Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

For the past 6 months I've been barging on motorcycle 20,000 km across asia on vegan diet, so now I'm skinny again!! It's not easy finding vegan food out there on the road! ^_^ Before I left I weighed about 185 lb, now I weigh like 160 lb.

If I go back to America I want to get serious with bodybuilding and my goal is to gain 20 lb of muscle in 6 months. (I don't know if its possible?) Problem is, I don't have a lot of money left, but I don't want to let that stop me from doing this.

Last time I did I saw huge results in less than 1 year. My caloric intake was huge, so I was spending a lot of money on food and I was wondering if theres any cheap ways to reach the caloric intake and high protein requirements, while also being vegan.

I was considering buying TVP in bulk, raw black beans in bulk (then making 100 burrtos), buying 20 blocks of tofu, a 10 lb bag of lentils, and soy milk. Big bags of frozen berries and fruit from Sam's club for post-workout shakes. Any suggestions!?!?

Last time I bought a mix of hemp/soy/pea/ protein powder from
http://www.truenutrition.com/c-71-vegan-products.aspx
is there any cheaper/better options?

I also bought a big thing of creatine like this:




I'd really appreciate your advice on this,
Thanks!
Conner


P.S. If you want to check out my motorcycle adventures, here's our blog:
The Harsh Barge
http://www.theharshbarge.blogspot.com/
No meat, No hotels, No bullshit.

Your ideas sound good to me.

The fake meats are expensive, and I'm not sure how healthy they are so good to see you are focusing on other protein sources. Costco sells a 9 bean mix that is good in soup and they sell quinoa for cheaper than anywhere else.

You might want to add some mixed nuts for snacks - they are not too expensive and have healthy fats.

And of course don't forget to include veggies too.. you want to be strong AND healthy. I prefer fresh, but you can get them cheaper canned or frozen.

_________________
If it's important to you, you'll find a way. If it isn't, you'll find an excuse.

I found a lot of cheap dried beans at the asian market. 24 grams of protein for every 1/4 cup. They are called split mung beans. Get dried beans, cheap tofu, oats, and whatever else you'd like, but dried beans is a no brainer.