Flesh-free diet.

[Bullwinkle925]

I completed my first week of no meat! Am having dairy, though.

Yahootie.

[mainegreen]

1. You should celebrate with a burger!

I keeeed!
Congrats!

[Bullwinkle925]

2. I actually just polished off a veggie burger.

Funny you should mention that.

:P :toast:

[elshiva]

3. What kind of veggie burger?

The kind they make to taste like chicken or the kind they make that tastes like beef?

[Bullwinkle925]

4. I had a MorningStar Tomato & Basil Pizza Burger.

It was yummylicious.

[elshiva]

5. Oh those are good!!!

I ate a chik'n flavored veggie burger tonight. Do you like those?

[Bullwinkle925]

6. I haven't had one of those.

But I have had the faux buffalo wings and they are delish!!

[elshiva]

7. Well, thank God someone likes them!

Too spicy for me!

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

8. Pffft, weak!

:P

[TommyO]

18. I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but I love the Morningstar Grillers Prime

I keep them in my freezer for those times when I want a burger fix, but don't feel like having beef.

[Bullwinkle925]

27. I'll look for those.

I've also liked Boca Burgers in the past, as well as Veggie Dogs when I'm in the mood for a hot dog.

[Rob H.]

53. Seconding what TommyO said

I'm vegetarian, and Morningstar Farms Grillers Prime are my favorite of all the shamburgers I've tried.

[TommyO]

57. Just don't microwave them, they lose something in the process

[Critters2]

54. Yep, grillers are the best. Their corn dogs are tasty, too! nt

[flvegan]

9. Wow! Is this a permanent change?

If so, you'll be AMAZED at how you'll feel in 30-45 days (assuming you're not just eating crap) and then again in 6 months.

Congrats!

[Bullwinkle925]

10. I hope it is.

I'm trying to eat sensibly. I have to admit to having oatmeal raisin cookies (vegan) and soy ice cream. Also been nibbling on peanuts in the shell.
I found delicious vegan tamales at a Farmer's Mkt. and am really trying to make this change in my life.
Next I have to get off my arse and get out walking again. It's a bit difficult since my hubby is ill and I don't like to leave him alone too long.

Thanks for your support.

By the way - how's the pooch??

[flvegan]

12. Sounds like you are eating sensibly.

Cookies, ice cream and peanuts can all be part of a sensible diet. BTW, if you don't like leaving hubby alone too long, you already have a treadmill at your house. Yep, that's right. Run in place in front of the tv. Same as a gym treadmill (which isn't running, but really "hopping" in place).

The pooch? Oh, he's doing so well, considering. We've got an alternative "never before tried" treatment program going, and it's worked wonders (knock wood). Thanks for asking.

[LeftyMom]

11. That's great!

I felt kinda crummy for the first few days, like maybe I was coming down with something, but after a week or so my energy level was so much higher. Seems like that was just yesterday, but it was over five years ago. The time flies.

[Bullwinkle925]

14. You and flvegan are inspirational.

I'm going to have to go through the freezer and throw out all meat products.
After viewing a program on Sundance I've finally made the decision to give it my very best try. Good thing I like veggies anyway. It's just the thought of not having chicken and fish that seems to be more challenging to me.

Hope all is going well with you and LK.


oops - edit for typo.

[LeftyMom]

17. Aww thanks.

My experience was that the hard part was relearning my cooking and grocery shopping routine. Once I did that it wasn't really an effort at all.

The one thing that is kind of a lingering pain, though I think it would be less of one for lacto or lacto/ovo vegetarians, is that every now and then when I'm on car trips in rural areas I can't find much. Planning around that by bringing a few things with me isn't a huge deal, but it is a minor annoyance. But anymore that's really only a factor when I'm way out in the back of beyond.

[flvegan]

21. Can I ask what the program was?

This one on Sundance that you saw. I'd like to see it if I haven't already.

Also...don't throw the meat-stuffs out. Find a way to use it. Cook it up for your pets if you have any, or give it to friends that eat meat or have pets that would LOVE a nice treat.

Saying that I'm in any way inspirational is very kind.

[Bullwinkle925]

23. It was on their new Tuesday evening "Green" programming series.

It was an outstanding documentary, "Our Daily Bread". First documentary I've seen without dialog. No judgments being made - just view how the food industry works and then make your own decisions.
I don't care what anyone says about the slaughter industry - there is no such thing as humane killing.
The two words together are an oxymoron. I hope you'll be able to find it. I would think that it will be shown again sometime in the future.

yes - you and LM are inspirational.

[flvegan]

29. You're right.

I watched the two available clips on their site. I'd like to check this out the next time it's on.

There is no such thing as humane killing, you're correct. "Humane" is a word that's used to make people feel better about it.

[Critters2]

55. I second that. Find a way to use the meat, rather than just throw it away

Give it to carnivore friends, pets, something. Your local food pantry may not take it, but you can always ask.

[knitter4democracy]

13. Great!

Don't beat yourself up if you accidentally eat something with it in there, though. I did that when I first gave up meat for health reasons years ago (and then started eating meat again after a surgery took care of those), and the guilt wasn't worth it. Just let it be and move on to another day, another meal. :)

[Bullwinkle925]

16. Thanks.

I'm really trying to keep in mind what I'm purchasing at the store and ordering in restaurants.
Thankfully, restaurants have more to choose from now than they did years ago. I stopped at an Indian restaurant in Berkeley while hubby was having treatment and had a strictly vegetarian plate from their buffet.
One day at a time is right!

[knitter4democracy]

22. I accidentally had chili with meat in it not long after switching.

I hurt so badly, and it was our honeymoon. Not good. Thank goodness I don't have my appendix anymore. :)

[Bullwinkle925]

25. I have noticed in the past that meat - esp. red meat , can be very difficult for

my system to 'digest'.

[knitter4democracy]

47. I had chronic appendicitis for years.

We think that's why I had pain. Since I have had it out, I'm doing much better and can eat meat. Some meats sit better with me than others, though.

[Schema Thing]

15. If you decide to ditch dairy

check out hemp milk; I tried some last week, and it was great.

[Bullwinkle925]

19. Where did you find it?

I'm into fat-free milk and soy lo-fat milk. I shop mostly at Trader Joe's. I'll look for it there.
Thanks. I also know I need to knock down the sugar intake. That's a really, really hard one to conquer.

[Schema Thing]

48. It was on sale at a health-food grocery

..and I'm a sucker for a bargain. And hemp.

I love rice milk for cereal, and hemp is even better.

[Blue-Jay]

20. Why?

Health reasons? Ethical reasons?

Both of the above?

[Bullwinkle925]

24. Both.

I would say ethical first with health being a wonderful secondary.

[Blue-Jay]

26. Cool. Good luck with that.

My wife is a veg for health reasons, and I've cut down on my meat consumption by (I'd guess) 75% in the last few years.

I still like the occasional burger or chicken breast, though.

[Bullwinkle925]

28. I'm thinking that I'll miss the texture of salmon and chicken.

Perhaps it is like any other addiction - the longer one is away from it, the less it beckons? I hope so.

[Critters2]

56. Boca chik'n comes surprisingly close to the texture of the real thing. nt

[Flaxbee]

30. congrats!

like LeftyMom and flvegan said, once you get used to shopping a different way, it'll be easy. And if you're looking for recipes, Indian food is fantastic, and there are a few Moosewood Restaurant cookbooks out (Moosewood is a famous veggie restaurant in NY, I believe) that have some really good, creative dishes.

My husband still eats poultry and tuna (which I'm allergic to) but we're pretty much meat-free here, as well. I just find the meat industry to be horribly inhumane and unsanitary. I still eat eggs, but only if I can find eggs from free-roaming, vegetarian-fed hens. And cheese, too, if I can find non-mass-produced cheese derived from happy cows.

[Ava]

31. congrats!

i hit my 2 month vegetarian anniversary on the 1st.

i'm a lacto vegetarian too (still eat dairy products)

[flvegan]

32. Wow, Ava...congratulations on your 2 months.

That's fantastic!

How do you feel in comparison to a couple months ago?

[Ava]

34. thanks

feeling much better. more energy and just feeling all around better.

[AndreaCG]

33. Good for you

I've been a veggie since age 12 and vegan since New Years Day 2006. I can tell you it is MUCH easier to be a vegetarian than it was in the 70s. Though I hold Burger King in high esteem (for fast food) since even in the 70s you could order a Whopper hold the meat and they had a special key for it on the register and it cost less than the regular Whopper. Really if you are ovo-lacto you won't have any problems finding stuff to eat.

I suggest subscribing to Vegetarian Times and Veg News. Moosewood cookbooks I'm not so fond of since the recent ones have fish recipes, but you'll find dozens of others to choose from at a chain bookstore, or even more if you're online if you're in a small community.

[yewberry]

35. Yahootie, indeed!

Glad to hear that you're doing well with your decision.

Hey, if there's anything I can help with, let me know. I've worked around and with food (vegan and not) for a long time.

Good luck!

[Bullwinkle925]

36. Thanks.

I just may be taking you up on your offer.

[Adsos Letter]

37. I see you are in California

well, actually, I read it...but I digress...

If you are ever up St. Helena way be sure to hit "Taylor's Refresher"; best dang vegeburgers in the state!

[Bullwinkle925]

39. OH MY!!

I shall endeavor to get myself up there soon. Thanks!!!!!

[yewberry]

38. Anytime.

Hell, when I met my husband, he'd eat anything that was passed to him through a window. Now, he asks if we can have "that tofu and brown rice thing" for dinner.

And no judging.

(Oh, yeah, there's a recipe thread pinned on the veg board if you need ideas, and there are some vegetarian regulars in the C&B forum, too.)

:hi:

[Bullwinkle925]

40. I'm gonna need emotional support.

I hate to keep saying my husband is ill - but he is. And he's on a feeding tube for 75% of his daily nourishment. Needless-to-say, I don't do a lot of cooking any longer. Only for myself, and mainly it's been snacking and frozen entrees. I was eating in restaurants before coming home after work (while I was still working) and now I'm just running to Trader Joe's or a Farmer's market. Eating around here has become hectic.
I've put on 30 lbs. since he was diagnosed (10 yrs. ago) and it is hard to get on track with anything.
Oh well - I do thank you!!

[yewberry]

41. Wow, that must be incredibly difficult.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband--I had no idea. I can only imagine how hard it must be handle (on several levels.)

So, is meal prep a relaxing/personally rewarding thing for you, or are you in more of a throw-it-together-as-needed kind of place? Whatever the case, I'll help any way I can.

And hey, YAY YOU (!!) for doing something that feels meaningful to you and for making an effort to take good care of yourself!

[Inchworm]

42. Congrats!

I recently started doing meat free Monday's just to experience vegetarian cooking. I try to cook something meat-free. I'm not quite ready to make any drastic leap just yet.

:yourock:

[Bullwinkle925]

43. Thanks Inchworm.

I've been toying with the idea for quite some time. I have cut down on red meat substantially but was still having fish and chicken. I'm lucky in that I like tofu and veggies. Can also make do with just having cereal for dinners. If you decide it is right for you, the jump to full-time won't be so difficult.
The real challenge will probably be dining out with friends.

[Inchworm]

44. Why I started doing it

in the beginning was not to become vegetarian or vegan but to be aware.

Its almost like awareness will be what pushes me that way too though. I never knew a vegetarian until recently and for me not to understand it would be wrong. Hec, even what I'd have considered to be the small things like picking a restaurant is paramount.

I'm just learning.

:hi:

[driver8]

45. Congratulations!! That is my goal, also.

I'm having a hard time giving up chicken, though.

[Bullwinkle925]

46. Well, so far its been like giving up smoking. I just stopped.

It has only been one week. If you decide to do it, I wish you the very best.

[Blue_Tires]

49. good luck

i'm trying as well, but have the occasional relapse...

[Zoigal]

50. Boca Burgers

are great too, IMO. Come in several different

types...definitely worth a try. Also Gardenburgers.

I've been away from meat for over a year now.

Was never a big meat eater, so it isn't too hard.

Good luck.

[ThomCat]

51. Good for you! Congratulations!

:applause:

I wish you good health and an enjoyment off great vegetarian food from around the world.

[Robeson]

52. Congrats!!!!....

...way to go! :toast: :thumbsup: