low income

March 8, 2004

Thanks, Sara, I have seen that one, on the net, but didn't know if it called for

a lot of the packaged meat substitutes.

Melanie

Sara <SaraShaughnessy wrote: I really like Vegetarian Meat and

Potatoes, it has some basic recipes that

don't call for anything too exotic, it is my favorite cookbook.

Sara

-

" melanie casto " <melaniekcasto

Thursday, March 04, 2004 11:29 AM

Re: low income

Tara,

I have found that eating fruits and veggies are more expensive than eating a

meat diet. It seems the recipe books I have call for some pretty exotic

things, either that or a lot of things. Of course, I am still in the books,

now because I don't have the experience, in both cooking, and cooking w/o

meat, to make my own recipes. Perhaps you, and others, can recommend

cookbooks that are for the every day cook. I don't need cookbooks for a

novice, but it would be nice to not have to make gourmet meals every day. I

am spending about $200/week on groceries, where I used to spend about

$90/week, eating meat.

Also, when you freeze the fruits and veggies, about how long do they last?

Do you put any kind of perservatives in them to help them last longer? I

have thought about this, but just didn't ever know if it would work with

fresh produce. (Obviously, not experienced in the kitchen).

We aren't on a tight budget, but it seems that since we changed our diets,

our budget has become tighter. So I would appreciate any advice on this.

Thanks,

Melanie

tara <tara wrote: as others have said fruits and veggies in

season are not too expensive. grains and beans in bulk are really cheap. i

buy a lot of produce when it is on sale and freeze it for when it is not in

season. as well i have cut in many other areas of my life so i can afford

the best produce. we use cloth diapers, cloth napkins, reusable menstral

products, baking soda or plain water for most cleaning, consignment store

clothes for my little one (23 months), i make my own bread, soy yogurt, soy

ice cream ect... i also stay away from processed foods (which tend to be

more expensive) with the exception of a frozen soy cheese pizza in the

freezer for emergencies and prepackaged things. it takes more work to

organize our meals but it is worth it in the end. our grocery bill is less

now with 3 adults and a child then when i was living with one other adult as

a mainstream carnevour

good luck

tara

-

veggieks2000

Monday, March 01, 2004 2:06 PM

low income

I am a single mother raising a 1 year old son. My ideal goal is to

live a vegan lifestyle. I am having a hard time doing this as most

vegan products (food & household) are far more expensive than

mainstream products, and I only make $8/hr. How do I find a

balance? What animal products are the most important to eliminate

from my life? Thanks for you imput.

March 9, 2004

i will email you some of my toddler's favorite recipes.

when recipes call for frozen veggie burger a great (and cheap) substitute is

TVP, it has the texture of meat and will take on the taste of what it is

cooked with, just be sure to add extra liquid (add the same amount of extra

liquid as TVP)

tara

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" melanie casto " <melaniekcasto

Monday, March 08, 2004 11:08 AM

Re: low income

Thanks Tara. All of that sounds great! I am always looking for new

recipes, so a group would be a good thing.

We like everything around here, soups, stews, casseroles, stirfies. We are

not too picky.

I think what costs so much, after looking at what I normally buy, is the

cooks books I have, aren't really vegan, but have vegan execerpts in them.

They call for a lot of the frozen, processed foods. On occassion, that is

fine, but all the time, I can't see how that does anyone any good.

Melanie

March 9, 2004

Melanie,

Someone may have already said this but you jogged my memory when you mentioned

produce. Is there a CSA in your area? We joined one three years ago and we've

saved a bundle plus we get fresh organic produce from june to november. It cost

us $650 for the season and you had to do 12 hrs of harvest work but our CSA

offers free shares in exchange for additional work you do. Also in addition to

our regular share there are always " damaged " vegies that are free for the taking

(usually deer nibbled or ripe to the point of needing to be cooked today) We

always took advantage of that stuff and I only ran out of squash/pumkin puree a

few weeks ago.

peace,

Katie

>

March 9, 2004

Some of the recipes do, but there are alot that don't. last week, we had

vegetarian potroast in a red wine and garlic sauce, then we had shitake

stuffed tofu " steaks " , yummy!

Sara

-

" melanie casto " <melaniekcasto

Monday, March 08, 2004 1:51 PM

Re: low income

Thanks, Sara, I have seen that one, on the net, but didn't know if it called

for a lot of the packaged meat substitutes.