I’ve actually found that it can be cheaper to live a vegan lifestyle! During my first semester of college, I didn’t follow a vegan diet and over the course of the semester I definitely bought a fair share of snacks and takeout from restaurants. When I started my vegan diet, I had much more limited options in terms of what I could buy conveniently. I didn’t order takeout nearly as much, and when I did purchase food it was well thought-out and budgeted for.

In-season produce can be really cheap, and tofu is usually less than $3 per package, which is great! When I ate a completely vegan diet over the summer while working a very intensive outdoor job, my average grocery bill was about $30 to $40 per week. The secret is buying bulk oats, produce, and other staple items! There are lots of resources on Pinterest for finding grocery lists and bulk essentials, and I have written a number of posts on the vegan section of my blog as well!

Q2: What does a healthy vegan diet include?

Lots of raw foods and minimally processed snacks! Many people tend to think that being vegan is a big limiting factor when it comes to what you can eat, but the options are truly endless. There are so many substitutes for common non-vegan items that are sometimes even cheaper and more readily available than their alternatives! Some of my favorite non-dairy milks include almond milk, cashew milk (especially cashew milk ice cream!), and coconut milk. Tofu, polenta, and veggie burgers make for great meat alternatives and can be incorporated into many different recipes! Many people worry about not getting enough protein, but raw foods and plant-based products have a great balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Q3: What if my college dining hall doesn’t offer vegan options?

I have definitely been in this situation, and it isn’t easy. But I’ve found that I’ve been able to adapt and feel much better because of it. My college dining hall does have a vegan station, but it is quite sparse and a bit lacking in nutrients and variety. I only go for dinner, and I make a weekly trip to the grocery store to stock up on breakfast and lunch essentials.

For breakfast I love to make rice cakes with nut butters (peanut and almond are my favorite), and there are great cereal options with non-dairy milks. Oftentimes non-dairy milks are cheaper than dairy milk, and Kashi brand cereals frequently have coupons.

I work on campus during the popular lunch hour, so I have gotten in the habit of packing my lunches. This can be easy and affordable as well, with salads, vegan ramen, and sandwiches as options. I’ve found that there are often sales for easy lunch sides such as chopped vegetables, applesauce, and fruits. Even though it can be slightly more challenging than lunch at the dining hall, I have noticed amazing health and budget benefits. It also lets me get off campus when I make trips to the grocery store!

Q4: Is there an easier way to get essentials other than frequent stops to the grocery store?

Thrive Market has been a lifesaver for me as a busy college student, especially around midterms and finals! It’s an online organic grocery store with all of the dietary options that you might need. They have gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan options, and many more. They are extremely affordable and often have great promotions! I usually have a vegan protein powder for smoothies on hand (one of my essentials), and they always have it in stock and often on sale.

There are also other subscription services (Vegan Cuts, UrthBox) but I haven’t had as much success with these.

I hope these tips help you in your journey to becoming more plant-based in college! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to send an email to thewisewillowblog(at)gmail.com or to send me messages on any of my social media accounts!

Each semester seems to only get busier, and I’ve had to adopt new strategies for fitting self-care into my full schedule. I started to develop an interest in Numerology and Astrology during high school when I was looking for ways to ground myself during times of high stress, and they have helped to ground me in college as well. This week is mid-semester exam week at my college, and I have found myself being more pressed for time each day. That being said, I have been able to use my time between classes, work, and meetings to re-center myself and acknowledge any stress that might be taking a toll on my overall wellbeing.

Horoscopes and Tarot Cards

Horoscopes and tarot cards have been very grounding for me in times of stress, and they only take a few minutes out of the day. Most people have their own routines in the morning, and looking at my daily and weekly horoscope is one of the first things I do upon waking up for the day. As soon as I am reasonably awake (and have my mug of coffee), I will look at my horoscope for the day (I’m a Virgo) on www.astrostyle.com. These horoscopes help to give me an idea of what might be challenging for me during the day, and start my morning on a positive note with their authenticity and humor. On Sunday evenings, I also look at my weekly horoscope to get an idea of what I should focus on during the week.

Horoscopes have helped me to identify areas that might need more attention during the week (such as how I respond to others, my finances, etc.), when I have many other obligations. I always look forward to the release of my monthly horoscope, as it is usually an in-depth analysis of the financial, lifestyle, and health considerations for each month.

I also use Tarot cards to ground me in times of stress. I have three oracle card decks made by Doreen Virtue, and they’re perfect for learning about what I need to be aware of for the day. Usually cards such as Drink More Water, Stay Focused, and Environmental Awareness show up during times of stress. It helps me become aware of things I might not notice right away, and is a fun way to take a break from studying! Anyone can do Tarot and Oracle cards, and you can find them online or in stores around the world! For more information about how to use them, you can refer to this post.

Life path numbers and ascending astrology signs are another great way to learn more about strengths and weaknesses associated with your sign (Virgo, for example). I am a life path 8 (there are many online websites where you can determine this number, such as www.astrostyle.com or www.cafeastrology.com for determining your ascending sign). Numerology is a great way to find out how to refine your strengths and talents!

Meditation

During my first year of college I became quite familiar with the feeling of being overwhelmed. The rush of too many emotions to process, and the mental whirlwind of thoughts, left me exhausted and unable to focus on the tasks at hand.

That’s when I started looking into meditation, specifically meditation apps. I stumbled upon an app called Stop, Breathe, and Think in the Google Play Store, and it has changed my life. It first lets you input up to 5 current feelings, ranging on the emotional scale. It then personalizes a meditation routine for you based upon your answers.

My favorite part about this app is that it has meditations that take 5 minutes, and one that take 30 minutes. Whether I have an hour of free time during the day, or ten minutes before rushing out the door, I have enough time to ground myself and address any problems before they affect my day.

There are times when I will start my own meditation routine, which includes drinking Yogi tea and focusing on the present moment. I am someone who can get quite caught up in future deadlines, so focusing on the present gives me clarity about what is important in the moment.

Even though college schedules can get busy, self-care can still be a priority! Small moments of reflection, listening to your favorite songs, drinking tea and reading horoscopes, and focusing on the present can help to ground you in what is truly important.

What do you do to take care of yourself when life gets busy?