thinking of becoming a veggie

[freakyfairy]

i'm seriously considering becoming a vegetarian, because a) i don't like the idea of killind animals, and b) because i don't really even like the taste of meat....(with the exceprtion of roast beef, sausages and bacon)
thing is, i'm a bit worried about what i would eat, because a;lot of the veggie food you can get that i've tried is awful..... any suggestions as to any really yummy meals i could try?

[moonflower]

I would recommend gettting a good cookbook, and visit www.vegweb.com
They have lots of yummy recipes, and it can give you advice on becoming a vegetarian. I eats alot of things that don't contain those meat substitutes, for some really are gross tasting, blech. I eat alot of wraps, spread hummus on the tortilla, add cheese, feta is yummy, and lots of veggies- lettuce, carrot, cucumbers, tomato, etc. Burritos, I love burritos. You can put anything in them, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I like putting black beans, rice, lettuce, cheese, and tomato, with a but of guac and sour crean on it. Nonetheless, just get creative.
Peace!

[toman]

I'm not a vegetarian, nor do I really want to be. But, I do try to make things sometimes without meat, just to switch it up. It seems to me the easiest things to work with as a basis for meat free foods are things like beans, rice, pasta, potatoes, basic greens like lettuce and spinach, and interesting tasting herbs and vegetables like peppers, ginger, mushrooms, stuff like that. Maybe just go to your local store, one that has a good selection of produce, and just pick up a variety of interesting things. Then go home and figure out what to do with them... I always find it fun to work around my ingredients, rather than the other way around.

[freakyfairy]

thanks for the advice T. that sounds like a fun way of finding new recipies...if i have any time to spare, i'll try that.....and i'll go and get a recipie book too....
the only problem being, that because i live with my parents and 3 siblings i usually get familly meal;s....containing meat....oh well, i'll see what i can do....
i'm also gonna try out some of the recipies that you guys have put on here.

[moonflower]

When it comes to family meals, ask yer mom (or whoever cooks) if they can make a 2 serving, on one serving portion of what they are having, meatless. Thats what my family does, say they are having pasta and put meat sauce on it, get marinara sauce and have your fam serve their own sauce, etc. Plus, you could cook dinner once a week for your fam at least, vegetarian style, and they can see just how yummy meatless dishes can be!
Peace

[Pedata]

Short science lesson.

Beans and grains all contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. However they are incomplete amino acids. You need complete amino acids to make protein.

If you combine a bean with a grain in one meal the two incomplete amino acids will combine, with the help of things in your system, and they'll become a complete amino acid.

For example-

Pinto beans + rice
Black beans + cornbread
Navy beans + noodles
Red beans + bread

Infinite combinations :)

If you're going to include eggs, cheese, and milk in your diet they can really help add to the complete protein building. It doesn't take much, either, just a sprinkling of cheese, or a sliced egg. Kinda like kick-starting things.

I learned everything I just said from a book called 1001 meatless meals. I can't remember the writer's name (library book) But I wrote down a lot of the recipes. If you want some, let me know :) I was vegan for a while and ate lot of beans because they were so incredibly cheap :)

Peace,
Pedata

[Sunnydaydreams]

undefinedI want to become a vegetarian again, but the first time I tried, I lost a lot of weight- 10 lbs- which is a lot when I started at 110. Also, I have a history of anemia.

How can I convert back to vegetarianism (& possibly, veganism) w/o losing weight & iron?

Peace & Love
Kim

[obladiblada]

there's also a line of food called amy's that makes really good vegetarian pot pies..and trader joe's quishes are rather good too, if you ever just want something you can pop into the microwave or oven really fast ;)

[nappydread]

hey Sunnydaydreams...


How can I convert back to vegetarianism (& possibly, veganism) w/o losing weight & iron?

Here are a couple sites you may wanna check out....
http://www.vnv.org.au/Nutrition/Iron.htm

http://www.vegetarian-diet.info/iron-vegetarian-diet.htm

the main conclusion is that:

...sources of iron for vegetarians include wholegrain cereals/flours, tofu, wheat germ, oatmeal, leafy green vegetables (eg. collards, kale, broccoli and other dark greens), eggs, blackstrap molasses, legumes (eg. lentils, red beans), nuts, seeds, peaches,apricots and figs.

I hope this helps:)

peace

[freakyfairy]

my friend saidthat to truely be a veggie,i shouldn't eat any fish euither....what's your opinion on this....? i love fish, and it is my main source of protien...without it my diet would be lacking.l......

[nappydread]

my friend saidthat to truely be a veggie,i shouldn't eat any fish euither....what's your opinion on this....? ......

your friend is correct.


i love fish, and it is my main source of protien...without it my diet would be lacking.......

ya....i sometimes breakdown and eat shellfish like oysters (...mmmm...) but thanks to Pedata, there is a very good protein lesson...yummy :D
<<<<<<< back there one page!

Try it out:)

peace

[Medea]

i have tried eating only veggies, but after a certain amount of time i feel this seriously strong craving for a cheeseburger, one time it was so strong i was even dreaming of cheeseburgers. it happens everytime i try to do it and i always succumb to the craving...:(

[Pedata]

i have tried eating only veggies, but after a certain amount of time i feel this seriously strong craving for a cheeseburger, one time it was so strong i was even dreaming of cheeseburgers. it happens everytime i try to do it and i always succumb to the craving...:(

I succumb also :) . I was vegetarian for a while and got low iron. Veggies have one kind of iron, meat has the other. I was bad low on the other. Cheeseburgers are loaded with iron. So is liver, which fortunately I love.

Hey maybe the Hippie Staff could put an omniverous recipe section for the omnivores? After all, not all hippies are vegetarians :)

Don't mean to upset any total vegetarians. I just have one of those systems that works best on something close to a caveman diet.

Peace,
Pedata

[beatnikhistoryday]

I want to be a vegan but my mom won't let me because she says its to expensive for me to with all of the meat substances and soy milk, you know. Can you give me some very simple recipies and/or advice about this. Thank you so much. Email me @ jessicaperson2005@yahoo.com

[Pedata]

I want to be a vegan but my mom won't let me because she says its to expensive for me to with all of the meat substances and soy milk, you know. Can you give me some very simple recipies and/or advice about this. Thank you so much. Email me @ jessicaperson2005@yahoo.com

I'll go post one of my favorite vegan recipes in a new thread.

When I was vegetarian I didn't mess with meat substitutes or soy products (except for soy sauce- which is used sparingly), because they were too expensive. Your Mom is right :D There are all kind of combinations of grains and beans in order to get your protein. If your buy dry beans and cook them yourself you'll find it to be the cheapest way to eat. Your Mom might like that :)

Peace,
Pedata