Vegan MoFo Day 24 - Apps for Vegans

Vegan MoFo Day 24 - Apps for Vegans

It's already the last week of vegan mofo? How is it possible??? It's been an interesting month and I'm glad I've finally done this after thinking about it for so long. Maybe I'll do it again next year and follow the suggested themes? Maybe! 

Today I thought I'd share some apps I like. No, not appetizers. Useful smartphone apps for vegans...or anyone really. Only one is veg specific. 

Food waste is a terrible problem in our country. Some estimates are that 40% of food is actually thrown away and not eaten. This wastes tons of money and resources. I think we've all been guilty at some point of forgetting about something in the back of the fridge or pantry that then goes bad. I recently started looking for apps to help me keep track. I downloaded the free versions of Fridge Pal and Pantry Check. I scanned a bunch of the same food items with each app. Pantry Check was hands down better at identifying the food items I scanned. This included some bean pasta, teas, peanut butter powder, and other items. I'm still playing with it and haven't scanned my whole pantry yet, but so far I'm liking it. I am now getting notifications from my pantry (sort of) telling me a particular item expires in a month or so. 

Have you used an app like this? Any you like? 

Pantry Check

Another app I am trying to get back into using is Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen. Dr. Greger brings us the website nutrition facts.org and his book How Not to Die. His app condenses that information and helps you focus on at least the basics. You check off during the day when you have a serving of beans, water, or cruciferous veggies for example. When you check off everything you don't win a prize - unless you count taking steps toward your best health as a prize! Sure, eat some soy ice cream or a vegan donut, but try to get these healthy foods in also! 

Clicking on the little i takes you to his website and the evidence for the recommendations. 

Lastly one of my most trusted apps - Happy Cow! I have used this all over the US to find me tasty vegan food. Even in unlikely places! When I moved to Oregon I drove from NC up to Ohio and then across on I-80 through states like Wyoming and Nebraska that are not exactly vegan meccas. I found a vegetarian restaurant in Wyoming and a raw, vegan restaurant in Nebraska! I didn't always find a plethora of options, but I always found some. This user driven website and app is terrific. And you can add your finds and reviews to it to help out others. Happy Cow is one of my best friends! 

Veg options in my little town.  

Pages of options in nearby Portland.

I love it when technology makes our lives easier. And makes us healthier and happier (and well fed!) vegans! What apps do you rely on in your vegan life?