Every time I do one of these posts I’m impressed by all the fun vegan foods available to me here in Denver, and how much has changed since I first went vegan in 2010 (and all the times I attempted to go vegetarian in college and my 20’s). The sheer volume of products available to vegans and vegetarians today is amazing! My friend Cynthia and I attended VegFest Colorado last weekend (first time for both of us) and seeing all the brands laid out like that – old favorites and new favorites alike – was just very heartwarming. I also bumped into friends! JL and Dave were there promoting her books, and my friend Sarah was working at the Bob’s Red Mill booth. It was a great day… but here I am going on and on. Let’s get to some of the food I’ve eaten!
I had a gift card to use at Garbanzos (a Mediterranean chain with tons of vegan options), so one day I walked over during work with a book and had their Falafel Plate with hummus, cucumber tomato salad, pickles, pickled cabbage, rice, olives and roasted veggies with a fresh warm pita on the side. They have free sparkling water which I think is such a good perk!
A few days later I went back and grabbed a big Marinated Mushroom Laffa (which is like a burrito) with rice and lettuce and pickles and pickled cabbage and hummus and I think they accidentally threw a falafel in there too, haha! This time I brought it back to the office with me, though.
This was my 4th of July feast (yes, it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts)- my mom made vegan baked beans with peppers and LightLife Smart Bacon, and a pasta salad with veggies and vinaigrette. I made a potato salad with tons of relish, and she got us BBQ sandwiches from Moe’s BBQ, a local chain here in Denver.
Up next… a very happy accident! I had ordered pizza from Uncle Maddio’s (also a chain- but across the country, not just in CO). I don’t even remember what kind of sauce I was trying to order but it sure wasn’t buffalo.. but somehow that is what I ordered… and it was DELICIOUS! The first bite was a little disorienting, but once I wrapped my mind around it, I was in. It was really spicy so I added some vegan ranch, and then it was perfect. Toppings were Daiya cheese, seasoned tofu, bell peppers and red onions.
I’ve been trying to plan better afternoon snacks for work, because I realize that if I don’t, I’ll resort to something more along the lines of twizzlers. So this is the kind of snack I’m feeding myself these days- Earth Balance white cheddar popcorn along with mini peppers and hummus! Healthy, yet still something I’ll actually look forward to.
Here in Denver we have an event Tues-Thu during the summer called Civic Center Eats, where tons of food trucks convene in Civic Center Park and we all stuff our faces. I’m lucky enough to work just a few blocks away and try to go at least 2 or 3 times a month. This year there are THREE vegan food trucks (one each day) and I’ve been splitting my time and money among them. Vegan Van is there on Tuesdays, and I recently had their Royale with Cheese: a housemade burger topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo + fresh cut fries. Perfection.
Then, on a Thursday I hit up Wong Way Veg, another all-vegan food truck that is there each week. This time I had the Thai Veggie Ball Wrap made with rice balls and an amazing slaw. Very flavorful and nice and light for a hot summer day.
Lunch was quickly followed by dessert: Ba-nom-a-nom’s delicious blueberry banana “nice cream” with granola!
I’ve blogged about Mad Greens before, and I’ll say it again. I freaking love their salads. Especially the Pancho Villa with tofu! Lettuce and flavorful tofu and warm quinoa and corn- it’s all just the best. Especially when accompanied by a good book!
Finally, a sad-looking dinner that was actually pretty yummy. But yes, this is the brownest meal ever, I’ll admit it! Grilled cheese and frozen onion rings… total comfort food, and sometimes you just need that, right?
What yummy meals have you guys been eating lately?
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Barb, I feel like we’re food spirit sisters!!! I want to eat all the things you eat!! That Mediterranean plate! That buffalo Uncle Maddio’s pizza (which I might actually order next time I’m home visiting my parents)!