feed a family of 4, almost vegan, on a rather small budget! Old Style!

FrugalinShropshire

missymoo81 wrote: »

Yes frugal it used to be called veganfitnesstv. I have followed them for a long time and love their recipes but they seem to eat a lot of the same things. Thank you though.

Forgot to say, think I've managed my budget it's up to £180 which is far more than I wanted to spend but it's doable hopefully without any complaints or too much hard work on my part, I'm trying to be realistic in what I can do, studying and working and looking after children etc.

Although I did work out a budget version of around £15 per week but I don't think it's realistic or as nutritious as I'd like, and would take time making bread etc. I think I might try it though, see how it pans out....

I'll post it later for anyone looking for a cheap week. Have work today and assignment tonight, so prob not til Friday.

Thanks again for all of your posting and comments, I find your help and encouragement invaluable.

Forgot to say, I agree with you about the time involved. I have our budget at £200 a month for 4 adults and could be done cheaper but sometimes all the prep etc is very time consuming, especially as I am looking after DDad and trying to finish my aromatherapy course. I had to postpone my OU this year as I knew I wouldnt be able to fit it all in:(

missymoo81

Hi wanttobeSE, yes fortified with omega and B12, but of course you're right, soya milk is fortified with B2 and B12, I think with a multivitamin I won't worry so much about the super expensive porridge.
I agree that vegan isn't as cheap as id like. It can still be done though healthily and on a budget if you look, much better than the cheap meat/convenience foods we could be eating!
I just need to convince OH that a roast dinner without meat is justifiable and that oat milk is nice......

WantToBeSE

missymoo81 wrote: »

Hi wanttobeSE, yes fortified with omega and B12, but of course you're right, soya milk is fortified with B2 and B12, I think with a multivitamin I won't worry so much about the super expensive porridge.
I agree that vegan isn't as cheap as id like. It can still be done though healthily and on a budget if you look, much better than the cheap meat/convenience foods we could be eating!
I just need to convince OH that a roast dinner without meat is justifiable and that oat milk is nice......

I detest oat milk :rotfl: I've tried it several times, in several different ways, but it always has an almost chalky taste to me.
I know that Tesco value soya milk is fortified, if you/he like soya milk?

I totally agree with you, it can be done on a budget. I just have to stop myself buying all the vegan junk food. Not only is it not good for me, but its also more expensive.

I've been looking for a vegan nut roast recipe, but by the time i buy all the nuts etc that i need, it works out as expensive as meat sometimes!

missymoo81

Eek, was really hoping to find a decent cheap recipe... I've bought some stuffing mix and have some dried apricots and walnuts wondering if that would work.... OH doesn't eat gravy either..... So it can't be too dry..... Arrghhh this is proving quite hard.

Oat milk, specifically oat dream, I only have in coffee as its the only one I can find that doesn't curdle!!!!! I have tried everything it seems!!!! I'm going to try sweetened almond milk in his cereal..... Think he'll moan though!!! Starting to wonder if I'm fighting a losing battle a little with him, not sure whether to just let him have organic cows milk and organic free range chicken on a Sunday.... 'Sigh'

WantToBeSE

missymoo81 wrote: »

Eek, was really hoping to find a decent cheap recipe... I've bought some stuffing mix and have some dried apricots and walnuts wondering if that would work.... OH doesn't eat gravy either..... So it can't be too dry..... Arrghhh this is proving quite hard.

Oat milk, specifically oat dream, I only have in coffee as its the only one I can find that doesn't curdle!!!!! I have tried everything it seems!!!! I'm going to try sweetened almond milk in his cereal..... Think he'll moan though!!! Starting to wonder if I'm fighting a losing battle a little with him, not sure whether to just let him have organic cows milk and organic free range chicken on a Sunday.... 'Sigh'

I think sometimes the best thing to do is lead by example. Maybe right now he isn't ready for a drastic change? Both of my children, specifically my youngest (he is 11) loves eating chicken.
I make it for him a few times a month, and he also likes activia yogurts which i buy a few times a month.

You are doing the best you can, on a limited budget, so give yourself a pat on the back for that. You're doing great!

P.S. The vanilla soya milk is delicious and tastes a bit like runny custard Maybe add that to something..you wont regret it:rotfl:


Oh and edited to say that i have pecan nuts, cashews and some dried apricots that i am thinking about making a nut roast from. If you find any good recipes, would you mind sharing? Also, what stuffing do you have to use with it?

missymoo81

Of course I'll share, will have s look later, the Tesco sage and onion stuffing mix appears to be vegan, so that's the one I'm buying. Love the sound of the vanilla milk!!!! Mmmm....

Hmmm will see what I can do re OH and his milk/chicken consumption, I've weaned him off crisps and rocky bars, maybe I should be grateful lol, or maybe I should line up the milks and see which one he prefers in a taste test.....

Caterina

I have compromised on the vegan thing, was vegetarian and on-off vegan for over 20 years, then became pescatarian towards the menopause because I was worried about health, eating omega3-rich fish, but I am not mad about eating fish both for health and ethical reasons.

Recently I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem and trying to stay away from medication with the help of the herbal clinic and advice from a nutritionist, both saying that if it is an autoimmune issue I need to avoid gluten and dairy. The nutritionist also suggests that I stay clear of most grains anyway if I want to lose some weight.

Except that with all these restrictions I am finding myself with so few choices, that I have decided to compromise.

So, 70% vegan but will have occasional tinned mackerel or smoked salmon (only wild sustainable) and eggs a couple of times a week. Not a vegan or vegetarian anymore, but with a heavy vegan slant for most of my meals.

Not perfect, but I can live with it.

The most expensive part of being vegan, or almost so, I find, is nuts!

Because I am not allergic to gluten I am not bothered about buying the (very expensive) gluten free oats, as oats do not contain the gluten that wheat, rye and barley contain. I am sure that a minimum of gluten contamination from the process would not affect me too much at all; but I find that porridge without a protein alongside it does not really fill me, so I eat it with chopped nuts.

Nuts are a great snack too and very filling, but nowhere near as cheap as pulses and grains! For salad I use seeds, which are much cheaper.

moneyistooshorttomention

missymoo81 wrote: »

Oat milk, specifically oat dream, I only have in coffee as its the only one I can find that doesn't curdle!!!!! I have tried everything it seems!!!! I'm going to try sweetened almond milk in his cereal..... Think he'll moan though!!! Starting to wonder if I'm fighting a losing battle a little with him, not sure whether to just let him have organic cows milk and organic free range chicken on a Sunday.... 'Sigh'

Well - if that's how it has to be then that's how it has to be....as everyone makes their own personal decisions about what they do and don't like and it's their right to do so.

I'll admit to being very puzzled at the comments I often see on this Board about OH eating differently and how to change that. It is what it is...

As you say - experiment with different milks and see if there is one he likes and hope there will be. I don't tend to like other milks either - but I do like rice milk (as long as it's Rice Dream brand). I also like coconut milk (as long as it's decent quality).

missymoo81

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Well - if that's how it has to be then that's how it has to be....as everyone makes their own personal decisions about what they do and don't like and it's their right to do so.

I'll admit to being very puzzled at the comments I often see on this Board about OH eating differently and how to change that. It is what it is...

As you say - experiment with different milks and see if there is one he likes and hope there will be. I don't tend to like other milks either - but I do like rice milk (as long as it's Rice Dream brand). I also like coconut milk (as long as it's decent quality).

Well this is it, I can't make him be vegan just because I want him to be, he either wants to or not I guess, I just want him to be healthier, and to make better food choices. And I guess in the last few months he really has changed. More so because he can't/won't cook so has to eat what I give him. All evening meals are vegan.... So if I think about it we're doing well, and eating a lot more healthily than 6 months ago. Sooo with that in mind I have included organic chicken and organic milk in the budget for him and the littlies to have, so they can have chicken for their roast on a Sunday and milk in their cereAl. I'm happy enough with that. Thanks for your kind words etc everyone, really am appreciating it X

jackyann

Hello, have dipped in & out of this thread, so unsure if I am repeating what others have said.
Soya milk is not necessarily a good idea for young children - lots of reasons. Would you be happy with the children continuing to have cows' milk? If not, I would definitely discuss with health visitor or children's centre and also see if they can refer you to a dietician who has this stuff at their fingertips.
If you are on a low income, are you entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins for the 2 littles? Google Healthy Start vitamins.

As for porridge, could you think about adding fruit and/or nuts? I find that there are 3 main reasons people dislike porridge: texture, bland taste, and some people seem to find that it doesn't 'last until lunchtime'. I find that fruit & nuts really help with all of those, especially bananas that are quite a cheap form of nutrition, and enjoyed by most people.