kvhpkh
Joined: 03/01/10
Posts: 30
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Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 10:45 AM
I would really like to see an actual grocery list for the week, not just a list of menus. This is a HUGE hindrance to me - and I am sure to others. It is a very valuable tool that has been left out. I feel too overwhelmed to try and come up with it on my own. What does everyone else think about this? (When I joined Nutrition MD to get my list - they didn't have any of the recipes presented in the diet, that was no help at all.)
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Susan Levin
Joined: 12/26/09
Posts: 1191
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 11:26 AM
We did compose a grocery list with all the recipe ingredients, but it was incredibly long and a bit daunting. It also did not allow people to shop and buy only for the recipes they wanted to try. So we voted to do it this way. Not perfect for everyone, but we tried.
Susan Levin, MS, RD PCRM Director of Nutrition Education
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DianeJ
Joined: 01/01/10
Posts: 134
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 11:36 AM
I am not following the menu plans each day, using them for ideas,however, so I would not use a grocery list of required items. However, it did not take me long to make up my own "basic" list of frequently used items that I keep, checking before making my shopping list. I am, however, very familiar with these vegan foods. For someone that this is very new to, I can understand that it may be daunting, starting from scratch. Maybe a basic "frequently used" list would help?
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Susan Levin
Joined: 12/26/09
Posts: 1191
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 11:47 AM
We posted a basics list during the pre-Kickstart. You can access it here: http://www.21daykickstart.org/resources/grocery_list.cfm. You can find it listed as an option on the 21-day meal plan page: http://www.21daykickstart.org/mealplan/index.cfm.
Susan Levin, MS, RD PCRM Director of Nutrition Education
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kvhpkh
Joined: 03/01/10
Posts: 30
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Since you did already compose it, it would have been nice for it to be available to those who feel they need it. I understand what you say about it being a bit long and daunting....that is what I am feeling about the diet - that it might be too costly for me to pursue. Susan Levin wrote:
We did compose a grocery list with all the recipe ingredients, but it was incredibly long and a bit daunting. It also did not allow people to shop and buy only for the recipes they wanted to try. So we voted to do it this way. Not perfect for everyone, but we tried.
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Wild4Stars
Joined: 12/27/09
Location: Florida
Posts: 832
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Eating healthy can be a bit costly. There are no fast food, 99 cent vegan burgers out there, but it's still more cost effective than dealing with the diseases brought on by the SAD (Standard American Diet). I saw a post once that said, "I'd rather pay Whole Foods Market now than Merck Pharmaceuticals later!"
Vikki ~ Wild4Stars@gmail.com
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kvhpkh
Joined: 03/01/10
Posts: 30
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Valid point.
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DianeJ
Joined: 01/01/10
Posts: 134
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 1:40 PM
Actually, I don't think a plant-based diet need be cost prohibitive. Dried beans, brown rice, rolled oats, etc, may be bought for pennies on the pound in bulk. Pick up a few cans of generic diced tomatoes, an onion, some frozen corn and whatever green is on special and you've got great makings! One of the most expensive things I treat myself to occasionally is a pkg. of Tofurkey Italian-with sun-dried tomato sausage, but I hated paying the 4.99 for it...until it occurred to me that there was never a pkg of meat or chicken that I bought that was less than that. This journey can be whatever it is that you make of it, hard and not "doable" or challenging but fun. But definitely healthier! 
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kvhpkh
Joined: 03/01/10
Posts: 30
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 3:42 PM
I am getting excited again about making some changes. I don't think I'll go with the full diet right away but, I definitely am going to choose some of the recipes and incorporate them into our meal plans. We have to start somewhere. I look forward to the day I can "whip" something up from ingredients that are foreign to me now. DianeJ wrote:
Actually, I don't think a plant-based diet need be cost prohibitive. Dried beans, brown rice, rolled oats, etc, may be bought for pennies on the pound in bulk. Pick up a few cans of generic diced tomatoes, an onion, some frozen corn and whatever green is on special and you've got great makings! One of the most expensive things I treat myself to occasionally is a pkg. of Tofurkey Italian-with sun-dried tomato sausage, but I hated paying the 4.99 for it...until it occurred to me that there was never a pkg of meat or chicken that I bought that was less than that. This journey can be whatever it is that you make of it, hard and not "doable" or challenging but fun. But definitely healthier! 
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marcia
Joined: 01/01/10
Location: Rockford, Il
Posts: 101
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 6:16 PM
One of my favorite go-to meals is Southern Beans and Greens. I always keep a can of beans and Kale or Spinach on hand, when I feel overwellemed on what to eat. I started the kickstart Jan. with no knowledge of some of ingredients and I'm still getting use to some of them. I really like the forum because it is so helpful.
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lenlin
Joined: 12/31/09
Location: Oregon
Posts: 43
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 8:02 PM
I found on the first go round I did have to buy lots of things, spices, vinegars, etc. and it seemed a little spendy. This time however I have those things so I've really spent a lot less for groceries than when I was eating SAD. Plus I feel wonderful and am enjoying this new way of eating very much. Thanks for this program. And I've lost 14 pounds since Jan 1 with no feeling of deprivation!
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TexGal
Joined: 02/25/10
Location: Texas
Posts: 111
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 9:38 PM
I agree on the cost savings of a vegan diet. I am spending a lot more on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, and stocking up on beans and other basics. But I have cut out the sodas, candy, and fast food, as well as meat, so I am saving more than the cost of the healthy foods. You can spend a lot on prepared foods, meat replacements, etc., but you don't have to do that to follow a healthy vegan eating plan. If cost is a concern, you might want to look for vegetables and fruits that are on sale or economical and plan meals using those, instead of necessarily buying specific vegetables that may be called for in a recipe.
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summerperk
Joined: 01/01/10
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 40
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 1, 2010 at 10:46 PM
I do spend more on groceries than I used to. It bothered me at first, but the quality of what I'm putting into my body is so much higher than what it used to be. I also found my taste over the first month changed enough so that I noticed more subtle flavors of food, and so buying beautiful (usually organic) produce, was worthwhile and my "reward" to myself for sticking with it. It's an investment in my health--both now and my future. Well worth sacrificing in other areas. Having said that, I am fortunate that my budget is flexible enough so that I can adjust my spending in other areas accordingly. I also don't eat fast food anymore, and that was costing me more each month than I wanted to admit. Addressing something else you mentioned in your post: Trying every new recipe can easily become overwhelming, and there are times when I just wanted something familiar. I found that initially I tried a couple of new recipes a week, but also veganized my favorites--tacos, chili over a baked potato, etc. I also started with recipes that sounded good to me, after two months of this have become more adventurous. Everyone's path is a little different. I see the menus posted as being the ideal. Some folks can immediately go there, and others take a slightly different route. Good luck--stick with it!! It's worth it!! 
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JamieR
Joined: 01/01/10
Location: Mendocino Coast, Northern California
Posts: 116
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 4:23 AM
I wanted to chime in about the cost of vegan eating as well! I've been doing this since the January Kickstart, and I've been keeping track of my grocery bills, just to see if, for me, going vegan (from vegetarian with omni DH) was going to be more expensive. What I found is that my first shopping trip was quite expensive...the week's meals plus the pantry staples that would last more than a week (vinegars, spices, sauces, etc.) This shopping trip took a long time as well, as I had to read LOTS of labels to see what was on plan. My subsequent shopping trips have been much quicker (less areas of the store to go to )...and much cheaper. I go to Safeway (for cheap basics), a local upscale grocery (for quality produce and unusual items), and a local health food store. I've been averaging about $75 each week after the first. I do buy organic when I can; I believe we're worth it!  This $75 a week is FAR less than we've spent on food before. I'll admit there were months when I was incredibly lazy, and didn't cook as much as I should, so we ate out a lot (or DH brought it home). That $75 is like 2-3 dinners out (we live in an expensive area) We're mostly eating very close to the ground, IYKWIM. Pretty much the 4 PCRM Food Groups...all whole foods, no faux meats. It can be surprising cheap...and good...and good for you!
September Kickstart Goals: Walk/bike daily, keep up with forum, 100% low-fat vegan experimenting with maximizing FLAVOR!
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kvhpkh
Joined: 03/01/10
Posts: 30
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 1:04 PM
Thanks for everyone's comments, I do appreciate them and am feeling more positive about the changes. JamieR wrote: I wanted to chime in about the cost of vegan eating as well! I've been doing this since the January Kickstart, and I've been keeping track of my grocery bills, just to see if, for me, going vegan (from vegetarian with omni DH) was going to be more expensive. What I found is that my first shopping trip was quite expensive...the week's meals plus the pantry staples that would last more than a week (vinegars, spices, sauces, etc.) This shopping trip took a long time as well, as I had to read LOTS of labels to see what was on plan. My subsequent shopping trips have been much quicker (less areas of the store to go to )...and much cheaper. I go to Safeway (for cheap basics), a local upscale grocery (for quality produce and unusual items), and a local health food store. I've been averaging about $75 each week after the first. I do buy organic when I can; I believe we're worth it!  This $75 a week is FAR less than we've spent on food before. I'll admit there were months when I was incredibly lazy, and didn't cook as much as I should, so we ate out a lot (or DH brought it home). That $75 is like 2-3 dinners out (we live in an expensive area) We're mostly eating very close to the ground, IYKWIM. Pretty much the 4 PCRM Food Groups...all whole foods, no faux meats. It can be surprising cheap...and good...and good for you!
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il2bwskip
Joined: 03/08/10
Posts: 1
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RE: Grocery List
Posted Monday, March 8, 2010 at 3:28 PM
then quit labeling it grocery list please, it is irritating to think you will get a list but just get all the recipes that you've already spent the time to print out...
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