BOSTON Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said he didnt hear anyone talking about Dec. 22 before the game, but still he felt it.

On that night in Southern Manitoba, the Jets dealt Boston its third straight and the worst defeat in a four-game losing streak, 5-1.

The Jets outshot, outhit, out-faceoffed and straight-up outplayed the Bruins that night.

They embarrassed us the last time at Winnipeg, Montgomery said.

Exactly a month later, the Bruins and Jets met again at TD Garden on Monday. Montgomery was confident going in that his team would answer the bell.

We have a lot of proud guys whove represented the Bruins for a long time in a good way. I think the opportunity to get back at them was something that was motivating to them, he said. Its something thats part of the culture here.

The Bruins proved him right. They paid back the defeat by snapping the Jets 13-game streak of allowing no more than two goals and their 34-game streak of not more than three. They scored two in the first and two in the third, including an empty-net goal to win 4-1.

That was a game plan of ours. We dont like losing twice in a row. The momentum we had from last game and the start of this homestand was something we wanted to continue, said Jeremy Swayman, whose 21 saves were critical. As you saw from the first to the last whistle, excellent Bruins hockey. Really special stuff we can build on.

While it wasnt as physical as a playoff game is likely to be, for 54 minutes it was low-scoring and tight. After dropping nine goals on the hapless Habs on Saturday, this game demanded more.

Thats playoff hockey to be honest, said Jake DeBrusk who added a critical short-handed goal late to seal the win. Its probably not as physical or intense, but tight checking and low scoring is what youre going to see when it counts. Anytime you can get any ground in terms of confidence from winning these type of games it really helps everybody in the group.

Montgomery agreed.

It was nice. Weve had a lot of games here recently where weve been scoring goals, Montgomery said. It was nice to have a 2-1 lead going into the third and extend the lead again.

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Why the Bruins were extra motivated to beat the Jets - MassLive.com

No, absolutely not, Cox says. I always tell people I am a budget queen. Its all about educating yourself about whole foods like beans, chickpeas and lentils, which are easy to find and cheap.

Its true some meat replacements, like plant-based bacon, may be more expensive. But when you compare it to meat, especially high-quality meat, you realise that is also incredibly expensive.

According to a recent study conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, weekly grocery costs decrease by 16% on a vegan diet. Whole foods tend to provide better value for money and better nutrition compared to meat-based alternatives or vegetarian processed options.

Myth busting: what if it doesnt taste as good?

This is no concern for vegan foodies, according to Cox. Thats a big misconception about vegan diets. I can assure you, in my experience you are not missing out on flavour.

A lot of the meals you already eat and plan in your every day, as she points out, have the benefit of being accidentally vegan from your pasta favourites to a multitude of sweet bakes.

And there is nothing wrong in having a primarily plant-based diet with exceptions, whether it is cheese you cant do without and want to indulge in every now and then, or a Nandos takeaway.

People feel like its an all-or-nothing situation, but it doesnt have to be that. You dont even have to label yourself as vegan you can choose to have a mainly plant-based diet and adapt it to what works for you.

So is the cost of living crisis a barrier or an incentive to go vegan in 2024?

Among the items with price points worst affected by inflation are yoghurt (12%), fish (10%), cheese (9%), meat (10%) and eggs by as much as a staggering 50%.

It is such a smart move for people to decide to go vegan now, Cox says. Youre winning on all aspects: youre saving money, eating healthier, and saving the planet.

Starting with whole foods and fresh items can help you budget effectively both through meal planning and by making zero-waste solutions easier in everyday shopping and cooking.

Veganuary is only one way people are embracing better sustainability practices. A survey on ethical consumer behaviour led by Thinks Insight Strategy found that while 81% of respondents are concerned about the cost of living crisis, nearly 90% took steps towards a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle in 2023.

According to lead researcher Jon Edwards, cost and price are the biggest perceived barrier for people who want to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, be it about switching to a plant-based diet or buying second-hand clothes.

Interestingly, topping the list of 2024 New Years resolutions is buying food without plastic packaging, with 37% of respondents giving this as their top sustainability priority, followed by 23% aiming to buy locally sourced or grown food.

Whether for Veganuary or as part of an ongoing sustainable revolution, ethical consumption seems to be at the forefront of UK minds heading into 2024.

Simply Vegan Baking by Freya Cox is out now (Murdoch, 18.99). You can buy it fromThe Big Issue shopon Bookshop.org, which helps to support The Big Issue and independent bookshops.

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Will the cost of living crisis make us all go vegan? - The Big Issue