New Favorite: Giant vegan banana muffin from Avogadro’s Number, 605 South Mason Street. It’s $1 and the size of it makes for two breakfasts.

Chard: It’s What’s For Dinner, sauteed chard and zucchini from Happy Hearts local farm. Cooked with olive oil, turmeric and black pepper; grilled onions are also great in this. Serve in a tortilla, over rice, straight in your mouth.

What’s better than ice cream than something that tastes exactly like sherbet, and is good for you? This is the “Sunflower Smoothie” from the Alley Cat, 120 West Laurel. When I lived over here I think I went to this coffeehouse four or five times per week, and am now re-acquainting myself with how bomb their smoothies are. This one’s made with lemons, bananas, strawberries and orange juice. It’s $4.25 for a giant mug.

Had breakfast this morning at The Rainbow, 212 West Laurel Street. Locally known as being veg-friendly, I’ve never been disappointed here. In addition to having the option of replacing any egg dish with tofu, it’s also a great place to go with non-vegan friends. Today I had the tofu scramble; it’s served with hash browns and toast (just tell them you’d like yours ‘dry’ so they don’t add butter). I drank two glasses of their cinnamon iced tea and I’m so amped it’s unreal, can’t sit still!

Cafe Bluebird, 524 West Laurel Street: Sunday morning I went to Cafe Bluebird with my mom and sister, Jane. Jane and I both ordered the same thing- The Juarez, which is a skillet. While Jane’s came with eggs, cheese and chorizo, they easily made this vegan friendly- no dairy, sub grilled tofu for chorizo, no eggs. Comes with a giant tortilla to put together your own burrito(s). Their coffee rules and the service is always really good. Price Range: $7-12

This blog was originally to be a zine directory, but as I got to thinking about it I concluded that a) I could save a ton of paper and b) I could make this more extensive if I kept it on the internets.

Fort Collins has a lot to offer a vegan. Not only is there a great food co-op, there’s also a ton of awesome organic local farms. Many of the beginning vegans I’ve spoken to think that it’s mostly impossible and expensive to eat out in Fort Collins, but I’m on a budget and a mission to show you that it can be done- and with the help of some other local faces, you’ll hopefully get some ideas of your own.