Tag Archives: vegan

Going Veggie on a Budget

Vegan and vegetarian diets often get a bad rep for being very expensive. This reputation didn’t create itself and there is certainly some truth to it as many vegan and vegetarian ready made meals and snacks can be quite expensive when compared to their meat and dairy containing counterparts. However, it is also true that vegan and vegetarian diets can be done cheaply, even cheaper than a meat eater’s diet. This post contains some of the things I have learned about being veggie on a budget over the past few years. 

Stock Up on Staples 

There are certain foods that I make sure I always have in my presses or freezer that I know I can make a tasty meal from even when I’m caught for time. Some of my staples include chickpeas, baked beans, a bag of frozen mixed veg, pasta, tinned tomatoes and dried barley soup mix (like this one from Tesco). Always having these in my kitchen just means I always have something to make a quick meal from and stops me from ordering takeaways. 

Alternative Protein Sources 

“BuT WheRe dO YoU GeT YouR PRoteIn FrOM?” An all too commonly asked question when I tell people I’m a vegetarian and yet all these years later I’m still not deficient in protein. It’s actually quite easy to get protein as a vegetarian or vegan, even without relying on meat alternatives such as TVP, Quorn or Tofu. Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans etc. are high in protein, easy to cook with and cheap. Nuts and nut butters are also high in protein, great for snacking and again not that expensive. Just make sure with nut butters you’re buying palm oil free versions. I often see Meridian Peanut Butter on special offer in Supervalu and Holland Barrett, 1kg for €5 – hard to say no to. Seeds are another good source of protein and a great addition to certain dishes or simply for snacking. Adding a small amount of chia seeds to porridge or yoghurt is a great way of including some extra protein, or adding sunflower seeds to a stir fry. Nuts and seeds can be a bit pricey but they are filling and as they are usually eaten in small amounts meaning they last a good amount of time. 

Learn to Make a Few Dishes Well 

Having a few solid meals up your sleeve really helps because it greatly reduces your dependency on pre-made meals which tend to be very costly. Learning to make a few dishes will help you save money and can actually make cooking something to look forward to. The Happy Pear have a lot of videos on their YouTube channel for quick and easy vegan meals that anyone can make. Have a look through their channel and find some that interest you. 

Think Ahead 

Before going shopping, I like to look at what I already have, think about what I can make with it and what else is needed. This helps make sure you use up the food you’ve already bought, make the most of your money, and prevent food waste. When coming up with a loose idea of what I am going to cook for the week I also like to think of meals that require some of the same ingredients just so I don’t end up buying a load of one thing and never finishing it. 

Convenience Food Stock 

I know I’ve harped on about how expensive convenience foods can be and given some advice on how to avoid spending that money and now I’m going to completely contradict myself by saying it can be helpful to have some convenience foods in the freezer. There are some days when you’re feeling tired or lazy or are just very busy and cooking really isn’t an option. On  days like this it is always handy to have a few options in you freezer to choose from, especially when the other option is a takeaway which is considerably more expensive, The Happy Pear (if I hadn’t mentioned them enough already) have a good range of pre-made vegan meals and are available in SuperValu and Centra.

Vegan and vegetarian diets don’t have to be expensive and are becoming more and more accessible!

Climate Change

Our planet is in serious danger. The ice caps are melting, destroying the habitat of all the species that live there. The sea levels are rising, to a point where low-lying countries (Ireland included) may be devastatingly affected. Changing weather patterns may affect the growth of food we love, making it less and less available (this includes tea, just to worry you even more).

However, there are small changes each of us can make in our lives that can help.

  1. Reduce your plastic and single use products consumption; this can be difficult but it is entirely doable with just a little bit of consideration.
    1. Have metal cutlery and a metal straw with you for eating out or take aways.
    2. Bring your own container, a reusable water bottle and a keep-cup when going out. You never know when ou might need them!
    3. Have a tote bag for groceries and shopping, so you don’t have to take a new bag every time. It’s really simple to keep a tote bag or reusable shopping bag in your handbag/school bag at all times!
    4. If possible in your area buy products in bulk and use reusable containers (mason jars, lunch boxes, etc.). This obviously isn’t possible for everyone but if it is possible for you it is a simple change you can make! The English Market in Cork has a few stalls where ou can buy pulses and grains in bulk and you get a dsicount for bringing your own container.
  2. Reduce meat and dairy consumption. Farming is one of the highest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and reducing your consumption might be easier than you think.
    1. Take things slowly, start with baby steps such as replacing cows milk in tea with a non dairy substitute or eating veggie sausages instead of “normal” ones.
    2. Try having a meatless day every week, “meatless Mondays” are becoming popular.
    3. Start following vegan and vegetarian YouTubers and chefs such as the Happy Pear, they show that being vegan is totally doable!
  3. Be considerate of your electricity usage and make changes where you can. It doesn’t have to be anything drastic, just simple things like making sure lights are turned off in empty rooms or appliances aren’t left switched on or charging overnight.
  4. Minimise use of unnecessary water. Take shorter showers when you can, don’t leave the tap on when brushing your teeth, don’t turn on half loads in the washing machine or dishwasher.
  5. Opt for more sustainable fashion. Start shopping in charity shops or thrift stores, reduce your buying of “fast fashion” and online stores such a Boohoo or Pretty Little Thing, opt for more sustainable fabrics. @sustainablefashiondublin on Instagram offer some wonderful advice on more sustainable fashion choices.
  6. Become active. Sign petitions, contact local politicians, participate in protests, use your social media voice for good. It is largely big corporations contributing to Global Warming and Climate Change and without proper government action these big businesses won’t change their ways. We can make changes in our everyday lives but it is also important to demand change from the people in power. (Follow Extinction Rebellion on social media for all the information you need on protests and action being taken for climate change. Extinction Rebellion website. Extinction Rebellion Ireland.

Climate Change poses a serious threat to our planet and unless we start taking action now the long term effects will be critical and irreversible. The planet isn’t ours to keep or to destroy. Future generations deserve to live on anf access fully the planet like we and past generations have and this won’t be possible if we continue to destroy it inour live time. If Greta Thunberg can do all the incredible things she is doing then each of us can make small changes in our everyday lives!