plant-based travel — Blog — The Greenest Blue

Eating Vegan on San Juan Island, WA - Friday Harbor Plant-Based Eats

Ah, the blissful Salish Isles. Home to one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, this part of the world is a marine lover’s paradise. Therefore, my paradise. San Juan Island is the most populous and second largest of the 172 named islands in this area, and it’s my favorite place on the planet. I feel like I’ve gotten to know this little gem of an island pretty well over the last few years. I’m in no way claiming to be a local or a full-timer, but I've spent three summers here and have sprinkled in numerous other visits over the last five years. And being a gal with a hearty appetite and a love of good planty food, I’ve done my fair share of culinary exploring. The low population means that there isn’t a huge variety of vegan restaurants - or any other type of restaurant, for that matter. But the type of people that are drawn to live here tend to open some top-notch dining establishments with a real farm-to-table flair. Although seafood reigns king on most of the locavore menus, you’ll still find plant-based delights galore - especially during the summer.

Eating Vegan in Leavenworth, WA - Finding the Plants in a City of Bratwursts

My parents and I decided it was safe and within our realm of responsibility as decent human beings to visit Leavonworth, WA last weekend. This is quite a unique little town tucked away in the Cascades near Wenatchee, and the scenery is absolutely astounding. The biggest surprise? The Bavarian theme that runs throughout the entire town! Apparently, back in the ‘60s, the economy was struggling thanks to the complete die-out of the once-booming logging industries. Town leaders decided to focus instead on tourism and came up with the bright idea of changing Leavonworth’s appearance to draw visitors into the mountains. The inspiration? The epic landscape around the Bavarian alps in southern Germany. Thus began the cute Bavarian shops, restaurants and festivals (I’d love to go to Oktoberfest here!).But all those adventures certainly made me hungry, and a vegan girl gotta eat! I was pleasantly surprised with the plant-based options Banff provided. And to make things simple for my fellow vegan travelers, I wanted to let you know where I imbibed:

Veganized in San Diego - Sunshine and Plant-based Foods in a SoCal Paradise

This city of sunshine and surf, provider of very Maui-esque vibes and endless good feels, also dishes up some pretty satisfying plant-based dishes. Not that I should be surprised - San Diego residents seem like the pretty active, health-minded peeps! There’s a healthy peppering of vegan and veggie restaurants throughout the city’s neighborhoods, reflecting the demand for more wholesome dining.

Thanks to an interesting twist of fate, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time down in this beachy city. Eager as ever to try out the vegan options while exploring a new city, I set out on a mission with one of my most favorite vegan companions and we’ve been having an absolute treat of a time sampling the huge variety of vegan foods San Diego has to offer!

Eating Vegan in Banff, Canada - Where to Get Your Plant Fix While You Get Your Ski Fix

This post is about the magic of Banff, Canada and the vegan food I experienced while I was there! A few weeks back, my parents were headed up to this haven in the Canadian Rockies and invited me along. Naturally, I said, YEAHS! I remember visiting Banff National Park once before when I was much younger and gazing across the most beautiful glacial lake I’ve ever seen (Lake Louise), and this time around, I was excited to see it all winterized. WHEW, I was not disappointed! We maximized our snow time by cross-country skiing over a few days, hitting the slopes at Lake Louise Ski Resort, and simple jolling around the downtown Banff area.

But all those adventures certainly made me hungry, and a vegan girl gotta eat! I was pleasantly surprised with the plant-based options Banff provided. And to make things simple for my fellow vegan travelers, I wanted to let you know where I imbibed:

Marine mammals inspired me to seek a greener lifestyle. What inspires you?