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.
Monday, March 31, 2008
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!
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