people for what they protect and stand for.

There was a lot of beauty in humanity at the core of that movement.

I just wanted to touch on this reminder as respectfully as I can: that at a time when the world seems more ripped apart than ever, we have to remember where we come from, and reflect on our mistakes as well as our successes. Be kind to your neighbors, and be kind to yourself.

That being said... there is always so much pressure around the holidays with making agendas, menus, family plans – but there is also so much joy.

That's why I'm writing this Thanksgiving blog post: to give you some ideas on how to make your Thanksgiving (and the holidays) less stressful, in general. Of course I'm talking about vegan food, as well – which, if you've been vegan around the holidays, you'll know that this time can carry it own stressful moments when approaching family gatherings.

Whether you're a new vegan, an old vegan, a vegetarian, or an omnivore hosting some veghead family members, this menu can give you some colorful and savory options.

Stuffed Butternut Squash.

Growing up in the Midwest, you'd think I'd have eaten stuffing... but the truth is, I've only ever had a couple of bites of it!

(There are a lot of food conundrums of me living in the Midwest that I never got around to figuring out. Things I never ate that were considered “staples” in that stereotypical, regional diet. I guess I was just picky? But that pickyness turned into veganism, so I must've inherently been following that lifestyle before I was even aware. Ha.)

Regardless, the TRUE definition of stuffing is: “a mixture used to stuff an item before cooking.”

So... anything you want!

That really is why I'm so in love with cooking around Thanksgiving – you can make anything you like, because there are no rules. It's all meant to be good friends, good food, and good times.

So, in true fashion of doing whatever I want, here's a tasty wild rice stuffing recipe for squash.

Stuffed Butternut Squash
(vegan)

Ingredients

• 1 butternut squash, whole
• 1 cup wild rice, uncooked
• 4 cups water
• “Better Than Bouillon” vegetable paste (1-2 teaspoons)
• 1 apple of your choice
• 1 link of Field Roast sausage (omit or sub to make it gluten-free)
• 1 cup walnuts

Squash Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 F.

2. Halve the squash, being very careful – they're tough.

3. De-seed the squash with a spoon or ice cream scoop.

4. Oil the inside of the squash and lightly add salt and pepper.

5. Place the squash face down on a baking pan with almost ¼ cup water in pan.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, keeping an eye that the water isn't evaporating too quickly and that the squash isn't burning.
7. Once baked, allow to cool for a few minutes, then scoop the flesh out with a spoon.

Stuffing Instructions

1. In a medium sauce pan, boil water.
2. While water boils, rinse wild rice in a strainer.
3. Once boiling, add your bouillon, stir, and add the rice.
4. Cook the rice 30-45 minutes until all water has evaporated.
5. Cook sausage in a pan until browned, adding finely chopped apple halfway through.
6. Combine crumbled and cooked sausage with apples, scooped squash flesh, and rice. Add this to the rice, stir evenly. Toss in a few walnuts and then scoop into the hollowed squash topped with more walnuts to broil for a few minutes. (Vegan cheese topping optional!)

Feel free to play around with this recipe, whether that's a different type of squash, different brand or flavors of sausage, almonds or pine nuts in lieu of walnuts, or simply by incorporating more or different veggies in your stuffing.

Roasted Vegetable Medley.

Thyme, parsley, and rosemary make up the organic fresh herb blend we picked up for roasting our veggies. Rosemary is my absolute FAVORITE. Dill is a close second. (I feel that rosemary fits the fall vibe better, and that dill is super refreshing in the spring.)

What veggies should you use? Again... there are no rules!

We favor potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts – but you can choose anything you like, from cauliflower to zucchini to roasting bell peppers.

Roasted Vegetable Medley
(vegan, gluten-free)

Ingredients

• 2-3 Russet potatoes (fingerlings are great, too)
• ¼ white onion
• 4-6 carrots
• Thyme, parsley, and rosemary (or any fresh herb blend you enjoy)
• 3-4 tablespoons oil

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 F.
2. Boil potatoes whole for about 5 minutes, until a little tender.
2. Cube, wedge, dice, or slice your vegetables how you prefer them.
2. Drizzle oil on bottom of a glass baking pan.
3. Toss veggies lightly with a little more oil.
4. Finely chop fresh herbs or place whole in pan with vegetables.
5. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Pumpkin Pie.

And, last but not least... the classic Thanksgiving dessert.

So many of my friends have delicious pumpkin pie alternatives or various holiday desserts in general (and I'll get around to that on a future blog or vlog: The 12 Desserts of Christmas!) but I say, if you're inviting your omnivorous family over for a small and animal-free Thanksgiving (excluding pets, of course) then you may want to stick to what they're familiar with; and pumpkin pie is absolutely a comfort food.

(Here is where I found the original recipe by Rita1652 on Genius Kitchen.)

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin puree
  (can also use fresh pumpkin, squash, or sweet potato)
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground gloves
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 1 (10 ounce) package silken tofu
• 1 (9 inch) pie shell, unbaked

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 F.
2. Mix tofu, pumpkin, brown sugar, salt, and spices in a food processor.
3. Pour mixture into pie shell and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Lower heat to 350 F and bake for another 40 minutes.
5. Let cool at room temperature for up to two hours.
6. Chill and serve.

As if this pie recipe isn't easy enough, I've also created a fun video to go along with it. Head over to my YouTube channel this Friday (November 16, 2018) to catch my very first YouTube recipe video. (I also throw in a chickpea whipped cream that isn't listed on here – so be sure to check that out!)

Thanksgiving shouldn't have to be stressful. It should be a time of – wait for it – THANKS!

Remember, if you feel pressured by family to eat or think differently around holidays when you're supposed to feel comforted and grateful, then maybe rethink your situation and abstain from those gatherings. Choose a to throw or attend a friendsgiving, instead!

I'm convinced this is the best vegan holiday, simply because of the abundance of vegetables available and the fact that everyone wants to eat, eat, eat – and vegetables are cost-effective and a-plenty.

Thanks for reading, and keep your eyes peeled for my future posts. Have a suggestion for something you'd like to read about? Let me know in the comments below, and I'll do my best to cover it.

Happy Cooking!

No turkeys were harmed in the making of this blog post.

All photos not taken by Uprooted Foodie are used with permission or from free photo stock.

Six Natural Beauty Tips From A Lazy Vegan

I'm often told two things by strangers:

“Your skin is so clear!”

and

“...You look WAY younger than you are.”

These compliments, while flattering (or skeptical), are two things that I hear all too often. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for my skin and youthful appearance! 

Yes, I get mistaken for being a decade younger than I actually am, and while that can be awesome... This decade of maturity that I've cultivated can easily be thrown out the window when I look so much younger. Something about “idiotic youth”, "judging a book by their cover", yadda yadda. (Which, for the record, I don't buy. Some of the coolest folks I've worked with are a decade younger than myself.)

While genetics may play a factor in my youthful glow (thank you, Nordic ancestors), I do have a super easy skincare routine... and let me tell you, when I say easy, I mean LAZY.

So, if you're like me, and you're not into having an entire step-by-step routine (because let's be honest, who has the time?!) then follow along, because I'm about to spell out some tips and tricks for you that have worked for me over the years.

Tip Number One: 

Hydration.

Water, water, water. 

Start from the inside-out, and get yourself hydrated! Your skin is thirsty, and you need to make sure the largest organ in your body is taken care of. Your skin will thank you.

If you don't know what water is, here's a link: H2O.

Tip Number Two: 

Toners and Serums.

One year ago, I wouldn't have had this on my list of must-do's. However, when I ran into Dazey LA, I found their apothecary items in collaboration with Nesting Zone, and I've never looked back.

Toner is important because it balances our skin. Whether you're prone to being more oily or more dry, it'll moisturize and tighten your pores - which prevents acne as well as oiliness.

Serum keeps your skin youthful by addressing wrinkles, dark spots, and large pores.

My favorite combo is the Better Daze Balancing Mist (a cucumber and rose facial toner) that will moisturize and balance your skin. Directly after using this toner, I apply the Lunaris Facial Serum (aloe vera liquid, cucumber water, rose water, glycerin, and witch hazel). 

These two are my go-to right out of the shower - or, even if it's not a shower day, but I still feel like my face has dried out due to the thin Colorado air. If you're curious, go to the Dazey website and order their Glow Kit – it's also perfect for travel and keeping your beauty items minimized.

Tip Number Three: 

Make-Up Choices Matter.

Listen up, theatre fam!

Maybe when you were in high school, any old thing would do. But then and now, your body can tell when you're using the cheap stuff. Trust me. I would try to use basic mascara by one of those gross big brand names, and my eyelashes would literally fall out – not to mention, burn or itch like crazy. 

It wasn't until I switched to a not-laced-with-weird-shit mascara that my lashes were finally forgiving. (Did you know that most mainstream mascara has fish scales in the ingredients? No wonder my body was like “GIRL...?!”)

(FYI: This is my favorite mascara. VA-VA-VOOM.)

Now, "cheap" is not synonymous with cheap. I'm not saying DON'T shop at the drugstore. In fact, there are a plethora of amazing drugstore brands sold that will be gentle on your skin! (And cruelty-free, to boot.)

My recommendation? Know your skin, and research. Well, doing research can take some time... but I've put in a good amount of that time for you. Some of my favorites affordable brands are:

Arbonne. Pacifica. Wet 'n Wild. Elf. NYX.

PETA also has a helpful list of 22 Cruelty-Free, Vegan Beauty Brands to Support.

Now, I know I just said all of these are vegan brands. 

DISCLAIMER:

There may be some items on the shelf that were apart of the line before they went 100% cruelty-free, or for some reason, they'll be listed as such when there is actually honey or beeswax in a product. 

Continue to do your research. You're the only one who can say if you will or will not tolerate certain chemicals or ingredients on your skin. 

Whatever you put on your skin goes into your skin. 

In this day and age, you're the only one lookin' out for you. A lot of these companies will slap a label on something and expect you to never know the difference, in hopes that they'll make a profit. A little research goes a long way.

Tip Number Four: 

Avoid Alcohol.

This is meant more for products used directly on your skin, but it goes for ingestion, as well... the fact is, the less alcohol you drink, the more hydration your skin will retain. 

And as for alcohol as an ingredient in skincare products: 

Those facial wipes may be tempting, but first of all they're a one-time use and toss, which is pretty wasteful. Second, they're prone to have alcohol in the ingredients, which dries out your skin. 

And what does she (your skin) want? See Number One.

The best success I've had with make-up removal is oil. 

Almond Oil, to be specific.

But plenty of oils work: almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, hell, even canola oil works if you're desperate. So grab yourself a soft washcloth, pour a little oil of your choice on it, and go to town. Then you can just wash the cloth when you're done. Ta-Da.

If you are on a budget, or you're traveling and forget your oil, and you must go with face wipes... I highly recommend Equate Baby Wipes that you can buy at Walmart, Target, on or Amazon. Yes, I said baby wipes. They're essentially the same as the makeup wipes, and this particular brand is paraben free, alcohol free, and fragrance free - plus, they have aloe and vitamin E. 

So, there ya go. No alcohol. But, if you must... Everything in moderation, right?

Tip Number Five: 

Avoid Dairy like the Plague.

I'll say this once: Cow's milk is meant for baby cows. 

Give it up. 

In fact, if you have the stomach and the bravery, please go to YouTube right now and watch “Dairy is Scary”. It'll take five minutes of your life and give you some things to ponder.

Dairy is known to give people skin irritations, digestive issues, and excess mucus. Gross. 

Don't believe me? Check out this article.

If you're a milk martyr, please consider substituting dairy milk for non-dairy milk. There are SO MANY OPTIONS. Almond, Soy, Rice, Oat, Hazelnut, Hemp, Flax, Coconut, etc. I can't tell you how many friends have told me their skin cleared up once they cut out the dairy. 

Also, last time I checked, you're not a baby cow. So, there's that.

Tip Number Six: 

Take a Break Before You Break Out.

Of course, the big final tip... mess with your face as minimally as possible. Sometimes the best thing for your skin is to leave it the heck alone. Let it breathe, replenish, renew, and get its glow on.

Are you a skincare guru? 

Do you have some tips and tricks of your own? Comment below!

One thing I've been curious about is dry brushing... has anyone tried this? I'd love to learn more about it and eventually invest in this technique, myself.

And if you're suffering from severe acne and have tried everything... I really recommend watching Brian Turner's YouTube channel. He has overcome some serious acne just from turning his health around and also discusses how you're beautiful just the way you are... acne or not.

Thanks for reading!

Photo Courtesy of DazeyLA Website

I am not sponsored or endorsed by any of the products mentioned in this listing. However, I may receive a small commission from any Amazon links in this post, should you purchase an item. Thank you for supporting Uprooted Foodie!