Happy belated Labor Day! Sorry you’re seeing this after Labor Day, but I just got the opportunity to sit down and write this blog. It wasn’t a particularly tough Meatless Monday because I didn’t go to a picnic. Instead, I went to the Strip District to pick up some groceries at Lotus Foods and Stan’s Market.
My main meal was tofu and Asian vegetables called, “Phooi leaves,” in a white sauce.
Tofu and phooi leaves in a Chinese white sauce
Lotus Foods is the only place in Pittsburgh I know that makes its own tofu. Today was the first time I bought tofu. Though I happily eat it when my mom or aunt prepare it, tofu isn’t something I feel confident preparing myself.
I felt so cool, like I was in the club, using a spatula to scoop up two 3-by-3 inch blocks of fresh, soft tofu.
When I went to the check out counter, I watched the numbers tick up for each of my purchases: Farmer brand peanuts, instant noodles, cilantro and of course, the tofu. The cashier rang up the tofu. It only cost $0.30 per block! What a value! I’ll definitely have extra for maybe a Meatless Tuesday.
I find that going veggie can save money. Though produce can be expensive, I’m buying about as much produce as would if I was just making sides for a meat dish. The savings comes when I replace my protein. When eating out, skipping meat on a pasta or salad usually knocks off at least three dollars per meal. It all adds up.
Going vegan, on the other hand, sometimes costs more money. From organic cotton clothing to non-dairy products, it can be a challenge. A few weeks ago I tried Rice Dream for the first time. It was a delicious addition to my cereal. Now, I have a 32-ounce carton of Almond Breeze almond milk in my fridge that I paid about three dollars for at Right by Nature Market. I feel a little guilty not buying the organic almond milk, but the Almond Breeze packs 20 percent of my daily calcium per serving. I couldn’t pass that up.
The taste is a little starchy, like the Rice Dream. But I love Almond Breeze’s sweet and nutty flavor. It’s something I could see myself drinking, unlike the Rice Dream. It’ll be a delicious addition to my morning cereal. And for how little I use milk (since I’m lactose intolerant), I think I can spring for the more expensive dairy alternative drinks.
So for the faithful Green Beet followers: How has going veggie or vegan saved you money?
I felt so cool, like I was in the club, using a spatula to scoop up two 3-by-3 inch blocks of fresh, soft tofu.
Two blocks of tofu for $0.60! The Smarties are for scale.
When I went to the check out counter, I watched the numbers tick up for each of my purchases: Farmer brand peanuts, instant noodles, cilantro and of course, the tofu. The cashier rang up the tofu. It only cost $0.30 per block! What a value! I’ll definitely have extra for maybe a Meatless Tuesday.
I find that going veggie can save money. Though produce can be expensive, I’m buying about as much produce as would if I was just making sides for a meat dish. The savings comes when I replace my protein. When eating out, skipping meat on a pasta or salad usually knocks off at least three dollars per meal. It all adds up.
Going vegan, on the other hand, sometimes costs more money. From organic cotton clothing to non-dairy products, it can be a challenge. A few weeks ago I tried Rice Dream for the first time. It was a delicious addition to my cereal. Now, I have a 32-ounce carton of Almond Breeze almond milk in my fridge that I paid about three dollars for at Right by Nature Market. I feel a little guilty not buying the organic almond milk, but the Almond Breeze packs 20 percent of my daily calcium per serving. I couldn’t pass that up.
Almond Breeze brand almond milk
The taste is a little starchy, like the Rice Dream. But I love Almond Breeze’s sweet and nutty flavor. It’s something I could see myself drinking, unlike the Rice Dream. It’ll be a delicious addition to my morning cereal. And for how little I use milk (since I’m lactose intolerant), I think I can spring for the more expensive dairy alternative drinks.
So for the faithful Green Beet followers: How has going veggie or vegan saved you money?
Post and photos by Estelle Tran
