Lately, I got no money! Anyone else? A show of hands? Who has money?
To get by, I've wracked my brain for cheap vegan alternatives. The next few posts are dedicated to our dying economy. And you. May you get by.
FIRST... WHERE TO SHOP!
The Bulk Bin
Does your grocery store have a bulk bin? If not, find one that does! The bulk bin offers grains, beans, spices, cereals and nuts - cheaper, due to the lack of packaging.
Local Farms and Markets
Many local farms and markets sell nearly expired veggies at low prices. Today, I found a huge sack of potatoes, a head of romaine lettuce, a bag of mushrooms, a head of purple cabbage, costing A DOLLAR EACH. Can't eat a sack of almost expired poe-tots that quickly? Make an enormous batch of potato soup and freeze it.
Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
If you join a CSA, you meet local farmers and they hook you up with fresh veggies for a flat rate throughout the season. Find yours here!
Posts
4 comments:
I have noticed, surprisingly, that Wegmans of Nazareth has lower prices on all processed vegan goodies of all sorts. They carry local produce when in season.
Also, they stock lots of hard-to-find vegan treats, such as light extra-firm tofu, seitan, (oh god I'm sorry you can't eat seitan, I am SOOO in love with it) Vegannaise, Tings, Veggie Booty, Annie's bunny fruit snacks, Ricemallow creme, Kashi Strawberry Fields cereal, raw bulk cashews, and sprouted grain english muffins.
And... STEVIA. Stevita brand. The good-tasting kind. :)
Our local produce store, "Bill's", carries similar produce smack-yourself-in-the-head bargains - baskets of taters, 5 lbs of carrots, 2 pounds of grapes, 12 ears of sweet corn, 5 lbs of bananas, 5 apples, 2 large romaine lettuces - all for a buck. BUT... check their labels... some of it is grocery store overflow, because the stickers on some of the fruit has the names of other countries on them. :) Where do you think it comes from, seriously?
I forgot to address that... yes, it is SO expensive ounce for ounce! But instead of eating 4 Thomas' English muffins because they're packed with sugar and flour and filler, I am more than satiated on one Ezekiel muffin with a spot of Earth Balance spread. Instead of eating 3 sugary breakfast bars, I have a slice of sprouted flax bread with a scoop of unsweetened valencia peanut butter, and I'm good until lunch. Instead of inhaling pretzels as a snack, I have a small bowl of semi-frozen cherries and mango chunks.
I think that I will eventually make up the extra cost of food by eating so much less of it! Also, my body will thank me, because everything going in is worth something. It's a damn hard argument to assist people in converting, though. :)
Do you have a Sam's Club or a Costco nearby? The membership is worth it, and they have Boca burgers by the box.
Also, if you happen to have a friend who's military and a post or base is nearby, beg them to take you shopping. Morningstar Farms and Boca stuffs can be purchased for two bucks, and there's always coupons.
Best wishes, ladyma'am.
One word: Costco. Huge containers of spring mix for $4. Morningstar products...some Costcos even carry Maranatha almond butter.
Otherwise, I rely on on the bulk bins...loving oat bran and quinoa these days cooked and blended with yummy mix-ins.
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