Hello, hello guys! I was about to post another recipe, then remembered I had a grocery haul video sitting on my phone.
Before I chat about the grocery specifics, I’m going to talk briefly about shopping and plastic. After my last video, I had some feedback about “all the plastic” in my shopping.
I talk about this in my video, so have a watch.
But, why even address this?
I address it for others coming into the diet.
Scenario: You are new to eating vegan, or maybe new to eating more whole foods vegan, and watch a video like this vegan grocery haul.
Would it make you second guess your choices?
Would you think it’s wasteful to buy all this produce housed in plastic?
Would that discourage you?
That’s what I want to prevent. Discouraging others from moving into this abundant, healthy, compassionate diet.
At the outset it may appear that we bring in more plastic because of the sheer volume of produce consumed on this diet.
We must remember that eating plant-based is the one effort we can make that has the biggest environmental impact.
Before recording this video I saw a piece about zero waste. It was impressive to say the least. The efforts that some people make to shop without any waste are remarkable. Despite our own family’s commitment to recycling, reusing, and composting, we don’t nearly touch these minimalist efforts.
Though I’m not sure many families can, realistically. For most families it’s an effort to make a meal rather than get take-out.
So, in my efforts to remain realistic – as blissful as my vegan utopian bubble may be – I share this vegan grocery haul.
Plastic and all.
I’d appreciate any thoughts you have, and thanks for reading & watching!
x Dreena
Kate s says
Thank you for the great video! And I think you are doing the best job you can with the plastic issue. I understand completely. I’m not sure how you could do more when the foods you need are prepackaged in plastic. Everyone should be doing what they can to help the environment and you are doing a great deal. Driving to another store to find non-packaged produce wastes fossil fuels, and not everyone has farmers markets year round (I live in CA so I am spoiled). Great job as usual!
Frankie says
I leave unwanted packaging at the store. I will take produce out of containers and hand them the containers . I know I run the risk of them mot recycling it , but if enough people start handing it back to them , then maybe they’ll get it. I wish I could find a use for pickle jars and the likes. Perfect jars , but I just have too many to keep so I have to recycle them. Bulk Barn has just started allowing you to bring in your own containers. I love it – finally!!
It’s freezing cold here so I will be trying some of your recipes this weekend in my batch cooking for the week
Dreena says
I imagine that takes some time. Good for you, but yeah, we don’t know what the store will do with it ultimately.
I should take a pic of my cupboard. Hubby got into keeping all our jars for cups. Some the labels won’t come off, but it’s kinda’ neat b/c you know it’s ‘your’ drinking jar when using it! But, we are also running out of space. I told the girls they will get a couple of boxes of jars for drinking glasses when they move out. Hee.
Enjoy the recipe excursions!! Thanks Frankie
William says
I’m not sure that giving the plastic to the store is necessarily an effective approach since it isn’t the store that packages the food. It comes to the store in those packages. And you’ve already purchased it so the profit has been made. Then your leaving it up to the cashier or whoever to recycle it, which I’m betting doesn’t happen. Most standard grocery stores don’t even have recycling. Most of their trash all goes into a compactor to be hauled to the landfill. I totally understand you’re wanting to make a change in the “system” and I applaud your dedication and ingenuity. I apologize that I don’t really have a better idea either.
I think the first step is to reduce the amount of products that are packaged in plastic. That way the profit isn’t made on those items. Secondly would be some sort of movement to make stores recycle if they aren’t. Then get as many people involved in these same things. Make it known that you’re not buying products that are wrapped in plastic. Thanks.
Penny says
I understand the convenience factor completely. But that really is an obscene amount of plastic! The first “R” is reduce.. Couldn’t you try to reduce it even by half?
Dreena says
How would you suggest to do so? When the foods are packaged this way. As I mentioned in the video, we recycle everything. And compost. And I pack lunches for my family *every* day in reusable containers. How would you reduce further through months that farmers’ markets aren’t an option?
Penny says
Some grocery stores don’t package everything and I reuse the bags I take over and over. I’m not being crabby about it but the first R is reduce, then reuse and last recycle. Not all that recycled plastic gets reused. I’m not perfect, just discussing the issue.
Dreena says
We do the same with bags, and bottles/jars. It’s a tricky balance. Vegan is first and foremost, before reducing and reusing. The energy consumption, water usage, and pollution is far beyond anything we can make up for at home while eating meat or consuming dairy. Thanks for being part of this dietary movement.
Adriana says
Dreena, Thank you for sharing all this. I have been cooking recipes from your books for 6 months now, and just love them. I feel pissed also about not having organic or fresh options other than packaged food, which I think in the case of organic may be in a way counter intuitive in the philosophy of taking care of the environment; otherwise I undersand it helps avoid contamination and keeps freshness. But at least one tries to do our best to reduce plastic consumption, and from there, reuse and recycle.
Regards, Adriana
Dreena says
Thanks Adriana, thanks for your good words about my recipes – so glad you’re enjoying some new goodies!! Yeah, it’s odd that organic is packaged so heavily. We can only do our best from there, as you mention. I reuse containers a lot and those we don’t, hit recycling! Thanks for the comment.
Ulrika says
Great video! I also wish they could stop using the banana tape and plastic wrapping, at least you can recycle the packages but it still is not desirable. I too shop at the Canadian Superstore and love their brand, but mostly I shop at No Frills but they don’t have as many choices. Just curious what you spent on your shopping? I find produce to be very expensive right now.
Dreena says
Right? I recently bought bananas that had wrap ++++ stickers on *every* banana, front and back. Geez. I’m not that interested in scamming organic bananas lol. I’m not familiar with No Frills – that in eastern Canada? I spend a ridiculous amount right now, I wouldn’t even want to publish it because it would be discouraging! But, that’s partly because I’ve been recipe testing for the past year or more, and when I’m in that mode I always over-buy to have everything I need at my fingertips! Plus my teenage girls eat a lot of food now – oy!
Ulrika says
Organic bananas aren’t usually that much more anyways! No Frills is in Ontario with PC brands as well as their own No Name. I have 4 teenage girls at home so I know what you’re talking about with the always hungry issue/eating a lot.