The Ridiculous Cost of Plant Meats, Flat Water Kefir and the New Pink Sweater!

 

Another Simple Truth find, although this one is terrifying to me. It looks like long worms which I have an unreasonable fear of. I found this right next to the Beyond and Impossible, which are right next to regular beef. I didn't buy it, but there is yet ANOTHER beef substitution out there. My problem with the never ending market of plant meats is the cost. I've started and deleted so many posts talking about this, because I don't want to shame people for having more money, or be a negative Nelly trying to bring plant meats down. But every time I go to Sprouts there is a new plant meat, and each is more expensive than the last. We like to tell ourselves it's great, more choices! Easy accessibility for everyone. Except it isn't. It's easily accessible to those who can afford it. But how much are these helping the animals really? The bottom line is a lot of people are on tight budgets, live paycheck to paycheck like me. Some of these plant meats are a third or more of my weekly budget. And I'm just me, if I have a family, especially hungry teenagers, there's just no way. I actually haven't gotten the protein question in years, when it comes up that I'm vegan the first question is always the cost. "How do I afford it" "Isn't is expensive" "I could never afford to go vegan" and on and on. And of course beans, rice, pasta and potatoes are cheap, but non vegans who have been eating more of the SAD diet are most likely going to want some plant meats for at least the transition. And if you can't afford something there's not much else to say. Sorry to start out my post this way, but I do feel like there isn't enough discussion in this community about the ridiculous cost of these items. 

Remember that weird, too mustard-y cheese sauce I had? Well, I tried some in a baked potato with a little Buffalo sauce and I loved it! The mustard wasn't as strong in a potato for some reason. At least I have a way to use it now!

I'm struggling with my water kefir brewing. I'm having a hard time making it fizzy. After I make the water kefir, I add some juice for flavoring and let it sit for another twenty four to forty eight hours and it's supposed to get fizzy. Mine is flat as flat can be. It's still okay, but it's not what I wanted. I need that fizz! Does anyone have any suggestions? 

This was an impulse buy at Trader Joe's. It's only $1.99 a container, which is a steal for prepackaged hummus! It's really not that spicy, but since I have a high spice tolerance, I had a spice sensitive coworker try it and they agreed, it has a tiny kick but definitely not blow your face off spicy.

Falafel pita with all the fixins including the spicy hummus!

Same meal, just salad form. So good!!

Last week my stomach was a wreck from anxiety so I had to make some coconut red lentil dal. This is what my body craves when I'm really feeling the need for a hug.

I think we have a new pink sweater! I bought some used jeans at a thrift store to make cut offs, and the kittens have voted, the legs stay! They really help me stay on track with reducing, reusing and recycling!!!

Vegan Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Haul

 I have a small Whole Foods and Trader Joe's haul. They're both a bit random. I've had a really hard time focusing for awhile, but especially the past two weeks. I always say I'm not a meal planner, but usually before I shop I at least make a list of things I'm out of, or have some kind of idea of what I'm going to eat. This week I could only think of lemons, toilet paper, paper towels and cat food. Other than that my brain went blank. So I did the best I could, and we'll see what I come up with this week!

Tomato, coconut milk, hummus, fruit bars,frozen falafel, peanut butter, spinach, ciabatta bread, scallion pancake, Jasmine rice, tomato paste, lemons,carrots, blood oranges, garlic

If you guys remember, I tried Beanfields vegan cracklins and really, really hated them. And I love Beanfields chips! I just cannot bring myself to try any other brand but these are a thing, and I've seen a few people on the Gram rave about them!

My Whole Foods haul was delivered to me! Prime is my streaming choice, because I get more bang for my buck because of savings on both Amazon and Whole Foods. And they really helped me out on Wednesday. I needed toilet paper and paper towels in addition to regular food. It's been one hundred plus here already and I've been miserable. So, after perusing Whole Foods on prime, I saw that the 365 brand of tp and pt aren't really much more than what I usually buy at Smith's. If you're a Prime member they will deliver Whole Foods groceries to your door!! No fees other than a five dollar tip which is optional but of course I chose to tip. I would have had to spend $2.50 to take the bus, and believe me the $2.50 extra was worth the savings to my soul to not have to take the bus and not have to walk in the relentless, blazing sun! And I got my groceries an hour and a half after I ordered!!! Honestly, this summer is really unbearable already so next time I might start doing this like once a month or so. It was really, really nice and Whole foods can be affordable if you avoid all the vegan specialty stuff. This week they had tofu on sale of eighty cents!!!

Well, to give an update on the never ending construction saga, Wednesday was the day I couldn't use my shower all day, and the handy man did have to come to my apartment, and he made a very uncomfortable joke about watching me take a shower, but he meant watching the drain below but chose to make it gross and awkward when it didn't need to be. Like don't joke about watching women because that shit happens. And also it's just gross and icky to joke like that. So, Wednesday I was told the leak was fixed, then yesterday was told it still leaking!!!! So who knows who's going to come by this weekend. I wonder if anyone has thought of a plumber, because maybe this is out of the handyman's wheelhouse because this seems to be an issue. But what do I know!

Too Much Mustard, Too Much Dirt and Dust!

 

A lot of times when Sprouts gets in a new product, they will put it on a super introductory sale. Like almost give the stuff away. They get you hooked, and then the next time you go in the product is ten million times more money. Le sigh. This is one of those such items. I got it for I can't remember, but under three dollars. Last week I noticed that it is over ten dollars!! Both for the cost and the flavor I won't be buying this again!

I cooked some medium shells and stirred in some of the sauce. The texture and consistency are both great. The problem is that it's very, very mustard forward. I love mustard, and always add a smidge when I make homemade mac and cheese, but this is too much. I could still eat the mac and cheese, but I regretted not making my own cheese sauce. For the price of this sauce that should not be the feeling one has.

I did dip some crackers in it, which was much better. I think this would be great with pretzels or even a hot pretzel since mustard already pairs nicely. I think I might also try some in a baked potato. 

All in all I give this a four out of ten. It's definitely cheaper to make your own, and there are other, cheaper cheese sauces out there. Simple Truth has a vegan queso that is one of my favorite things ever, and it's under four dollars all the time! I know it isn't made with cashews, but it doesn't need to be. Even if money is no object, I'm sure there are better cheese sauces out there that I haven't tried. Miyoko's makes a roadhouse cheddar dip or something like that, I've had it once and it blew my mind. I think even though it's Miyoko's it's still cheaper than this! 

Thanks for all the well wishes regarding my anxiety over the renovations going on in my building. The handy man has had to barge in here two different days this week, both with about five minutes notice which isn't even really supposed to happen. There's a reason there are certain laws about notice. My landlord just informed me that all day tomorrow I can't use my shower and bath. I asked how long exactly and her answer was "all day" Thanks for clearing that up buddy. I just hope no dirty men in their dusty, dirty boots have to come trampling in here!!! Send good, clean thoughts my way please!!

Vegan Almond Cajun Alfredo

 

Yesterday I made this almond Cajun Alfredo sauce which was kind of an experiment, but it turned out really tasty and I wrote down measurements, so I figured I'd share! I saw a recipe for Cajun soy curls awhile ago, realized I've never had Cajun seasoning that I know of, got stuck down a Cajun wormhole and learned that Cajun Alfredo is a thing!

I used slivered almonds in  this recipe instead of cashews because blanched, slivered almonds are much cheaper than cashews or even whole almonds. Almonds do have a stronger flavor than cashews, but the garlic and Cajun spice cover that nicely. 

 Almond Cajun Alfredo

• 1/3 C. Blanched, Slivered Almonds
• 2/3 plus 1/2 to 3/4 C. Water
• 1 Medium tomato and 3 cloves garlic roasted ( cut the tomato in chunks, peel garlic cloves and pour a little olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 425 for thirty to forty minutes)
• 1 1/2 tsp. Cajun Seasoning
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

• 2 T. Nutritional Yeast

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. I ended up using the full 2/3 plus 3/4 cups of water, but I would start with the 2/3 and add a little more as needed. 

When you're making your paste, save a little of the paste water and stir that plus the sauce with your paste. This made enough sauce for a little over a half of a pound of spaghetti.

 

I Went Chasing Waterfalls

 

I was brewing my own kombucha for a long time, and all of a sudden one day when I went to bottle my latest batch, I saw all these little gnat looking bugs on my scoby! I looked it up and I think they were white mites. Apparently this is common when brewing booch, although I never had this issue in PA. or Seattle. I got stuck in a white mite scoby wormhole for awhile, and almost everyone said to rince the scoby and keep brewing. I just couldn't do it. the thought of all the mite poop and pee all over the scoby. So, I threw it all away and haven't brewed since. Kombucha is not cheap so I have felt that hit.

Since that happened, I've discovered water kefir and I love it's light, refreshing fizziness. I looked into making your own, and it's a much shorter process, so I'm hoping that means less time for little bugs to find a home. Fingers crossed. I'll be activating the crystals starting today, so hopefully by Thursday or Friday I should have homemade water kefir!! The package says you can use water, coconut water or juice, so I got some mango lemonade to use. Sounds nice and summery, right?

I mentioned that the last couple of weeks have been pretty bad for me mental health wise, so Saturday I went with a friend for a drive through both big and little cottonwood canyons. It was nice to see actual green, and I even saw a waterfall which really surprised me given the dryness of it all. I'm still not happy living in Utah, but it was nice to see some beauty and green. 

I was surprised to see so much snow still on this mountain. It's been so hot already!

Part of a ski resort with a rooftop pool very swanky!

Next time we're going to find a nice trail by the river, and try to find a not very people-y spot to sit by the water. 

I still feel a little shaky, but I do feel better and I hope to be back more this week, a little peppier. We'll see, it's going to be a hot, dry week.

Two No's Don't Make a Yes!

 

Well, I tried this No Tuna salad, and at least one word is correct. No. Remember yesterday when I said I never buy this because I think of how easy chickpea salad is? Well, as usual I should have listened to myself. Not only is chickpea salad easy and inexpensive to make, but it is also so much tastier! This is made with very firm tofu, and it has no mayo or mustard or anything with moisture in it. Well, it has tamari but given the lack of flavor I'd say not much. This stuff is DRY!

I want to say it's almost like cream cheese, except it's not at all creamy. It's very crumbly, which makes it difficult and frustrating to make a sandwich!

I did the best I could spreading it on some bread and making a tuna melt. Although I guess it wasn't really a melt because I didn't add cheese. But it was a toasted sandwich.

It's really, really bland. Picture eating plain, uncooked tofu with a little tamari and a little seaweed. I know there are people who eat plain tofu, so maybe this is for them, but this is a no from me dawg.On a sandwich, with tomato that I salted and peppered, and some sprouts it was better. I also dipped the sandwich in yellow mustard which added flavor and moisture. I will finish this container, but I definitely do not recommend and I will never buy this again.

Honestly, I don't even see this as a convenience item. If you were trying to eat this in a car, or a break room it would be so stressful because it is so crumbly. You'd have to vacuum your car after eating. 

Do you guys remember awhile ago I found a Rojo's vegan pancake sandwich on clearance? I have been scared to try it because it's a pancake with sausage and cheese, and that just doesn't make sense to me. 

The other day I decided to be brave and try it. It was pretty much as I expected, weird. They use Field Roast breakfast links, and I didn't like the texture of the sausage at all, and the cheese added nothing. I couldn't process savory cheese being paired with a sweeter sausage and the sweet pancake. It just was very confusing and unpleasant. I'm glad I got it on clearance. I will say this to be fair, I don't eat breakfast foods. Not even breakfast for dinner. So, I'm probably not going to like many foods like this. I would say if you like breakfast foods, especially Field Roast sausages, you would probably love this.

Helloooo

 So, I've been a little MIA this week. As I mentioned awhile ago, they are renovating two of the apartments in my building. I live in a small, five apartment building so the sound is very close to home. In addition, one of units being renovated is under me, and apparently my bathroom drain leaks in to that apartment, so there has been a plumber coming in and out of my apartment, and some other guy is going to fix the grout or caulk or something in my bathtub sometime. Then, I started having internet issues and dealing with Comcast never ends well for my mental health. I really try to be nice to customer service workers, but I have definitely cussed out a few Comcast employees. I always feel bad, but man they are the actual worst!!All this to say I've been a mess. I've learned how to function with my depression, I know when I need to really take a break and when I need to force myself. But anxiety is newer to me, and I haven't learned how to function. I just have a constant fast heartbeat and feeling well, anxious. It's taking a toll on me, and it makes me so tired!

At least Sprouts has made my week easier. I haven't been eating junk, but I've definitely been eating a lot of freezer and pantry meals because between the noise and the extreme heat I just haven't been doing proper grocery shops. I was just thinking yesterday that I need some fresh produce in my life, and here comes a little coupon from Sprouts for five dollars off if you spend twenty dollars on produce!! Thanks Sprouts, I needed the lift!

Bananas, lemons, sliced sourdough, strawberries, baked tofu, no tuna salad, chocolate, broccoli sprouts, tofu, onion, garlic, potatoes, coconut milk, green onion, green tea, Asian salad mix, kombucha, spinach, cilantro

 

I was hoping to get nectarines, but it's still a bit early in the season and they were super expensive and also rock ass hard. Soon nectarines, very soon!

I swear I have looked at this a million and one times. I think about getting it, then I think about how easy and simple chickpea salad is and put it back. But since I had that coupon and was very careful with my choices I decided to give this a try. Today I'm going to make an epic "tuna" melt on sourdough with broccoli sprouts and some juicy tomato. I will definitely report back!

I love these whatever they are flowers! They remind me of giant dandelion fluffs! I have a new appreciation for the silent beauty of nature!

Simple Truth Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing!!

 I thought since my last post was a negative product review, why not balance things out with a positive review!

I was at Smith's last week, and I saw that their organic store brand Simple Truth has a vegan blue cheese dressing!! Blue cheese dressing was my all time favorite in my pregan days. I loved the really thick blue cheese, the kind that came in a wide mouth jar because it was so thick. 

Daiya has a blue cheese dressing, and while I do love the taste, it is on the thinner side so it doesn't give me the full experience.

I had one of those days the other day, and I really couldn't be bothered to cook. Luckily I had some frozen morningstar nuggets in my freezer, and of course I needed a dip! 

The first thing I noticed is how thick this is! I mean, I had to really shake the bottle to get some out. So I really love that. And just like the daiya, it somehow really does have that blue cheese flavor, funk and tang! I mean, this stuff is GOOD!! 

As I said in the beginning, I tried this with some basic nuggs. But now I'm dreaming of Buffalo soy curls, and a big iceberg wedge salad! 

The Simple Truth dressings are a little over a dollar cheaper than daiya, and almost two dollars cheaper than Follow Your Heart. I definitely give this a ten out of ten, and I will for sure buy again!

One Bad Egg

 I went to Sprouts bright and early Friday morning, to beat the crowds and the heat. Summer has come in with a bang. It's really not worth showing a haul, because for whatever reason the store was very empty. Especially the produce section, which is the main reason I go to Sprouts!! So, I only got a very small haul. I'll have to pick up more things some other day. 

I did find this on my trip. I've never heard of it, and since it was brand new, they had it on an introductory sale. It's so new they didn't even have a regular price tag on the shelf.

The ingredients seem pretty similar to Just Egg, except that Just uses either mung bean or yellow lentil, and simply uses lupin protein. 

I hadn't eaten yet, so as soon as I got home I cooked some up. I noticed the texture was clunkier than Just, almost more like a chickpea pancake batter. It also took A LOT longer to kind of set up to be scrambled. It was dense and soggy, not fluffy like Just. I did the best I could, and put it on a toasted Dave's English muffin. 

You guys, this is one of the worst things I've bitten into. Taste wise, it's pretty close to Just. They're both pretty mild. But it's the texture. It's soft, almost like soft cheese or a stiff hummus or who cares, it's not the texture I expected or wanted. I took a few bites of this and couldn't eat even half of it. Such a huge NO!!!

Every time I open my fridge this bottle is looking at me, and I couldn't stop thinking that maybe I did something wrong. I mean, this product could not be as bad as this sandwich. The first few chickpea pancakes I made were pretty horrible, now I can make one with my eyes closed. 

So, today I tried to make another batch, cooking it lower and slower. This time they set up faster, but it just formed into one omelette shape and did not want to be scrambled. Instead of little fluffy pieces, you kind of get dense, stodgy pieces.

I cooked it longer than usual hoping to maybe dry it out, and make it less soft but that never happened. it kind of cooks to a certain point and seems to stay that way.

Worst breakfast tacos EVER!!

Several people on the gram commented that this stuff didn't work for them either. I genuinely don't know how this got the okay to send out to market!! I give this a zero out of ten. I would never buy this again, even if it were on clearance. I cringe at the thought of a non vegan trying this and being turned off from any vegan food ever. Please, do yourself a favor and don't try this!!!

Ta Don't!

 

Last week I couldn't find my favorite Silk creamer anywhere!! I've had a different flavor of the vegan natural bliss and it was pretty good, so I grabbed this brown sugar flavor. While Silk will probably always be my go to, this is pretty dang good too. It's nice and thick and creamy, and has a nice flavor. 

I've seen these in the freezer section for awhile, but they're expensive so I've never grabbed one until a few weeks ago I found this on clearance for two bucks and decided to grab it. I love falafel, but I am terrified of deep frying, and I have never had a baked falafel that I enjoy. Too dry. Anyway, Sunday night I wasn't up for cooking, so I popped this bad boy in the oven. All I can say is I should have cooked! This was TERRIBLE! It was all mush, the falafel was all one big mush instead of individual balls(hee hee), the hummus is obviously mushy and then it's warm, and oddly sweet, and the wrap is just a soggy whole wheat tortilla. These things are over five dollars regular price, and honestly to me that is offensive. Even if these were amazing that's a bit much, and these are the opposite of amazing. It was so bad I couldn't even finish it!

This was a really tasty dinner. I marinated soaked soy curls in some olive oil, lemon juice and Za'atar seasoning. I sauteed the curls and got a little crisp on them, and had them in some flatbread with a parsley, tomato and cucumber salad, and a garlic, lemon tahini sauce. This was so fresh and had different flavors and textures. Can't wait to have this again!

This is another incredible recipe from Wil Yeung!!!  Bulgogi tofu bowl. This was INCREDIBLE!! No surprise there, as I've loved every Wil Yeung recipe I've tried! Here is the recipe, I highly recommend any of his recipes! This was alo super simple, which is the case for most of his recipes. He also uses inexpensive ingredients which I really, really appreciate!

I love how this yard is almost all flowers, and the house almost looks like a little enchanted cottage. This would definitely be how I would live if I ever had a house!