confessions of the sometimes vegan.

I'm not gonna lie. It's hard to keep this 100% vegan thing going.
ALOT of accidents happen. Meaning things- I don't check on purpose, cause in my mind, uh duhiee, are vegan. Yeah, no. Not so much. Pancakes- healthy buckwheat berry pancakes- for 'kids' at work from the freezer aisle- that I have been eating, for quite some time. Turns out my boyfriend bought them the other day, I usually have them as a grab n' go vegan morning breakfast....- they're not so vegan after all. That is sad news to me. Considering I thought I had been doing so well! Grrr! Milk and egg whites are hiding in the most smallest of places. You really, really have to know. Oh well I say.

milk happens. as long I wasn't intentionally having it- I suppose I still am in vegan mind state. But I will be more careful, for sure. As for the rest of this- I notice no difference in craving anything different. Besides struggling with a diet recently- 'on a budget' I wouldn't say anything else is a struggle. I have decided to do my best to reduce cost of spending for my food. It'll be hard -and I'm still working on it all. But I am trying- and I am going to put my best effort out there to figure out how this will work. I haven't figured out yet- if it's better to buy ahead, or the day of. People say it's good either way, but thats confusing. I'm not sure what is best for us.

Here are some tips from me- and then after that- tips from other sources- helping me.

1. I think setting a meal plan will keep my mind on what I will be making and also utilizing whatever it is I have also. Instead of letting it go bad. Also will help stay strong toward my healthy plan for the day.

2.Eat seasonally.

3.Buy in bulk.

4. Grains & Legumes and beans -instead of meat.

5.Skip processed foods.

- now this is easier than it looks. I know. But one thing you can skip is coffee. and drink green tea instead. Something I'm trying very hard to do. a box of green tea is far cheaper than a bag of coffee.
also- all the fun stuff i've been making with my extra income will be at an all time low. I'll be focusing on the goods already in my pantry- and try to get as creative as I can. As good as 'raw' food is. It is very expensive. I'll my miss my cashew cheese <3

Do you have any budget saving tips? If so -please share. I'm new to this- and need any help I can get.

I hope this post finds you well. I've been drinking a green smoothie as I write this. I tried something new today- I used my zico chocolate coconut water instead of the usual almond milk.

1 banana
large handful of kale
large handful of spinach
8 oz. zico chocolate coconut water
1 scoop of amazing grass greens.
2 tbsp chia seeds

It was delish. <3 i haven't been feeling good- so this made me feel a tad better.

on another green note.

I made avocado cream sauce again- this time, without the oil. i just added water instead.

I added this sauce to my mixed, red and regular quinoa.

I was pretty excited about this. I'm pretty sure I'm the first creating this 'green quinoa'.... don't ya think?

also- i created this video today. if you'd like to check it out! it's me singing one of my favorite songs from the movie Once. If you haven't seen it,you should really rent it. Very inspiring!