Raw & vegan grocery budget tips

Fall seasonal fruits

1. Buy in season. Fruit is outrageously expensive in the winter time, except for those fruits that are harvested during this time. For example, persimmons, pears, apples, oranges, and citrus are harvested in the fall and winter months, so they will be more available and cheaper for the consumer. Buy berries, tropical fruit, and tomatoes during the summer, and buy root vegetables and greens throughout the spring and then fall/winter months, as this will be when these foods are harvested. Of course you can buy berries frozen during the winter, and you'll know they were picked in season.


2. Buy from the reduced price wrack. Grocery stores strategically place reduced price wracks towards the end of the produce section. They usually wrap the produce in red mesh bags and reduce the price because they are older. But usually if they're older fruits and vegetables, that means they are then perfectly ripe and ready to eat. Most fruit in the stores are not ripe let alone fit to eat, so always check the reduced price wrack. As you can see in the photo below, I purchased star fruits and an eggplant, squash, and potatoes on the reduced price wrack.

3. Buy fresh first, and next best is frozen. Always buy fresh produce seasonally, but if you see that frozen berries are on sale, you'll know they were at least picked and packaged frozen when they were at their ripest (when they were in season). Frozen fruits and veggies are healthier and cheaper alternatives to buying canned foods. I will say, though, I have never had luck ripening fresh peaches, and so I never buy them at the grocery store. I absolutely will not buy fresh peaches anymore because they'll stay hard for weeks and then turn brown to mold. I'll buy peaches canned or frozen, but there isn't anything better than a peach picked perfectly ripe off of the tree in your own backyard...
4. Buy sale items in bulk. When pears are on sale in the fall and winter, buy the pears in bulk. Ask the produce guy or girl if they will give you a box of pears. If persimmons are on sale, buy in bulk.  It's healthier to eat several pears or one fruit at a time anyway, because this is easy on the stomach to digest and assimilate nutrients. Also, it's better to buy more fruit than any other grocery item. When you have lots of fruit around you, you'll go to the fruit rather than the junk food snacks. If you find that the bulk fruit items you purchased are ripening too quickly, store in the refrigerator or freeze them in plastic bags/containers. I have more information on storing, ripening, and how to avoid fruits from ripening here: How to store, ripen, & keep from over ripening bananas (VIDEO)
5. Avoid expensive specialty and processed items. I have found that all of these special "vegan" or "raw" snacks to be expensive for the quantity of the product. Vegan burgers, patties, a bag of Daiya brand vegan cheez, and nutritional yeast all cost nearly $4 dollars each to make a meal. For me, the least expensive items are those that are fresh produce that is seasonal.
6. And most importantly, grow a fruit and nut tree, and garden. The best time to plant a fruit tree was 20 years ago, and the second best time is NOW! This year I probably produced thousands of dollars worth of food that I grew and ate for free!

garden harvest 2014

If you live off of government assistance, chances are it isn't enough money to survive on, but there are other means such foraging seasonal fruit and nuts, and dumpster dive for produce. Big corporations compact waste, so absolutely perfectly ripe produce gets thrown out. It's awful that our society produces so much food that it could feed everyone, yet the people that run corporations are so greedy, they won't donate the food! It angers me to my core that because of capitalism we have so much, but most of it's disposable or thrown out, and no food is given to those in need. I posted a video of John Oliver talking about Food waste, see post here: John Oliver explains America's food waste problem.

Inexpensive Vegan Meals & Convenient healthy snacks

I have come to an understanding that I am not going to convince the masses to go vegan by pushing them to eat solely raw, whole, fresh fruits and vegetables. Most of you know that a common breakfast for me are seven to ten bananas blended with water. For lunch and snacks I eat other fruit, especially dates, apples, and mangoes and orange juice as these are inexpensive and convenient foods to eat.

Although I cannot convince others to eat a fruit-based diet, I can convince people to add fruit to their diet. Adding fruit instead of other foods will greatly improve digestion and overall health.
Presenting healthier and cruelty-free alternatives of burgers, pizza, sandwiches, scrambled "eggs", "ice cream" and the like can change people's perspective of the Vegan diet. It can be much more satisfying, filling, and nutritionally advantageous than any other diets.

I have lived without animal and animal derived foods for nine years as of April 2014, while my partner has for seven to eight years. I have become acquainted with hundreds of other people that live without ailments, and have greatly improved their health and even reversed cancers and diseases.

Here, I have compiled a list of recipes/photos that will encourage non vegans to try some cruelty free foods. These meals are inexpensive, filling, nutritious, low fat, and are Vegan boyfriend-approved.

Vegetable Lentil Burgers

Above are Vegetable Lentil burgers I made back in 2012, for my partner. He loved these with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion in toast.

To make the burgers, boil lentils for 30 minutes or more, drain, and mash in a bowl. With the mashed lentils, add shredded carrots, zucchini, and onion with a little flour (oat or rice flour, etc). Add as much flour as needed till they form perfectly shaped patties. Add seasonings if desired.

Cook patties with a little oil, on medium heat until one side of the patty is completely cooked. Then flip to cook other side.

Serve patties with vegetables and condiments of our choice on your bread of choice.

This meal is a healthier alternative to hamburgers and even some other vegan burger recipes, because of the high fiber content of the lentils, carrots, and zucchini.

**I highly recommend limiting fried burgers, even fries, chips, and other foods containing oils because of the high fat content. High amounts of fat, like in meat eaters diets, will clog cells and cause disease in the body. You will find in the list I recommend limiting some of these foods, and I myself do not eat them anymore because I continue to clean up my diet.

Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sauce

As you may notice in the following recipes, I love Asian cuisines. And also notice that with this list of recipes provided, you can pick up large quantities of similar ingredients for every different dish.

This recipe calls for Spring roll wrappers. Simply julienne your vegetables (carrots, zucchini, squash, onions) and cook with a little water and seasonings of your choice.

Boil water for your Spring Roll wrappers.

After water comes to a boil, pour in a large bowl to soak wrappers to make pliable.

Make a sauce of peanut butter and soy sauce for dipping rolls.

After veggies have cooked, add to wrappers and roll like a you would a tortilla.

Dip rolls in the peanut butter sauce.

Vegetables and rice

This next Asian cuisine uses the same ingredients of carrots, zucchini, squash and onion.

Simply boil rice while lightly cooking vegetables.

It is not best to fry vegetables or cook them in oil. If you're going to cook vegetables, slowly cook with vegetable broth or vegetable stock. You could also cook veggies with a little water and spices of your desire. Garnish with sesame seeds!

Keep in mind, you should use a ceramic (lead-free) skillet for cooking food. Many pots and pans have been coated with plastic and contain lead.

Vegetables and Noodles

I have replaced the rice from the previous recipe with rice noodles for this dish.

After I boiled the rice noodles, I cut raw cucumber, carrots, and green onions to garnish the noodles.

I am not sure what I used for the sauce on the noodles, but I may have used soy sauce and garnished with sesame seeds.

Vegetable Spaghetti 

Another great dish everyone loves is spaghetti. Boil spaghetti noodles, buy a vegan spaghetti sauce from the store (make sure it is dairy, meat-free). Saute peppers, mushrooms, and onions in small amounts of water. After vegetables are cooked to desired, add spaghetti sauce. Drain noodles and add to your spaghetti sauce with vegetables.

Burrito Bowl (or burrito wraps)

Here  a Mexican cuisine I call the "burrito bowl".

Simply boil rice and black beans, then combine with salsa, lettuce and a little avocado (or guacamole).

Add lime for a little zest~

Canned beans have absorbed the salt and so usually high in sodium, and preservatives are also added. The better option is to buy dried beans, and if using them soak overnight and boil with water for 30 minutes or more when ready to use.

**If you prefer eating a burrito wrap, use corn tortillas or whole wheat tortillas as healthier alternatives. Tortilla wraps are usually high in fat because they contain oils. Eat less tortilla wraps and increase the rice and beans to feel fuller.

Peanut butter Ramen (Extremely poor person's food)

I understand the position people are put in when they can only afford Ramen noodles. One pack of ramen noodles is $0.20 cents compared to one organic red pepper that costs $2.50, or the $1.35 per avocado, or one pound of bananas that equates to $0.57. I have not personally bought Ramen but I have had to eat ramen noodles in desperate situations (when I was at my Dad's house for the weekend, etc). I DID NOT use the chicken seasonings--just the noodles. I would make my own seasonings of chili powder, garlic powder, soy sauce (peanut butter optional), and Add sesame seeds for garnish (or raw green onion, cucumber or carrots).
**I repeat, Ramen noodles are to be eaten when in desperate need, as they are one of the most unhealthy foods. High in fat, using genetically modified wheat, high in sodium. Overall Ramen makes you feel sluggish but in the end makes you feel full.

Carrot and Pea Soup 

Soak green split peas overnight. Boil the peas, with desired amount of carrots, celery, and onions.

Use vegetable broth or stock in place of water and seasonings when boiling vegetables.

After you cook the vegetables with the broth or stock, let cool then transfer to a blender to create a creamy soup consistency.

Any variation of vegetable soup or bisque is a great low fat lunch or dinner option.

Vegetable-only Sushi Rolls

Buy seaweed wraps from a safe source (for example, do not get from Japan considering the nuclear waste spill).

Boil rice and let cool.

Transfer small amounts of rice spread onto a sushi wrap, then add sliced pieces of cucumbers, carrots, tomato, avocado, spinach (or any vegetable of your choice). Layer vegetables vertically.

Then roll each wrap into a long burrito shape, and cut small portions of the wrap to create bite-sized pieces.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds, no need to dip in soy sauce. Soy sauce is high in sodium and usually contains genetically modified soy beans. Plus, seaweed as a Vegan food is debatable because it contains much fish contaminants. 

**I would limit the amount of sushi intake. Actually, I probably will not eat Sushi any more, as it was a phase for a year, and I cannot separate the idea that Seaweed comes from polluted water.

Butternut Squash Chili

**The combination of food may be eccentric, but I am using ingredients (peppers and tomatoes, beans and butternut squash) because they come from my garden.

If using dried beans, soak them overnight. Or you can use canned organic black beans, kidney beans, red beans, or pinto beans (any bean of your choice). Cook butternut squash first, along with onion, peppers, jalapeno pepper, tomato (or salsa). Add canned beans. If using beans that have been soaked overnight, cook beans separately from butternut squash and veggies. Then add veggies to the beans.

Vegetable Pizza

Gluten free alternative with oats

This is the most common, most loved, and favorite food of America. Most Americans identify pizza as their number one favorite food. I may have to agree that it is a very stimulating food, because there's something about bread, sauce, and toppings that is appealing.
This is a very easy concept, prepare your dough first using a low fat recipe alternative (without using oil). Use a tomato sauce or a vegan pizza sauce and Slice vegetables like mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and olives over top the dough.
Recipe for Low fat dough:

2 cups of flour
1 cup potato flakes
packet of instant yeast + 1/3 cup water
1 cup water
Italian herbs, seasonings

Add 1/3 cup of water and yeast  in a cup, stir and let sit for 10 minutes or longer. In a large bowl, Stir dry ingredients first: add flour, potato flakes, Italian herbs (sage, basil, marjoram, thyme, garlic powder). Then add yeast and the additional water. Knead into ball, keep in the bowl and cover with a wet cloth for 30 minutes or longer.
After 30 minutes, Preheat oven at 400 degrees. Grease pizza pan and layout dough into desired shape. Prick holes in the dough and Bake dough for 3-5 minutes. Afterwards, add sauce and toppings, then bake for 15-25 minutes. Daiya Mozzerrella cheese sprinkled over top the pizza is a nice addition, but unnecessary added fat.

Main dish Plain Potatoes 

Another easy recipe is simply boiling 6 potatoes. Sweet potatoes are best. Cut potatoes into cubes and boil in water for 15 minutes or more. Juice a lemon over top of potatoes to create a buttery taste. Serve with lettuce.

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To me, there is no meal better than eating 5 mangoes for lunch, 10 bananas for breakfast, or 30 dates, 3 lb of strawberries..Eating fruit makes me feel my best and gives me energy, so a usual grocery week for me is 20-40 lb of bananas, 10-20 lbs of other fruit, pasteurized juices and smoothies, frozen concentrated juice, frozen fruit, dehydrated fruit, canned fruit. Because I have created an importance in my life towards growing fruits and vegetables working towards self sufficient gardening, I receive free medicinal health benefits from the fruits and vegetables.

I explain to others the mis-truths about Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates, emphasizing that an increase in Fats and Protein can harm the body, specifically animal fats and proteins. Instead, a diet rich in Carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, grains) are healthier options. It is well documented and heavily studied that a diet emphasized on fruits and vegetables alone will reverse cancer, heart disease, cholesterol, blood sugar, allergies, arthritis, tumors, and more. So encourage your family members and friends to make small changes in this direction as well, because it could really save their life, or avoid spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical care.

If you are starting out, taking the Vegan diet slowly, purchase small amounts of Fruit you like. Do not eat anything you do not favor the taste of. If you don't like Kale or spinach, do not eat them, eat Lettuce instead. If you do not like Cantaloupe, eat Watermelon, or if you hate bananas, eat Mangoes.

But of course you can buy Convenient, quick and healthy snacks, for example...

Frozen concentrated Juice. Simply add whole or half of the carton into 2-3 cups of water, mix in a blender. Here I have bought the Pineapple-Orange Juice Frozen concentrate, which I usually add with frozen raspberries or strawberries. Although it seems like a lot of calories, juice does not contain the amount of fiber to feel "full". Consuming a larger quantity of juice will allow you to feel satisfied for longer.
** Warning: Be aware that some Orange Juices contain Calcium Lactate (animal derived), so watch out for labels that say "Plus calcium" or "Added Calcium" on the covers. 

You may also notice below the cartons of concentrate is a box of frozen bananas. With a food processor, add almond milk and frozen bananas, blend to create ice cream consistency. Banana "nice" cream is a puss-free, hormone-free, fat-free, cruelty-free dessert that tastes like a vanilla milkshake.

Canned fruit and dehydrated fruit are other healthy snack options. Only will I buy Peaches and pineapples canned. I cannot imagine any other canned fruit to have the same consistency and taste as if it were fresh as Pineapples and Peaches do.

I'm not proud of the Del Monte brand Peaches...

Dehydrated fruit, dates, mango, grapes (raisins), blueberries, papaya, pineapple are my favorite. Any time I hang out with friends, I always bring a bag of dates, or my friends and family keeps a bag of dates at their house for me. Raisins are the next best dehydrated fruit because it is inexpensive compared to Dates. Raisins can be added to cereals and oatmeal. Buy the Old fashioned oats to make oatmeal as they have not been processed and do not raise blood sugar.
Keep in mind that dehydrated fruit like dates can aggravate your teeth, much like jerky or meat wears at your teeth. Eating a fresh raw diet of fruits, vegetables, and greens will prevent tooth problems.

Bagels can serve as a low fat alternative for breakfast or snacks. Toast or warm in the oven.

Another healthy snack is applesauce. Actually I made a full meal out of the applesauce jar you see below. It contained nearly 600 calories in total, and I ate every bit of it as a snack. I have always believed that it makes little sense to eat small amounts of unhealthy food when you can eat large quantities of healthy food.

Organic brown Sugar and dates are also seen here which are great ingredients for cereals or oats.

In the next photo I have burrito wraps. Wraps are usually high in fat, and it may be best to not eat too many wheat products, however 2-3 burrito wraps with rice, beans, salsa, and avocado will be filling enough to avoid taking in more bread.
I will say you can make a burrito bowl like I have demonstrated in the above "Burrito Bowl" recipe.

In this next photo, I have "Silk brand Almond Milk" which is fortified with 50% more Calcium in milk, vitamin D, B12. Actually when cow's milk is consumed, the acidity leaches Calcium from your bones to neutralize the pH of your blood. I highly recommend dropping the cruel Cow's milk and begin purchasing "Silk" because it contains necessary vitamins and nutrients that most meat eaters are lacking in their diet. I also have "Naked" brand Blueberry smoothie, mostly because it was on sale and the Odwalla orange juice was also. When I go to hang with friends, I usually bring a large bottle of juice that contains a meal's worth of calories.

Don't forget to eat fresh raw salads and smoothies as well.

Bananas + Spinach + Mint + water

Bananas + water + drizzle of blueberry

Soaked dates + water & spices

A diet of raw fruits and vegetables will allow your body to self-heal. There are many different styles of the Vegan diet, the most optimal is a low fat, mostly fresh fruits and vegetables diet, little nuts, seeds, avocado, and no oil. 
This diet and lifestyle is not a struggle, however. Many people even body builders go Vegan. Once it becomes revealed to you the horrors of the meat and dairy industry, this lifestyle is easier than

Familiarize yourself with the literature on Fats, Proteins, Carbohydrates, diet and lifestyle. For example, Read materials from Vegan doctors, Dr T Colin Campbell of The China Study (one of the most comprehensive nutrition study ever undertaken), Dr John McDougall of the Starch Solution, Dr Greger, Dr Doug Graham of 80/10/10, Dr Neal Barnard of "Reversing Diabetes", and many more...

In the photo above are Vegan "fats", for example Avocado, guacamole, vegan "Nayowhipped", tortilla wraps. There are some over ripe bananas and vegetables in the picture too. Avocado goes well in salads, sandwiches, over rice, and burritos.

Foraging for Wild Edibles (Fall & Winter)

Foraging is an option for a vegan that tends to live nomadic or freely. Living on the land by growing your own food may not be an option for you, so the next best way to consume free, organic food is by exploring the world around you for fruits, nuts, greens, herbs, or seeds. It is no wonder that raw foodists believe their diet is ideal because wild herbivores live day-by-day foraging for their own food.

However, foraging may be ideal for those who live in warmer climates. For example, Wild herbivore animals may not have access to fruits, greens, beans or nuts during the winter, which may lead to consuming road kill, insects or small critters (Which makes us different from animals because we have the industry to provide year-round fruits and veggies so we do not have to resort to eating animals). Of course, our forests have been destroyed of the plentiful fruit and nut trees in order to log for money, so it is also no wonder we could hardly live or thrive off the foods found in the woods in this modern day.

Gardening Mistakes 2013 & Tips + Photos

Gardening is a continuous learning experience, from understanding your climate to the location of certain plants. Last year I wrote a piece on the mistakes I made and how I needed to improve for this year (you can read that entry here "4 Mistakes I've Made as a First-year Gardener").

I have compiled a whole different list of the mistakes I made as a second-year gardener below. In the list I highlight the methods I intend to use next year and other practices...

Government Still Hasn't Found a Way to Help the Poor

Hard problems can be resolved with simple solutions. Albert Einstein said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Solutions require change from individuals, even something as trivial as voting with our dollar. 
  Although it sounds that I shift the blame of the Government limiting resources, it is not so. Is it really Capitalism? 
Does it matter who is to blame? 
Perhaps we shift perspective by taking away the concept of Hierarchy... 

I can say, "Government doesn't realize the necessities of poor people because they have never been poor" or "Government officials, Democrat or Republican, create bills, laws, and programs without understanding where poor people come from, the situations they are in, and the stress that encompasses all aspects of their lives"; or I could say, "Government limits the poor getting their needs met: Quality food (organic, fresh, and nutritious), clean water, and decent home". I used to have this thinking, that a "Man" oppresses minorities, low income families, and I suppose I still think that as White men do own, control the most in the first world. And I do believe this country is under a Hierarchy. 
This "Stick-it-to-the-man" was very much my attitude in High School, but I have expanded my views a bit. In fact, lets shift the thinking from "The man", when in fact: you're 'the man', he's the man, and she's the man as well (TOOL reference from Hooker with a Penis song).
In the case of consumerism, we have a choice where our money goes. We may have little choice in jobs, but we do not have to buy 'things'-- we do not have to buy from Wal-Mart, or any other conglomerate.
Instead of voting who becomes in the position of hierarchy, lets vote with our dollar, or begin trading with one another locally. Walmart is notorious for dominating small towns in Rural areas. 
Perhaps a bigger message to those in power would be to completely stop voting. What if 300 million Americans decided against voting for a President; and learned a Trade (message therapist, hair dresser, gardener) to cut out the middle man and support one another skills. The middle man always makes more money than the wholesaler and the person purchasing the product or service usually pays more for the good than necessary. 

What if everyone saved enough money for land, or shared land with family or some community in an effort to live off-the-grid? Solar panels would replace Coal (a finite resource); Rain collection would replace water companies and fluoride-free drinking water; Organically home-grown food would replace grocery stores; building with all natural materials (like Cob Homes) would replace toxic building materials found at monopolies like Lowe's; use bicycles instead of cars to end the Oil industry; quit buying plastic that supports petrol; quit buying paper-based materials that kill trees. 
I imagine it would be quite simple to end these Corrupt, Wealthy, Destructive corporations if we stopped believing that we need them.

It seems the "problem" is that the Poor is seen as entitlement, and our taxes which go to Medicare, Medicaid, School Grants, Food Stamps, WIC, and other programs seem like robbery. Perhaps it is robbery, and the little money we make should not go to things we do not believe help the Poor.
And it seems the "problem" comes from the Poor living dependently. So the solution would be to shift the Poor to live independently from Government and tax-payers. If the case is that we need to help the Poor come to live independently, the solution seems to point to Homesteading. 

Homesteading entails self-reliance on a small scale, where food, clothes, housing, energy, and other commodities are maintained and created off the land. Because Homesteading allows the Poor to grow free food, and other free resources it teaches others how to live within the environment, without destructing the environment, without pollution, and without the demand from other beings (corporations, organizations, tax-payers). 

Growing food does take time, but takes little knowledge and effort. Likewise, building your own home out of free materials also takes little knowledge. ANYBODY can grow food and build their own home out of earth (straw, clay, and sand), which are all free materials. I have several posts on building a Cob home here and here.

As I have mentioned before, cob homes made out of clay soil, straw, and sand are virtually no to little cost because of their availability. Actually the only cost when constructing a home out of all natural materials is the cost of gas in transporting these materials. However, if you're obtaining these materials on your own land without the need of transporting materials, then you will be constructing your own at a cheaper price. Even growing Winter Wheat to dry out to use for straw will allow you to save money.

My perspective of our world is this: with all the waste and trash our society produces, we can feed, house, and clothe our nation's poor. Much food, supplies, clothes goes to waste because of the mass production in America. We simply discard food that we barely touch, and yet it is illegal to dumpster dive. What makes sense in this? (Recently I heard of volunteers get fined by the government from feeding the homeless/poor). 

Not only that, but America demands clothes and supplies from other countries instead of producing our own. Why are we raising cows in India, have them shipped, then stripped of their skin in order to be shipped to America to use for "leather", "suede", "fur". As of now, we could end mass producing clothes with all the clothes in second hand stores.

National Geographic, from their article "Feeding 9 billion" states "A bumper crop of corn piles up outside full silos in Brazil's Mato Grosso state, which sends much of its grain to China and South Korea to feed pigs and chickens. The demand for more crops to feed livestock is one reason experts say we'll need to double crop production by 2050". And what makes sense that America destroys forests and land in order to raise cattle when we could raise crops for feeding our poor?

Traditionally, people have a job, then you need clothes for that job, then that requires a vehicle to get you to that job, then that requires insurance for the vehicle, then you have to buy a house so you're not laughed at for living with your parents, then you get married and have kids which becomes costly in itself. Before you know it, you're $100,000 in debt just to live!

The Poor aren't the only ones with inequality, when Living itself becomes profitable to corporations. It's true you're being brainwashed from advertisements to purchase unhealthy food, or costly clothes, or costly cars, but you bought the Television that brainwashed you! And you're the fool that believed in holding onto Traditions when you have to purchase $400 worth of presents for your family, friends, and extended family at Holidays!

I hear people say they wish they weren't in debt, they wish they didn't have to have a job until the age of 60+ years old, etc, and I think: There is two sides to this story. On one hand, it's too costly to live without a College education, and we want a high paying job so that we can buy a house, and take care of our family, and be comfortable for the future. The Middle class wage is declining while the 1% keep getting richer (as you can see in the picture above). The United States ranks 64th in the world of income inequality, just above Jamaica and Uganda!
And then on the other hand, ask yourself: why did I have children? Or why did I get married to have a costly wedding? Or why did I go into debt for an education, a vehicle, or a house? What were my Other options: living like a Stinky Hippie on a Commune? Well, essentially yes!

There is Government assistance in place that pays for a portion of your Grocery costs, and Kentucky Food Stamps will also pay for Vegetable and Fruit seeds. These are small but beneficial ways Government has helped my partner and I survive without jobs for the last three years. If Government wants to continue their Socialistic society (like having Free Public Library Books and assistance programs), then we could also implement programs that would provide communities (Homeless peoples) with a couple acres of land, build homes out of free, recycled or all natural materials, and teach them how to grow their own food, and implement solar energy. A Man from Texas actually does this for a living, gets funding from Government to help Single Mothers, Poor people, and others to live independently from the Government that once pretended to help them. Watch the video below of Dan's amazing work.

If Government must be in place, and Anarchy is too radical for our society, then I envision a Government that funds groups through Grants which would provide low-income family's seeds to grow their own food, Solar panels, rain collection systems, and other self-sustainable devices as to work towards complete independence for all peoples! At that point, would anyone need money or materials from businesses any longer? I assume there lies the underlying, corrupt problem of why Big Government does not want to help the poor. Corporations and lobbyists actually manipulate the Government, and want to keep people dependent on their products and services in order to get bigger and bigger gains.
The top 1% wants their vacations, their boats, spas, fancy dinners, fancy mansion parties. The top 1% is happy that you made them rich. And you fell for it.


I digress, I have another post which I speak about the details of Homesteading, in this post "How Single Mothers (Homeless, Needy, or Poor) Can Live for Free".

Homesteading is an Investment, which is why it would be better for the poor to be helped by the government to create this type of lifestyle. 1 acre of Land will cost you $20,000 in Kentucky. Fruit trees cost between $30-50 per tree, and equipment becomes pricy once you create a collection of gardening supplies.
But what the government doesn't tell you is that: they don't want you to live self-sufficient and independent from them. Although they give much money through welfare, medicare, medicaid, and the like to all the poor, they still want you to FEED into the system (buy a toxic-home, buy health insurance, buy electric, buy fluoride-laden water, buy a car, buy car insurance, feed your children processed foods, and the list goes on.) Why would they want you to be a homesteader if it means you're going to break away from the things they want you to pay into? Actually I hear of many cases where FBI will spy on Homesteading communities in an effort to bust them for growing Cannabis plants or any trivial case they can profit on.
The other day I heard a strange story here of a man getting arrested then fined $300 for wearing a Peace shirt.

For myself, I have never lived above the poverty line, and my Mother as well. My Mom takes care of eight people, while six people live under a small roof, including a dog. My Mom wishes someday to live with freedom, retired, perhaps living close to the beach. It's a small dream, but the Poor have small dreams. They, we, just want to be happy and comfortable. We don't want much, just our basic needs met: food, water, shelter, maybe a shirt or a pair of pants.

Veganism is the cheapest diet?!

First of all, veganism being too expensive is a weak excuse for not eating healthy. Have you ever heard of a heroine junkie quitting drugs because they were too expensive? No, because if you want something badly enough, you'll do anything to obtain it. With that said, veganism is as expensive as you make it. Poor families in Africa and Asia live off of fruits, vegetables, and rice because they cannot afford meat.

5 QUICK, CHEAP, LOW FAT VEGAN MEALS/SNACKS FOR EVERYDAY

1. BOILED POTATOES (not fried) are very low fat. In fact, eating four, medium-sized, boiled potatoes are as low as 0.5 grams of fat. Although that may be a 400 calorie meal, it isn't the calories you should be worried about -- it's the fat you need to stay away from. It is best to prepare potatoes by boiling in water or baking in oven. If eating potatoes for dinner, strive to eat 3+ potatoes or until your stuffed. Have a salad before eating potatoes.

 

2. BOILED RICE (not fried) are very low fat because 2 cups of boiled rice is 0.9 grams of fat!! Two cups of boiled rice for yourself is about 400 calories. Do not be ashamed of the amount of calories/food your intaking. Because vegans and vegetarians do not eat meat, dairy, eggs, or chicken -- we do not fill up our bodies on fat, so we tend to eat a little more than the average meat-eater (isn't that ironic?)

Losing weight fast vs keeping the weight off

I have seen people lose weight, by eating the least nutritious diet. Actually, I have a friend that lives off Ramen and cigarettes, which has contributed to his 75 lb weight loss in FOUR MONTHS!!! That is a remarkable amount of weight in a little amount of time. In some weird way, I was jealous of his weight loss (not that I want to lose 75 lb...I would blow away with the wind.) Then I started studying my siblings' diet -- which live off meat and bread, but who are incredibly much thinner than I am. But my partner reassured me that their metabolism would eventually weaken and slow down, as my friend eventually will, and they will become much larger as they get older. Thank goodness for boyfriend's reassurance!

But focusing on those who WANT to lose weight for good: you cannot shed weight fast and expect to keep the weight off on a calorie-restricting and carb-restricting diet. Calories and carbs don't make you fat  -- FAT MAKES YOU FAT.

Raised Bed Garden Ideas & Using Free materials

The number one rule in constructing raised beds, is to be creative. And to be creative, use materials around you. By using materials around your house or finding materials in nature, you're making a project for FREE, being environmentally safe, recycling, reusing, and building an intimate relationship with your garden. Below are examples of the types of raised beds you can construct yourself.

Tin or house siding sheets

Source: Creative Garden Supplies

Logs/Wood (Vertical & Horizontal)

Source: Instructables

Source: Curtis and Kaye Absher

Rock (Cross-stacking & Packing)

Source: Sally Gardens

Source: Container Gardening For You

Other Recycled, Cheap, and Effective

Materials for making Raised Beds...

• Pallets 
• Cylinder blocks
• Tires
•  Steel Tubs
•  Trash cans/buckets/Plastic Containers
•  Wagon/Wheel barrel
•  Aquarium/Glass windows for cold-frame raised beds
•  Ceramic structures (toilets, sinks, tub)

My partner and I are constructing our raised beds out of plastic siding that we already had lying around. Below are pictures of the first raised bed/box garden my partner made, which was made up of boards from pallets.



Watch the video below by John Koehler, discussing examples of Container Gardening, vertical gardening, and ways in which you grow food to conserve space:
 

How to Take the Guess Work Out of Eating Vegetarian, Vegan, or Raw Food

When you're interested in changing your diet, you immediately look for recipes online or buy cookbooks -- not really looking for information on how to make the transition easier, or how to be healthy.

But, what if cooking is NOT your thing? What if you cannot prepare a meal for yourself because you're not good at it? What if you don't have time to prepare a meal? And what if you're just fed up with looking for recipes that end up costing you a butt-load, and they take so much time to make? Or what if you just don't know what to make to eat, because you're too tired?

The easiest, cheapest, and cleansing method, for taking the worry and guess work out of preparing a meal, is: eat mono meals. "Mono meals" is a phrase used to describe eating ONE vegetable or fruit (usually in large quantities to get your calories) at one meal. For example, for breakfast: 1 large watermelon; for lunch: 5+ apples; and for dinner: 9+ bananas -- strive for 2500 (women) & 3000 (men) calories a day on fruit!

Three Ways to Grow Food & Other Plants for Apartment Dwellers (Indoors/Outdoors)

3. Bottle & Terrariums: Terrariums are not typically used to grow food, however they are gorgeous for growing tropical plants in your kitchen, bathroom, and living room to create a peaceful and natural atmosphere in your home. Tropical plants love three things: heat, and dark moist soil.

The "art" of terrarium making is choosing the type of glass container. You could use an old, glass coffee pot, aquariums, mason jars, glass salad bowls, and glass viles. The pictures in this section will give you an idea of how to create innovative, recycled, and unique crafts for edibles or decorative plants.

Below are instructions on how you can make your own terrariums (from the Gardener's Eden):

photo Source: How to Reuse Your Plastic Bottles for Crafts 

Step One: Purchase pea gravel or find some small stones from nature (which is important for drainage.) Secondly, purchase sphagnum moss or find some moss from nature to hold in the soil and retain moisture (optional); and for native plants, purchase peat moss (if desired.) Lastly, purchase quality (organic), dry potting soil. Take this project to the next level by collecting materials from the park, woods, or stream for stones, bark, and twigs. Select and buy small plants from a local greenhouse/florist or through online resources. For food sources: grow strawberries, herbs, and aloe vera in terrariums.

Step Two: Fill the bottom of the glass container with about an inch or small layer of pea gravel.

Step Three: Add a layer of sphagnum moss (sometimes called sheet moss.)

Step Four: Add potting soil, and peat moss (if you are planting acid-loving natives like ferns and moss). Make a mound so the plant will be visible from all sides.

Step Five: Add materials you found -- just get creative with the structure; and moisten the jar thoroughly with a water-filled spray bottle. Let the contents settle for a few minutes.

Step Six: add your plant(s). Mist your terrarium thoroughly after planting and cover with the glass lid (if your jar or glass container came with one.) Check your plants over the next few days and water with your mister if they seem dry.

2. Vertical Gardening: This method for growing food and other plants is ideal, if you a fireplace or community gardening space in your neighborhood. Even if you have a little amount of space, you can make it work! Here are some photos that may inspire you to do the same:

Source: Emily Saurus (Flikr)

Source: Eden Makers Blog

Source: Sprig Love Mulch: Vertical Gardens

You can construct your own vertical tower or stand with old an old wood or metal ladder, book shelf, baby cribs, metal spring matress (to create trellises for cucumbers and squashes); or use pallets that are thrown out behind grocery stores. Another idea: you can purchase a Topsy Turvy planter for strawberries and tomatoes at Big Lots or Dollar Generals for dirt cheap! Topsy Turvys can be used outside or inside the house (perfect for renters.) The last photo, above, shows that someone used an old, cloth shoe wrack. 

For more ideas on how to recycle materials for vertical gardening, go here to scroll through photos: Pinterest "Vertical Gardening" or go here for using trellises at Pinterest "Trellis Gardening"

1. Container Gardening: The most common and most creative method of gardening, for apartment dwellers or renters, is using containers (because their cheap, and you can literally find containers for free on the side of the road.) Also, they don't have to be containers -- you can grow food in old boots, old stumps, or bottles. When it comes to gardening in containers, the options are endless, because there are varieties of plants that can thrive indoors or in a small space. Consequently, you need to be concerned about: what plants need more growing space (how big does the container need to be), what plants can grow in the shade (like parsley, garlic/chives, spearmint); and what plants need to grow in the sun (windowsill.) Actually, you can grow tropical fruit indoors, if you wanted to!

Source: Trash to Treasure

The first thing you should do is: choose plants you KNOW you will have time and resources to manage. The most popular plants to grow (for renters) are herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. But if you aren't a tomato or pepper eater, what's the point in growing those things? If you're favorite plants to eat are broccoli, strawberries, and kale -- then those are the plants you need to be growing. Choose 3-5 vegetabes and 4-5 herbs to grow.

If you cannot decide or you would like more of a variety and options, I would recommend buying the "Emergency Food Survival Seed Non-gmo Non-hybrid Variety Pack" on Amazon, which includes a large variety of organic, quality, vegetable, fruit, and herb seeds for VERY cheap. I bought this survival kit a few months ago, and I'll be using these seeds this summer to grow food. As of now, I have broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cilantro, peas, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, beets, and onions started indoors from the survival pack -- and they're doing great so far!



Source: Trash to Treasure

Source: Trash to Treasure

If you want EXPERT advise and tutorials (with videos) on how to create your own container garden, go here to check out CanarsieBK's youtube channel, which is full of information on this topic. He has lived in an apartment for years in New York; and he does videos on how to grow food with messages that are short, sweet, and to the point. Another expert gardener, whose messages are longer and in more detail, is John from Growingyourgreens on youtube -- he will give you MORE examples of vertical and container gardening, as well as how to make raised beds (if you have a yard); and John will give better tips on how to grow the best quality food.

Information on Terrariums from: The Gardener's Eden

Watch the video below by John Koehler discussing examples of Container Gardening, vertical gardening, and ways in which you grow food to conserve space: