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!

Halloween as a Vegan

Happy Halloween!

I considered writing a handful of other things for this entry, but it landed too perfectly on Halloween... so, I had to cave. (Is that a bat reference? Are the Halloween puns beginning?! Someone stop me already.)

But, like I said - it's Halloween! And I'm a vegan. (You probably knew that. Maybe you are, too?) So here's how this works this time of year. Some things we'll be going over are: 

1) What vegans eat during this candy-infused holiday, 2) What vegans wear at this festive time, and 3) The general vegan Halloween or fall aesthetic.

What does 'Trick or Treat' mean for the vegan community?

Well, it doesn't mean Kit-Kats, Snickers, or Rice Crispies Marshmallow treats. (Unfortunately.) But as VegNews puts it in this article (regarding drinks and boo-ffets): 

"Trick or Treat, I don't eat meat, so gimme something good to eat!"

Here's a list of 15 vegan-friendly candies, for starters:

• Twizzlers
• Lemonheads
• Sour Patch Kids
• Sweet Tarts
• Skittles
• Swedish Fish
• Smarties
• Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum
• Airheads
• Cracker Jack Original
• Jolly Ranchers
• Mambas Fruit Chews
• Wonka Fun Dip
• Pixy Stix
• Blow Pop Lollipops

Did I say they were healthy? No. This is Halloween, people. Folks dress like they praise Satan while eating copious amounts of sugar. What about this holiday is "hell"-thee? (Get it? Healthy?)

Regardless, I'd rather praise Seitan. Heh, amIright?

Moving on!

What do vegans wear on Halloween? 

Well, if you're looking for vegan-friendly costumes, you might have to do some research on your own. I'm here to talk about makeup.

For time's sake, I'll give you the list in this amazing link for theatrical quality makeup from the best Halloween cosmetic companies that happen to be cruelty-free. I'll also go ahead and link an Amazon best-seller for a vegan kid's face paint kit.

For the skinny on some basic budget-friendly brands, I'll list my favorites:

• Elf
• NYX (select items)
• Tarte
• Wet 'n Wild
• Kat Von D

That's just to name a few - but these lines have some really bold and shimmery options. I personally used a bright pink Elf lip gloss for my costume this year.

This costume brings me to the next part of this section: hair product!

What I used here was a Hot Huez chalk pack from Sally's Beauty. Yes, it was non-toxic and vegan! (And marketed for teenagers. *shrug*) 

I enjoyed the chalk because it had a mess-free application - you clip a section of hair near the roots and slide it down - then you just spritz a little hairspray on top to keep it from staining your face or clothing. It also washes out completely after one shower.

If you're looking beyond chalks, you can also use products like Manic Panic, Ion, Punky, Arctic Fox, and Splat. I once dyed my hair pink with Ion Color Brilliance, and it was lovely.

But enough photos of me with pink hair. (It's tempting to go back to it!)

Let's move on to the third and final section of today's holiday blog:

The Vegan Halloween Aesthetic

What do I mean by this? Well, honestly, I needed to round out it to three things for my OCD's sake. But I think we can make it work. 😉

So many "vegan" activities for Halloween - and fall, in general - are awesome, adorable, and already normal activities. You've got your choice of the following, and then some:

• Apple-Picking or Bobbing for Apples
• Hayrack Rides
• Corn Mazes (as a Midwestern-born vegan, you know I love this one)
• Leaf Piles
• Pumpkin Carving
• Baking things with all the pumpkin, cinnamon, and chai flavors
• Savory, earthy, and/or spicy fall teas
• And, of course, fall-scented candles! 

I honestly don't know what fall would be without pumpkin, and I have to say, this vegan pumpkin souffle candle has got me all sorts of cozy right now. I also do prefer real candles to the scented wax, but that's a personal preference.

And it has to be said... I am a huuuuuge tea addict as of late. I recently quit coffee (post about that to come) but I love anything earthy to give me that full-bodied satisfaction that black coffee used to. The only thing that does it is Bengal Spice by Celestial Seasonings. It's the perfect non-caffeinated chai substitute! And with a splash of milk, I'm seriously in heaven. (Also - loving that Celestial Seasonings is local to where I'm at right now. They're just up in Boulder!)

All right, there you have it! The essentials for a vegan Halloween and a vegan's mini-guide to the full swing into fall. I successfully kept the puns to a minimum, and had fun sharing these hacks with you.

😺

Have you used any of these products, or do you have hacks of your own for this spooky time of year? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Halloween, Friends!

🎃

I am not sponsored by any of the products mentioned in this listing, nor do I represent their companies. However, I may receive a small commission from some of the links in this post, should you purchase an item. Thank you for supporting Uprooted Foodie!

Easy Pumpkin Desserts for the Baking-Challenged

It's... 
PUMPKIN SEASON!

Can you guess what I've been doing?

Baking.

(This cookie brownie is not in this post... but isn't she pretty? 😋)

Disclaimer: I am NOT a professional baker.

I am more of a stove-top pro... sometimes a blender pro...

but not a baker.

I simply wanted to test how many baked goods I could make with my favorite egg substitute...

PUMPKIN.

That's right: ¼ cup of pureed pumpkin will substitute for one egg in any baking dish. 

(The perfect vegan Halloween hack!)

That being said, these recipes I'm about to share with you are super easy!

Hey, if I can do it... anyone can.

For all of you out there who can identify with me on the not-quite-a-baker sitch, we're gonna start easy. Don't you worry. And for all you pro bakers... well, maybe you'll get a kick of out this post, at least!

1. Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies.
(Dairy-free, egg-free, vegan.)

Here's why it's easy:
It's a prepackaged mix that you add butter and “egg” to. Betty Crocker, to be more specific.
Here's how I did it and what you'll need.

Ingredients:

• One stick or ½ cup vegan butter
• ¼ cup pureed or canned pumpkin
• Betty Crocker cookie mix (oatmeal chocolate chip)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, stir softened butter with the pumpkin, then add the cookie mix.
3. Drop your dough by large spoonfuls onto two ungreased cookie sheets (six per sheet).
4. Bake for 13 minutes.
5. Let cool for five minutes, and serve.

Click here to print the recipe.

WHEW! That was easy.
Now, let's move on to something a little more advanced.
Don't worry, it's still not that difficult. And it's still cookies. Yum!

2. Bourbon Vanilla Pumpkin Snickerdoodles.
(Oil-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, vegan.)

Wait a minute – wasn't this supposed to be easy? These sound fancy...

Well, they are from scratch – but I promise, it's doable! (And wayyy worth it.)

This is a recipe I borrowed from Natalie - the only difference here is I used cane sugar (in lieu of coconut sugar) and a bourbon vanilla extract from Trader Joe's, because, who doesn't like to sound a little fancier?

This original recipe only calls enough ingredients for one large cookie. Here, I've saved you the trouble and quadrupled the recipe. So you can eat more than one. I mean – share with friends? Sure.

The cookie dough:

• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup gluten-free oat flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp bourbon vanilla extract by Trader Joe's

The topping:

• 4 tsp sugar
• 4 dashes of cinnamon

Quick word for the wise:

You can make oat flour at home by pulsing oats in a blender / food processor for a few minutes.
Look at you! You're so fancy!

Another quick word, for those who aren't in the know:

Not all baking powders or oats are automatically gluten-free. Do a little research beforehand and make sure you take the necessary precautions if you or a friend are gluten-intolerant.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. All the fixin's for the dough can be mixed together in one bowl. Dough will be sticky.
3. Lining a pan with parchment paper, you can press the cookie out into “giant” size. 
   (Natalie recommends about a 4 inch diameter.)
4. Hot tip: if you don't have parchment paper, fear not! You can put a little oil on the cookie sheet to keep it from sticking. (This would just take away the “oil-free” factor.)
5. Mix your cinnamon sugar topping and sprinkle on top, pressing lightly into the cookies.
6. Bake for 12 minutes and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Click here to print this recipe.

It... looks a lot like meatloaf here. But it tastes AMAZING.

I love these because A) they're HUGE cookies! B) they're very sweet, but they're also hearty... and could seriously pass as a breakfast cookie, if you so desire. (We did. We did that. I don't regret it.)

3. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites.
(Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan.)

Photo by Kyle L.

Okay. Cookies are one thing. But vegan cheesecake bites?!?

Yes.

This recipe was altered from Arman and he boasts that these are paleo, vegan, and an awesome no-bake keto fat bomb. So if that's your jam, here you go!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cream cheese, softened (I used tofutti)
• ¾ cup Wild Friends pumpkin spice peanut butter
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree
• a few dashes of (bourbon) vanilla
• 1 cup RAW sugar

Note: If you're not able to find or use this specific pumpkin spice peanut butter, you can substitute with any nut butter of your choice and just add some pumpkin pie spice. You can also add the spice to your sugar mixture.

Instructions:

1. Place sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Combine all ingredients except sugar and mix well. 
   Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until firmed up.
3. Line a large plate with parchment paper (it's fine if you don't have any, though). Form bite-sized balls, dipping each in the sugar bowl to coat. Place on lined plate. Repeat.
4. Place all balls in the freezer to firm up, I'd recommend at least 30 minutes.

Click here to print this recipe.

See? Was that so hard?!

Well, okay, so I technically only baked TWO items (cookies) and the last was a no-bake cheesecake bite recipe, but... can you blame me? It was too easy.

Now you can try your hand at these pumpkin-tastic desserts at the coven next week! Er, um, when... you... meet at your friends house to watch Hocus Pocus.

Did you try any of these? Let me know in the comments how they turned out! I'd love to hear if you have any tips or tricks... at the very least, you'll have the treats. 🎃

(Get it? See what I did there? Halloween puns, for the win!)

👻 Happy Spooking! 👻

Foodie Hideaways, Part 3: San Luis Obispo

Welcome to the final Foodie Hideaways blog!

You may have seen my top recommendations for the central coast's best all-vegan restaurants. Then you may have read where you can find some vegan menu items in Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Oceano... 

This is going to give you the third and final part in the mini-series I've dubbed Foodie Hideaways - where you can easily find some vegan grub in tucked away spots or at mostly-omnivorous places in the San Luis Obispo area. These places are perfect for stopping when you have non-veg family or friends and you're beach-ing it up together in this area.

Here we go!

SAN LUIS OBISPO.

The Habit
839 Higuera St.

Get yourself to The Habit and order their veggie burger (assuredly, vegan) on sourdough. Have you ever been to a Steak 'n' Shake? This sandwich reminded me of a steakburger... without the blood and guts, or whatever. Oh, also worth mentioning, we literally hiked up and down the street asking every host, bartender, or cashier if their veggie burgers were vegan – and this was the only omni place that said yes. Trust me – I've done the work for you!

Photo by Cayla Marie H.

Habit Hours: Mon - Thurs 10:30 am - 10:00 pm

Friday - Saturday 10:30 am - 11:00 pm

SLO Brew: The Rock
855 Aerovista Lane

If you're into Happy Hour (like me) then you'll want to swing by SLO Brew downtown or the SLO Brew: The Rock location just a hair south of town. They won't be able to feed you a totally vegan meal, but they can get you set up with a basket of fries for $5, Brussels sprouts (ask for no honey) for $5, or their Hummus Trio with lav crackers and veggies.

Lavish Crackers, Veggies, Hummus/Beet Hummus

The Rock Hours: Sun 10am-9pm; Mon-Thurs 11:30am-9pm

Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10pm

Big Sky Cafe
1121 Broad Street

Hands Down: Get the Vegan Paella for $17 and split it with a friend (or save for leftovers). It's plenty of food and they are not over-charging you. If you're strictly vegan, beware of the free rolls, for they are cheesy and not vegan-friendly, although they smell amazing. As for this Paella... I really have no words... it's epic. Whether you're vegan or not, just do it. They bring it out on a piping hot cast iron skillet and oh, my, my. It's hearty, savory, somehow "buttery" heaven! Nice work, Big Sky.

Vegan Paella

Big Sky Hours: Sun 8am-9pm; Mon-Thurs 7am-9pm
Friday 7am-10pm; Sat 8am-10pm

Woodstocks Pizza
1000 Higuera Street

Woodstocks Pizzeria: Vegan cheese for any of your pizza choices. Need I say more?
Well, fine, I'll say a little bit more.
This is one of those spots where you'll find the college crowd gathering, but you'll also see a lot of families enjoying a night out. Woodstocks recently expanded their location as well as their tap beer selection. However, if you're one for nostalgia and "the way things were"... fear not, this set-up truly is better for all. They coined the new space as The Backyard with a cool outdoor vibe in their barely sub-street level seating areas, with plenty of cozy picnic-style seating. The staff is always friendly, and they'll steer you right with food or drink all night.

Woodstocks Hours: Sun - Thurs 11am - 12am; Fri - Sat 11am - 1am

Seeds
1133 Garden Street

Yogi and Yoginis: Assemble!
Juices, smoothies, avo toasts, and now, paninis. This small, minimally decorated store is a gem. I ordered a Kombucha from their tap and Toast #3: avo on some seriously thick squaw bread, with Himalayan pink salt, pepitas, and sunflower seeds. (Also where I tried my first charcoal lemonade.) They have an abundance of offerings for vegans and non-vegans, alike. Just be sure you look closely, if you're vegan - they do offer bee pollen, honey, and cheese products, as well.

Seeds Hours: 8am - 6pm Daily

Whole Foods
1531 Froom Ranch Way

I stopped in to Whole Foods towards the end of my stay on the central coast. Now, most people know that Whole Foods has a hot bar and salad bar and plenty of delis, right? Well, this one had plenty of vegan options. I swooped up a piece of jalapeno, pineapple, and tempeh "bacon" pizza with Daiya mozzarella... yum. I also got a vegan samosa - AND- they told me to take some free samples! (I believe I chose a version of a spicy asian "chicken"-broccoli, mac-n-cheez, and a lentil item.) Definitely give this one a go if you've got a group of semi-healthy folks who can't decide on a meal.

Whole Foods Hours: 8am - 10pm Daily

Taco Tuesdays
Bang the Drum & Taqueria 805

950 Orcutt Road

Double Whammy!
Bang the Drum is a quirky warehouse-lookin' area that looks like it relocated to SLO from the southwest. They serve up cold, tasty brews with fun names (like "I Call B.S." for their Belgian Strong, or the "Life is a Beach" Porter). Stop down on a Tuesday between 5pm-8pm and you'll see the Taqueria 805 food truck posted out front. Beer and vegan tacos?! Yes!
(Perk: Free side of guac if you check in on Yelp.)

Vegan Soyrizo Tacos with Hot Salsa, Cilantro, Onions

Bang the Drum Hours: Mon - Thurs 2-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-12; Sun 12-10pm
Tacqueria 805 Hours: Tuesdays 5pm - 8pm

SLO DESSERTS.

Free Me Ice Cream Company

This super yummy, all-vegan, small batch ice cream can be found at my blog's aforementioned #1 vegan restaurant recommendation on the central coast: Bliss Cafe. (Also available at an adorable gluten-free bakery in Paso Robles called Bless Your Heart - which I haven't been to, personally. But you should take Free Me's word for its adorableness!)

If you go to their Facebook page (linked above) you can find more info to contact them about SLOcal (local in SLO county) delivery and pick-up. Right now they're offering Peanut Butter Coconut Cayenne, their "OG and yogi favorite" Goldenmilk (with turmeric), Mint Chip with Spirulina, Chocolate Maca, EVOO Vanilla, Pistachio, and Churro - with more cozy fall flavors coming soon. I didn't get to try all of these... but my personal faves are Goldenmilk and Mint Chip.
Make sure you get a taste!

Nite Creamery
570 Higuera Street, Suite 103

Tucked away on a ped mall near the freeway end of downtown, you'll find Nite Creamery, probably with a long line out the doors. But this one is an experience - everything is made with liquid nitrogen!

As your vegan choice: Pineapple Picante is the WAY TO GO. 

Just be sure to mix it all up first so you don't burn your tongue with the spice!

Both of these are creamier textures, not a bland, water-y sorbet. So, eat your heart out, and enjoy the charming pedestrian mall atmosphere.

Photo by Erika S.

Nite Hours: 3-10:30pm Daily

SloDoCo Donuts
793F Foothill Blvd

Near your entrance back on to 101 South and the California Fresh Market SLO location, you'll find a 24-hour study hall/coffee & donut shop... and they have an entire case of vegan (some gluten-free) donuts. I'd recommend you get there early in the day, though - they tend to run out of these fast!
Their Vegan Maple donut is a delight.

Photo by Lauren T.

SloDoCo Hours: 24 hours!

BONUS ROUND!

Okay - so I couldn't just give you the deets on the SLO scene, and I had to throw in dessert... but now I have to give some honorable mentions nearby!

PASO ROBLES: Galley Bite
1413 Riverside Ave

Vegan Breakfast Burrito

I stopped in here after a meeting in Paso Robles, and I was pleasantly surprised! The chef/owner (who is super outgoing, friendly, intelligent and eco-conscious) personally asked me how I wanted my vegan burrito prepared. She went above and beyond to customize this deliciousness. (The tomatoes were even vine-ripened, locally.) Not only did I get to have conversations with the owner about veganism and plastic straws - which, there were none in sight at this restaurant - but it was so busy when I got there that I ended up sharing a table with the loveliest elderly German couple. Speaking about travel over a vegan burrito... do you think I was in heaven, much?

Strawberry Lemonade: Galley Bite

Santa Maria: Moxie Cafe
1317 W. McCoy Ln

Returning from a long flight/shuttle back from the Midwest after my summer acting gig, Kyle took me straight to Moxie Cafe for some nurturing California food. This house-made veggie burger hit the spot - and they even threw some fresh fruit on the side! Stop in here for a classic American diner vibe and healthy choices.

As you can see, there truly are endless options for finding something vegan along the central coast. It can be difficult without some research, and Happy Cow didn't seem to pull through as much as I'd hoped they would. Luckily, Californians are mostly open-minded, and there is plenty of fresh fare to be had all along the coast.

For fast food...

You can always hit up Panera (vegan black bean bread bowl), Domino's (their thin crust is vegan), or Taco Bell (vegan crunchwrap, anyone?) but I say: 

Save these for the road travels when you don't have time to spend searching for a new vegan spot in your long travel days. Try something local! There are plenty of other one-time stop options I couldn't even squeeze in here to mention.

And if you end up going somewhere besides these places, just call ahead, or try your hand at asking your server what they can do for you (nicely, of course). A lot of folks will surprise you with their vegan knowledge, and the ones that don't know much will hopefully at least seek out an answer for you.

Thanks for keeping tabs on this mini-series of Foodie Hideaways: California. 
Are you from the central coast? Do you have any favorite vegan eats that I've missed? Please comment down below to share your favorite hideaways!

Safe travels and happy eats!

For a drool-worthy gallery of foodie photos from these places and more, head over to my Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook page: @UprootedFoodie. 

Any and all Photo By's in this post were used with prior permission.