Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Hi, I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your pocketbook? Thanks. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 I find eating veg is the cheapest way. Dried beans, rice, and grains, are a fraction of the cost of meat and cheese, and cows milk. Try to find a co-op that you can order bulk at lower prices also. United, frank ferd farms, quail cove farms, bread bekkers,etc. i do not know where you live. I live in central ,va and run a frank ferd frams co-op. i buy 25lbs of brown rice for about $25 organic.thats a lot of rice. convenience food is convenience food. whether is meat bases or organic vegetarian, you will pay for the convenience of it being pre-made and processed for you. Make your own for whole foods and you spend less. grow what you can. even if you only have an aprtment pation. grow boxes and container gardens are awesom. buy local. local farmers even if not organic, use less chemicals if any, and charge less for there product because they are not paying factory farm salaries,and the laon haul truck drivers, etc. hope this helps...thanks for going veg.....you'll love the benifits..... unita ________________________________ rockcreekherbs <rockcreekherbs Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:01:34 PM cost Hi, I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your pocketbook? Thanks. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Kris, There will be enough vitamins as long as you and your son eat the right foods. Just because something is vegetarian does not mean it is healthy (potato chips, etc). I am sure whoever told you it is too expensive and low in vitamins is a big meat eater and VERY against your change. My brother once tried to convince me he was healthier thatn I am because he ate burgers at Burger King. Who do you think was sick all the time? Not me. It's cheaper to be a vegetarian if you eat fresh foods. If you eat boxed foods, it's just a expensive because processed foods are. It just takes more planning is all. Good luck! - Dawn M. rockcreekherbs wrote: > > > Hi, > I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change > to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and > that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month > old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about > switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your > pocketbook? Thanks. Kris > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 We are on a very tight budget. We made the switch in January of this year. My husband still eats meat on a rare occasion but not nearly as much as he used to. We are a family of 4. If anything my grocery bill has gone down drastically! Rice, beans frozen and canned veggies are soooo cheap. Sure it can be expensive if you are buying the fake meat products all of the time, but if you compare that to a trip to a fast food place its not so much. We only use the fake stuff when we grill outside just because I miss grilling so we have a boca burger and corn on the cob and salad those days. I spoke with my doctor when the boys had a checkup, 8 and 13 year olds, and doc says they are doing great. As for me, I feel much better also. I no longer feel guilty when I eat because I dont have hunks of dead animal on my plate. I used to get heart palpatations but they have now stopped! WHOO HOO! And I seem to be losing a little weight. (I dont think the mushroom,pepper, cheese pizza is helping there!) lol! GOOD LUCK U CAN DO THIS! Michelle rockcreekherbs Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:01:34 +0000 cost Hi, I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your pocketbook? Thanks. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Kris, You bring up an interesting point. I read over and over that a vegetarian diet is cheaper on the pocket book. I don't believe this. I do find it to be more expensive. Not terribly so, but things do cost more, especially if you opt for organic foods. However, it's worth it to me, so I spend the extra money and don't think much about it. It's about quality verses quantity. It cost more to eat quality food, but it's better for so many reasons (environmentally, health, animal welfare, human welfare, etc.). So it's worth the extra. Cheap food comes at high prices most of the time to health, people's lives, animals lives, and the environment. Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Hi- I totally agree with Dawn. Been a vegetarian for 21 years; my three kids have never tasted meat and are the healthiest kids you would ever want to find. We've had a tough time with colds this year (typically there is 1 cold the whole year, or none, which I think is pretty spectacular for kids!), but I attribute that to my daughter going to Kindergarten- and an organized school- for the first time. The idea that a veggie lifestyle is 'low in vitamins' in absolutely nuts- vitamins etc. come from veggie sources, not meat (I'm surprised you didn't get the 'enough protein' argument, which is far more common). And yes, the more 'convenience' veggie foods you eat ('chicken' nuggets, 'burgers', etc.), the more expensive it will be. If you stick to making most of your food from scratch, buying close to the ground as they say, you'll come out far cheaper than eating meat. Our family enjoys a mix- we buy close to the ground, but like burgers, cutlets, etc. on occasion- and this is espeically true during bbq season. It's one of the ways I keep my sometimes-poultry-eating husband happy with vegetarian cuisine. But during times when I'm trying to save money, etc., the prepared foods are the first thing to go. p.s. I just read your question again, and am laughing out loud at the idea that 'minerals' come from meat. That's almost as bad as the nurse who told someone from this group awhile back to eat meat because she was fiber deficient. Boy, people sure are misinformed about nutrition. Good luck! j. ________________________________ Dawn Meisch <a_new_dawn Thursday, April 23, 2009 9:46:00 AM Re: cost Kris, There will be enough vitamins as long as you and your son eat the right foods. Just because something is vegetarian does not mean it is healthy (potato chips, etc). I am sure whoever told you it is too expensive and low in vitamins is a big meat eater and VERY against your change. My brother once tried to convince me he was healthier thatn I am because he ate burgers at Burger King. Who do you think was sick all the time? Not me. It's cheaper to be a vegetarian if you eat fresh foods. If you eat boxed foods, it's just a expensive because processed foods are. It just takes more planning is all. Good luck! - Dawn M. rockcreekherbs wrote: > > > Hi, > I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change > to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and > that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month > old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about > switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your > pocketbook? Thanks. Kris > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 I think it also depends on where you live. I just moved from Southern California to Iowa and am having a hard time dealing with the fact that fresh produce of all kinds is more expensive " off-season " --I was so used to having farmer's markets operating year round. One thing I have struggled with is wanting to provide mostly organic produce for my family, but it is really expensive (I look for occasional sales, but those darn strawberries never get marked down!). Does anyone have any data on the veggie wash products (e.g., Fit) in terms of removing pesticides/chemicals?? I tell myself that it's better than nothing to at least wash them, but I wish I could buy all organic. Sarah --- On Thu, 4/23/09, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb RE: cost Thursday, April 23, 2009, 8:01 AM Kris, You bring up an interesting point. I read over and over that a vegetarian diet is cheaper on the pocket book. I don't believe this. I do find it to be more expensive. Not terribly so, but things do cost more, especially if you opt for organic foods. However, it's worth it to me, so I spend the extra money and don't think much about it. It's about quality verses quantity. It cost more to eat quality food, but it's better for so many reasons (environmentally, health, animal welfare, human welfare, etc.). So it's worth the extra. Cheap food comes at high prices most of the time to health, people's lives, animals lives, and the environment. Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Kris, Whoever told you this was ignorant and doesn't know what s/he is talking about. My husband and I have been vegan for 17 years. Our children (currently 11 and 14) have been vegan from birth and are very healthy and hardly get sick at all. If you've been reading this list for a while and are still determined to be vegetarian, clearly you know that what you are being told is wrong. First, you and your son will certainly get more than more than sufficient vitamins and minerals if you eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, nuts and beans. Even iron and calcium are plentiful in vegetable sources, as well as protein (even in things we normally don't think of as protein sources, such as potatoes or broccoli). Vegetarians with a varied diet get much more vitamins and minerals than the average American meat and potatoes eater. The key to good nutrition is variety - that will ensure that you are getting what you need. Second, it is not more expensive unless you are always buying convenience foods as a substitute for cooking your own. Vegetables, fruits, etc. are cheap enough depending on what you buy and if it's in season. Also, if you only eat organic that's obviously more expensive but not a requirement of a vegetarian diet. If I have a choice, certain organic items I prefer over non-organic such as tomatoes, corn and berries but I don't always buy organic because I can't always afford it. Sticking to whole foods as opposed to processed will give you more nutritional value for the amount of food. Look in your local library or bookstore for cookbooks and guides to vegetarian nutrition. There's a lot of help out there and you'll probably find it easier than you thought. Examples of simple and cheap vegetarian dinners would be homemade enchiladas or burritos, rice and beans (not necessarily as boring as it sounds depending on the seasonings), whole grain pasta with tomato sauce and steamed veggies, homemade veggie burgers (tons of recipes online), scrambled tofu with homemade hash browns and veggies (breakfast for dinner!), homemade pizza with lots of veggies and no cheese (easy if you have a bread machine), homemade hummus sandwich (or with crackers and crudites). Good luck. Susan - rockcreekherbs Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:01 PM cost Hi, I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your pocketbook? Thanks. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Sarah, I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is not true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, costs a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan products, such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt for quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at the grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and I do at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I pay more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, buns, organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I think it comes down to quality... I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if you are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non-organic, not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of tofurky to be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same with the natural salad dressings.... Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Fresh veggies and fruits are where most of our spending comes in, too. There is a list floating around for the things you *should* buy organic, and those you don't have to (Dirty Dozen List). I found it: http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php You might want to look to see if there's a co-op in your area. The one we belong to, our warehouse is in Iowa City, It's United Natural Foods ( http://www.unfi.com/ ). They used to have where you could look up to see if there was a co-op in your area, but now I don't see it there, you can email them, and they can probably help you find out, if you were interested. We try to get the bulk items we use through there, 5# of organic brown rice for $7 - and that's a LOT of rice. I get a month's worth of tofu in service packs-less packaging,same kind as the water packed ones though works out to about $5/week if we budgeted it that way each month, we get bulk wheat gluten to make seitan, this tends to last us about 2-3 months and is about $20. We also get some things we don't really 'need' but like for cheaper than at the stores - soy yogurts, vegan cheese, they also have bath/body/supplements and so on. Our co-op also gets a discount from the catalogue price, so even if it says it's the same as something at WF, we know we will get it for about 10% less than the price. I just realized I kind of was responding to 2 different people here...sorry about that missie On Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 11:18 AM, Sarah Fraley <fraley_sarah wrote: > > > I think it also depends on where you live. I just moved from Southern > California to Iowa and am having a hard time dealing with the fact that > fresh produce of all kinds is more expensive " off-season " --I was so used to > having farmer's markets operating year round. > > One thing I have struggled with is wanting to provide mostly organic produce > for my family, but it is really expensive (I look for occasional sales, but > those darn strawberries never get marked down!). Does anyone have any data > on the veggie wash products (e.g., Fit) in terms of removing > pesticides/chemicals?? I tell myself that it's better than nothing to at > least wash them, but I wish I could buy all organic. > > Sarah > > --- On Thu, 4/23/09, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb wrote: > > Jacqueline Bodnar <jb > RE: cost > > Thursday, April 23, 2009, 8:01 AM > > Kris, > > You bring up an interesting point. I read over and over that a > vegetarian diet is cheaper on the pocket book. I don't believe this. I > do find it to be more expensive. Not terribly so, but things do cost > more, especially if you opt for organic foods. However, it's worth it to > me, so I spend the extra money and don't think much about it. > > It's about quality verses quantity. It cost more to eat quality food, > but it's better for so many reasons (environmentally, health, animal > welfare, human welfare, etc.). So it's worth the extra. > > Cheap food comes at high prices most of the time to health, people's > lives, animals lives, and the environment. > > Jacqueline > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 May i recommend a book called Homemade Cereals. It is great for not having to buy pre-packaged creals and granola bars. unita ________________________________ Jacqueline Bodnar <jb Thursday, April 23, 2009 2:12:24 PM RE: cost Sarah, I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is not true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, costs a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan products, such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt for quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at the grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and I do at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I pay more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, buns, organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I think it comes down to quality... I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if you are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non-organic, not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of tofurky to be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same with the natural salad dressings.... . Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Welcome to our group, and congratulations on your decision to be healthy and have a healthy family! While in general, healthier foods can cost more than junk, by eating lots of whole grains, beans (dried, not canned) and vegetables, you will be healthier; healthy costs less than being sick. Your kids will do better at school and be better behaved. Let us know your family's favorite meals and we can suggest healtiner versions. Look in the recipe archives for great ideas. If you don't have a crockpot, try to find one on freecycle or in a second-hand store (you probably have friends who received them as wedding gifts and have never used them). Robin --- On Wed, 4/22/09, rockcreekherbs <rockcreekherbs wrote: rockcreekherbs <rockcreekherbs cost Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 8:01 PM Hi, I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your pocketbook? Thanks. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 My 13 year old was sick this year (a virus) for the first time in over two years. It was kind of funny, because she had forgotten what " sick " feels like and was utterly cranky. The great part is she didn't miss any school (never had a fever); several of her classmates had strep throat (one had it twice) and other bugs and missed many days of school. --- On Thu, 4/23/09, jenni claire garverick <jennigarverick wrote: jenni claire garverick <jennigarverick Re: cost Thursday, April 23, 2009, 11:01 AM Hi- I totally agree with Dawn. Been a vegetarian for 21 years; my three kids have never tasted meat and are the healthiest kids you would ever want to find. We've had a tough time with colds this year (typically there is 1 cold the whole year, or none, which I think is pretty spectacular for kids!), but I attribute that to my daughter going to Kindergarten- and an organized school- for the first time. The idea that a veggie lifestyle is 'low in vitamins' in absolutely nuts- vitamins etc. come from veggie sources, not meat (I'm surprised you didn't get the 'enough protein' argument, which is far more common). And yes, the more 'convenience' veggie foods you eat ('chicken' nuggets, 'burgers', etc.), the more expensive it will be. If you stick to making most of your food from scratch, buying close to the ground as they say, you'll come out far cheaper than eating meat. Our family enjoys a mix- we buy close to the ground, but like burgers, cutlets, etc. on occasion- and this is espeically true during bbq season. It's one of the ways I keep my sometimes-poultry- eating husband happy with vegetarian cuisine. But during times when I'm trying to save money, etc., the prepared foods are the first thing to go. p.s. I just read your question again, and am laughing out loud at the idea that 'minerals' come from meat. That's almost as bad as the nurse who told someone from this group awhile back to eat meat because she was fiber deficient. Boy, people sure are misinformed about nutrition. Good luck! j. ____________ _________ _________ __ Dawn Meisch <a_new_dawn@dirtykit chen.com> @gro ups.com Thursday, April 23, 2009 9:46:00 AM Re: cost Kris, There will be enough vitamins as long as you and your son eat the right foods. Just because something is vegetarian does not mean it is healthy (potato chips, etc). I am sure whoever told you it is too expensive and low in vitamins is a big meat eater and VERY against your change. My brother once tried to convince me he was healthier thatn I am because he ate burgers at Burger King. Who do you think was sick all the time? Not me. It's cheaper to be a vegetarian if you eat fresh foods. If you eat boxed foods, it's just a expensive because processed foods are. It just takes more planning is all. Good luck! - Dawn M. rockcreekherbs wrote: > > > Hi, > I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change > to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and > that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month > old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about > switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your > pocketbook? Thanks. Kris > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 True, true. Some quality ingredients are just more expensive. Our local paper ran a series of articles re: saving money around the house during the recession, as I'm sure many of them have. While much of the content wouldn't apply to us, one thing I DID glean that has been really helpful is buying sale stuff (and planning your meals around those items)- which sometimes requires trips to two or more grocery stores each week, depending on the ad content and what I plan on cooking. For example, last week organic fuji apples were 93 cents a pound at one of my regional chain grocery stores- half the price of the conventional. Ditto on the organic oatmeal- half price (89 cents? I can't remember), more or less. Needless to say we ate a lot of apples for snacks (we do ayway, so it wasn't exactly a hardship), and I have oatmeal stored up for the next 2 or so months. I also have an odd memory for numbers- and so it's easy for me to remember that egg replacer is cheapest at Whole Foods, while other things are cheaper other places. I keep a lot of on-going lists of items to buy at different stores. This is probably also a regional issue- how expensive fruits and veggies are 'regularly' etc. We live in CA., where the cost of living is generally quite high- but I have no idea about produce prices, specifically. And it may be easier for us here to buy lots of locally-produced items- but again, I've only lived here, so I have no idea what it's like other places. I guess what I'm saying here is you'll have to accept that some things will just cost more- but there are ways around a lot of it if you're willing to be creative. j. ________________________________ Jacqueline Bodnar <jb Thursday, April 23, 2009 1:12:24 PM RE: cost Sarah, I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is not true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, costs a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan products, such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt for quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at the grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and I do at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I pay more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, buns, organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I think it comes down to quality... I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if you are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non-organic, not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of tofurky to be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same with the natural salad dressings... . Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 I figured out the cost of this recipe per serving (roughly). It's about 0.55. It's also delicious! Think soups, stews, etc and then supplement with tofu/seitan and the other ideas people had. Try making your own beans. You might think about investing in a pressure cooker to help make it quicker and easier. Tracy Hearty Vegan Split Pea Soup 2 cups green split peas 8 cups water 1 bay leaf 1 large onion, chopped 3 or more large garlic cloves, whole 2 cups celery with leaves, chopped ½ cup parsley, chopped (optional) 3 large carrots, chopped 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese rice wine) or any white cooking wine 1/3 cup pearled barley 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional) Salt, Pepper and/or more tamari soy sauce or Bragg’s Aminos to taste Directions: 1. Place peas, water and bay leaf into a large pot and bring to a boil. Loosely cover the pot and allow to simmer for 45 minutes until peas are soft and mushy. 2. Combine the vegetables, tamari and wine in another pot and cook on medium/low heat, covered, until the vegetables are soft. 3. Remove the bay leaf and place the peas in a blender and blend until smooth and return to the pot. 4. Place the vegetables in the blender or food processor with 1 cup water and pulse to chop into small pieces. Add the vegetables and barley to the split peas. 5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for an additional 20 minutes stirring often until barley is soft, adding more water if needed. Add liquid smoke, if using, and season with salt and pepper and more soy sauce or Bragg’s Aminos if needed. > > - > rockcreekherbs > > Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:01 PM > cost > > Hi, > I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the > change to being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too > expensive and that there wont be enough vitamins and minerals for > me and my 9 month old son if we eat this way. Is there anyone that > has suggestions about switching from meat based diet to vegetarian. > Was it a strain on your pocketbook? Thanks. Kris > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 More expensive? Not a chance!!! Even though I buy most of my fruits and veggies organic, my groceries are still cheaper compared to before. Now my kids still eat eggs and one of my children drinks milk, but even still my costs are down. We eat a lot of whole wheat pasta, brown rice, dried beans and lentils and potatoes, white and sweet. I base all meals around a starch and then two sides of vegetables. We eat very well and at a fraction of the cost. On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 9:01 PM, rockcreekherbs <rockcreekherbswrote: > > > Hi, > I have been a member for a while but I am just now making the change to > being a vegetarian.I have been told that it is too expensive and that there > wont be enough vitamins and minerals for me and my 9 month old son if we eat > this way. Is there anyone that has suggestions about switching from meat > based diet to vegetarian. Was it a strain on your pocketbook? Thanks. Kris > > > -- Regards, Vibeke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Have you tried Nayonaise? --- On Fri, 4/24/09, Angela <angel.nail wrote: Angela <angel.nail Re: cost " " Friday, April 24, 2009, 5:42 PM God I miss mayonnaise! Here we have aldi and they do some good priced organic foods. I get organic soy milk off them and organic tinned tomato for pasta sauce. I do find my sons food more expensive because he has vegetarian cheese and the organic yogurt. My food bill as a vegan is pretty tiny but I don't buy any treats for myself like soy yogurt or stuff like that. Actually I do buy myself organic coffee but I see that as one of my staples! Anyway I do agree with the organic fruit and veg being very expensive. Unfortunately I don't buy it unless I stumbled upon it cheaply by chance. I get local fruit and veg and a veg box which is local too. We have an organic fruit and veg coop near by but I haven't got into it yet. There is no organic dry goods coop but that is about to change. I'm involved in a new project which is a community centre that we are building. It will include a big coop and activist space etc. I can honestly say that until this gets organized I just can't afford organic fresh produce. It's pretty sad. My home town is a major city and there are 2 places on the place that sell organic fresh produce. It's bloody rediculous! Ange. On 24/04/2009, at 4:12 AM, " Jacqueline Bodnar " <jb@jacquelinebodnar .com> wrote: > > > Sarah, > > I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian > products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is not > true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, > costs > a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as > nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan products, > such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan > versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt for > quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at > the > grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook > cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and > I do > at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I pay > more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, buns, > organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I > think it comes down to quality... > > I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if you > are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non- > organic, > not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake > meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of > tofurky to > be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is > outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same with > the natural salad dressings... . > > Jacqueline > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Homemade cereals??? That would be the answer to my dreams!!! Thanks! On Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 3:34 PM, unita walburn <uwalburn wrote: > > > May i recommend a book called Homemade Cereals. It is great for not having > to buy pre-packaged creals and granola bars. > unita > > ________________________________ > Jacqueline Bodnar <jb<jb%40jacquelinebodnar.com> > > > <%40> > Thursday, April 23, 2009 2:12:24 PM > RE: cost > > Sarah, > > I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian > products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is not > true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, costs > a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as > nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan products, > such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan > versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt for > quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at the > grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook > cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and I do > at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I pay > more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, buns, > organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I > think it comes down to quality... > > I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if you > are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non-organic, > not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake > meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of tofurky to > be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is > outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same with > the natural salad dressings.... . > > Jacqueline > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Jenni wrote: <<I keep a lot of on-going lists of items to buy at different stores.>> This, exactly. It might seem like a pain, but once you've got it down, it can make a huge difference. It requires planning your shopping trips instead of just going on a whim, but it makes a huge difference in cost in the long run. Liz ________________________________ jenni claire garverick <jennigarverick Thursday, April 23, 2009 5:25:10 PM Re: cost True, true. Some quality ingredients are just more expensive. Our local paper ran a series of articles re: saving money around the house during the recession, as I'm sure many of them have. While much of the content wouldn't apply to us, one thing I DID glean that has been really helpful is buying sale stuff (and planning your meals around those items)- which sometimes requires trips to two or more grocery stores each week, depending on the ad content and what I plan on cooking. For example, last week organic fuji apples were 93 cents a pound at one of my regional chain grocery stores- half the price of the conventional. Ditto on the organic oatmeal- half price (89 cents? I can't remember), more or less. Needless to say we ate a lot of apples for snacks (we do ayway, so it wasn't exactly a hardship), and I have oatmeal stored up for the next 2 or so months. I also have an odd memory for numbers- and so it's easy for me to remember that egg replacer is cheapest at Whole Foods, while other things are cheaper other places. I keep a lot of on-going lists of items to buy at different stores. This is probably also a regional issue- how expensive fruits and veggies are 'regularly' etc. We live in CA., where the cost of living is generally quite high- but I have no idea about produce prices, specifically. And it may be easier for us here to buy lots of locally-produced items- but again, I've only lived here, so I have no idea what it's like other places. I guess what I'm saying here is you'll have to accept that some things will just cost more- but there are ways around a lot of it if you're willing to be creative. j. ____________ _________ _________ __ Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodnar .com> @gro ups.com Thursday, April 23, 2009 1:12:24 PM RE: cost Sarah, I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is not true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, costs a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan products, such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt for quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at the grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and I do at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I pay more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, buns, organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I think it comes down to quality... I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if you are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non-organic, not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of tofurky to be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same with the natural salad dressings... . Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 God I miss mayonnaise! Here we have aldi and they do some good priced organic foods. I get organic soy milk off them and organic tinned tomato for pasta sauce. I do find my sons food more expensive because he has vegetarian cheese and the organic yogurt. My food bill as a vegan is pretty tiny but I don't buy any treats for myself like soy yogurt or stuff like that. Actually I do buy myself organic coffee but I see that as one of my staples! Anyway I do agree with the organic fruit and veg being very expensive. Unfortunately I don't buy it unless I stumbled upon it cheaply by chance. I get local fruit and veg and a veg box which is local too. We have an organic fruit and veg coop near by but I haven't got into it yet. There is no organic dry goods coop but that is about to change. I'm involved in a new project which is a community centre that we are building. It will include a big coop and activist space etc. I can honestly say that until this gets organized I just can't afford organic fresh produce. It's pretty sad. My home town is a major city and there are 2 places on the place that sell organic fresh produce. It's bloody rediculous! Ange. On 24/04/2009, at 4:12 AM, " Jacqueline Bodnar " <jb wrote: > > > Sarah, > > I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian > products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is not > true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, > costs > a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as > nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan products, > such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan > versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt for > quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at > the > grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook > cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and > I do > at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I pay > more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, buns, > organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I > think it comes down to quality... > > I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if you > are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non- > organic, > not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake > meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of > tofurky to > be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is > outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same with > the natural salad dressings.... > > Jacqueline > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Recipe for homemade veganaise http://www.recipezaar.com/Vegan-Mayo-90544. Laura Ballinger Morales ________________________________ Angela <angel.nail " " Saturday, April 25, 2009 4:59:31 PM Re: cost I've never heard of it. Praise diet mayo is vegan but it's just lots of chemicals! What's nayonaise like? Ange Sent from my iPod On 24/04/2009, at 11:28 PM, robin koloms <rkoloms > wrote: > > > Have you tried Nayonaise? > > --- On Fri, 4/24/09, Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote: > > Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> > Re: cost > " @gro ups.com " <@gro ups.com> > Friday, April 24, 2009, 5:42 PM > > God I miss mayonnaise! Here we have aldi and they do some good priced > organic foods. I get organic soy milk off them and organic tinned > tomato for pasta sauce. I do find my sons food more expensive because > he has vegetarian cheese and the organic yogurt. My food bill as a > vegan is pretty tiny but I don't buy any treats for myself like soy > yogurt or stuff like that. Actually I do buy myself organic coffee but > I see that as one of my staples! > Anyway I do agree with the organic fruit and veg being very expensive. > Unfortunately I don't buy it unless I stumbled upon it cheaply by > chance. I get local fruit and veg and a veg box which is local too. We > have an organic fruit and veg coop near by but I haven't got into it > yet. There is no organic dry goods coop but that is about to change. > I'm involved in a new project which is a community centre that we are > building. It will include a big coop and activist space etc. I can > honestly say that until this gets organized I just can't afford > organic fresh produce. It's pretty sad. My home town is a major city > and there are 2 places on the place that sell organic fresh produce. > It's bloody rediculous! > Ange. > > On 24/04/2009, at 4:12 AM, " Jacqueline Bodnar " > <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> wrote: > > > > > > > Sarah, > > > > I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian > > products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is > not > > true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, > > costs > > a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as > > nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan > products, > > such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan > > versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt > for > > quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at > > the > > grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook > > cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and > > I do > > at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I > pay > > more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, > buns, > > organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I > > think it comes down to quality... > > > > I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if > you > > are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non- > > organic, > > not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake > > meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of > > tofurky to > > be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is > > outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same > with > > the natural salad dressings... . > > > > Jacqueline > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Here is the complete list of homemade books in the series by Keepers at home sampler series: 1. hot and hearty soups 2.homemade breads 3. homemade creals 4. salad dressings 5. homemade icecream 6. homemade pizza 7. healthful cookies (no white flours or processed sugars, one of our favorites) 8. homemade pies Each book only cost $3.99 cheap but excellent, simple, healthy recipes They are printed by carlisle press. unita ________________________________ Angela <angel.nail " " Saturday, April 25, 2009 4:59:31 PM Re: cost I've never heard of it. Praise diet mayo is vegan but it's just lots of chemicals! What's nayonaise like? Ange Sent from my iPod On 24/04/2009, at 11:28 PM, robin koloms <rkoloms > wrote: > > > Have you tried Nayonaise? > > --- On Fri, 4/24/09, Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote: > > Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> > Re: cost > " @gro ups.com " <@gro ups.com> > Friday, April 24, 2009, 5:42 PM > > God I miss mayonnaise! Here we have aldi and they do some good priced > organic foods. I get organic soy milk off them and organic tinned > tomato for pasta sauce. I do find my sons food more expensive because > he has vegetarian cheese and the organic yogurt. My food bill as a > vegan is pretty tiny but I don't buy any treats for myself like soy > yogurt or stuff like that. Actually I do buy myself organic coffee but > I see that as one of my staples! > Anyway I do agree with the organic fruit and veg being very expensive. > Unfortunately I don't buy it unless I stumbled upon it cheaply by > chance. I get local fruit and veg and a veg box which is local too. We > have an organic fruit and veg coop near by but I haven't got into it > yet. There is no organic dry goods coop but that is about to change. > I'm involved in a new project which is a community centre that we are > building. It will include a big coop and activist space etc. I can > honestly say that until this gets organized I just can't afford > organic fresh produce. It's pretty sad. My home town is a major city > and there are 2 places on the place that sell organic fresh produce. > It's bloody rediculous! > Ange. > > On 24/04/2009, at 4:12 AM, " Jacqueline Bodnar " > <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> wrote: > > > > > > > Sarah, > > > > I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian > > products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is > not > > true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, > > costs > > a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as > > nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan > products, > > such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan > > versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt > for > > quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at > > the > > grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook > > cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and > > I do > > at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I > pay > > more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, > buns, > > organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I > > think it comes down to quality... > > > > I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if > you > > are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non- > > organic, > > not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake > > meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of > > tofurky to > > be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is > > outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same > with > > the natural salad dressings... . > > > > Jacqueline > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 LOVE the nayonaise! j. ________________________________ Angela <angel.nail " " Saturday, April 25, 2009 3:59:31 PM Re: cost I've never heard of it. Praise diet mayo is vegan but it's just lots of chemicals! What's nayonaise like? Ange Sent from my iPod On 24/04/2009, at 11:28 PM, robin koloms <rkoloms > wrote: > > > Have you tried Nayonaise? > > --- On Fri, 4/24/09, Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote: > > Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> > Re: cost > " @gro ups.com " <@gro ups.com> > Friday, April 24, 2009, 5:42 PM > > God I miss mayonnaise! Here we have aldi and they do some good priced > organic foods. I get organic soy milk off them and organic tinned > tomato for pasta sauce. I do find my sons food more expensive because > he has vegetarian cheese and the organic yogurt. My food bill as a > vegan is pretty tiny but I don't buy any treats for myself like soy > yogurt or stuff like that. Actually I do buy myself organic coffee but > I see that as one of my staples! > Anyway I do agree with the organic fruit and veg being very expensive. > Unfortunately I don't buy it unless I stumbled upon it cheaply by > chance. I get local fruit and veg and a veg box which is local too. We > have an organic fruit and veg coop near by but I haven't got into it > yet. There is no organic dry goods coop but that is about to change. > I'm involved in a new project which is a community centre that we are > building. It will include a big coop and activist space etc. I can > honestly say that until this gets organized I just can't afford > organic fresh produce. It's pretty sad. My home town is a major city > and there are 2 places on the place that sell organic fresh produce. > It's bloody rediculous! > Ange. > > On 24/04/2009, at 4:12 AM, " Jacqueline Bodnar " > <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> wrote: > > > > > > > Sarah, > > > > I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian > > products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is > not > > true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, > > costs > > a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as > > nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan > products, > > such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan > > versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt > for > > quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at > > the > > grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook > > cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and > > I do > > at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I > pay > > more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, > buns, > > organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I > > think it comes down to quality... > > > > I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if > you > > are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non- > > organic, > > not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake > > meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of > > tofurky to > > be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is > > outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same > with > > the natural salad dressings... . > > > > Jacqueline > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 There are two popular vegan mayos: Nayonaise and Veganaise. People tend to love one and hate the other. My theory is that the Vegenaise lovers grew up with Miracle Whip. Nayonaise (made with tofu) tastes like mayo (to me, anyway) --- On Sat, 4/25/09, Angela <angel.nail wrote: Angela <angel.nail Re: cost " " Saturday, April 25, 2009, 3:59 PM I've never heard of it. Praise diet mayo is vegan but it's just lots of chemicals! What's nayonaise like? Ange Sent from my iPod On 24/04/2009, at 11:28 PM, robin koloms <rkoloms > wrote: > > > Have you tried Nayonaise? > > --- On Fri, 4/24/09, Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote: > > Angela <angel.nail (AT) gmail (DOT) com> > Re: cost > " @gro ups.com " <@gro ups.com> > Friday, April 24, 2009, 5:42 PM > > God I miss mayonnaise! Here we have aldi and they do some good priced > organic foods. I get organic soy milk off them and organic tinned > tomato for pasta sauce. I do find my sons food more expensive because > he has vegetarian cheese and the organic yogurt. My food bill as a > vegan is pretty tiny but I don't buy any treats for myself like soy > yogurt or stuff like that. Actually I do buy myself organic coffee but > I see that as one of my staples! > Anyway I do agree with the organic fruit and veg being very expensive. > Unfortunately I don't buy it unless I stumbled upon it cheaply by > chance. I get local fruit and veg and a veg box which is local too. We > have an organic fruit and veg coop near by but I haven't got into it > yet. There is no organic dry goods coop but that is about to change. > I'm involved in a new project which is a community centre that we are > building. It will include a big coop and activist space etc. I can > honestly say that until this gets organized I just can't afford > organic fresh produce. It's pretty sad. My home town is a major city > and there are 2 places on the place that sell organic fresh produce. > It's bloody rediculous! > Ange. > > On 24/04/2009, at 4:12 AM, " Jacqueline Bodnar " > <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> wrote: > > > > > > > Sarah, > > > > I have to agree with you. I see people keep saying that vegetarian > > products are only expensive if you are buying fake meats. This is > not > > true. Buying good veggies, especially organic like I strive to do, > > costs > > a lot more. I pay double the amount of money for organic apples as > > nonorganic, for example. Plus, if you want other good vegan > products, > > such as crackers, cereals, etc. they cost more than the non-vegan > > versions. I am someone that does a lot of cooking, but I also opt > for > > quality organic ingredients as much as I can. So I find our bill at > > the > > grocery store tends to cost more. I suppose there are ways to cook > > cheaper meals if you are willing to not purchase organic foods, and > > I do > > at times do that, but I prefer to get organic, which cost more. I > pay > > more for everything from juice to soy milk to natural tortillas, > buns, > > organic olive oil, organic spelt flour, and things like that. But I > > think it comes down to quality... > > > > I think you can eat very cheap on any diet, vegetarian or non, if > you > > are very flexible about the products you buy (e.g., brands, non- > > organic, > > not being vegan, etc.). But just for the record, it is not just fake > > meats that are costly, and I honestly don't find a package of > > tofurky to > > be so expensive. But the darn vegan Vegenaise, on the other hand, is > > outrageous! Yet I still buy it because I want vegan mayo... same > with > > the natural salad dressings... . > > > > Jacqueline > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 I'm a Vegenaise lover! But I did't grow up with Miracle Whip, never liked it. I buy the purple label Vegenaise and like the sweet flavor. Yummy! JB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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