Plant Based is TOO Expensive… Chile Please!

Whenever I hear “I could never be vegan or vegetarian” or “it costs too much to eat like that” I have to wonder:

1. What plant based food have you never eaten?
2. What are you buying that’s expensive?
3. Where do you shop?

The answers to these questions can usually pinpoint the “why” behind whatever it is that prevents you from living a healthier lifestyle no matter the type of diet you choose.

I cannot get over how many people DO NOT like vegetables and simply don’t or won’t eat them.  Or the fact that those who think eating healthy is expensive primarily buy food in boxes and bags because it’s “cheap”.

DO NOT let cost be the reason you don’t eat better!

My sister Yolanda taught me at an early age to be frugal.  I didn’t truly listen or understand until I was a single mother in my mind 20s living paycheck to paycheck and eating out damn near every meal.

One of the financial advisors at my job back then sat me down one day and told me I eat out too much *side eye*.  He then gave me a form and said for a month to track when/where I ate and how much it cost.

I WAS FLOORED! I was spending close to $600.00/month on fast food and restaurants.

After that I started to use my sister’s advise.  I was transitioning to a pescatarian lifestyle at the time so fresh fruits, veggies, grains, beans have always been staples of my diet.  I grew up on them, yes meat too, but my mom was huge on plant based foods.

I can vividly remember my sister introducing me to a dollar store out west of Delray Beach near our dad’s house with fresh produce for a dollar and some items were a dollar per pound.  I LIVED in that store until they went out of business.  It’s one of the places I learned to try exotic fruits and types of vegetables that I had never eaten before.  She then introduced me to Aldi in Deerfield Beach and I have been a loyalist ever since!

You guys- you DO NOT have to shop at Whole Foods to eat better.  And no, I’m still not 100% on the organic train either (I get it, I really do but if we don’t trust the government or food industry how is it that we KNOW things are organic unless we grow them ourselves?).  I won’t knock Whole Foods because I was a frequent shopper in the beginning of my journey but that’s because I was trying to find substitutes for the things I was giving up.  Don’t get me wrong, Beyond, Gardein, Field Roast, Morningstar Farms products can be helpful when transitioning but they ARE expensive.  Do I buy them? Absolutely, when Publix has them BOGO (buy one get one free) or Whole Foods has them 2 for $5/$6.  Otherwise I don’t purchase mock meat (huge exception- whenever I go to Yardhouse restaurant I MUST have their vegan firecracker wings because they are orgasmic.  Wait… you think it’s a game?! Seriously, ORGASMIC).

So… where do I shop?

• Aldi (every week, sometimes twice a week o_O)
• Farmer’s/green markets (monthly)
• Dollar Tree (Oh YES honey! D O L L A R T R E E is a plant based eater’s savior and I am there pretty much weekly)
• Trader Joe’s
• BJs
• Publix (only when items are BOGO or 2 for whatever)
• Ross, TJMaxx, Bealls Outlet, Tuesday Morning (Say what?! Yes, they have the most unique condiments, spices, flavored vinegars and oils and snacks at the best prices)
• Amazon (bulk items: nuts, tofu, seeds, dried fruit)
• Anywhere that has kombucha on sale (Target, Fresh Market you name it)

Aldi & Dollar Tree take my money every single week- sometimes twice a week.

I go to the farmer’s/green markets in my area maybe once a month and Sam’s/Costco every other month or so.

What I prep each week greatly depends on what is in the Aldi sale ad and what’s already in my pantry/fridge/freezer.

At Dollar Tree, not only do I find things we need for the house, I find items that are great for organizing my kitchen and pantry.

Dollar Tree is also home to THE BEST frozen mango chunks I’ve ever had.  I make tons of smoothies.  I used to buy frozen fruit in bulk at Sam’s/Costco but when I started doing the math it is so much cheaper by the pound to get frozen mango, strawberries and blueberries at Dollar Tree.  I mean when they are on the bargain tables at the farmer’s market I buy them then and freeze them myself but I don’t pass up a deal.    I also occasionally get frozen veggies (especially onion and peppers mix) as well as Westsoy milk, 100% whole grain oats, condiments (their wing sauce is vegan friendly:)), Jamaican veggie patties, veggie samosas, and fried mushrooms (I told y’all in a previous post that the bad stuff just tastes really really good so don’t judge me!).

Everything else I need is at Aldi.

On weeks where I’m not replenishing things like rice, pasta, mock meats, things the kids eat often, buying household supplies/toiletries, cat food/litter etc I spend no more than $35.00/week on groceries.  Seriously.  My cart gets filled with fresh/frozen fruit & veggies, potatoes, canned or bagged beans, bread, grains for $35.00 or less without fail every single week.

So when I hear it’s too expensive to eat well I can’t help but feel bad that you didn’t have a sister named Yolanda to school you on where or how to shop.