@@TheRealLydiaSenn Don’t buy what you always buy if it’s cost prohibitive. Try something new or substitute an ingredient. Learn how to cook! Cooking healthfully is simple and requires minimal ingredients.

Buy only what you will eat. Most items are on a 6-8 week sale cycle so buy enough at once to get you to the next sale. For smoothies, buy frozen fruit. No waste. Save all veggie scraps to make broth that you can freeze or can. Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use them in coffee or smoothies. Buy dried beans then pressure cook and can/freeze. Save 75% over canned. Before going shopping look at what you have left and plan a meal around those items. I often find that I don't need to buy anything for that meal or maybe just 1 ingredient. Whatever needs to be used up can always go in a frittatta, soup, casserole, or salad. Use 1/2 the amount of laundry detergent, shampoo, dish soap, and other products that you have been using. Probably no difference. Those red lentils break down and disappear when cooked. Add them to everything, including marinara, lasagna, veggie burgers, to add nutrients and bulk.

Buying items with a yellow sticker, that are reduced as they expire on the same day, but can be freezed, and I freeze them. Stuff like fancy meat or fancy rolls etc. Also, you are so inspiring!

Buy in-season produce and freeze, can or dehydrate what you're able. Grow what you can, even if it's just a few tomato plants or heads of lettuce. Buy meats only on sale/markdown and can or freeze.

You are so, so kind. Thank you.

Perfect!

I do this, too. If the weather permits, I run my slow cooker or air fryer on the back deck to keep the heat out of the house.

I'm making some right now!

I'd heard of a stock bag, but not a jam bag. Thanks for sharing!! 🥰 I do have an apple core bag for apple butter and a stock bag. What sugar, pectin, fruit scrap ratios do you use?

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

They're so good.

I must be over cooking my lentils.

@@lizamcraebishop9176 I cook according to the instructions on the bag. I think it’s like 20 minutes. Then I drain them well and use like ground beef. Tacos, sloppy joes, etc.

@tennesseewalkers9398 thank you

Awesome! Thank you!

Have you had a chance to make pasta sauce with lentils ? My family goes crazy for it.

This is such a great tip!

I ate oatmeal for dinner last night. I love it.

Thank you

He's actually in remission right now. 🙌

Oh wow. Can you share?

Your comment is confusing to me- your first sentence you say you are 100% plant based, then in your third sentence you say it’s not all plants.

@@doubles1545 I guess I mean things like occasionally bread or pasta..

@@cindy7702 oh, ok. To me, those are plants, too. I think what you mean you are 100% plant based but not all whole foods. I think I understand now what you meant.

I used to make it in the crockpot but I don't like the consistency.

I use my instant pot on the yogurt setting for 10 hours and then strain through a cheesecloth until I get the consistency we like (thick)

I use my InstaPot to make yogurt, too! I strain it through 2-3 layers of coffee filters in a colander set in a bowl. It gets as thick as the fancy Norwegian yogurt at the store if you leave it long enough. Then you have all that whey as well, which is a common ingredient in protein bars. Whey goes bad as quick as berries, I would freeze it if possible to be safe. I really need to get back into yogurt making again, lol.