Vegetable People--how do you do it?

rpandcat

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The vegetable thread got me thinking:

I recently became an actual vegetarian--not a "flexitarian." But to be honest, I feel like an actual vegetarian would be what most people consider vegan.

The thing that finally got me was reading an article about antibiotic use in factory farms. I had an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection, and I was in the hospital for about 3.5 weeks! It sucked...

And I hate thinking about those animals and the way they are treated. What does "humane" mean, anyway?

Anyway, there are a lot of reasons--that's not the question (and I'm sure everyone has personal reasons for or against it)...

The question is: how do you keep it up? For the last couple of days, all I can think about is sinking my teeth into some meat. I took my niece ice skating, and then for lunch. We were both starving--and she got a pepperoni sandwich--while I got veggies! I've been eating fish--so today, when the urge struck, I went and got a tuna fish sandwich (I should have made it--it's wasn't particularly nice). I don't think I need protein (I do eat a decent amount of fish and nuts, along with other foods as sources of protein). I think it's a habit. But it's not *just* a habit--because I'm thinking about it while driving along in the car...?

So, if you are, or have been a vegetarian, how did it go? What did you eat? And how did you keep it up?
 

denice

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I have been an on and off vegetarian for many years. The fact that I am on and off means I can't stick with it either.  The most I have done is about 10 months.  I never did lose the craving for meat even though I don't eat a lot of meat even when I am doing the vegetarian thing.  I never tried vegan.  I don't think I could stick with that at all.  To me it is too restrictive and to be healthy a lot of thought has to go into meal planning and food combinations.  

I know the whole factory farming thing is shocking.  I grew up on a farm so it probably takes more to shock me than it does to shock people who aren't from a farming background but it is pretty bad.  I then think about the issues with hunger even here in the U.S. and factory farming being responsible for keeping prices much lower than they would otherwise be, it's kind of a situation of does the good outweigh the bad.
 
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rpandcat

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I agree with you--I do think that if this many people need to be fed, there has to be some way of doing it--and that that kind of production is necessary. I think it's something like 1 out of 8 people in the US experience hunger on a regular basis.

It's just that I don't need to--I'm doing okay. And my final thing was the antibiotic issue--I'm allergic to a lot of antibiotics, and have already had a bad infection. If, for some reason, I were to get a bacterial infection that came through for some reason, it could be difficult to treat.

My main thing is trying to figure out if it's a habit, and how I'm supposed to be able to follow-through. I don't like starting things and not finishing them.
 

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I was raised vegetarian, so the appearance and smell of meat is repulsive to me.

There's plenty of good recipes out there for all kinds of good things. For example, one of my favorites is a vegetarian loaf recipe. It uses pecan meal, eggs, cheddar cheese, Rice Krispies, mushroom soup, etc. and is topped with a sauce made from ketchup, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar.

I've served that loaf to a meat eating relative and he loved it!

I'm not vegan, though, and don't plan to become vegan.

I have to be gluten free for medical reasons and that's enough of a hassle. I don't want to eliminate any more food options.
 
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Kat0121

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I'm going vegan with the new year. As this year winds down, I am gradually cutting animal products out of my life. This is something that has been in the back of my mind for a while now. My reasons for this are A- health and B-I really love animals. Over the past few months I have been losing my taste for meat. I don't believe that I will miss it. Dairy will be harder to give up as I dearly love cheese but I love animals more. If people truly understood how horribly cruel the meat, dairy and fur industries are towards animals, they may rethink their attitudes as well.

I forced myself to really think about my life and my choices. I will be 46 next month. If I don't change my life and my attitude now then when? I have no issues nor any judgement towards anyone else and what they choose to eat or not eat. I have been eating meat and dairy and wearing/using leather my entire life so for me to adopt a holier than thou attitude now or 10/20 years from now would be 100% hypocritical. No one likes that kind of vegan. Even other vegans don't like them because they just add to the stereotype and make people automatically shut down towards any message they may have

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results. I realized that I need to get control over my life and my health if I plan to be here for my DD for many years to come- and I do.I have called myself an animal lover since early childhood. Every time I did, there was that little voice in your head that tells you what you need to hear but don't want to and every time it said, "Then why are you eating them?" I believe that a plant based diet is better for me than one involving animal products.

So I'm done. No more as of 1/1/16. Better health and a compassionate lifestyle is my new year's and birthday presents to myself.  Will it be easy at first? No. So what? It will be a challenge. I have never backed away from a good challenge and I believe I will be healthier and happier as a result. I have been doing my homework. I've been looking up vegan recipes and there are SO Many out there. I love a lot of fruits and vegetables and love to cook, so  I know I can do this. I will do this. I can open myself to a lot of new foods and dishes that I would never have considered before. A truly new beginning and I'm excited about it. Veggie burgers and salad are not what vegans live on thankfully. THAT I couldn't do.

And just to reiterate what I've said in other discussions:

MY CATS WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BE FED A VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN DIET REGARDLESS OF WHAT I CHOOSE TO EAT MYSELF.  THEY ARE PERFECT THE WAY THEY ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE FED A SPECIES APPROPRIATE DIET 
 
 
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lonelocust

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I've been a vegetarian for 20 years, although I became a pescetarian eating only certain fish 5 years ago on the advice of my doctor (due to issues my personal body was having with soy and the fact that soy made up the majority of my diet then, rather than any generalized problem with vegetarianism). I do eat dairy and eggs, but I won't eat dairy in the US because I don't believe the animal protection laws there are sufficient. I've mostly cut fish back out because I've expanded my repertoire of vegetarian cooking to get enough protein without relying on soy as much as I used to.

I want to say that I'm not trying to judge what anyone else does and does not find difficult and am trying to share my personal experience since I think that's what you were asking for. So if anything comes across as preachy, I apologise in advance.

It honestly helps that I never liked meat. I always thought that 90% of meat was gross, and none of the 10% that I found tolerable was my favorite. I also find the concept of eating meat sort of disturbing without having to talk myself into it. It's a gut reaction to me, and well, that makes it pretty easy to me.

So, that aside, the first thing I'd say is don't think about substituting meat when deciding on food. I like some "meat substitute" and some dishes that put a non-meat protein in a place that otherwise would have meat, but there is a ton of stuff that just doesn't base itself on meat in the first place. You don't have to go shopping for hard-to-find replacement items this way, and it becomes less frustrating. My most common dinners on rotation are:

Vegetarian chickpea chili (vegan if you don't add cheese to your bowl)

Thai tofu with vegetables (vegan)

Tofu pad thai (can easily be made vegan by not adding egg)

Spinach goat cheese pie (or make the filling and eat it on bread)

Vegetable enchilada casserole (or enchiladas if you want to roll them but I'm lazy)

Pasta with vegetable sauce (also vegan if you don't add cheese to the bowl)

Shakshouka (middle eastern eggs poached in spicy tomato sauce with veggies)

Quinoa curry (vegan or you can add feta cheese or paneer)

Pineapple tacos (vegan)

I honestly really love tofu, and I find a lot of people who think they don't like it have had it either not drained properly or not marinated. Tofu is great at sucking up whatever you put it in so works for lots of flavors. It's also the easiest "vegetable protein" to get your hands on. Almost all supermarkets carry it now, whereas a lot of the others are harder to get. But you can really do without any of them and focus on legumes and high-protein grains. I also love lentils, but my spouse is not fond of them, so I don't often make them. I also make a lot of other things less often and will just go on pinterest and put in "vegetarian dinner" or "vegan dinner" and pick a random thing that sounds good and try it out.

I often wondered if it had been harder for me if I would be able to do it. But about a year ago I became aware of how harmful palm oil production is to a large array of animals (particularly but not limited to orangutans), and I instantly completely gave up products with palm oil. And let me tell you, palm oil is in EVERYTHING that's pre-packaged. (Including a lot of packaged vegan foods, which absolutely pisses me off, but that's a tangent.) I gave up Nutella, which was pretty much my favorite thing on earth, and while I crave the food, it's really not an issue for me. I wouldn't punch a cat in the face for Nutella, and I wouldn't contribute to the destruction of orangutans for Nutella either. So it's "hard" in that I want the food, but it's only as hard as say not robbing a bank.
 

lonelocust

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And just to reiterate what I've said in other discussions:

MY CATS WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BE FED A VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN DIET REGARDLESS OF WHAT I CHOOSE TO EAT MYSELF.  THEY ARE PERFECT THE WAY THEY ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE FED A SPECIES APPROPRIATE DIET 
 
Ditto on this for me.
 

natalie_ca

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I went vegetarian for a couple years between 2004 and 2008, largely because I was on a fixed income and everything around me was skyrocketing in price, so I couldn't afford to buy meat.  I can't say I enjoyed it, and I often found myself craving things because my body was obviously not getting the nutrition it needed.  I will add that while I didn't buy or cook meat/fish, I did eat it when I was out or at someone's place. So I wasn't completely vegetarian during that time; I just wasn't buying and cooking it myself.

I do have vegetarian days (meatless). I try to eat meatless at least 1/2 the week, and the rest of the time I stick mostly to fish and chicken.

If you are eating fish, you are not technically vegetarian.   A vegetarian doesn't eat anything with a face or anything that comes from anything with a face such as eggs or dairy.  I would say that you technically just cut out beef, chicken and pork from your diet.
 
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lonelocust

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If you are eating fish, you are not technically vegetarian.   A vegetarian doesn't eat anything with a face or anything that comes from anything with a face such as eggs or dairy.  I would say that you technically just cut out beef, chicken and pork from your diet.
Generally the word "vegetarian" in both common usage and dictionary definition means not eating meat. If you don't eat something that "comes from anything with a face", it is "vegan". That is generally why the word "vegan" came into use, to distinguish. Most packaged foods labeled as "vegetarian" contain eggs or dairy. You can of course use words however you want, but if you are vegan but expect things that are labeled as "vegetarian" to not contain dairy or egg products you might want to start reading packages. Additionally vegans don't eat a number of things that don't have faces, since not all animals have faces.

When I was lacto-ovo (i.e. vegetarian) I did get really annoyed at people constantly asking me if I ate fish when I said "vegetarian", because hello fish is meat. But now I usually still say "vegetarian" if being asked for practical reasons (i.e. about what foods I can be served) although I am piscetarian because i only eat very limited seafood products.
 

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Generally the word "vegetarian" in both common usage and dictionary definition means not eating meat. If you don't eat something that "comes from anything with a face", it is "vegan". That is generally why the word "vegan" came into use, to distinguish. Most packaged foods labeled as "vegetarian" contain eggs or dairy. You can of course use words however you want, but if you are vegan but expect things that are labeled as "vegetarian" to not contain dairy or egg products you might want to start reading packages. Additionally vegans don't eat a number of things that don't have faces, since not all animals have faces.

When I was lacto-ovo (i.e. vegetarian) I did get really annoyed at people constantly asking me if I ate fish when I said "vegetarian", because hello fish is meat. But now I usually still say "vegetarian" if being asked for practical reasons (i.e. about what foods I can be served) although I am piscetarian because i only eat very limited seafood products.
I agree that one can be "vegetarian" and not be "vegan."

That's why there is the various specifications of types of vegetarianism such as lacto ovo, etc.
 

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I don't eat meat at home. I hate the smell of cooking meat. So I don't :tongue2:. I'll eat meat at restaurants or someone else's house though. My brother is vegetarian/pescatarian---he does like his sushi :lol3:. I have a friend who went vegetarian a few years ago, and now she wants to eat meat again, but she just can't; her body rebels whenever she eats meat and she gets sick from it.

I would suggest, while you're getting used to it, find a source for humanely-raised, nothing-weird-used-in-raising meat (nothing you find commercially will be truly humanely raised. It's just not financially feasible. Check farmer's markets and small health food co-ops), and have a little bit when the cravings get strong. If you want to avoid even that, they do make some passable fake meats nowadays, that might do the trick for you.
 
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rpandcat

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I was raised vegetarian, so the appearance and smell of meat is repulsive to me.

There's plenty of good recipes out there for all kinds of good things. For example, one of my favorites is a vegetarian loaf recipe. It uses pecan meal, eggs, cheddar cheese, Rice Krispies, mushroom soup, etc. and is topped with a sauce made from ketchup, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar.

I've served that loaf to a meat eating relative and he loved it!

I'm not vegan, though, and don't plan to become vegan.

I have to be gluten free for medical reasons and that's enough of a hassle. I don't want to eliminate any more food options.
I've got to get recipes like this--I like cooking. And this sounds really interesting. I think there is a place around here where I could get the pecan meal.
 

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Oh actually a small correction: the loaf uses chopped pecans. I bought them already chopped in the baking section of the grocery store

Here's the recipe:

1 cup chopped pecans
1 can mushroom soup
4 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup cheddar cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp basil
1 medium onion, chopped

Mix thoroughly, cover with foil and bake covered in greased casserole dish at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.

Add sauce and bake uncovered for an additional 1/2 hour.

Sauce:

Mix together and put on top of loaf:
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
 
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rpandcat

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I don't eat meat at home. I hate the smell of cooking meat. So I don't
. I'll eat meat at restaurants or someone else's house though. My brother is vegetarian/pescatarian---he does like his sushi
. I have a friend who went vegetarian a few years ago, and now she wants to eat meat again, but she just can't; her body rebels whenever she eats meat and she gets sick from it.

I would suggest, while you're getting used to it, find a source for humanely-raised, nothing-weird-used-in-raising meat (nothing you find commercially will be truly humanely raised. It's just not financially feasible. Check farmer's markets and small health food co-ops), and have a little bit when the cravings get strong. If you want to avoid even that, they do make some passable fake meats nowadays, that might do the trick for you.
I'm a big sushi eater, too.

I guess I don't really want to eat meat--I'd like to find some kind of alternative.

@Lonelocust I like what you said--I didn't think you were preachy at all.

Historically, I never really ate much meat. I think I'm just mentally tired of having some kind of internal conflict about what I'm eating. It's like a permanent case of cognitive dissonance, sort of.

I'm going to go laugh at myself. I started writing that essay--the endless one where I describe why I'm doing this, and what I think about whatever. It could go on and on, which is why I didn't want to go there. And I'm positive I'm not the only one.

@Crazy4Strays

I need to get familiar with recipes like the one you wrote about. I think having more knowledge about what is possible would help a lot.

I have gotten firm tofu. I'm not so much looking for a meat substitute, but a way to get rid of the idea of eating it. I don't want to think about it anymore.
 

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Oh actually a small correction: the loaf uses chopped pecans. I bought them already chopped in the baking section of the grocery store

Here's the recipe:

1 cup chopped pecans
1 can mushroom soup
4 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup cheddar cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp basil
1 medium onion, chopped

Mix thoroughly, cover with foil and bake covered in greased casserole dish at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.

Add sauce and bake uncovered for an additional 1/2 hour.

Sauce:

Mix together and put on top of loaf:
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
There is a vegetarian/vegan section in The Recipe Exchange thread. Even though I am not a vegetarian, I do eat vegetables and realizing there are quite a few vegetarian/vegan members on this site, I asked that there be a category added. Thank you Winchester (Pam) for adding it!  It's only been there since October 27th, so not many recipes have been listed and I think that is because not many people are really aware of the thread!  

Add your recipes and share them with everyone! http://www.thecatsite.com/groups/show/151/the-recipe-exchange

If you go to the top of any page on the site, go to Forums, then scroll down to Social Groups, then TCS Social Groups, you will find the thread there also! ENJOY! and pass it on!
 

lonelocust

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I have gotten firm tofu. I'm not so much looking for a meat substitute, but a way to get rid of the idea of eating it. I don't want to think about it anymore.
The most important thing to know about tofu is that you need to drain/press it. Wrap it in some paper towels (and an actual towel after that if you want, but also the liquid will just drain away run onto the surface it's sitting on if you don't), then put a plastic garbage bag on top of that, then put a stack of heavy books on top of that, and let it sit for an hour or two. Then marinate it in whatever you like. For yeeeeaaars I didn't understand why tofu was so delicious at restaraunts but when I made it at home it was slimey. That is why.

You can also buy a gadget called a tofu press that just has two plates and some screws and you screw it down and it squeezes the moisture out. I keep meaning to get one but never have.

I'm also happy to share any recipes if any of what I mentioned above or similar sounds good to you. It sounds like it might be aside from your tastes, but there is a very wide variety of vegetarian flavors out there, and the internet is the best.
 

crazy4strays

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Trader Joe's Super Firm tofu is one of the best textured types that I've found. The texture reminds me of cheese.
 

rubysmama

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I've been vegetarian for just over 7 years. 

Although I was quite young when I started to believe eating animals was wrong - after seeing Bambi there was no way I was eating deer meat - I continued eating small portions of meat with my meals until well into adult-hood.  Then a combination of years of disliking meat more and more, mad cow disease, reading all the health reasons to limit red meat, and a life-long love of animals, I started to look into eating vegetarian.  

If the internet had been around when I was younger, I might have taken the veggie plunge much sooner, because there is an endless wealth of info and recipes available these days, as well as plenty of mock-meat substitutes in the grocery stores to help with the transition, if you need it.

I don't do something until I have a plan, so it took me about 6 months of trying different vegetarian recipes before I gave up meat for good.  And even then I still ate tuna sandwiches occasionally for a while.   Finally I gave up all meat, poultry and fish for good.  And I have never considered eating it again.  (even today - Christmas - as turkey was the only meat I really used to enjoy)

So my suggestions to anyone considering going vegetarian or vegan are:

1) do your research and ensure you are eating the right non-meat foods to stay healthy.

2) make sure you have a source of B-12, as that is the only vitamin not found in plants.  (dairy and eggs do have B-12)

3) if you are going to still eat dairy and eggs, don't overdo it, as though they have protein, they do also have a lot of fat, except low fat versions, of course

4) don't over-rely on the meat substitutes, as they are generally processed and full of sodium

I eat a lot of pasta with tomato and vegetable based sauces.   And beans and rice.  And baked beans and brown bread.  And lentils.  And my own homemade black bean burgers.   I don't eat a lot of cheese.   And though I rarely have eggs as the main protein source of my meal, I still bake with eggs.

Good luck with your transition.
 
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Kat0121

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The most important thing to know about tofu is that you need to drain/press it. Wrap it in some paper towels (and an actual towel after that if you want, but also the liquid will just drain away run onto the surface it's sitting on if you don't), then put a plastic garbage bag on top of that, then put a stack of heavy books on top of that, and let it sit for an hour or two. Then marinate it in whatever you like. For yeeeeaaars I didn't understand why tofu was so delicious at restaraunts but when I made it at home it was slimey. That is why.

You can also buy a gadget called a tofu press that just has two plates and some screws and you screw it down and it squeezes the moisture out. I keep meaning to get one but never have.

I'm also happy to share any recipes if any of what I mentioned above or similar sounds good to you. It sounds like it might be aside from your tastes, but there is a very wide variety of vegetarian flavors out there, and the internet is the best.
Thanks for the tip about the tofu press. I just ordered this one from Amazon

 
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