Eating like a Vegan on a Student's Budget

Most students share a common problem- a constantly empty wallet. And if you're anything like me, you'll cut costs wherever you can just to save $10. My sisters always joke that I'm incredibly cheap, and if I'm honest, I'd have to agree with them. I love shopping for Safeway deals, if it's a two for one, I'll buy it. I can't get enough of Costo, even though I don't own a membership card cause who wants to spend $50 a year on that? Instead I've perfected the art of mooch off my much loving friends and family.

Shortly after my first and second year in University i realized that maybe it's worth spending an extra $20 a month on fresh produce. No one likes scurvy. So it only took me two years to recognize the importance of eating well and buying good and healthy foods. And in a city like Vancouver, you really have no excuse not to frequent the produce stores. They're EVERYWHERE and wonderfully inexpensive. I think i spend an average of $5 each time i go and I load up; seriously we're talking bags and bags of berries, veggies and the likes.

You don't have to be a vegan to eat well and adopt a healthy diet and i'm not trying to convert anyone to the vegan way of life! My meat loving roommates would have none of that. Instead, i decided to start this blog to help other students incorporate some "real" meals every once in a while. To expand beyond the staples of chicken and pasta. I have a roommate who, twice a month dedicates two days to eating vegetarian. She loves it because she gets to experiment with different cooking ideas and believe it or not, you don't always need those heavy meats and cheeses that make you feel blah. Even though they taste so good, it's a)not going to kill you to go one day without a hunk of beef, and b) I guarantee you'll get all the necessary nutrients and really enjoy your food! who'd have thunk??

So my first few links will be some recipes I've made up, or tweaked through trial and error, including some quick snack ideas and baked goods (the one thing i always miss the most). I also love this restaurant in Victoria that has the world's best vegan fudge brownies. They're unreal; i made them for some skeptical family members and the consensus was that they were the best brownies they've ever had. I'll be adding those as well.

Cheers,
xx