Q: I am sure I want to be a vegetarian, and I've been doing some research. The problem is that I don't have the support of my family. My mom explained to me that she couldn't buy special food and cook a different meal for me, since no one else in the family wants to even try. Therefore, if I want to become a vegetarian, I must save my money, buy my own groceries, and cook my own food. I would do this but my allowance is only so much, and I don't have a job yet. I feel like no one understands. How can I become a vegetarian? I am only 13, so should I wait a while until I have a steady job or try it right away? PLEASE HELP! -Jessica (future vegetarian teen)

A: I had a similar experience when I became a vegetarian at 15, and while it is difficult being the only vegetarian in the house, it is possible to feed yourself on a tiny budget. First, take a look around your kitchen and see what foods in your house are vegetarian. You may see a lot already. Pasta, rice, canned beans and vegetables, bread, peanut butter, oatmeal, fruit, and potatoes are all foods that your family may already buy and eat. If so, you have the beginnings of some tasty vegetarian meals already. If not, there are still ways you can become the vegetarian you want to be on your limited budget.

Rice and potatoes are two very inexpensive staples to start out with. Either of these can be the base of your meal. To make things tastier and add a little nutrition, you need to add a sauce or topping. Toppings can include your favorite vegetarian sauce or leftover bean dishes such as vegetarian chili or soup.

Beans are also inexpensive and are an excellent source of protein and fiber. A 15-oz can of beans costs about 40-50¢, and dry beans are even cheaper, but require some planning and more preparation. With beans you can make a tasty vegetarian chili, bean burritos, bean spreads for sandwiches, beans and rice, bean soup, and more.

Canned, diced tomatoes cost around 50¢ for a 15-oz can as well and are very versatile. They can be used as a soup base (just dump in a pot and add an undrained can of beans and an undrained can of corn, heat, and you have soup!), in vegetarian chili, and in or as pasta sauce.

If you don't have a good vegetarian cookbook yet, you can either find an inexpensive one at a used bookstore (be sure to read through it to see how difficult the recipes are to make) or you can find a vegetarian recipes website on the Internet. My favorites include vegweb.com, fat-free.com, vegsource.com, and veganmania.com. Two cookbooks you may want to put on your Christmas list are How It All Vegan and The Garden of Vegan, both by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer. Both of these easy-to-use, fun cookbooks are beginner-friendly and use easy-to-find ingredients.

Once you start cooking for yourself, be sure that you save all you can and waste as little as possible. Save your leftovers in a sealable plastic container in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave, stove, or oven for another meal. The more food you save, the less you'll have to buy.

Also, you could talk to your mom. She may think that vegetarians require lots of expensive, exotic food, when really, they don't. Explain that you can eat several of the foods that your family may eat already, such as rice, vegetables, pasta, beans, bread, peanut butter, fruit, and potatoes. Some of these are probably foods your mom already buys, all you have to do is prepare it to your liking. She might be a bit more understanding after she realizes this.

Here is an easy and inexpensive recipe for Vegetarian Chili:

1-2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt (or fresh garlic)
1 15 oz can beans, undrained
1 15 oz can chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon carob or cocoa powder
Squirt of ketchup
Squirt of mustard

Combine everything in a large skillet or pot. Cook over medium-high heat until everything is hot and bubbling. Makes 4-6 servings. Note: You can use any kind of cooked or canned beans in this recipe: baked beans, chili beans, plain beans or your own leftover beans. For leftover beans, use 2 cups drained beans and 3/4 cup liquid (bean liquid, broth, water or tomato juice).

--Stephanie is the editor of The Cheap Vegan.

If you are a veg teen living on your allowance or a college student trying to save your pennies but still be veg, you're in luck! If you've never heard of The Cheap Vegan you are missing out!

The Cheap Vegan is one of our favorite publications, and it's only $12/year for 12 issues delivered straight to your mailbox! (International subs are $20/year.) Get a sample copy for $1 ($2 international) to see what you think.

Send check or money order in US dollars to:

Stephanie Scarborough
P. O. Box 715
Weatherford, TX 76086

Send Stephanie a question