This December, I crossed that one year mark. I have been a vegetarian for over a year now. I have to say I have adjusted well now. Things I once hated, I love. Instead of chocolate milk, I drink Rice Dream Chocolate Chai. I have adjusted to meatless lunch "meat" and other meatless substitutes. I have even figured out ways to make my favorite meals with no meat.
I made stuffed shells last night. I used morning star sausage, mixed with marinara, Asiago, and mozerella and stuff them into shells. Topped it with more marinara and more cheese and backed it for 30 minutes. It was fabulous!
I have finally come to the point of accepting my choice and embracing it. I might actually be able to begin to stop drinking milk.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tofurkey
I had my first Tofurkey brand ToFurkey this thanks giving.
I have to say it was very good. I was really impressed with its flavor and texture. It was delicious! Some other things I had for thanksgiving was a new veggie dish I made. Onions, garlic, brussel sprouts, and shitaki mushrooms all combined with some olive oil. It was SOOO good!
For the next day left overs, I made tofurkey, stuffing, and cranberry jelly sandwiches. Wow, what a great sandwich!
Over all, my first vegetarian thanksgiving was a huge success.
I have to say it was very good. I was really impressed with its flavor and texture. It was delicious! Some other things I had for thanksgiving was a new veggie dish I made. Onions, garlic, brussel sprouts, and shitaki mushrooms all combined with some olive oil. It was SOOO good!
For the next day left overs, I made tofurkey, stuffing, and cranberry jelly sandwiches. Wow, what a great sandwich!
Over all, my first vegetarian thanksgiving was a huge success.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Killing of the Sharks
I watched a program in which in 1991 there was a shark attack in which someone got killed. In response, they decided to kill larger tiger sharks, to cull the population. What a horrible idea! Cull the sharks for being themselves? Arrogant bastards! You go into their house and they hurt you for it and you blame them? They have been around much longer than us, are serious predators, and you aren't smart enough to understand the risk associated with going in the ocean, so you blame them and kill them off? That just infuriated me! The answer is educating people, and not changing the feeding patterns of a major predators food! Idiots! Sorry you died, but come on, they kill one and we kill a thousand, who is more wrong? And take into account that we killed out of anger and not for food or to defend our home or anything. People are just so damn arrogant!
On a side note, I am completely tired of salad all the time. My wife loves it and since I am a vegetarian, she eats it allot. So I got some whole wheat wraps and decided to do something different. I got some fresh peppers, serano, pablano, and some sweet pepper and mixed it with ranch seasoning and made a paste out of it. It was really good. Then put bell peppers, soy cheese, salad, fresh organic tomatoes, fresh organic green onions and wrapped it up. It was very good! I had it for dinner, and breakfast, and probably again tonight for dinner.
I am a little concerned as recently I found out that soy products might lower a mans libido. Thats not a good thing, so I might need to cut back on soy products. Which seriously puts a damper on becoming a vegan. I just don't know if I can do it. Do I have the will power and the ability to sacrifice to do it? I don't know.
On a side note, I am completely tired of salad all the time. My wife loves it and since I am a vegetarian, she eats it allot. So I got some whole wheat wraps and decided to do something different. I got some fresh peppers, serano, pablano, and some sweet pepper and mixed it with ranch seasoning and made a paste out of it. It was really good. Then put bell peppers, soy cheese, salad, fresh organic tomatoes, fresh organic green onions and wrapped it up. It was very good! I had it for dinner, and breakfast, and probably again tonight for dinner.
I am a little concerned as recently I found out that soy products might lower a mans libido. Thats not a good thing, so I might need to cut back on soy products. Which seriously puts a damper on becoming a vegan. I just don't know if I can do it. Do I have the will power and the ability to sacrifice to do it? I don't know.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Nature's Call
I'm to the end of my rope with the ignorance of people on this planet. How is it that I am required to respect their views on eating meat and such while they feel completely comfortable make comments at my expense? They ask why I'm not eating the steak and only veggies, and I tell them. They in turn make comments like "mmm, this is good cow!". Shit like that pisses me off! Have a little common courtesy you bastard! I'm not telling you how to live, so why would you presume to be a bitch about it? People suck.
On another note, I just got a French Bulldog, pure bred! He is a family dog, not for show, but he is such a great dog. He loves the kids and they love him. He loves to run around with them. He is such a sweet dog as well. But the funny part is that he snores and snorts! It's hysterical. If you tell him no, he snorts at you, and when he sleeps, he snores, loud! It is so loud he got booted out of the bed because he keeps us up! LMAO! So we got him a nice fluffy bed next to ours to sleep on. He still wakes me up occasionally, but not nearly has bad as when he is right next to you. As well, he farts, constantly, and it smells so bad! It is because he scarfs his food. He practically eats the bowl.
It has taken the cats a long time to like him. Socializing them didn't help, they hate him. The older bigger cat has finally come around to at least not hissing at him. The younger smaller one is still scared of him. But I think the dog doesn't help much because he likes to play and always runs up on the cats and scares them. It is funny to watch but we are trying to get him to stop doing that other animals. He is high strung in that manner. But it takes time, the cats were kittens when we got them and they are house cats, they have never seen a dog up close before. The dog, however, was six months old and grew up with a cat in the house until we got him. The sad part is that at first he always flinched when I went to pet him. I have a feeling he had been hit before. But after a month of not being hit, he has stopped doing that, and now has warmed up to me very nicely. In fact, he has learned that my recliner is the most comfortable chair in the house and likes to wait by it and as soon as you get up, he jumps in! Punk! LOL But it is big enough that he can share it with you. Some times he must be forced into sharing, but you have to teach children to share right?
On another note, I just got a French Bulldog, pure bred! He is a family dog, not for show, but he is such a great dog. He loves the kids and they love him. He loves to run around with them. He is such a sweet dog as well. But the funny part is that he snores and snorts! It's hysterical. If you tell him no, he snorts at you, and when he sleeps, he snores, loud! It is so loud he got booted out of the bed because he keeps us up! LMAO! So we got him a nice fluffy bed next to ours to sleep on. He still wakes me up occasionally, but not nearly has bad as when he is right next to you. As well, he farts, constantly, and it smells so bad! It is because he scarfs his food. He practically eats the bowl.
It has taken the cats a long time to like him. Socializing them didn't help, they hate him. The older bigger cat has finally come around to at least not hissing at him. The younger smaller one is still scared of him. But I think the dog doesn't help much because he likes to play and always runs up on the cats and scares them. It is funny to watch but we are trying to get him to stop doing that other animals. He is high strung in that manner. But it takes time, the cats were kittens when we got them and they are house cats, they have never seen a dog up close before. The dog, however, was six months old and grew up with a cat in the house until we got him. The sad part is that at first he always flinched when I went to pet him. I have a feeling he had been hit before. But after a month of not being hit, he has stopped doing that, and now has warmed up to me very nicely. In fact, he has learned that my recliner is the most comfortable chair in the house and likes to wait by it and as soon as you get up, he jumps in! Punk! LOL But it is big enough that he can share it with you. Some times he must be forced into sharing, but you have to teach children to share right?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Eating only what grows around you
Eating only what grows around you - Extreme Consumerism- msnbc.com
This is something I am switching too. This has given me the motivation to give up dairy. Dairy, according to the article, is one of the most resource intensive processes. I can reduce my carbon footprint just by using soy milk and soy cheese because that will be less consumption thus less resources used to make less dairy products. And I use allot of dairy products. So unless I have to, I will not be using dairy in my diet at all.
As well, I will be utilizing local farmers markets, apple farms, and trying to buy products that are made within 100 miles of me. It's time to take the next step in my personal evolution.
This is something I am switching too. This has given me the motivation to give up dairy. Dairy, according to the article, is one of the most resource intensive processes. I can reduce my carbon footprint just by using soy milk and soy cheese because that will be less consumption thus less resources used to make less dairy products. And I use allot of dairy products. So unless I have to, I will not be using dairy in my diet at all.
As well, I will be utilizing local farmers markets, apple farms, and trying to buy products that are made within 100 miles of me. It's time to take the next step in my personal evolution.
Tomatoes pulled off shelves for salmonella
Tomatoes pulled off shelves for salmonella - Infectious diseases- msnbc.com
Well this is a bad thing for vegetarians and vegans who don't have their own garden. They don't even know where it originated from, so they can't stop more from being released into the public. I really love tomatoes, in salads, on sandwich's, with salt and pepper. It's rather nerve racking knowing over a dozen people have already died from eating infected tomatoes.
Well this is a bad thing for vegetarians and vegans who don't have their own garden. They don't even know where it originated from, so they can't stop more from being released into the public. I really love tomatoes, in salads, on sandwich's, with salt and pepper. It's rather nerve racking knowing over a dozen people have already died from eating infected tomatoes.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
What Michael Pollan Hasn't Told You About Food
What Michael Pollan Hasn't Told You About Food
This represents all that is wrong with our food culture today. This is a four page article and I encourage you to take the time to read it. It outlines why our culture is so unhealthy. It isn't due to a conscientious choice, we have been had by a corrupt food system!
Its the exact reason that all the food that is good for you costs more than the bad food for you. Only the better off can eat food that is good for you all the time. It is frustrating to read how much of a disadvantage we are at in this battle for our health.
This represents all that is wrong with our food culture today. This is a four page article and I encourage you to take the time to read it. It outlines why our culture is so unhealthy. It isn't due to a conscientious choice, we have been had by a corrupt food system!
Its the exact reason that all the food that is good for you costs more than the bad food for you. Only the better off can eat food that is good for you all the time. It is frustrating to read how much of a disadvantage we are at in this battle for our health.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Beef Enchilada's
Well, not really beef. I used the Morning Star 'ground beef' to make them. They tasted almost like the real thing. I made them too spicy for the rest of the family, like usual. But I loved them. I still use regular cheese because I can't seem to give that up. An odd thing has been happening for a while now. I am starting to really hate non-fresh veggies and fruits. Canned fruit, bagged veggies, I really don't like them any more. I really prefer fresh for all meals.
I wanted to start a garden but I just haven't had time. I am hoping to start one in the next week or too. As well, I want to plant some flowers in the front yard. I am just going to get one of those roll out mats with flower seeds in it. That should cut my time down dramatically while improving the look of the front yard. Starting that garden will be much harder. But I really need some fresh veggies on hand at all times, and I will save money growing them my self. I just don't know if I have time for the up keep.
I wanted to start a garden but I just haven't had time. I am hoping to start one in the next week or too. As well, I want to plant some flowers in the front yard. I am just going to get one of those roll out mats with flower seeds in it. That should cut my time down dramatically while improving the look of the front yard. Starting that garden will be much harder. But I really need some fresh veggies on hand at all times, and I will save money growing them my self. I just don't know if I have time for the up keep.
Friday, May 9, 2008
When will the cravings stop?
I had thought I was done with the craving of meat. It has been five months since I changed my life style. I haven't been sick enough to take any over the counter meds, and I weigh below three hundred pounds for the first time in many years, and my body aches from being over weight are starting to subside. In addition, I am starting to build muscle mass and strengthen my bad back and shoulders, making me feel better over all. There hasn't been a single drawback to being a vegetarian.
But yet, I am still craving meat for some reason off and on. The other day I was really craving something hearty and meaty. Lucky for me I found a couple frozen meals of veggie meat loaf and veggie Salisbury steak. Those helped to satisfy me, but in no way is a substitute for a big greasy cheese burger. I am not going to eat meat ever again, but I really just want the cravings to go away. After thirty years of eating meat, I guess I expect to much for it to go away in less than six months to a year.
But I will keep on. As of right now, I haven't been able to push to be a vegan. But I have switched to eggs that are from free range, uncaged chickens and are organic. They are allot more expensive, but I feel better about it. I also try to by organic milk. Maybe some day I can finish the switch. But right now, its baby steps. Still craving meat, I just can't handle the cravings I get for real cheese and real tasting milk at the same time.
But yet, I am still craving meat for some reason off and on. The other day I was really craving something hearty and meaty. Lucky for me I found a couple frozen meals of veggie meat loaf and veggie Salisbury steak. Those helped to satisfy me, but in no way is a substitute for a big greasy cheese burger. I am not going to eat meat ever again, but I really just want the cravings to go away. After thirty years of eating meat, I guess I expect to much for it to go away in less than six months to a year.
But I will keep on. As of right now, I haven't been able to push to be a vegan. But I have switched to eggs that are from free range, uncaged chickens and are organic. They are allot more expensive, but I feel better about it. I also try to by organic milk. Maybe some day I can finish the switch. But right now, its baby steps. Still craving meat, I just can't handle the cravings I get for real cheese and real tasting milk at the same time.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Arthichoke Sandwhich
Wow, I had an epiphany the other day. I decided to make my own artichoke sandwich. It was sooo good! I will tell you how I made it.
Ingredients:
bread
mayo
onions
garlic
jalepenos
banana peppers
artichoke hearts
tomatos
lettuce
pickles
olive oil
Process:
Place olive oil, artichoke hearts, onions (cut anyway that makes you happy), jalepeno's, and banana peppers into a pan on medium to medium high heat. Grill them up until they start to have some nice browning and the onions are soft. You don't want them sauteed, more of a grilling. When you think its done, add in a teaspoon of fresh garlic and cook a few more minutes. You don't want to add it to early because garlic likes to burn.
Next, toast two pieces of bread. Then put some mayo on your bread to your liking.
Take a spoon and put as much of the artichoke mix on the bread that you like. Place pickles, tomato's, and lettuce on top then place the last piece of bread on it.
Make sure you wear a shirt that can be dirtied, its a messy meal! But oh so good!
Best served hot, the artichoke starts to get hard when it cools down.
Ingredients:
bread
mayo
onions
garlic
jalepenos
banana peppers
artichoke hearts
tomatos
lettuce
pickles
olive oil
Process:
Place olive oil, artichoke hearts, onions (cut anyway that makes you happy), jalepeno's, and banana peppers into a pan on medium to medium high heat. Grill them up until they start to have some nice browning and the onions are soft. You don't want them sauteed, more of a grilling. When you think its done, add in a teaspoon of fresh garlic and cook a few more minutes. You don't want to add it to early because garlic likes to burn.
Next, toast two pieces of bread. Then put some mayo on your bread to your liking.
Take a spoon and put as much of the artichoke mix on the bread that you like. Place pickles, tomato's, and lettuce on top then place the last piece of bread on it.
Make sure you wear a shirt that can be dirtied, its a messy meal! But oh so good!
Best served hot, the artichoke starts to get hard when it cools down.
Monday, March 31, 2008
My First Garden
I don't have a big back yard. In fact, its quit small as I live in a manufactured home. But I need a garden. I eat to many fresh veggies to pay for them all. So I am taking the step to start one this spring.
I will start small. I will be growing broccoli, peppers, and maybe tomatoes. I am nervous as I don't have tons of time, but I really want and need this garden. I eat tons of broccoli and peppers that those two were a natural pick.
I figured I can start a two row garden. One row for broccoli, 2/3 row for peppers, and 1/3 row for a couple tomato plants. I don't know if I can even have a bigger garden next year, but this is a start. I love fresh veggies, so it makes sense to start growing my own.
I will start small. I will be growing broccoli, peppers, and maybe tomatoes. I am nervous as I don't have tons of time, but I really want and need this garden. I eat tons of broccoli and peppers that those two were a natural pick.
I figured I can start a two row garden. One row for broccoli, 2/3 row for peppers, and 1/3 row for a couple tomato plants. I don't know if I can even have a bigger garden next year, but this is a start. I love fresh veggies, so it makes sense to start growing my own.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tofu Teriyaki
I have started creating my own meals. There is a "side dish" pre-made packet of teriyaki noodles and veggies. So I pressed some tofu, soaked it in soy sauce, and the slow cooked it with the teriyaki mix. It was so good! I ate all in one evening! But that wasn't my best creation.
As everyone knows I haven't fulling moved away from dairy, so I'm not a vegan yet. I have switched from drinking milk, to drinking soy milk. I prefer 8th continent light. Its the best for me. I also use Smart Balance margarine because it has no dairy products in it. The cheese is the hardest for me to get over. I still use cheese in so much, but I haven't tried eating soy cheese yet. I just love spicy pepper jack cheese.
That being said, I have a vegetarian meal I created that is soooooo good! I cooked up some spinach, sauteed some green onions, mushrooms, and fresh garlic, and mixed it all with some feta cheese. I then mixed in a little roasted garlic Alfredo sauce. Then I stuffed that into some jumbo shells I had cooked up, covered them in roasted garlic Alfredo sauche, then topped that with Mozeralla cheese! Yes, it was as good as it sounds. I am going to take the next step this coming pay check. I am going to try and do without dairy cheese. I will buy some soy cheese instead. Its a big step for me. And I'm a little scared about it. I really love cheese. But the health benefits of being a vegetarian are noticeable.
When I became a vegetarian, I weighed 340 pounds. I am only 5 foot 9 inches. I have high blood pressure and bad allergies. I am almost off my allergy medication, and I don't take pain medication for body aches any more either. I have lost 43 pounds, I am at 297 pounds now in just four months! I am seriously excited. And I figured that if I continue to move towards being a vegan, I will get even healthier. I have more energy and feel better than I remember feeling in years. I am thirty years old and have the energy to keep up with the young kids I have, and even wear them out! I can never go back to eating meat.
As everyone knows I haven't fulling moved away from dairy, so I'm not a vegan yet. I have switched from drinking milk, to drinking soy milk. I prefer 8th continent light. Its the best for me. I also use Smart Balance margarine because it has no dairy products in it. The cheese is the hardest for me to get over. I still use cheese in so much, but I haven't tried eating soy cheese yet. I just love spicy pepper jack cheese.
That being said, I have a vegetarian meal I created that is soooooo good! I cooked up some spinach, sauteed some green onions, mushrooms, and fresh garlic, and mixed it all with some feta cheese. I then mixed in a little roasted garlic Alfredo sauce. Then I stuffed that into some jumbo shells I had cooked up, covered them in roasted garlic Alfredo sauche, then topped that with Mozeralla cheese! Yes, it was as good as it sounds. I am going to take the next step this coming pay check. I am going to try and do without dairy cheese. I will buy some soy cheese instead. Its a big step for me. And I'm a little scared about it. I really love cheese. But the health benefits of being a vegetarian are noticeable.
When I became a vegetarian, I weighed 340 pounds. I am only 5 foot 9 inches. I have high blood pressure and bad allergies. I am almost off my allergy medication, and I don't take pain medication for body aches any more either. I have lost 43 pounds, I am at 297 pounds now in just four months! I am seriously excited. And I figured that if I continue to move towards being a vegan, I will get even healthier. I have more energy and feel better than I remember feeling in years. I am thirty years old and have the energy to keep up with the young kids I have, and even wear them out! I can never go back to eating meat.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Slowly But Surely
Well, I have managed to get completely off of milk. I am drinking only soymilk now, and no cows milk. I have only eggs and cheese left to go, the two hardest. I am hoping to be completely vegan by the end of the year. As well, I have some other goals.
Now that I am losing weight as a result of my new healthier diet, I find that I want to be off all my prescriptions as well. I am on two meds for blood pressure, one for heartburn, three for allergies. Thats allot for someone that is healthy. I plan on being off of prescription meds completely in three years. But not just that, I don't want to take claratin or benedryl either. I want to be med free exception in cases of rare need. I don't want to take anything to sleep but melatonin.
I know this is a hard goal to reach. But I really believe that if I eat right and get my self healthy, then there is no reason my body should need these prescriptions, right? Well, thats what I hope and strive for. I have no intention of doing this without my doctor who is 100% behind me. If I can't get my blood pressure under control naturally, then I will have to stay on those. But I will make a goal and see where it leads me.
As well, I have finally learned how to use tofu and make it good. My favorite is just to cook it up and toss it with some buffalo wing sauce. I love the spicy thats for sure! I also made some tofu stir fry the other night which was awesome!
All in all, I'm happy with my progress. Its harder than I originally thought, but easier than it seemed a month ago.
Now that I am losing weight as a result of my new healthier diet, I find that I want to be off all my prescriptions as well. I am on two meds for blood pressure, one for heartburn, three for allergies. Thats allot for someone that is healthy. I plan on being off of prescription meds completely in three years. But not just that, I don't want to take claratin or benedryl either. I want to be med free exception in cases of rare need. I don't want to take anything to sleep but melatonin.
I know this is a hard goal to reach. But I really believe that if I eat right and get my self healthy, then there is no reason my body should need these prescriptions, right? Well, thats what I hope and strive for. I have no intention of doing this without my doctor who is 100% behind me. If I can't get my blood pressure under control naturally, then I will have to stay on those. But I will make a goal and see where it leads me.
As well, I have finally learned how to use tofu and make it good. My favorite is just to cook it up and toss it with some buffalo wing sauce. I love the spicy thats for sure! I also made some tofu stir fry the other night which was awesome!
All in all, I'm happy with my progress. Its harder than I originally thought, but easier than it seemed a month ago.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Penn Station Review
I think I died and went to, uh, well, no where I guess since I don't believe in heaven. But the point is that I had some seriously good food the other night. Grilled artichokes, fresh mushrooms, salt and pepper, oregano, oil and vinegar, lettuce, tomato, onions, and banana peppers on a toasted white bread loaf. I didn't think vegetables could melt in your mouth until now!
It was so good, I got it again the next day, it was awesome! Now, we had a junk food day yesterday, so it wasn't really healthy for me. But Friday and Saturday, I had a fabulous lunch at Penn Station. Now don't get me wrong, my junk food days aren't the same as normal people. Wine, spinach and artichoke dip, fried mushrooms, and buffalo style "chicken" pieces (made from soy of course). But for me, it was nearly over whelming, so I'm not feeling well today. Its my own fault, but it was oh so great!
Today, its purge day, so I'm drinking nothing but V8 Fusion all day. No food, unless I get weak, then I have some oodon noodle soup to chow on. But I'm going to try to do the proper juice purge today, then just eat salad all day tomorrow. I may end up eating something for dinner, something light and fresh. But I'll stick to the salad tomorrow and mostly juice today. It always helps me feel better when I purge my body of the crap I put into it the day before.
On a lighter note, I started out at 340lbs when I went vegetarian. I weighed myself at 311lbs yesterday. I haven't been this light in three years! I'm so excited that I'm dropping weight. I'm sleeping better, feeling better, and not getting constant colds and aches that I used to get. I am really glad this is working out for me. I'm drinking soy milk now, so I'm really trying to push myself a bit further towards being a full vegan. Once I can get milk out of the way, it will be a big step for me. Next, cheese and I will have done it! After that its a matter of keeping away from products made with those things. Thats going to hard to do because we eat out and get food from the store allot.
It was so good, I got it again the next day, it was awesome! Now, we had a junk food day yesterday, so it wasn't really healthy for me. But Friday and Saturday, I had a fabulous lunch at Penn Station. Now don't get me wrong, my junk food days aren't the same as normal people. Wine, spinach and artichoke dip, fried mushrooms, and buffalo style "chicken" pieces (made from soy of course). But for me, it was nearly over whelming, so I'm not feeling well today. Its my own fault, but it was oh so great!
Today, its purge day, so I'm drinking nothing but V8 Fusion all day. No food, unless I get weak, then I have some oodon noodle soup to chow on. But I'm going to try to do the proper juice purge today, then just eat salad all day tomorrow. I may end up eating something for dinner, something light and fresh. But I'll stick to the salad tomorrow and mostly juice today. It always helps me feel better when I purge my body of the crap I put into it the day before.
On a lighter note, I started out at 340lbs when I went vegetarian. I weighed myself at 311lbs yesterday. I haven't been this light in three years! I'm so excited that I'm dropping weight. I'm sleeping better, feeling better, and not getting constant colds and aches that I used to get. I am really glad this is working out for me. I'm drinking soy milk now, so I'm really trying to push myself a bit further towards being a full vegan. Once I can get milk out of the way, it will be a big step for me. Next, cheese and I will have done it! After that its a matter of keeping away from products made with those things. Thats going to hard to do because we eat out and get food from the store allot.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Penn Station
Penn Station is a sub shop that I always loved to go to before I was a vegetarian. But today I realized they have some good veggie options that I am going to try tonight. I'm getting the grilled artichoke sub, with provolone, oregano, Parmesan, mayo, mushrooms, banana peppers, lettuce, tomato, red onions, salt and pepper, olive oil and redwine vinegar. OMG I am seriously stoked! I'm hungry just thinking about it!
We are also getting my daughters birthday gifts tonight and her Princess cake. I'll post more tomorrow on the sub so you all will know how I liked it. Later!
We are also getting my daughters birthday gifts tonight and her Princess cake. I'll post more tomorrow on the sub so you all will know how I liked it. Later!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Vegetarians Can't Eat Out
I just can't stand it any more. I can't just eat things with no meat any more. I have had enough of bean burrito's, veggie sub's, and anything cheese based. As of yet, only a couple sit down restaurants my wife and I love eating at have things I can eat. I'm tired of refried beans, cheese taquito's, and cheese quesadilla's. I want more from a restaurant!
And why not? Why should I not expect at least something of good tasting? Especially when I am paying for it? Doesn't have to be anything huge, but a couple unique items would be nice. Chili's at least has a spicy black bean burger, as does Ruby Tuesdays. But for sure, nothing fast food has anything worth paying for.
I'm only complaining because I'm at the end of my rope eating out. So I am really doing some good cooking myself. I am making vegetarian chili and homemade vegetarian soup this week. I am taking my own initiative and making something delicious for myself. Next week, I am making meatless chicken buffalo pieces with real buffalo wing sauce! As well, I am going to try the "stroganoff" that Abolitionist Raven made and put her recipe up on her blog.
Its slow going as I have no friends or family that are vegan or vegetarians, so I am alone in my venture. This seems to me harder than I first expected as no one wants to really hear why I don't eat meat of any kind, or why I am trying to be a vegan. At least my wife is very supportive.
And why not? Why should I not expect at least something of good tasting? Especially when I am paying for it? Doesn't have to be anything huge, but a couple unique items would be nice. Chili's at least has a spicy black bean burger, as does Ruby Tuesdays. But for sure, nothing fast food has anything worth paying for.
I'm only complaining because I'm at the end of my rope eating out. So I am really doing some good cooking myself. I am making vegetarian chili and homemade vegetarian soup this week. I am taking my own initiative and making something delicious for myself. Next week, I am making meatless chicken buffalo pieces with real buffalo wing sauce! As well, I am going to try the "stroganoff" that Abolitionist Raven made and put her recipe up on her blog.
Its slow going as I have no friends or family that are vegan or vegetarians, so I am alone in my venture. This seems to me harder than I first expected as no one wants to really hear why I don't eat meat of any kind, or why I am trying to be a vegan. At least my wife is very supportive.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Eating Out, Tofu, and My Garden
Its complain and whine time for me. I'll just index them for you.
1. Eating Out
I live in Indiana and I can tell you that its really hard to get anything diverse to eat when eating out. Everything is made with some sort of flesh. Its so annoying when the only thing vegetarian is made with cheese. Oh yum, just give me a plate of cheese for christ sake and skip with the pleasantries! What about something unique and good? Chili's has a black bean burger, but thats about it. Perkins has a cheese quesadilla, but not much else. And just forget about fast food! I'm not picky, but I'm tired of my only option with any flare being Subway. Don't get me wrong, I love veggie subs, but all the time? It gets old! Come on people, I'm not asking you to cater to me, how about just a couple items that aren't meat based? Is that to much to ask?
2. Tofu
Tofu is gross. Its not the flavor, because it doesn't have much of its own. Its the texture of it. It feels gross in my mouth. Unlike veggies and premade veggie treats like Morning Star's veggie Italian Sausage, its hard to imagine what ever flavor your imitating when its so squishing and mushy in your mouth. Last night I made Fancy Fillets with extra firm tofu. You know, it wasn't terrible. The breading flavor was great, as was the vegan tartar sauce, and the hot sauce rocked it out for me. But I couldn't eat more than the one on my plate. It just didn't fell right in my mouth. I will try it in something else I'm sure. But tofu as a main dish? It just ain't happening again!
3. My Garden
What is there to complain about my garden? Nothing. As in there is nothing, I don't have a garden. I don't have a yard big enough and its cold any way so I'm screwed. I really want an indoor greenhouse garden so that I can have fresh veggies all year around! Imagine fresh peppers and mushrooms all year around! Fresh spinach, squash, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes, any time I want them. OMG I'm drooling right now! We are buying a house this year, and at the very least, I'm going to get one with a yard big enough for a garden. A big garden. A big garden all for me!
1. Eating Out
I live in Indiana and I can tell you that its really hard to get anything diverse to eat when eating out. Everything is made with some sort of flesh. Its so annoying when the only thing vegetarian is made with cheese. Oh yum, just give me a plate of cheese for christ sake and skip with the pleasantries! What about something unique and good? Chili's has a black bean burger, but thats about it. Perkins has a cheese quesadilla, but not much else. And just forget about fast food! I'm not picky, but I'm tired of my only option with any flare being Subway. Don't get me wrong, I love veggie subs, but all the time? It gets old! Come on people, I'm not asking you to cater to me, how about just a couple items that aren't meat based? Is that to much to ask?
2. Tofu
Tofu is gross. Its not the flavor, because it doesn't have much of its own. Its the texture of it. It feels gross in my mouth. Unlike veggies and premade veggie treats like Morning Star's veggie Italian Sausage, its hard to imagine what ever flavor your imitating when its so squishing and mushy in your mouth. Last night I made Fancy Fillets with extra firm tofu. You know, it wasn't terrible. The breading flavor was great, as was the vegan tartar sauce, and the hot sauce rocked it out for me. But I couldn't eat more than the one on my plate. It just didn't fell right in my mouth. I will try it in something else I'm sure. But tofu as a main dish? It just ain't happening again!
3. My Garden
What is there to complain about my garden? Nothing. As in there is nothing, I don't have a garden. I don't have a yard big enough and its cold any way so I'm screwed. I really want an indoor greenhouse garden so that I can have fresh veggies all year around! Imagine fresh peppers and mushrooms all year around! Fresh spinach, squash, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes, any time I want them. OMG I'm drooling right now! We are buying a house this year, and at the very least, I'm going to get one with a yard big enough for a garden. A big garden. A big garden all for me!
Friday, January 4, 2008
New Years Dinner
Well, spending time with my family over the holidays has been fun. Now I live in another state from them, so they didn't know that I had gone veg until I came home soon after christmas. Most response from friends and family was, well, interesting to say the least. Most immediately got defensive about it. I think my mom has said about four times, "Don't expect me to give up meat". They some how think I will be on a crusade to "convert" them to vegetarians. That is wholly not my plan.
My uncle argued with me about it, not sure why. And one of my friends tried to tell me that I HAVE to eat chicken because they have proteins I must have or I will die. Of course, I would have thought I would have seen many more vegetarians dying from this instead of them living longer if that where the case. LOL
But all of them, with out exception, couldn't comprehend what I meant by "not eating meat". Some assumed that I would still eat fish, or that I was still eating chicken, or that I was just cutting out red meat. All of those assumptions are wrong and I had to continually go back to the definition of meat. No dad, I am not eating wild game, that is also meat. No friend, I am not eating Salmon, thats still meat as well.
Oh well, I guess its a change for everyone. As far as I know, I have never personally known a vegetarian. I have not had a friend or family member that I knew of that was a vegetarian. So I am a first. I hope I am the first among many in my family, but everyone has a personal choice, and I will only lead by my example. People only change by their own choice, not by force.
My uncle argued with me about it, not sure why. And one of my friends tried to tell me that I HAVE to eat chicken because they have proteins I must have or I will die. Of course, I would have thought I would have seen many more vegetarians dying from this instead of them living longer if that where the case. LOL
But all of them, with out exception, couldn't comprehend what I meant by "not eating meat". Some assumed that I would still eat fish, or that I was still eating chicken, or that I was just cutting out red meat. All of those assumptions are wrong and I had to continually go back to the definition of meat. No dad, I am not eating wild game, that is also meat. No friend, I am not eating Salmon, thats still meat as well.
Oh well, I guess its a change for everyone. As far as I know, I have never personally known a vegetarian. I have not had a friend or family member that I knew of that was a vegetarian. So I am a first. I hope I am the first among many in my family, but everyone has a personal choice, and I will only lead by my example. People only change by their own choice, not by force.
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