Question:

Dear CAKE,

I am feeling very stressed. In my household there are 3 people who will eat anything, and 2 (including me) that are vegetarian. I was a lacto-ovo (milk and eggs) vegetarian but I have recently turned vegan. I feel so good about doing this because it’s the right thing to do. However, I feel horrible because we don’t have a lot of money to be buying extra things like soymilk, fresh veggies and fruits. I want to do this so bad, but I hate the way everyone looks at me when we're planning our meals. I feel like I’m being a pain, and getting on everyone's nerves. Do you think that I shoud continue doing the right thing and stay a vegan or hold off until I can live by myself? Thank you for your time.

Signed,

Worried Vegan

Answer:

Dear Worried Vegan,

Forget about sharing groceries with every single one of your roommates. Don't eat any of their food. Go on your own grocery trips and share the cost with whomever wants to eat like you do in your household. Keep the drama to a minimum, just let everyone know this is what you're going to do.

Here's an inexpensive vegan recipe that you could cook every day without getting tired of it, while at the same time recruiting housemates to your cuisine. Start by boiling a coarsely chopped potato. Drain the water and set aside. Saute chopped onion in olive oil, and when it's cooked down a little, add thin slices of carrot, julienned zuchinni, then a protein if you feel like it (tofu, seitan, or tempeh). After a minute of cooking, add the potatoes back. Start with salt and pepper and go from there with whatever herbs and spices you might want to toss in. There are so many variations to this.

Your other roommates will start to express an interest in the healthy and cost effective food you are making.

Good Luck,

CAKE

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