Vegan on a Budget

The other day I read an article about how to be a vegan on a budget.  I was hoping to get some great tips like which great vegan staples like Goddess dressing and almond milks that are on sale.  No!  This article gave suggestions on making friends with wealthy vegans that would feed you at least once a week.  It went so far as to suggest dumpster diving outside Whole Foods and TJs...I'm broke, not homeless!

Today I ate whole wheat shreds (like Shredded Wheat) with almond milk for breakfast.  Lunch was a sandwich with Veganaise, spicy mustard and Tofurkey.  Fresh strawberries for a snack :) and brown rice with scrambled tofu, broccoli and Goddess dressing for dinner.  My dinner was mostly made from food purchased at Costco.  I bought 5 lbs of brown rice that is in 1.25 lb pouches.  I bought 4 lbs of organic pre-cooked, frozen broccoli that comes in 10 individual pouches.  Costco also had a box of three 19 oz. packages of tofu, each package has 4 blocks.  I used one block and scrambled it.  I was able to mix everything together and divide it in half.  This "recipe" makes enough for two servings, giving me leftovers for tomorrow :).  The $15 I spent on these items at Costco will last a minimum of 8 days, coming in just under $2 per meal.  That's being vegan on a budget!

Now I need to learn how to be an extreme couponer!

I Am

I saw the documentary by Tom Shadyac today called I Am.  I have never been so inspired in my life.  This film discussed the interconnectedness of all life in the universe and the scientific research they have to back it up.  A huge thing they discussed is how important LOVE is.  Research has been done on other species that shows competition is not a primary part of nature.  It is the same in humanity; indigenous populations revere cooperation over competition.

I am inspired to give more love.  I have felt this way for a long time and my journey in SoCal has amped up my desire to spread the love.  However, my inspiration is paused because I'm timid to give my love to even the people I feel very close to.  I think this is partially due to fear of judgement from the society around me.  Our society has become competitive and un-loving, which I believe has become so rooted in myself as well as others that creates this fear of showing our emotions.  Will these expressions of love that I have for others and the world around me be reciprocated?  What other factors may be playing a role in my timidity?  I hope to find the answers to these questions and overcome my fears so I can always spread love.

"What is wrong with the world?  I am.  What is right with the world?  I am."

http://www.slashfilm.com/tom-shadyacs-trailer/