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
Mary says
“Though I’m not sure many families can, realistically.” Sounds like a cop out to me. It’s simply a matter of awareness and will. While few of us will ever be perfect when it comes to plastic waste in our homes, we can all do SO MUCH BETTER.
Dreena says
Please share your expertise, Mary.
Do you have children? How many? What ages? Do you work full-time in addition to raising children?
We recycle everything, compost, reuse and recycle items we find in other locations as well. Certainly it’s not a matter of our awareness or will.
I welcome your insight on how to do things SO MUCH BETTER.
Jodi says
Completely agree Dreena. As the Happy Herbivore, Lindsay Nixon says, progress, not perfection. She also constantly reminds her readers that we should support one another, not tear each other down. I am a single mom, working full-time on active duty with the AF, and I do the best I can. Do I always remember my reusable bags? No, but most of the time I do. Do I recycle and reuse? Yes I do. Can I grow my own food? Not in my rental house, while raising my son, taking care of the house, and working full-time. Would I like to? Of course. But the point to my rant, is I’m not perfect nor is anyone else. Our life style of not consuming animal products and eating whole foods greatly reduces the carbon footprint supported by those who eat differently. Support you 100% Dreena.
Dreena says
Hi Jodi, thanks for this note. For some reason I didn’t get a notification so late to approve it. Appreciate your thoughts and support.
Pam Jackson says
For 2017 I put myself on a plastic diet. Changing habits takes effort. I have made purchases and then returned them when I realized that I forgot about my plastic diet commitment. We order bulk produce through the Ontario Natural Food Coop. The produce comes in cardboard boxes. Check to see if there are other options in your province. Never buy vegetables that contain more plastic than food. If it is over packaged eat something else. Let the store know that the item is over packaged. Return it.
CAROL WICKSTROM says
Bravo Dreena!! Well said! Thank you for all you contribute to the vegan community and beyond!!
Dreena says
thank you Carol
Cath Campbell says
Hello Dreena, I am having a very hard time hearing you. Is it me? Have you had any other complaints? I have my volume full up. I don’t mean to complain but consider your information like gold nuggets! Thank you, Cath
Dreena says
awww, thanks Cath! Playing it back, I noticed the volume was low in the middle section, I have to get a little more savvy with these vids. I’ll go into youtube and see if I can adjust the output through there. Thanks for the feedback!
Rachel says
Hi Dreena, I also LOVE your recipes! In Ontario the fresh produce often comes with too much plastic packaging, especially when out of season here. We have the same philosophy at our house: recycle as much as possible and try to buy with less packaging but it’s not always possible. We all have to do the best we can with what we have. Going vegan is definitely the biggest thing we can do for the environment, the animals but more importantly our health!