Vegans/Vegetarians: How do you do it?

[rubsluts'mommy]

Originally Posted by Ryn

Another vegan here.

Have you tried freezing tofu before using it? Once you defrost it, the texture has changed and it will suck in so much more flavor. Mind you, some people don't like the texture that way, they think it's spongy. I myself love it, IMO it's a bit like white bread.

You do know you don't have to eat tofu if you don't like it? There are many other vegan protein sources.

Well, the latest package of tofu I bought lasgt night is a two-pack from Trader Joe's... it's pretty much two halves of a normal block, packaged separately... makes it nice for us single folk who don't like a huge amount of leftovers...

Maybe I'll freeze one of those blocks and try that...

To jcribbs: sound interesting, but with my family history, high protein like you suggest is not a good idea. Also, I don't have a work schedule where i can do five meals a day... it just ain't gonna happen. Not to mention I prefer natural stuff, like sugar (as opposed to Splenda and the other 'alternatives'). I know where it came from.

I like the Type diet... I know enough about myself that I cannot switch cold turkey like some try... I set myself up for failure that way... so I started using up some of the banned stuff before Christmas... I cleared out my pantry of all tomato and potato products, donated them to the state food bank. I wanted to try meat alternatives as I know I'll get sick of constantly alternating turkey and chicken... and I can never remember which fish types are okay... no more ham and swiss sandwiches, or roast beef...

I'm having my Chai with goat milk this morning... so happy... now I know two stores that carry that milk: Trader Joe's and New Seasons... *le sigh*

I'm going to try the suggestions on tofu...

Persi & Alley (sorry, can't remember your human name): I am all too aware of what happens to the animals... but this is neither the time (as I'm running late to work), or place (the Lounge... the discussion could get heated, so better for IMO) to open up that can of worms... There's more to my answer, but I am truly running late now...

More when i get home from work...

 

[carolpetunia]

I know tofu is good for you, and I suppose the "textured soy" or whatever it is that they use as a meat substitute in some vegetarian foods is also pretty healthy... but I don't do any of that. I've been a vegetarian since age four, and I've never felt a need to replace meat -- I never wanted meat in the first place!

So instead of trying to recreate the experience of the meat you used to eat, maybe you'd do better to focus on all the wonderful vegetables out there, and the cheese and nuts and beans that provide protein.

And for dishes that traditionally have meat in them, the trick is to adjust the seasoning when you leave the meat out. We put red wine in our spaghetti sauce, and lots more onions than most people do... I put lots of beans in my chili and mash them up a little to give it some texture and body, and -- okay, I'll admit it -- I also add a little ketchup at the end, to give it tang.

Homemade soups don't need meat at all... instead of starting with some kind of broth, you just put in a little cream or tomato sauce (depending on the kind of soup you want), thin it slightly with white wine or water, and let the natural juices of the vegetables flavor it as they cook. After awhile, you may find you really love the brighter, fresher flavor of meatless dishes!

 

[swampwitch]

I was a vegetarian for nineteen years. I agree with the others; don't buy the meat substitutes as staples. Vegetarianism is a whole 'nother way to cook and eat. Get some good vegetarian cookbooks - I highly recommend Anna Thomas' Vegetarian Epicure and VE Book Two. Everything in those books is delicious and satisfying! Go to your bookstore and look at vegetarian cookbooks that seem doable. Cooking healthy vegetarian meals takes more work than the usual meat/vegetable/starch dinner. Good luck!

 

[esrgirl]

I'm quite fond of "How it all Vegan" and "The Garden of Vegan" for cookbooks. I also love Dr. Dean Ornish's books on heart healthy and low fat cooking- he's mostly vegetarian and his older books are totally vegetarian- with many vegan options. www.eatright.org is a good, professional resource- it's the American Dietetic Association. If you do a search you can find their food guide pyramid for vegetarians.

I was vegetarian for seven years, three of those a strict vegan (I didn't even eat honey or refined sugar). I, as well as several friends, developed a significant B12 deficiency, as well some neurological issues that faded fortunately. I did everything right, planned every meal perfectly, saw a dietician, etc. But I could not sustain a vegan diet long term. There are those who can, but I strongly suggest you get a yearly check up for vitamin levels and general health once a year if you are vegan- I've gotten plenty of hate mail from former vegan friends for even suggesting that. It isn't a PC opinion in AR circles- but I don't really care. It was my experience.

Like any healthy diet or lifestyle being vegan or vegetarian takes thought and planning- just as a healthy meat-eating diet does. Eating nothing but popcorn or cheetos all day is not a good diet! I would be wary of your blood type diet- any diet that limits perfectly healthy and necessary foods like tomatoes and sweet potatoes is suspect.

Follow Dr. Ornish's plan if you can- it's simple, easy, and has recipes. It's also medically proven safe and effective. The food is yummy too. His books are going to be in your local library for sure.

 

[jcribbs]

wow, I have total respect for you vegans. I have tried that way of eating numerous times in weight loss attempt and to try and get healthy. I could neve do it. I felt so deprived that when I went off the diet I binged. I was raised very unhealthy. Meat and starch and grease nearly every meal.

Vegans live a longer life, have healthier veins and are in better health than meat eaters or at least that's what I have read. But I could just never stick with it. The diet I am on now is the healthiest diet I have ever eaten. I have to take it one step at a time.

I have even tried the fruitarian diet.......

I fasted once on juice for 21 days... That made me feel so wonderful! But the weight I lost came right back PLUS more when it was over.

As time goes on, I would love to try vegan again but I can't right now.

This is a very interesting thread to me.

 

[enuja]

I'm a strange one who actually loves tofu. I'll eat it completely plain. But that's not for most people. There has been a huge amount of excellent tofu advice above. Absolutely focus on the vegetables (don't try to substitute tofurkey or tofu where you would have put meat), and, if you want to eat tofu, freeze it and marinate it. You said you like asian cooking; toss tofu into a stir fry; into miso soup; fry, season with Teriyaki sauce and eat with rice. When you just toss tofu into a recipe, though, you do need to make sure it's drained (you said you already do that; I just cut the plastic film top around the tofu, freeing three edges, pour out the liquid, and put a large, square old soy sauce container now filled with water one top; I don't use any dishes or paper towels, and its very quick and easy), it can be good to fry it beforehand to get a yummy crust, and any marinade you like should work. Just today I was eating the korean dish bibimbap. Usually it has a bit of meat, but I just omit that, and keep the tofu (it usually has both), which is seasoned with both sesame oil and soy sauce. It's very yummy.

If you were still eating meat, I once had a good recipe that had white & green onions and tofu AND ground meat. Just about any meat lover liked tofu in that context, and could learn to branch out to eating tofu in other contexts.

I even use tofu for taco fillings; I sometimes buy the (expensive!) fake meat for taco fillings, but also enjoy frying mushrooms, garlic and (thawed) frozen tofu with regular taco seasonings. I know I said "don't replace meat", but if it's a part of the meal, mixed in with other things, instead of slab on your plate, it's much easier to "replace" meat.

 

[theimp98]

Originally Posted by RubSluts'Mommy

, I figured I'd try some tofu recipes, even bought a Tofurkey tonight...

how the *bleep* do ya'll do it? Seriously. I'm really beginning to dislike the flavor of tofu, and no matter what I do, I can't hide that flavor. I love my veggies, but seriously...

Amanda

Tofu is not a food group, its just plan old nasty.femented toe funk is what i call it

the one thing that helps is the wife tends to cook things asian style.
which means, most meals have Tons of veggies, she still slips in tofu,
but well with the textue of tofu, i cant see how anyone can eat that.

 

[urbantigers]

Well there's tofu and there's tofu! If you're just eating the standard stuff you can buy in supermarkets it's pretty gross (works best if you marinade it then saute it so that it's crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Also important to squeeze out the water before you cook it) but over here you can buy tofu with lots of different textures and flavours. I buy a lovely firm tofu with almonds and sesame seeds which is yummy. None of that soft, spongy texture and loads of flavour. But you tend to have to go to specialist shops for that.

I was a vegan for many years and while I did eat tofu, I didn't rely on it. I ate lentils (I like the brown ones best) and chick peas a lot as I love pulses. I used to buy canned brown lentils in tomato sauce which made a great base for making veggie versions of shepherds pie and lasagne. I also used things like ground almonds to thicken sauces and add protein to things like veg curry.

I agree with avoiding most meat substitutes as most are vile and I didn't give up meat in order the replace it with something that tasted like meat anyway. There are some good ones though that can work well to make a quick meal when you're in a hurry and not got anything planned but it's really trial and error to find out which ones you like. Nut and veggie burgers range from the disgusting to the sublime

 

[butzie]

I cook a veggie meal once a week. So, here are some cookbooks I recommend.

Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson. I reviewed this cookbook for our local paper. There are some really good recipes - like Clemiquat Salad (Cumquats and Clementine oranges), spring minestrone and great

thin mint cookies. What I really like about this book, besides the wonderful photos the author took, is that she writes about incorporating whole and natural ingredients into your menu. So, there are sections about building a natural pantry, explore a wide range of grains, etc.

Any of the Mollie Katzen cookbooks are great. Her two biggest sellers are The New Moosewood Cookbook and The Enchanted Broccoli Forest and Other Delicacies. Moosewood contains recipes from her first restaurant in Ithaca, NY. I actually ate there when I was in college. Really good.

Anyway, Swanson's book may give you some basic ideas.

Good luck!

 

[dragoriana]

Now i have to say first, i am neither vegan nor vegetarian. BUT i made a huge change months ago. I was a full on carnivore, now i am what's known as a pesce-pollotarianist (seafood/fowl). So i only east seafood and birds, well pretty much fish, chicken, turkey. Never had duck or peafowl or pheasant etcetc or lobster and most seafood is costly. I also cut out (for ethical reasons) any gravy that isn't chicken/vege, i buy vegan cheese (animal rennet is from the stomachs of unweaned baby calves), jelly and some sweets that have gelatine etc.

Though i am not a vegetarian, this has been an extremely difficult and huge step for me, as i used to eat alot of steak and roast lamb.

You have to take it a day at a time. And when you have cravings, make sure your family supports you and reminds you what you are doing is a good thing.

I'm eating alot more vegetables, and getting very creative with the way i cook chicken. Experimenting with different seasonings and flavours for soups, bakes, jacket potatos etc.

When i was younger i hated the taste of soymilk, but now i love it. I buy the choc or soyaccino cartons and they're soooo yummy. I still drink normal milk, but it's nice to have a change every once in a while.

Ooh on a non food subject. I went garden glove shopping for the new house, and i bought plain cotton instead of those tough leather palmed ones. I know it sounds silly, but my lifestyle goes as far as not wanting dead cows on my hands. I'm like a non vegan vegan