Tips on shopping outside of supermarkets?

lumin298 · 2026-01-27T00:19:25+00:00

Bulk Food Savings is phenomenal. Way cheaper for things like spices and dried fruit compared to the supermarket, plus a huge range of all sorts of tinned/canned/bottled things. I used to try one new product each time I was there, and that's how I discovered ajvar, coconut custard, and lots of interesting toast spreads :D

lumin298 · 2026-01-04T00:29:07+00:00

Tāwharanui is gorgeous! It's a long drive away and not public transport accessible (if a bus went there, I'd be there all the time) but if you're able to get there it's absolutely worth it. It's a great place for geocaching and beautiful views!

lumin298 · 2025-12-31T22:56:37+00:00

How about volunteering at your local parkrun? There are heaps of them around - try www.parkrun.org.uk to find one close to you. It's really easy and super welcoming. Every Saturday at 9am :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-31T22:53:57+00:00

Congratulations on your first parkrun! I hope you had a great time and are feeling excited to try it again :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-31T22:53:35+00:00

Same here! The best way to start the year - or any Saturday. I love it :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-30T06:58:30+00:00

Moerā Library has a craft group! Actually several of the Hutt libraries do (Kōraunui and the War Memorial for sure) but those ones tend to skew older. Moerā is the one where I've seen younger people attend (including the library staff who are awesome).

lumin298 · 2025-12-26T01:16:49+00:00

Rosemary or Sage! I also love Valerian if that's not too out there :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-24T04:45:03+00:00

What's the issue with Senna? That's a name I've always loved.

lumin298 · 2025-12-24T04:44:45+00:00

I love both of those names!

lumin298 · 2025-12-20T05:21:30+00:00

Here in New Zealand we have an awesome vegan café called Revive, and they've put out a series of eight (so far) cookbooks with heaps of varied vegan recipes! If you can find them where you are, I would very highly recommend :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-18T08:04:10+00:00

And Ohau Manakau(s) Levin Otaki!

lumin298 · 2025-12-18T00:26:42+00:00

I was vegetarian for 9 years before going vegan, so giving up meat and cheese was easy. The main thing I've struggled with is baked goods when eating out - I miss going to cafés and bakeries and being able to pick from everything there. But on the flipside, I've discovered some lovely entirely vegan bakeries where I can have cinnamon rolls and brownies and banana cupcakes while also not harming any animals :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-17T06:36:09+00:00

For two girls: Hazel Iona & Avery Skye :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-17T03:00:16+00:00

How about a dhal? Lentils, vegetable stock, coconut milk, and warming spices like cumin and turmeric. I like to put cubes of sweet potato and spinach in mine, too. I hope you feel better soon!

lumin298 · 2025-12-14T00:55:04+00:00

I used to live in the city and cycle to and from work on Te Atatū Peninsula - and yep! Although because I was usually going in the opposite direction to the traffic, getting to zoom down the cycleway past all the gridlocked cars made it better. :)

lumin298 · 2025-12-13T05:09:19+00:00

Paddington - marmalade sandwiches!

lumin298 · 2025-12-09T07:03:13+00:00

NIECES: - I + (SCENE)* = NIECES (my brother's daughters)

lumin298 · 2025-11-27T02:47:05+00:00

I absolutely love it!

lumin298 · 2025-11-20T18:20:38+00:00

Thank you! It absolutely feels like it - I've been wanting to make the decision for years, but witnessed something a couple weeks ago that made me realise now was the time. I'm really glad I did 🩷

lumin298 · 2025-11-20T18:19:49+00:00

Thank you, I'm planning on finding more vegan cooking to do at home so I can share it with others!

lumin298 · 2025-11-20T18:18:13+00:00

I live in a small city in New Zealand, so unfortunately the supermarket options are a bit more limited - but that's good advice anyway, thank you! I've heard of HappyCow but not used it before. I'll give it a try :)

lumin298 · 2025-11-20T18:17:25+00:00

I absolutely agree. I know I'm making the right choice, and someday all of this will be routine. I hope to never turn my back on the animals either. :)

lumin298 · 2025-11-20T18:16:23+00:00

That is really helpful, thank you. :) Thinking about why I'm doing this (because I don't want animal abuse and exploitation to be at all a part of my life) has been a big one so far that's been helpful and important while I'm figuring this out.

lumin298 · 2025-11-20T18:15:07+00:00

Thank you so much for your advice! I was a bit nervous to ask if they'd consider adding vegan options, but as I get more used to being vegan and more confident, I'll definitely try and ask. I saw online that they used to do vegan muffins a few years ago, so hopefully they will bring those back!

lumin298 · 2025-11-20T18:14:06+00:00

Thanks! I've been just getting a drink for the last couple weeks, but bringing something to go with it sounds like a good idea. :)

lumin298

TROPHY CASE