Hello! My name is Allison Moore. I am a sophomore at Southern Oregon University majoring in Communication. I have been vegan for around two years. I became vegan for my health and for the animals. I love eating in a way that is cruelty-free and makes me feel great. Vegan food is absolutely delicious and I would recommend a vegan/plant-based diet to everyone!
How do you stay vegan on a budget?
People associate being vegan with a lot of money, but I actually spent way less on food when I became vegan! If you buy lots of replacement meats it can add up quickly, but if you stick to a plant-based way of eating then it should not break your budget. I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, beans, and rice from Shop N’ Kart and I find it very affordable. Pinterest has some great recipes for vegans on a budget. Another tip I have is to buy from bulk bins instead of small containers. If you love nutritional yeast like me then you should definitely check out the bulk bins–it is so much cheaper than buying it in a bottle! If you want to eat for cheap I recommend making the majority of your meals at home because it is much cheaper than going out.
What was your biggest challenge changing over being vegan?
The biggest challenge was giving up cheese. I love all different types of cheese and I had a really hard time finding a great vegan cheese. I have found that the brand Daiya carries “cheddar” slices and I love to use them when I make grilled cheese. I did not have a hard time giving up meat, but if you miss meat then Beyond Burgers are a great option that taste and look very similar to beef.
Do you think there are enough vegan options available in Ashland?
I do not think there are enough vegan options in Ashland that are affordable. I came to school in Ashland because I heard they had great vegan options, but I have not seen what people were talking about. I find most of my favorite vegan foods in Portland, OR. Ashland does have a few great restaurants like NW Raw and Calderas. I usually order waffles from NW Raw and a tofu sandwich from Calderas. I really hope more restaurants start offering vegan options. Harvey’s Place does not have anything vegan on the menu, but they are very accommodating and helped me create a beautiful vegan salad.
What is your favorite vegan dish?
My favorite vegan dish is protein bowls. These are bowls with rice, multiple different types of beans, corn, avocado, cilantro, tomato, salsa, and anything else you want to add! I make these at home and you can also order them from places like Cafe Yumm or Melange Eatery.
What are your top three vegan recommendations in Ashland ?
I would recommend NW Raw, Calderas, and Green Leaf. I enjoy NW Raw because they are 100% plant-based and it is delicious. Calderas is very accommodating with making things vegan and the waiter/waitress is always very understanding on what being vegan means. Green Leaf has an amazing spaghetti dish that can be modified to make it vegan. One of my other favorites is Melange Eatery, but that is in Medford, OR. I am looking forward to continuing to try and find new vegan food around Ashland.
Oregon Chocolate Festival
It’s melted! It’s dark and creamy! It’s coming for you! Every year, in the sleepy college town of Ashland, Oregon there comes a swarm. Of chocolate lovers! March 6-8 2020 is the 16th annual Oregon Chocolate Festival at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites. While tickets are $20 for the day and $30 for the…
VEGAN PIZZA!
There is a growing population of Vegan and Vegetarian options popping up on menus all over the world! We here at Taste of Ashland have been inspired by one of our editors, The lovely Allison, to share a favorite recipe for the much loved and coveted pizza pie! The recipe below is from a great…
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Taste of Ashland 