VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
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I'm Catherine - an imperfect and practical vegan living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Find the easy vegan recipes and frugal vegan updates at VegCharlotte.
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
No, this smoothie does not contain cyanide!
The name comes from those drinks children make at the soda fountain, combining ALL the soda flavors into one big cup.
Which is sorta what I do with this smoothie. I usually make it on Sunday – or whatever day I do my weekly grocery shopping or place my delivery order. It’s a great way to use up odds and ends, check my food inventory, and clear up some space in the fridge and freezer.
The result is always different – sometimes good, sometimes not so good. And then there are those days I find a keeper – but can’t really recall how I put it all togethe ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
I love doing a food challenge every now and then!
Here is one I particularly love doing – and a challenge especially suited for frugal vegans! The “Eat The Pantry” or “Pantry Challenge!” It’s a challenge where, for a certain length of time, you commit to eating what’s already in your pantry!
The best time to do a Pantry Challenge, is usually in the first months of the year (before fresh spring produce starts singing its tempting siren song).
Another possibility is mid-Summer, for those who have gardens.
A third is early fall – to clear up some pantry space and save up some cash before the holi ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
Aunt Matilda Says, “Stop and Think About The Food You Buy!”
Every now and then it’s good to reassess and take stock.
And in doing so I’ve found I’m a very different sort of Frugal Vegan than I was a few years ago.
Then, my main concern was saving every penny I could. (I had, after all, decided to start my own real estate business during the great Charlotte Depression/Real Estate Catastrophe. When former high rolling commercial brokers could be seen panhandling outside the office buildings and shopping malls they helped develop and leased. And the only real game left in town was short sales ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
We vegans love our nutritional yeast – often affectionately referred to as “nooch.” The yellow flakes give a savory, slightly cheesy flavor to everything from popcorn to “cheese” grits to corn chowder to “mac and nooch.” Vegans who don’t like taking vitamin supplements often rely on nutritional yeast as their main source of B12. And, even though I personally take a B12 supplement, I’ve always felt good about the extra pop of B vitamins nooch added to my food.
Turns out, the nutritional yeast I was adding to my food may not have not added any nutrition at all! Because …
Not all nutritional yeas ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
As a frugal vegan, I’m always shaking my head that so many people are willing to spend so money on overpriced, premade hummus in supermarkets and restaurants!
In Charlotte, Harris Teeter store brand hummus is $4 and a name brand of hummus (Sabra) is $5.
At restaurants like Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, a hummus appetizer is $6.95.
Yet you can purchase a can of organic chickpeas for under $1, a can of non-organic chickpeas for $.67, and a one pound bag of dried chickpeas for just over a dollar. You’ll have to make a small investment for a bottle of tahini (about $6 or $7), but keep that bottle ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
I hope everyone had happy and healthy holidays!
I apologize to everyone – I’ve neglected my blog for awhile. It’s been a very busy time of year – plus I took a much needed vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC.
Many people have asked, “Why on earth did you go to Myrtle Beach in December?” and “Is there anything vegans can eat in Myrtle Beach?”
I’ll answer both of those questions!
First things first, why on earth did I go to Myrtle Beach in December?
Myrtle Beach is a short trip from Charlotte – about 4 hours and one tank of gas. Take some back roads, and it’s also an overall pleasant drive.
Myrtle Bea ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
Tis the season!
The Holiday Season is fast approaching, which usually means one thing – your money is fast departing!
Too often when we plan and budget for the holidays, we think in terms of gifts and decorations. Food is so much part of our daily life, we often don’t notice how many food-related holiday events are involved.
As we get closer to the holidays, the “real” sales and the good coupons will become fewer. Because the stores know the closer it gets to Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the other winter holidays, the more likely it is you will buy – whatever the price.
Thi ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
One thing about being vegan, it forces you to learn to cook!
As a vegetarian, you can still get by on takeout and frozen food. And almost every restaurant in the Charlotte, NC area now has at least one, often several, vegetarian options.
As a vegan, your only takeout options might be on the other side of town. There’s not much ready-to-eat in the grocery, unless you want to spend a lot of money on frozen veggie burgers and Tofurky deli slices. And restaurants that have multiple vegetarian options may not have a single vegan offering, except for salad.
And so we cook.
And become obsessed with v ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
Recently, I celebrated another birthday. (Which, for those who are wondering, puts me somewhere in between “younger than springtime” and “older than dirt.”)
A long time ago, when we were both vegetarians, my partner signed us up for a number of “Birthday Freebies.” Since our birthdays are close together, we were able to use our coupons at the same time and dine out for free for a week! A typical day might start with a free pancake brunch at IHOP, followed by a birthday dinner of free veggie burgers at Ruby Tuesday, followed by cups of free Dippin’ Dots. (What a cruel i ..read more
VegCharlotte » Frugal Vegan
4y ago
I love my vets.
But, being the mom of four (formerly five) furbabies – sometimes I just can’t afford them!
Every pet owner knows what I’m talking about. The biggest downside to having pets is the amount spent on their care. When money gets tight, we often:
Pay for our pet’s medical care and neglect our own medical care (this is so me);
Delay vaccinations; or
Skip spaying or neutering.
When it came time for my newest kitten to be spayed, I was stressed about the $300+ her surgery would cost.
My friend, local cat rescuer Marni Miller, recommended Spay Neuter Charlotte, a nonprofit cl ..read more