• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

HookedOnPlants

When getting hooked is a good thing

  • Jules
  • Why Vegan?
  • Stuff I Love
  • Conversations
  • Recipes
  • Shop: Shirts for Animals
  • Free Recipe Book
  • Contact

Hooked On Plants Interview: Cheap Lazy Vegan + Crispy Korean Tofu

May 17, 2018 By julia

Extreme. Expensive. Difficult. Time consuming. Bland….Not when it comes to Cheap Lazy Vegan food! 

Do those words pop into your mind when someone says ‘vegan’?

Well, you obviously haven’t heard of the Cheap Lazy Vegan.

Rose is the Cheap Lazy Vegan. With over 450,000 youtube subscribers, she’s doing an amazing job at spreading the word that vegan doesn’t have to mean complicated or expensive.

She makes vegan easy and attainable. If you’re still skepticle… watch one of Rose’s youtube videos showing the ease of delicious 10 minutes meals, and you’ll be blown away at the simplicity of it all.

Along with being a youtube star, she now has an all vegan café (SaVeg Café) in Calgary, AB.

To celebrate National Vegetarian Week, it’s the perfect time to get to know Rose and bring some inspiration to you guys for cheap and easy vegan meals!


I was lucky enough to stop by the new café with my glorious Grandma to meet this beautiful soul! We also met her Mama who cooked up an amazing Tofu Sweet Potato Korean dish and a super spicy soup that we easily polished off (so dang good).

Let’s get to know Rose.

Hooked On Plants: Cheap Lazy Vegan resonates with hundreds of thousands of people now!  What was your first youtube video about?

Cheap Lazy Vegan: The first video I did was a simple introduction of my channel where I explain that you can be cheap AND lazy on a vegan diet… along with a “What I Ate in a Day” where I showed viewers some easy, simple meals that I ate in a day.

HOP: Did you come up with the awesome name, Cheap Lazy Vegan? Is there a story behind that?

CLV: I did… I had just moved to London, UK at the time and I was making very little money but spending a lot simply because I was living in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I found myself buying affordable groceries and making very inexpensive meals. I realized that I was super lazy when it came to cooking. At the same time, I’ve always been a foodie so I always have enjoyed taking photos of food. So I just came up with an Instagram page with the handle @cheaplazyvegan which is how it all started… 🙂

 

HOP: How long have you been vegan, and what was the main reason? Animals? Environment? or Health?

CLV: I’ve been mostly plant-based for about 7 years total (I became a pescatarian at first, staying away from meat, dairy and eggs, but still had a hard time staying away from fish) and now I’ve been VEGAN for almost 4 years. I went vegan purely for ethical & animal rights reasons and the other stuff (like health and environmental benefits) were just little bonuses for me. I read some books and watched some movies, which really opened up my eyes to the realities of what happens to the animals that I claimed to “love”. 

HOP: Did you take your time to take animal products out of your diet, or did you go completely vegan overnight?

CLV: It took time. I think it takes time to get used to the dietary aspect but also to mentally get your head around the whole idea. I first gave up meat, then about a month later stopped eating dairy and eggs, then lastly I quit fish, years later.

 

HOP: It is SO exciting that you’ve opened a 100% vegan café in ‘CowTown’! With Calgary being known for it’s Alberta Beef, it’s so it’s so inspiring that you’ve taken the initiative to get more vegan food into people’s mouths! Plus, you’re working with your Mom! How did you come up with the name SaVeg?

CLV: Haha, I really wish I could take credit for the name, but it was actually my friend’s sister that had the idea. I liked the trendiness of the name and the smart play-on-words.

HOP: What was the catalyst for opening SaVeg Café?

CLV: My mom already owned the cafe but it wasn’t a vegan one. I helped out there for just a few hours each day and I felt that my own time and the cafe space could be used in a better way. I wanted to be more involved and help out more, but I knew I couldn’t invest my own time/money/energy in a business that sold animal products. So, I approached my mom about the idea of fully changing the menu and concept of the cafe into a vegan one (and of course, me taking half ownership!). Calgary also is lacking in vegan establishments (in my opinion), so it made sense from a business perspective as well.

HOP: What are you excited about this year? Do you have any other cool projects you’re working on?

CLV: At the moment, I’m trying to juggle doing my social media and running the cafe! I’m focusing on getting the cafe established and learning to manage my time before moving onto other projects. I definitely would like to get involved in some new projects in the future!

Here’s a playlist of Rose’s quick meal ideas: Cheap Lazy Vegan quick meals

I had to share this recipe of hers. These spicy korean tofu bits were the special at her café when we came to visit. They were deeeeeelicious.


Spicy Korean Fried Chicken-Style Tofu
 
Save Print
Prep time
15 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
35 mins
 
Rose AKA Cheap Lazy Vegan's crispy, comfort food style tofu that's good in any dinner bowl or wrap!
Author: Jules
Recipe type: vegan meat, lunch, dinner, tofu recipe
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup almond flour OR bread crumbs
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)

  • Sauce
  • 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean red hot pepper paste)
  • ½ tbsp maple syrup
  • 4 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder (or you can use 1 clove of fresh minced garlic)
Instructions
  1. Press your tofu to take out some of the liquid for about 10-20 minutes… I’ll be honest, I rarely do this because I don’t have the patience.
  2. Cut up your tofu into small bite sized pieces.
  3. Add your tofu pieces into a mixing bowl and add in soy sauce, sesame oil and rice vinegar. Mix until well combined.
  4. Toss your tofu pieces with almond flour or bread crumbs until each piece is nicely coated.
  5. Add into your air fryer at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes – moving them around at around the halfway point to make sure they cook evenly.
  6. While your tofu is in the air fryer, you can prepare the sauce by adding all the sauce ingredients into a small bowl and mixing very well.
  7. When your tofu is finished, mix in the sauce and sesame seeds (optional) so that the tofu is nicely coated in the delicious red sauce.
  8. Now you can enjoy….!!! Warning: these are ridiculously addictive!
3.5.3226

Want more?

Sign up to my emails for weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share with your friends:
Share

Filed Under: Dinner, Hooked On People Interviews, Lifestyle, Lunch, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: air fryer recipe, cheap lazy vegan, comfort food vegan, crispy tofu, hooked on plants interview, korean tofu, plant based interview, vegan dinner, vegan interview, vegan recipe, vegan youtuber

Previous Post: « Raw Vegan Matcha Charcoal Swirl Cheese Cake
Next Post: How to Make an Aquafaba Whipped Cream Parfait | Blueberry Matcha | Raw Vegan »

Primary Sidebar

Search Recipes

WELCOME

welcome-julia-murray

Hi, I'm Julia! I like to simplify plant-based eating and make yummy recipes. I'm a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, certified plant-based chef, Olympian, and I make cereal (Jules Fuel). Enjoy! Read more

Get Hooked

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Instagram

hookedonplants

Your non-preachy, vegan & fitness corner.
〰️ not a typical curated IG feed 〰️
Here to help:
Eat plants, move & love yo’self.
Olympian | RHN
Ebook⤵️

Jules
Whistler vegan catering shoutout! ⤵️ Marie-Ch Whistler vegan catering shoutout! ⤵️

Marie-Christine of @nakedsprout and her team rocked it for my beautiful cousin & bride to-be @karlimur meet and greet! 

If you’re looking for vegan catering in Whistler… shoot MC a DM 🎉
Local vegan biz shoutout! ⤵️ This carrot cake Local vegan biz shoutout! ⤵️

This carrot cake was a hit from Chantelle at @y_g_ki 🎉 

She makes super delish cakes & cookies to order. 🤤 

Order before Thursday, pick up at @alpinecafewhistler.

Happy Birthday Mandy 🎂 
Pizza party & carrot cake extravaganza: 
Don’t forget your moustache. 

#supportlocal #localbusiness #whistlervegan #veganwhistler #vegancake
Tell me your fave vegan cookbooks! @ohsheglows is Tell me your fave vegan cookbooks!
@ohsheglows is the ‘OG and never disappoints. 

Peanut Yam Stew created by my 6-year plant-based mama. 

🤤
We all have that friend. @zakxtez are quite obse We all have that friend. 

@zakxtez are quite obsessed with @virchewdogs 🌱 food. 

Zak’s just a bit cooler about it.
Tez has no filter. 😜

Zak’s thrived as a vegan dog for 5 yesrs now…and Tez? 
She’s energized to the moon on the plant protocol over the last 6 months 🎉 

#vegandog #rescuedogs #veganfood
Drop in the comments: a place you go that makes yo Drop in the comments: a place you go that makes you feel FREE. 

Best travel spot? 
Or maybe theres a time & space in your day to day that brings you that feeling?

….

Here’s your reminder to make the time to go there.
4 pillars of veganism ⤵️ 1️⃣ Animals 2️ 4 pillars of veganism ⤵️

1️⃣ Animals
2️⃣ Environment 
3️⃣ Health (longevity & disease prevention & microbiome diversity)

and the 4th pillar?

4️⃣ PERFORMANCE: 
Countless athletes use the plant-based diet as their secret sauce for next-level endurance & performance, reduced inflammation, faster recovery, and longer athletic careers 🎉 💪

INSPO:

Have you watched the @gamechangersmovie yet?

A quick list off the top of my head of vegan athletes to follow…
 @nomeatathlete_official @torre.washington @badassvegan @fitveganchef @dr.matthewnagra @simonhill @brendanbrazier @switch4good @patrikbaboumian @lightningwilks @tiablanco @plantbasedathleteorg @richroll @lewishamilton @carl_lewis_official @morganmitch @djokernole @leilanimunter @plantbuilt @highsteph @koyawebb @sexyfitvegan @samshorkey @reallylovevictoria @jules_pro_figure @ktfitnessco @fitvegancoachingcom @nimai_delgado @biancataylorm @cp3 @kyrieirving  @scottjurek @nick.s.schafer @k1ngkyrg1os @smalling @hectorbellerin @simnettnutrition @meatfreemarialee @veganbodybuildingandfitness @veganolympian @veganbodybuilding @naturallystefanie …. The list goes on and on…

📖 Have you read the NYTimes bestseller: 
The Plant Based Athlete? 

If you’re a vegan athlete, would love for you to share the benefits you’ve felt! ⬇️
🌱 SKIN LOVING TIPS ⤵️ From a simple is bet 🌱 SKIN LOVING TIPS ⤵️ 
From a simple is better, 30 somethin’, long routine avoiding kinda gal…who wants to support elastin & boost collagen 🤷‍♀️ 

I’ve had an interesting relationship with my skin, especially in high school. 
Did so much to try to manage it…accutane…birth control pills.👎🏼

The biggest skin game-changer for me was going vegan 7 years ago & ditched the dairy especially. 
My skin was NOTICEABLY less inflamed (no more hormones coming from my food). 

I’m not ‘use a million products’ kinda gal, but now at 34, I guess it’s time to start giving a little extra attention to the skin care regime 😆 

🌱 Lifestyle tips + products I’m loving right meow 🌱

#1: nutrition: eat whole plant foods packed with fibre & water content. Minimize the processed foods & sugar. Focus on plant protein from legumes, organic soy, seeds (add a little @Complement Chocolate Protein to your lattes)

#2: support your gut: focus on 🌱 diversity, fermented foods, and add pre-biotics and postbiotics to your life (love @Complement Gut Nurture)

#3: greens: pack your smoothie with as much as possible, top everything with sprouts, add a greens powder to your life (most potent: @complement Daily Greens)

#4: antioxidants! From plants, especially berries. Amp it up with functional mushrooms (hello, @staywyldorganics)

#5: nutrient support: take these 8 skin & hair-supporting essentials (B12, vegan D3, K2, zinc, selenium, magnesium, DHA/EPA omegas, iodine…all in @complement’s daily vegan minty multi) 

#6: creams & things:
I’m a new, huge fan of @puritywoodsinc Dream, Eye,Night Creams, and Elastin Serum. 
Created by vegans at the @art_ofantiaging. 
They use Maple Leaf and other amazing organic plant organic ingredients specifically for skin elasticity and collagen production support. 
And, oh my lawwwrd it smells so fresh & citrusy 👌 My skin is feeling noticeably smoother after a month of this!
Also: algae face mask… slap the ocean on the face with @beauty.botanics made by local, Ahnnabelle 💕

#7: stress less & sweat more: every day

❥❥❥ Discounts ❥❥❥
Links in bio
Code ‘hookedonplants’:
Creams, mask, essentials and mushrooms.

Tell me your skin regime! 
Tips cont. in comments …
3 steps to evolving as a human ⬇️ 1) Listen f 3 steps to evolving as a human ⬇️

1) Listen for that voice inside your head…
2) When it says ‘I don’t think I can do that’ or
‘That freaks me out’ or
‘I’m not (strong/smart/confident) enough to make that happen’ …
That’s your sign to move closer, to jump right in & embrace whatever it is that’s scaring you.
3) Do the thing

Surprise yourself with what you’re actually capable of. 

This is just one of many slices of golden quotes from an interview with my incredible Grandma, Joyce. 

‘Constant learning about one self, constant. 
If only I had only known I could do that, if only I had the confidence, I might have made a few difference choices … we really don’t know until it happens. 
You can surprise yourself. 
You can find abilities you didn’t know you had.‘

Joyce 💕 what a gem. 

Working towards this every day, just a little. 

Maybe you are too? 

What’s the last thing you did that pushed you out of your comfort zone?
Back to School Sneaky Greens Adventure Ballz: 

I’ve relied on these ballz for festivals, 5+ hour mountain bike rides, weekend camping trips, to bash afternoon cravings…and they’d be PERFECT for that back to school lunch box. 

 
🌱These babies are packed with nutrients + they keep their shape and travel like heroes!

Makes: 30 balls

INGREDIENTS:
* 20 medjool dates 
* 1/2 cup oats
* 1/4 cup hemp seeds
* 1/4 cup sneaky greens! (@Complement Daily Greens Powder: broccoli sprouts, moringa, spinach, barley grass and chlorella)
* 1/3 cup Chocolate Protein Powder (@Complement makes the cleanest!) 
* 1/8 cup @staywyldorganics Mushroom powder (5 functional mushrooms)
* 1 tsp vanilla 
* 1/2 cup shredded coconut

→ Complement & Stay Wyld discount: use ‘Hookedonplants’) 
 Links in bio! 
DIRECTIONS:
1. Process oats to a flour in food processor, then blend in your superfood powders (greens, mushrooms, protein).
2. Add dates and vanilla to the dry mix and pulse/blend for 20 seconds, until a large ball forms
3. Spread coconut shreds on a plate
4. Shape date mixture into small balls with wet hands and drop them onto the plate (a few at a time). Shake the plate so the balls get coated with coconut shreds.
5. Once the balls are all shaped and coated, store them in the fridge  or freezer, and they’re ready to pack + go.

TIP: If they’re not staying together just add 1-2 tsp of water to the mix and shape again.

#vegansnack #backtoschoolsnack #backtoschool #healthysnack
Join the Community

Categories

  • Appetizers (24)
  • Breakfast (40)
  • Brunch (9)
  • Dessert (66)
  • Dinner (82)
  • Drinks (7)
  • fall (4)
  • Gluten Free (99)
  • halloween (2)
  • Holidays (20)
  • Hooked On People Interviews (19)
  • Jules Fuel (5)
  • Lifestyle (22)
  • Lunch (82)
  • Oil Free (93)
  • One Pot (1)
  • Raw (45)
  • Ready under 30 (1)
  • Recipes (159)
  • Salt Free (42)
  • Sauces/Dressings (34)
  • Snacks (80)
  • Spring (42)
  • Summer (43)
  • Thanksgiving (13)
  • Travel (1)
  • Uncategorized (157)
  • Vegan Dogs (1)
  • Veganism (16)
  • Winter (32)

© 2016 Veritas Techsoft Pvt. Ltd