And I'm sorry for that! I've just been really busy with school, work and some unfortunate family stuff. But, I'm here now and I would like to report that 2 family members that have been diagnosed with cancer are doing well and we are all staying positive!! That's all we can do and I am making sure that it's the best damn job that I can do!
I'm staying true to being vegetarian!!
I have to admit that it's been tough.So tough, that I feel like calling it quits :( I've been craving red meat like crazy. And the smell of meat being grilled, baked, etc has my mouth watering like crazy. It seems as if vegetarian meals aren't as easily accessible as high in fat meals are. Yes, BK and other fast food joints may have "veggie" type food, but a)I don't trust it and b)I started this to help me stay away from fast food.
I am beating that craving and the "No meat blues" :-D. Just this past weekend, I finally tried the veggie patties from Morningstar...AND...I fell in love. So much that I had another one the next night. I also just found a vegetarian started kit (an informational magazine) online that I have been skimming through and feel as if this outta help me out of my 3rd week rut.
I also want to admit this sad, but true, fact. Before I decided to become vegetarian, I never really ate a lot of fruits and veggies. I had a salad every now and again. Also had the occasional canned veggies 2 or 3x a week. But now, I'm eating a couple, to a few, servings every day. In fact, I'm enjoying some big juicy strawberries right now! With greek yogurt! Plain greek yogurt. Lol! Thankful for juicy strawberries right about now! I'm pretty excited that I'm finally getting the healthy nutrients my body has been in need of!
Week 3 has been the toughest! Like stated above, I'm in the "No Meat Blues" stage. At least, that is what I am calling it. This week started my vegetarian meals every 3 days and on the 4th day I can eat, at the most, 4oz of meat (fish, chicken, beef,etc). That's pretty easy! The hard part is when absolute hunger strikes while at work and nothing that I brought sounds good....just chicken tenders. I eat what I brought and pretend that it's chicken tenders.
Im just thankful that a vegetarian diet isn't just "rabbit food". If it consisted of nothing but salads, I would be screwed. And that's just putting it lightly!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
My 1st vegetarian weekend, minus....
Saturday night!! It was my night to have a small serving of meat. I picked to have sushi! Yep! And I enjoyed it so much!! My future sis in law and her sis in law took my BF and myself to Sakana in Ahwatukee! AMAZING!! And they have the BEST plum wine! My favorite was the tofu salad! Mmmm! The tofu was dip in tempura and slightly fried, but it was amazing. Who knew fried tempura was great?! I definitely recommend any in AZ to check out Sakana (south west corner of 51st st & Elliot).
The rest of the weekend was a bit tough. When I'm used to making a sandwich for lunch when I'm just hanging out at home, I didn't know what to make. I settled for a baked grilled cheese sandwich! No grease. No butter! Just baked! That was amazing! I hope the weekends don't call for me submitting to meat of any kind. As long as I stay focused & determined, I know I will make it through the weekend meat free :-)
I need to be honest. I did want to give up on being vegetarian after I received some sad news about my fiance's uncle. Not because of a vegetarian diet, but because I just wanted to eat comfort food...and we all know how bad comfort food can be. I stayed strong though. What's the sad news, you ask?! Unfortunately my future uncle in law has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, this past Thursday. He is still at a young age & I know he has already accepted the big C and does plan on fighting it with surgery...no chemo...at least no chemo yet. Positive outlook can help individuals stay strong. Just sometimes hard when it hits so close to home. The big C word does run in my Fiance's family...it comes in at any place of the body..but every male has beat it. It just scares me for him. I don't know where to start to research what one can do to possibly prevent it from forming. I also know that it can form in anyone, whether it's hereditary or not. He is already prone to kidney stones (has had 2 in the last 3 yrs) and he does what he can to prevent those from being formed. If any one has any advice, pointers, etc. please please please share! We are staying hopefully and positive throughout this whole...thing! Staying strong is the best thing family members can do!
Good news though...Serena & Vince (<3) placed 3rd in the MINT 400 race this weekend :-) 300 miles in 10 hours in a 5/1600 car (a Volkswagen bug)!! Go #567! Next is Plaster City & they'll take home the Gold!!
The rest of the weekend was a bit tough. When I'm used to making a sandwich for lunch when I'm just hanging out at home, I didn't know what to make. I settled for a baked grilled cheese sandwich! No grease. No butter! Just baked! That was amazing! I hope the weekends don't call for me submitting to meat of any kind. As long as I stay focused & determined, I know I will make it through the weekend meat free :-)
I need to be honest. I did want to give up on being vegetarian after I received some sad news about my fiance's uncle. Not because of a vegetarian diet, but because I just wanted to eat comfort food...and we all know how bad comfort food can be. I stayed strong though. What's the sad news, you ask?! Unfortunately my future uncle in law has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, this past Thursday. He is still at a young age & I know he has already accepted the big C and does plan on fighting it with surgery...no chemo...at least no chemo yet. Positive outlook can help individuals stay strong. Just sometimes hard when it hits so close to home. The big C word does run in my Fiance's family...it comes in at any place of the body..but every male has beat it. It just scares me for him. I don't know where to start to research what one can do to possibly prevent it from forming. I also know that it can form in anyone, whether it's hereditary or not. He is already prone to kidney stones (has had 2 in the last 3 yrs) and he does what he can to prevent those from being formed. If any one has any advice, pointers, etc. please please please share! We are staying hopefully and positive throughout this whole...thing! Staying strong is the best thing family members can do!
Good news though...Serena & Vince (<3) placed 3rd in the MINT 400 race this weekend :-) 300 miles in 10 hours in a 5/1600 car (a Volkswagen bug)!! Go #567! Next is Plaster City & they'll take home the Gold!!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Morning!
I'm slacking...on keeping my blog current & up to date on my progress. So, I've decided to write while I eat my yummy egg & veggie sandwich. Remember, I am octo-lavo vegetarian. I can't give up my eggs and dairy, even though I should give up my dairy.
I realized that I haven't shared a part of my plan that is very important to me. As part of going vegetarian from a life long of meat eating, I am not giving up meat 110%...just yet. What I mean by that is this....This week & next week every 2 days of being vegetarian, the 3rd day I am allowed to have ONE small serving of meat. After the 2nd week of this, I will do 2 more weeks where every 3 days of vegetarian meals, I am allowed to have ONE small serving of meat on the 4th day. I'm going to continue this until I am eating vegetarian meals ALL week through. It may not make sense to you, but it does to me. Wednesday was my ONE serving of meat (for dinner) and in all honesty I didn't even really want it. I just don't want to put my body through this so sudden and end up getting sick...which I have heard can happen quite frequently.
As for my new meals...so far I've enjoyed quite a few. Yellow lentils in an Indian soup form. I've had cabbage, carrots, tofu & peanut thai style dressing. Last night's dinner was the best so far!! Organic merlot pasta wine with garlic and mozeralla tossed in extra virgin olive oil and swiss chard with tofu & sun dried tomato seasoning! YUMMY!!! And I'm making all this one my own! I signed up for Vegetarian Times and I'm excited to start getting a ton of vegetarian receipes!
My journey so far has been simple. I've been enjoying myself. And to be honest, I feel...lighter! I'm glad to have the support system that I have. I'm glad to have the friends that I have that can give me honest feed back and lend a hand with any info I seek. I'm also glad to have the followers who are watching my progress. It has been just a few days, but I see myself succeeding! As a good friend told me not too long ago..."TRYING IS ATTEMPTING TO FAIL"....So I'm not just trying, I'm doing it without problem!
I realized that I haven't shared a part of my plan that is very important to me. As part of going vegetarian from a life long of meat eating, I am not giving up meat 110%...just yet. What I mean by that is this....This week & next week every 2 days of being vegetarian, the 3rd day I am allowed to have ONE small serving of meat. After the 2nd week of this, I will do 2 more weeks where every 3 days of vegetarian meals, I am allowed to have ONE small serving of meat on the 4th day. I'm going to continue this until I am eating vegetarian meals ALL week through. It may not make sense to you, but it does to me. Wednesday was my ONE serving of meat (for dinner) and in all honesty I didn't even really want it. I just don't want to put my body through this so sudden and end up getting sick...which I have heard can happen quite frequently.
As for my new meals...so far I've enjoyed quite a few. Yellow lentils in an Indian soup form. I've had cabbage, carrots, tofu & peanut thai style dressing. Last night's dinner was the best so far!! Organic merlot pasta wine with garlic and mozeralla tossed in extra virgin olive oil and swiss chard with tofu & sun dried tomato seasoning! YUMMY!!! And I'm making all this one my own! I signed up for Vegetarian Times and I'm excited to start getting a ton of vegetarian receipes!
My journey so far has been simple. I've been enjoying myself. And to be honest, I feel...lighter! I'm glad to have the support system that I have. I'm glad to have the friends that I have that can give me honest feed back and lend a hand with any info I seek. I'm also glad to have the followers who are watching my progress. It has been just a few days, but I see myself succeeding! As a good friend told me not too long ago..."TRYING IS ATTEMPTING TO FAIL"....So I'm not just trying, I'm doing it without problem!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Just wanted to share this....
I was looking around on Facebook & came across this "Like" page on Vegetarianism and I wanted to share!! It explains (from Wikipedia) the definiton of a vegetarian and the different stages! For now I fall under the "ovo-lacto vegetarian diet"....
Various foods or treats, such as cake, chocolate, chips, gum, marshmallows and gummy candies, often contain unfamiliar animal ingredients, and may especially be a concern for vegetarians due to the likelihood of such additions. Vegetarians may vary in their feelings regarding these ingredients, however. While some vegetarians are unaware of animal-derived rennet's role in the usual production of cheese and may therefore unknowingly consume the product, for example, others of the diet are not bothered by its consumption. Often, animal-derived products, such as certain cheeses, gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients, are scrutinized by vegetarians prior to purchase or consumption.
Vegetarianism can be adopted for different reasons: In addition to ethical reasons, some reasons for vegetarianism include health, religious, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic or economic, and there are varieties of the diet: An ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs but not dairy products, a lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but not eggs, and an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products. A vegan (or strict vegetarian) diet excludes all animal products, such as eggs, dairy, and honey.
source: Facebook source
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets (fruits, vegetables, etc.), with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat (red meat, poultry, or seafood). Abstention from by-products of animal slaughter, such as animal-derived rennet and gelatin, may also be practiced.Various foods or treats, such as cake, chocolate, chips, gum, marshmallows and gummy candies, often contain unfamiliar animal ingredients, and may especially be a concern for vegetarians due to the likelihood of such additions. Vegetarians may vary in their feelings regarding these ingredients, however. While some vegetarians are unaware of animal-derived rennet's role in the usual production of cheese and may therefore unknowingly consume the product, for example, others of the diet are not bothered by its consumption. Often, animal-derived products, such as certain cheeses, gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients, are scrutinized by vegetarians prior to purchase or consumption.
Vegetarianism can be adopted for different reasons: In addition to ethical reasons, some reasons for vegetarianism include health, religious, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic or economic, and there are varieties of the diet: An ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs but not dairy products, a lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but not eggs, and an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products. A vegan (or strict vegetarian) diet excludes all animal products, such as eggs, dairy, and honey.
source: Facebook source
Monday, March 21, 2011
And so it begins...
1st things 1st...Some may not know that Vegan and Vegetarian are separate from each other. Vegan is NO animal by product. Vegetarian CAN consist of animal by product (milk, cheese, eggs, anything that comes from an animal).
I have just about completed my first day of my vegetarian journey! (pat on my back :-D) But...can I just tell you how much of a (small) roller coaster I have been on!?! I figured while dinner simmers, I'll vent a little.
Today was great...until it came time to go grocery shopping. Now, I was able to stay away from meat, so that was easy. What almost brought me to my knees was trying to figure out what in the world can I eat besides salads!?!?!?! For doing my research, I did NOT truly prepare myself for the very 1st grocery trip. My mood went from great to pissed off within 5 minutes. Pissed off at myself!!! As I'm walking through Sunflower, I stop in the produce area and just stand there....staring and thinking. I look in my basket and see that I've done good so far. I have tofu, black beans (bagged not canned), brown rice, veggies, etc. I did not know what else to get. That was a moment where I almost felt like giving up, but than thought "Give up so soon! That'd just prove to others, as well as myself, that I can't do anything." Pushing forward, I had to give myself that confidence that before the next grocery trip I will prepare myself better. I headed toward the registers with somewhat of a smile on my face and slowly patting my own back for staying strong. As I'm at the register, I happen to notice a new sign posted...It stated that if you are starting a new "food relationship" whether for weight loss, becoming a vegetarian, etc and don't know where to start, you can set up an appointment to grocery shop with a personal food shopper! I wish I would of known that BEFORE I gave myself so much grief! Knowing that now, I plan on making an appointment for next Monday. I will also have a list prepared to face this part of my journey without getting frustrated.
So keep in mind....ALWAYS research & prepare when chosing a new relationship with food. Though going vegetarian may sound like an easy shopping trip, I found it a bit frustrating.
My yummy tofu stir fry! Homemade!
I have just about completed my first day of my vegetarian journey! (pat on my back :-D) But...can I just tell you how much of a (small) roller coaster I have been on!?! I figured while dinner simmers, I'll vent a little.
Today was great...until it came time to go grocery shopping. Now, I was able to stay away from meat, so that was easy. What almost brought me to my knees was trying to figure out what in the world can I eat besides salads!?!?!?! For doing my research, I did NOT truly prepare myself for the very 1st grocery trip. My mood went from great to pissed off within 5 minutes. Pissed off at myself!!! As I'm walking through Sunflower, I stop in the produce area and just stand there....staring and thinking. I look in my basket and see that I've done good so far. I have tofu, black beans (bagged not canned), brown rice, veggies, etc. I did not know what else to get. That was a moment where I almost felt like giving up, but than thought "Give up so soon! That'd just prove to others, as well as myself, that I can't do anything." Pushing forward, I had to give myself that confidence that before the next grocery trip I will prepare myself better. I headed toward the registers with somewhat of a smile on my face and slowly patting my own back for staying strong. As I'm at the register, I happen to notice a new sign posted...It stated that if you are starting a new "food relationship" whether for weight loss, becoming a vegetarian, etc and don't know where to start, you can set up an appointment to grocery shop with a personal food shopper! I wish I would of known that BEFORE I gave myself so much grief! Knowing that now, I plan on making an appointment for next Monday. I will also have a list prepared to face this part of my journey without getting frustrated.
So keep in mind....ALWAYS research & prepare when chosing a new relationship with food. Though going vegetarian may sound like an easy shopping trip, I found it a bit frustrating.
My yummy tofu stir fry! Homemade!
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