Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Random Vegan Finds!

Just Mayo chipotle and garlic mayo, Kool Ranch kale chips!
Grocery outlet is a great place to shop. In Erie there was a store called Valu-Time which had super cheap food, but it was all junk. They did sell some produce, none of it was organic, and it was usually in  very bad shape. They sold SAD type processed foods, and it was very unlikely to find much vegan or somewhat healthy foods. Grocery outlet is very different. They have some organic produce, which is much cheaper, however the quality can be spotty. But you can find all kinds of goodies, and it's so random! They have a kind of equal mix of crap to good, at least the Grocery Outlets I've been to. It is like thrifting, you can't be expecting to find anything, and you have to be patient, and search closely.
I found these bottles of garlic Just Mayo, and chipotle Just Mayo for $1.49 each!! And Kool Ranch kale chips for $2.99!! I'm loving all the kale chips deals I've found at the ole outlet!! One other thing I've noticed about every store I've been into is they have a great selection of kombucha, Kevita probiotic drinks, and Mama Chia beverages for soooo cheap!  It's great to have a store like this, because yo can sometimes find things that maybe aren't in your normal budget. It's fun to splurge without having to splurge! They often have a pretty big selection of vegetarian and vegan frozen burgers, pizzas, Amy's burritos and meals and also every now and then they have really fun, unusual vegan ice cream flavors. I once found key lime pie vegan ice cream! It was so amazing. I forget the brand, but I've never seen it anywhere else. The same brand also made a blueberry cheesecake vegan ice cream that pretty much made my life. So, whether you're on a budget or not, Grocery Outlet is a pretty great place to find some fun vegan goodies.
I'm off to do more setting up my home stuff, and I have to find a Coco Whip source. I believe I will have to probably stock up at Whole Foods. I haven't seen t anywhere else. Dylan is getting pissed at this point. He aggressively leads me to the kitchen, and stands in front of the refrigerator looking at me like "well?" Things are somewhat getting back to normal around here.
Have you ever shopped at Grocery Outlet??

13 comments:

  1. Never heard of Grocery Outlet but it sounds like my kind of place. so glad Dylan is improving!

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  2. It's really the most fun store. You never know what you're going to find. I found strawberry coconut milk ice cream at Trader Joe's, and while it's no Coco Whip, he's pretty happy. He's bugging me for my lap as I type. I am sooooo grateful!!

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  3. “Thrifting” sounds like it makes for a great shopping adventure! I’ll have to look into finding some of these extreme value grocers after my trip to Malawi. Glad to see things have improved! :-)

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  4. Wow, sounds like an amazing trip.What takes you there? I can't wait to to hear all about it! Dylan is showing incredible improvement, and I am just so grateful!

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  6. Dylan’s incredible improvement might also be linked to the positive force of Coco Whip, where just the thought of the desert topping cures all :) !

    In Malawi, I will be learning about endangered wildlife conservation efforts and participating in field research projects there to protect wildlife (elephants, rhinos, baboons, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, wildcats, antelopes, to name a few ). I’ve been busy getting a bunch of vaccinations for the trip. The whole experience is through an international conservation trust, including meals (base meals are vegetarian, but vegan modifiable - no carnivorous food), chalet housing, tent stations in the field, training, etc. I’ve been told that the sights are stunning and the wilderness is filled with sounds of chattering monkeys, lion roars, and wild elephants that occasionally visit the main housing area. I’ll also be involved in providing hands-on care to orphaned animals for rehabilitation and release. And, even learning some wildlife veterinarian medicine during the time there. I consider this one of those rare opportunities to make a real difference, while learning about new things and new cultures. Although I do have an irrational fear of getting lost in the vast wilderness (will be careful to check security monitoring options here), I think this will be one of those life-changing experiences.

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  7. That sounds really amazing, and life-changing. How amazing will it be to see all those animals in their own habitat? You are definitely living the dream, and it's amazing that you're going t be helping animals also.
    I don't think your fear of getting lost is irrational! I think you will be a better, different person when you return. How long will you be gone? I can't wait to hear all about it. I bet it will be sad along with all of the good. You are really living the vegan dream!!

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    1. My overall goal is to do something to help lessen the damage that humans are causing endangered wildlife. It’s not so much a dream as an obligation I feel society owes to protect the diversity of animal life. In the process, I’ll visit a beautiful country, interact with nature, learn new skills, meet other people from around the world who are also passionate about animals, and hopefully be able to participate in some meaningful way to get distressed animals back to living in the wild or, if that’s not possible, at least be safe at a rescue sanctuary. I consider that to be a meaningful and memorable reward.

      The time in Malawi is covered for up to 12 weeks, and I can decide on any amount of time less than that. I’m preparing to leave sometime next month. I’m trying to plan very carefully, as it’s not a simple walk back to get something inadvertently forgotten ;-).

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    2. That's really amazing that you're doing that. Not many humans, even vegans are really willing to walk the talk. It's really amazing that you're doing this. I think it will be a great experience. Do you think you will stay the twelve weeks?

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    3. I think there are many people (vegans/non-vegans) who contribute in different ways to help animals. In that sense, anyone who tries honestly to further animal welfare is doing something important, whether involved directly or indirectly, minimally or extraordinarily. It all counts. I am just choosing to be more hands-on interactive for a brief period of time, hoping to leave the animals in Malawi with which I come into contact better than when I first meet them.

      I actually factored an extra 2 week extension to cover potential animal issues not fully resolved during the initial 12 weeks. It’s hard to know what types of care issues to expect and I wouldn’t feel right leaving an animal with unresolved care issues.

      I’ve been told these issues are frequent especially with baby vervet monkeys orphaned because of the bush meat and pet trade. These infant monkeys may need rehabilitative care and a bonding relationship with surrogate mothers. Since the tail end of my time in Malawi covers the unofficial start of the Malawi orphan season where vervet monkeys are borne in large numbers, there’s likely going be some in need of care. The rehabilitation process is obviously tough to predict.

      With safari, field excursions and other animal-assisting efforts, twelve weeks is really not that much time. So, for now, I am planning to stay the entire time with a 2 week extension buffer to cover the unpredictable.:-)

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    4. I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit. It's amazing that you're willing to extend your stay. You're also very brave to face head on the sadness that comes with your trip. It takes a very self-less person to be able to do that. I can't wait to hear about this wonderful trip you're taking!

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  8. Oddly enough I just found these Mayo products on ROLL BACK at Walmart for like $2.50 - the original AND the Sriracha. SCORE! The first time I got the original was the Erie Whole Fools Co-Op but it was much more expensive. One thing I adored there that they no longer carry was Miso Mayo! Funny thing...I never really liked Mayo to begin with!

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  9. I never cared much for mayo either! I loved the miso mayo, and I didn't understand why they stopped carrying it. After trying the siracha mayo, I can't imagine my life without it!

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