New Vegetarian?!
I started cutting foods out of my diet- starting with pig and then red meat...well I got to the point of only eating pultry. Two weeks ago my Lovebird was eaten by my friends dog- the horror of it has made it impossible for me to even look at pultry.
My whole family eats meat for every meal and being a close family its really hard to not eat meat. Its been two weeks since I have had meat and I was just wondering if anyone had tips for a new vegetarian. How can I eat with my family without eating meat? How did you first become a vegetarian (if you are)? and what are some need to know things about being a vegetarian?
Answers: Well I have always thought about animals and the fact that we kill them for food and I personally find it cruel- but growing up in a family that LOVES meat made being a vegetarian very hard.
I started cutting foods out of my diet- starting with pig and then red meat...well I got to the point of only eating pultry. Two weeks ago my Lovebird was eaten by my friends dog- the horror of it has made it impossible for me to even look at pultry.
My whole family eats meat for every meal and being a close family its really hard to not eat meat. Its been two weeks since I have had meat and I was just wondering if anyone had tips for a new vegetarian. How can I eat with my family without eating meat? How did you first become a vegetarian (if you are)? and what are some need to know things about being a vegetarian?
the most important thing is to do alot of reserch, i mean ALOT. Know that you are cutting out a major part of you diet then you need to know what to do and eat. You should also decide what type of vegitarian you want to be (lacto, ovo, lacto-ove, pescitarian, vegan.....)
its also good to discuss this with your family,ask them what they think about it, and ask them to help you. Vegitarians normally live a heathy life style, but it takes alot of work.
also dont just eat things like cheese pizza, diet coke and potato chips, you need to mostlikey increase your intake or grains (rice, bread, etc.) and fruits and veggies, expecually green leafy ones. also take vitamin supplements,
hope it helps
Get involved with planning and preparing the meals- make your family do one vegetarain main dish a week. The other days make yourself a small portion size of a vegetarian main dish and make sure your sides are veggie friendly. There are so many great recipes online- I'm sure you'll find dishes your family and you will love.
Hi Lizzie,
To be or not to be that is the question, if you do go vegetarian
most parents respect there children's decision but do not on
any circumstances try to convert or preach as you might after
a while to members of your family about the benefits of it.
Happy eating
Regards....
CoffeeBean
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VIjanhKqVC4
That video called 'Meet Your Meat' made me first go veg. (Watch it once and you'll never be able to touch meat again.) You can make meals that your family enjoys and just exclude the meat. (Fried Rice, Chili, etc.) There are also many meat substitutes that are just as good if not better than the real thing. (Cruelty-free!)
my family was the same way...my mum actually forced me to eat meat for a while...and when i became a vegitarian, they used to taunght me with meat all the time.. it is hard, with all the meat around you, but just keep reminding yourself of what good is gonna come outta it.....for the food stuff, just use substitutes...for instance, when your family has hamburgers, have a soy burger. and dont forget, when you cut meat out of your diet, youre losing some of the things you need to be healthy...so remember to take vitamins and eats lots of fruits, veggies, and protein.
Read here:
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/
Amy's Soy Mac-n-cheese, add Soy Knox or Smart Dogs.
Amy's Indian food or Trader Joe's Indian Food (Dal) with rice.
Veat 'Salmon' (pan fry in olive oil, garlic powder and capers or lemon juice) serve with rice and a salad.
Hummus, pita bread and a salad.
Gardenburger Breakfast Bacon - make a BLT add avacado.
Slice tomatoes in rounds, top with Soya Kaas mozzarella cheese, basil, cut up figs (peeled, washed in hot water to bring out the sweetness) sprinkle with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Leave out to room temp until cheese is 'melted' looking.
Stir-fry veggies and rice with Tofu - I use extra firm, wrap in paper towels to soak up the excess water. Cut in slices, fry in a little olive oil, hot pepper sesame oil and soy sauce. Sprinkle with ginger, garlic, curry, whatever you have in the cupboard. Top with sesame seeds. You can also top it with sliced veggie cheese and serve on toasted sourdough with mustard.
Gardenburger Riblets, baked potato, broccoli (w/ lemon, margarine and garlic) and a salad.
Pasta w/ marinara sauce, if you have Boca Itailan Sausages cut them up and add it to the sauce. Serve with garlic bread - spread butter on bread, sprinkle with garlic powder and brown in a pan, butter side down.
Clean portobello mushrooms, cut up, saute in olive oil, garlic and a little soy sauce. Serve with salad.
MorningStar Farms Sausages (not the breakfast ones) are good on homemade pizza - add mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, onions, soy cheese.
Easy Corn Chowder Soup – 1 can each of White Corn, Yellow Corn and Creamed Corn, including the water from the can. Cut up celery add to the pot, add a little rice dream milk.
To vegetarian refried beans add mild green sauce. Add soy cheese if desired. Make Spanish Rice – Far East and/or Rice-a-Roni makes it in a box, just add tomatoes. Serve in a burrito, taco or tostada – add lettuce, tomatoes, soy cheese and avacado to the top.
Quorn turkey roast, with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. Use leftovers on for a 'turkey' sandwich or in soup -
Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup
6 cups of pure water
? cup Vegetarian Chicken Soup Base
6 organic celery stalks, chopped
1 ? cups sweet onion
6 carrots, chopped finely
1 package organic noodles (rice, corn or barley)
1 package of Quorn Tenders (or use leftover Quorn Turkey Roast cut up)
Sauté Tenders lightly in olive oil. Heat water, add soup base, stirring gently. Add vegetables, noodles (consider breaking them into 1-2 inch pieces) and Quorn Tenders.
Basil, Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwich
INGREDIENTS
1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 tomatoes, sliced
4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced (Soya Kaas)
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
DIRECTIONS
Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Layer the basil, tomato slices, and mozzarella cheese between the two halves of bread. Cut into four sandwiches.
In a small dish, stir together the balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes. Use as a dipping sauce.