New born Vegan that is craving a whopper desperately!!!!

[neatfreak]

I really like all the cookbooks from Deborah Madison, who is an extremely well known vegetarian cook (who also happened to found the restaurant where our wedding reception will be-woo hoo!).

My FAVORITE of hers is Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. It''s basically like a Joy of Cooking for vegetarians.

All her books have a ton of recipes, many of them vegan.

There is also an amazing vegan cupcake book called something like vegan cupcakes take over the world...not sure on that one.

FI is a veg and I might as well be, so we cook veggie A LOT.

 

[angel_nieves]

Indy I am trying to watch my soy intake. I normal eat whole wheat toast a piece of fruit and a cup of tea for breakfast, steamed veggies and whole wheat pasta or a legume dish for lunch, and tofu or meat substitute and steamed veggies and brown rice for dinner and a piece of mango for dessert.

 

[Haven]

Hi, Macie--I know I''m late to this topic, but I wanted to say good luck to you with your new diet!

AND more importantly, I know you said your son will still be eating meat, and I wanted to commend you for making this choice. Now, this is certainly my own personal story, and I do not have the medical background to give any real advice, but I just want to support this decision. My parents raise me as a vegetarian (ovo-lacto) and in the end I think it was the wrong choice. I didn''t eat any meat until I was 19 and in college, and I can''t tell you how much better I felt after leaving my vegetarian diet behind. I''ve always been an athlete, and despite the fact that my family worked extremely hard to balance our diets, FOR ME, I was just missing some essential nutrients. I''ve been eating meat (well, chicken mostly) ever since, and it feels great FOR ME. All of my competitive race times got better, I run faster, have more energy, etc.

The thing is that children need certain nutrients, and even under the guidance of an informed medical doctor, sometimes a veggie diet can fall short.

That said, I totally support your choice to be a more informed, compassionate consumer. We eat only organic, free-range foods from sustainable environments. Yes, it''s harder, and yes, more expensive, but at least we know we''re making a smaller footprint on the world.

You''ll be able to find loads of literature about the vegan lifestyle, and sustainable living, I''d definitely think about subscribing to an indy publication or two for support and ideas.

Good luck!

 

[angel_nieves]

Haven thank you for your post, I want to give my son the choice to do want he wants when it comes to eating veg, I don’t think he could ever give up chicken. By your comments you say you have more energy now that you are consuming meat, I have had allot more energy now that I have stopped. Also I don’t feel so sluggish after eating a big meal even my hubby commented on that.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 8/9/2007 12:56:29 PM
Author: Chrono
MC,
Thanks for typing out the long list of ingredients. I'm used to eating free range chicken from small family farms and they taste so different from commercially sold chicken. The meat is a lot leanner and tastier.

I just cut and pasted the ingredients lists from the websites (lol), but yep you're welcome. There's tons of info on all gardenburger, morningstar and boca websites!

 

[Haven]

That''s great that you feel better now, Macie. I think our bodies are all different, and they respond to foods differently. Some people are lactose intolerant, others crave lactose (like me!), it all just depends on your system and how it processes things and what it needs, I guess. I''m allergic to many fruits, and even the ones that I''m not allergic to make me feel icky after I eat them (I suppose I might have a mild allergy,)
but I would guess that allergies are just the body''s way of saying I DO NOT WANT TO INGEST THAT FOOD! FEED ME SOMETHING ELSE!

I generally eat very healthy foods, my diet is basically chicken, turkey, rice, whole grain breads, eggs, cottage cheese, tomatoes, green peppers, and the like. I sneak in havarti with dill every once in a while, though! When I eat "bad" foods like burgers and fries, then I definitely feel sluggish afterward. I suppose it''s harder to eat junk when you''re a vegan! I did overdose on pasta a couple times during my high school running days, that DID NOT feel good! I don''t know enough about the vegan diet to even know what you can and can''t eat, to be honest.

I think any conscious effort to live your life in a way that you believe is "better" than what you had been doing before is a great thing, so kudos to you!

 

[rainbowtrout]

So here's my two cents:

1) BEANS. Learn to love 'em. Chickpeas have all the calcium of yogurt. Lentils are great for you. You can get protein, calcium, and a ton of vitamins from the humble bean.

2) LOTS of dark leafy greens for Calcium and Magnesium, plus since you are a woman calcium supplements. Ask a nutritionist to be sure you are getting enough calcium. The good news is calcium from green leafies may be more absorbable than from dairy!

3)For that meaty taste: eggplant and portabello, shitake and oyster mushrooms are good as well. Be very generous with the olive oil until you get used to the new diet! You've just got to re-train your tastes, it may take awhile. Try to learn to cook Indian as well, all the spices will distract you from missing the meat.

4) Deborah Madison is a GODDESS. A little hard for vegans as she can lean on the dairy a lot, but usually gives a nice alternative.

---If you think about it, a lot of the processes used to make packaged vegan foods are just as bad for the environment and animals in the long run as the farming industry is!

--And yes, I DO eat meat, and I am aware of the antibiotics, etc, etc

I consider myself quite informed. I'm not going to go into my reasons but I felt like I had to point that out. I don't eat much meat for various reasons, but you can eat meat and not be ignorant or condoning of animal cruelty.

 

[Joolskie]

Date: 8/9/2007 1:27:08 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Hey Macie, keep in mind that tofu is made from soy! Just less processed soy. Same thing with miso (also good for a tasty, salty, protein + snack). It's fine to eat soy, probably every day. You just probably don't want to be having a glass of soy milk for breakfast, a soy cheese sandwich, then tofu for dinner and soy ice cream for desert, know what I mean?


In terms of recipes, I'm pretty sure there was a recent 'vegetarian recipe' thread on here.


The best veg cookbooks in my humble opinion are the Moosewood series ... I absolutely LOVE the 'low fat favourites' one. Why not go on amazon and get a bunch of veg cookbooks? That's a great way to start out!


Also, have you discovered epicurious.com? If you type in 'lima' 'fava' or whatever you should get some good options coming up.


I love my fresh lima beans, steamed in salt water, then chilled, then sprinkled in a salad.


But always make sure to cook lima beans and fava beans until they are soft (not TOO soft of course) because they contain cyanide which disapates when you cook them well.


See MC? Sometimes nature is even MORE (and more immediately) poisonous! And a little processing, in this case cooking, is a good thing.

I am not a vegetarian and I own the Moosewood cookbooks. The recipes are wonderful, delicious, healthy and meat-free. My best friend is a vegetarian (she eats eggs and dairy) so I have incorporated meat-free dishes into my diet as long as I have known her! One cookbook she loves is called "How It All Vegan." She also recommends Linda McCartney's cookbooks.

 

[perry]

Interesting topic and concepts.

I personally find it strange that people will avoid meat and animal products because they are susposedly bad for you... and then gulp down many vairietes of processed vegtible protiem (with lots of other stuff) and depend on vitimins to make up what''s missing. Why not just eat brown rice and some other basic staples? Perhaps because its not convienient or tasty?

It is possible to buy meat products that have been raised without the hormones and other items.

It is also possible to buy a lot of wonderful grown products from farm co-ops and farmer markets if you are really interested in what is in your "veggie" diet.

Few people take advantage of those offereings though.

Perry

 

[angel_nieves]

Hmmm Perry, I never said I was giving up animal products due to heath reasons, but I did say I was due to moral issues

. Also I eat all whole grain breads and brown rice due to heath issues also stated above. I take supplement due to as a female I am worried about osteoporosis and have been taking supplements for years now. Also I stated that organic meats and by-products where not readily available in my area without an hour dive to the largest city, I already buy lots of organic veggies from the local vendor.
For me not eating meat is due to the reason I do not agree with animals treated like mere dirt their whole life, just so I can eat something tasty! No harm to any one who eats meat just not my thing.

 

[monarch64]

Macie, when I get the occasional craving for an old school greasy burger, I go to Burger King and get their veggie burger. I believe they have Morningstar burgers. Anyway, they come chargrilled on a sesame seed bun with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and you could probably order it with cheese if you want. It fulfills that craving for me when I need a fast food fix.

ETA: I also became veg (not vegan, still working towards that) about 2 years ago after seeing Meet your Meat. I had wanted to go veg for years and years, and seeing that was the clincher for me, it just really hit home.

 

[perry]

Macie:

My comments were not specifically directed to you. I have seen many people go "veggie" for whatever reason and I am not convinced one iota that they are really eating healthier with the processed vegitable protien substitues for meet.

If you personally feel that you need to be a vegitarian. That is fine with me. If you want to call it a moral issue. That is also fine with me. We probably disagree on what is moral and not and that is all I will say on the issue.

I also understand the need to take good vitamins. The fact is that it is not possible for an average person to eat a properely ballanced diet that provided the vitimins and minerals they need for minimal health - not to mention the quantity needed for optimal health. That is why the Government and Dr's now recommend that all people take a good daily multi vitimin. That only scratches the surface as their is the problem that many of the vitimin products on the market are not "good" vitimin products (how much of the vitimin is absorbed versus passing through, and other issues).

However, I do feel I should point out a few things.

You stated: Also I stated that organic meats and by-products where not readily available in my area without an hour dive to the largest city

That sounds like your choice is driven by convience. Many people in the US don't live within an hours drive of a good sized supermarket. They tend to take a trip a week for groceries.

I buy meet to make homemade beef jerky as I cannot handle the modern additives. The store I get the beef from is an hour's drive away (and I pick up other stuff while I am there).

I would hope that your reason was really for more than it is a bit inconvience to get organic meat products.

You also stated: For me not eating meat is due to the reason I do not agree with animals treated like mere dirt their whole life, just so I can eat something tasty!

So raise your own. It is far more about taste. Its also about good nutrition. Rabbits and chickens are easy to raise - and you can treat them well (even have them as pets if you choose). The chickens also provide eggs. My sister used to raise goats so that she could milk them and eat them. Goat chease is rather tasty too. It is possible to butcher animals in a humane way - and I grew up doing that. That is the real way to meet your meat.

Actually, I find that living in a small city in a somewhat rural part of the state. I have access to all kinds of nicely raised meet products without hormones (chickens to buffalo). I don't take as much advantage of that as I could (and of course I would have to drive some to get to all of it). But it is available all over here - and not in the city at all. I have a brother who moved out west (living in Oregon now) and it took him about 2 months to find a person who raised beef decently for most of his families beef.

Of course. I don't know where you live. You do mention that you are getting vegitable products which does provide a clue that their is active farming in your area.

I also note that I noticed a really interesting pattern years ago when I was in college. The summer is when a lot of people become vegitarians (teens to 20's). Come winter most revert back to meet and animal products.... becasue most people cannot eat well enough on a vegitarian diet to tolerate the cold weather and enjoy the many outdoor activities.

Do have a great day. I also wish you the best with your choices; and admit that I cannot offer much advice on how to eat healthy as a vegitarian (except take really good vitimins).



Perry

 

[monarch64]

Macie, from what I have read and what my doctor has told me, what the typical vegetarian/vegan is missing from not eating meat or animal products are B vitamins, specifically B12. Other nutritional requirements that especially females may have a hard time getting enough of are folic acid and iron. If you google RDA you can find a complete listing of the nutrients your body requires (specifically for your height and weight, age, and gender) and there are also many sites that give tips on what kinds of foods to eat and combine so you can get your RDA of these nutrients without getting crazy with vitamin supplements. I take a B12 vitamin once a day, am not anemic and have never had an iron deficiency. I do make sure to eat plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, whole grain cereals and breads, whole grain rices, all types of beans, etc. The occasional meat substitute imo is no less healthier than the occasional chocolate shake or fries from McDonalds, or slice of pizza (and btw, you can find vegan pizzas in Trader Joe''s, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and probably in the local grocery chain''s freezer with the rest of the frozen vegan stuff.)

I''m 30 now, but have always paid attention to physical fitness and my overall health. Last year (after not having eaten meat for a year already), I participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, for which I trained 3 months in advance, walking at least 15-20 miles a week and on Saturdays 10+ miles at a time. For the actual walk, we walked 26.2 miles on Saturday, and 13 miles on Sunday to complete an almost 40 mile walk. I think I must''ve been in pretty good physical condition even without consuming many animal products. I am lacto-ovo, but I rarely drink milk, mainly I am bad about eating products that happen to have eggs or milk products in them. So keeping yourself in good physical health can certainly be done on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Carl Johnson...Olympic runner? Vegetarian. And there are plenty of other examples of famous athletes who don''t eat meat.

 

[monarch64]

Oops, I meant to say "Carl Lewis" Olympic track runner! Also to be noted: Albert Einstein (and that was waaaay before meat substitutes), several football players, basketball players, and other athletes...i''m not saying just because there are famous people who are vegetarian/vegan everyone else should be, too, but it''s kind of cool to see that some very famous people take part in the lifestyle.

For anyone who wants to see "meet your meat" or similar undercover videos, you can visit peta.org. Warning: not for the weak of stomach or mind, no censoring here, folks. I sent off for the Meet your Meat DVD a couple years ago and DH still refuses to watch it. I don''t blame him, it isn''t very pleasant.

 

[Haven]

Macie--You do whatever you want to do with your diet, and don''t let anybody get you down!

For some reason, a lot of people take becoming a veg/vegan personally, almost as if you were leaving "their" religion for another, and it''s their issue, not yours. You don''t have to justify your desire to stop eating meat and such, as long as it is right for you, then that is all that matters.

When I was a vegetarian and people would first learn of my eating habits they would often quiz me and ask me Why? and For how long? and Do you wear leather? and Oh, do you use cosmetics tested on animals? Why do you eat eggs? etc. Luckily I could always just say Well my hippie parents raised me as a vegetarian so it''s just habit now, I guess. That would usually shut them up. But it''s nobody''s business why you choose to eat what you eat, or how you obtain your groceries. There are a ton of good, supportive resources out there and you take your time figuring out how to strike a comfortable balance between your means and your desires.

 

[monarch64]

Hee hee, I think someone on PS (or maybe I saw it somewhere else) has a signature line that says "I''m not a vegetarian because I love animals, I''m a vegetarian because I hate plants!!" That makes me laugh, and I''ve used it in real life before when asked what my motives are. It breaks the ice and helps me avoid conflict sometimes. At this point, though, I no longer feel the need to explain myself to people who want to know all about why I choose this lifestyle, I just give a line like that, or assure them I don''t take issue with their own personal preferences, and change the subject.

 

[Haven]

LOVE the line, Monnie--I''m going to email it to my father right now so he can use it at will!

 

[perry]

Both Haven and Monarch raise some good points.

You do not have to defend why you make your choices. However, if you say that I''m doing "this" because of "that" then you invite challange as to if your reasoning makes sense. As an example (and I am not claiming you have done this) is that if someone claims that they have a moral objection to killing and using animals for human purposes - then they open themselves up to the critsism of leather use, use of mondern medicines, modern medical procedures, and many other things (even the eating of Jello as geletin is a animal product - now lab synthisized) - or risk being labled a hipocrite.

My problem with the "meet your meat" clip is that it does not present a ballanced picture and present you with your real choices. As such, I consider it as propoganda of the worst kind.

It shows the worst of the meat animal practices.

If you were shown a video of the worst mfr practices for tennis shoes (or other clothing items) --- would you be interested in those shoes or cloths? I doubt it (and major shoe companies, and clothing brands were affected by such videos).

If you were shown a vidoe of the worst mfr practices for an automobile... would you be interested in that car?

If you shown a video of the worst gemstone and jewery practices ... would you be interested in jewerly? I doubt it.

But what if I show you videos of the best practices.... in any industry. Completely different story. You become very interested (or at least not offended).

I wonder... how many of you seen the best meat animimal care practices. The most humane slaughter techniques. Many of you may not know this. But the Jewish religion - in its most conservative form - requires that all meat animals be slaughtered humanely (that is actually part of being "Kosher").

How many of you raised your own meat animals and did your own butchering. Trust me, you want your animals healthy and happy - and a quick and merciful end at the start of the butchering process.

I know a number of people who do not eat meat - but do eat eggs, dairy products, etc. They do well - and the ones who seem to do best spend a lot of time preparing their own meals from scratch (and not using commercial processed protien products). I do not personally know anyone at this time who is a pure vegitarian. I know several who tried it and reverted.

I also admit that one of the problems with current American meat production is that most beef (and other things) are raised with a lot higher fat content than they used to have. I will also admit that too much animal fat in our diet causes health problems.

Beef; in its original form is actually a fairly lean meat. I try to buy the leanest beef I can.

Also, as mentioned above - there are pleanty of alternate suppliers of meat that was raised and butchered with an eye on the best practices and with the idea of having healthy lean meat. It''s just not as convienient as your local grocery store....

Perry

 

[rainbowtrout]

I tend to agree with Perry on a lot of his points. That said there is nothing wrong with being a veggie guy or gal or a vegan! I know that my only irritation with is is that fact that I DO feel judged, constantly, by most vegetarians or vegans.


In this thread, there are some examples of the kind of implicit judgment I am talking about:

For me not eating meat is due to the reason I do not agree with animals treated like mere dirt their whole life, just so I can eat something tasty!

Over all, a Vegan is the most compassionate consumer making sure that nothing sustains them that caused pain or discomfort or anguish to another living creature.

However it does seem to me that most people who eat meat don’t seem to know about all the antibiotics, hormones and drugs given to beef, chickens, turkeys and pigs. Also I have read the ingredient list on the food I use to eat and wow all the chemicals make you wonder.

Yep, I know most aren't aware of the anti-biotics. A few weeks back, I was in the organic section of the grocery store and an older lady walked by and was appauled to see that milk was $4.99 a gallon and I tried to explain to her that she was in the organic section and she could find the 'regular' milk on the other side of the store and she had NO idea what I was talking about! She didn't even realize that you could chose between buying milk with or with antibiotics.



We aren't all ignorant, cruel carnivores! Perhaps informed, cruel, carnivores. I made myself watch a chicken being slaughtered before I chose not to be a vegitarian, I have read a lot and I consider myself an environmentalist. I can't always AFFORD the 4.99 milk! I know perfectly well what's in it, so I just don't drink milk much unless I have 5 bucks to spare on it, which isn't often.



Part two coming up....forgive my soapboxing....

 

[rainbowtrout]

About fish, I apologize in advance for my soapbox---


I mean, what is it? Are fish just not cute enough to be worth of saving? There''s no "save-the-tuna" movement like there was for the whales, because they don''t breathe air? Can''t do tricks? What? I meet people who call themselves "ethical vegetarians" all the time, except of course, they eat fish--because clearly fish don''t feel pain, suffocate in huge trawling nets, or have any good impact on the environment. Gahhhh. I understand picking your battles, I really do. I understand you can''t save the whole world at once. But get off the high horse already, fish deserve as much respect as a cow or a pig. They are not a lower life form.

We''ve fished out 90 percent of the large predatory species--fish that can live to be 80 or 90 years old and weigh a ton or two. For, I suppose, sushi and Omega-3s and protein with a low level of saturated fat. And it''s not just America--Europe, in fact, is often even worse, and neither really holds a candle to Japan. Who should be ashamed of themselves, by the way, given as they should know darn well how important the sea is to their continued food supply.

In all honesty, keeping the wild tuna population healthy is more important for our future than saving either the panda bear or the wolf, or even both together. But no-one seems to be ready to take the action that is needed. There is no innate "right to fish," as US lobbying groups would like us to believe. We gave people that right and they''ve abused it completely. What do people think is going to happen when we finally push the oceans to the breaking point, nothing?

I love seafood, I love fishing, and I love the ocean. And it really irks me that I don''t feel ethically comfortable eating much fish, or catching it at all anymore--even though sport fishing barely is a drop in the pot compared to commercial fisheries, it just doesn''t seem right.

 

[rainbowtrout]

Now, all that said, back to vegan cooking:


A few more suggestions I thought of:

Are you eating honey? If you are, one of my vegan grandmother's favorite things was raw, organic honey. That stuff is as sweet as candy and much better for you. Plus, I think bees are pretty happy in general doin' their thing with the beekeepers, especially the raw artisanal honey which is AMBROSIA. By the way, it also helps my allergies!


For meaty tastes, something I will do is to buy or make good quality vegetable or mushroom stock, and use it to make soup instead of water. It helps give the flavor profile of chicken stock without the meat.

Coconut cream is wonderfully rich and full-tasting on Thai or Indian dishes.

Risotto is my non-dairy hero. How can something that creamy have no dairy in it??? Learn how to make great mushroom or vegetable risotto. Mmmmm-mmmm good. Get the good medium grain rice and just go-to-town! You don't actually have to have the 2 tbls of butter and the parmesan---I've made it without and it's been yummy.

That funky fermented tofu stuff. O lord, it tastes EXACTLY like some exotic blue cheese. Love it.

Leek and mushroom dumplings with soy sauce.

Fun grains---quinoa, bulgar, and teff have high protien levels and are a nice change from the endless parade of pasta.


Personally I hate soy products, except chocolate soy milk, so I can't help you there cause I hate even thinking about them, don't know why. One suggestion would be:
Look into making un-processed soy milk. I'm not sure how feasible that is?? Maybe ask someone's Chinese grandmother...
I know it is an acquired taste but it's way better for you and might actually be kind of tasty.


Finally, I am not sure where you are. But when I was in Philly I bought raw, locally produced, small farm milk from the Amish. Heavenly tasty (totally different from real milk) and guilt-free, if you care. I never had a health problem from it, but there is a small amount of risk to be aware of.

 

[rainbowtrout]

Oh my gosh, I TOTALLY forgot, sorry:


Spiced, deep fried potato patties with chili garlic hot sauce in a baguette. So....amazingly...good.... Obviously not an everyday but you wanted "junk" subsititues. It''s mashed potato with tumeric, cumin, cilanto, and I think some peppers in it fried in canola oil. vegetarians, put a sunny side up egg or two on top!


Eggplant breaded and fried in oil, then stuffed into a sandwich with some chunky tomato sauce and liberal amounts of garlic and parsley. I prefer it un-breaded and just straight sauteed, but the breading makes it heavier. I think you can use those vegan fake egg white to coat the crumbs on like you would egg.


You mentionned tofu but do you know how to make Ma Po tofu? That really reminds me of meat--um actually I think it may have pork bits in it?? But you can just leave those out and throw in some soy cheese or the aformention Awesome Fermeneted Tofu Product

Avocados!!! Really good guac and corn tortilla chips, mmm. Also I find that when I''m reallly graving junk, an avocado, just sliced in half, and eaten with lemon juice and salt, hits the spot.

 

[Independent Gal]

As with most things, it''s a case of ''nobody is a saint, but try to do a little less harm and a little more good each day''. Minimizing your ''footprint'' on the planet doesn''t mean being perfect, just trying to be a little better where you can. WE ARE ALL HYPOCRITES in our various ways! But being healthier, or being kinder, or being more environmentally conscious or whatever... none of these are zero-sum games. You can eat more or less healthy, be more or less ''kind to animals'', be more or less environmentally conscious. And every bit helps. So long as we all admit we aren''t perfect or pure!

There is one particular thing I really agree with Perry on, while the meat industry really IS pretty awful (I have a friend who worked in a slaughterhouse for a couple of years... unbelievable the stories he told me!) PETA is notorious for their dubious propaganda: finding the absolute worst possible case and presenting it as the everyday norm. And PETA''s use of violence in the past. Not an organization I hugely respect. That said, knowing something happened once or a few times might be as good a reason as it being the norm for many people. So... why not?

But as with all ''information'' presented by seriously ''interested'' organizations of any kind whether coporate or activist, left or right, I take it with a grain of salt. Not as necessarily FALSE. Just with caution.

 

[chrono]

Date: 8/10/2007 9:23:58 AM
Author: rainbowtrout
Look into making un-processed soy milk. I''m not sure how feasible that is?? Maybe ask someone''s Chinese grandmother...
I know it is an acquired taste but it''s way better for you and might actually be kind of tasty.

I think it is a lot of work but my mom thinks its easy.
1. Soak the soy beans overnight in LOTs of water.
2. Drain and remove.
3. Puree it in a blender with some water. This is usually done in several small batches.
4. Strain the gloppy mixture through fine muslin cloth.
5. Boil the resulting water (that was strained) on low heat
6. Remove bubbles and "scum" that float to the surface
7. Add sugar or vanilla if you wish.

You can enjoy it hot or cold.

 

[angel_nieves]

Rainbow trout I never meant any judgment toward you or Perry (actually I love Perry's political threads). I actually am in the middle of making curried chicken and roti for my hubby. I honestly don’t have a problem with anyone eating meat. When I replied last night I was upset, my husbands uncle berated me to the point of crying over the fact I was a hippie that did not eat meat, and what a bad mother I was due to the fact I give my son soy products and not the real stuff.

Sorry if I came off harsh. Applogies all around
Thank you for your ideals and recipes.

 

[vespergirl]

Hi Macie! I LOVE your avatar! Reminds me of Nirmal from the old Garfield comics ...

I was a vegetarian for 3 years, and vegan for one year, and I actually gained about 20 pounds when I went vegetarian and vegan - after being vegan for a year, I went back to eating meat and lost 30 pounds. I think that''s because I was eating so many carbs & fat as a vegan, and I went back to lots of lean protein once I started eating meat again.

I have to say, I enjoyed being a vegatarian, but being vegan felt too extreme for me, and I felt extreme carvings for meat, cheese, eggs, so I think that my body was trying to tell me that it needed those things, and when I started eating meat again, I went to my ideal weight of 138 pounds (I''m 5''9").

However, everyone is different - I have a cousin who''s been vegan for years, and the diet really works for her - she is a healthy size two, glowing skin, shiny hair, very strong - I think that different bodies need different nutrition, so you won''t know what works for you until you try it ... good luck!

 

[rainbowtrout]

Macie my parents gave me soy everything, no refined sugar, yada yada and I turned out just fine, healthy as a horse (aside from the dislike of soy haha). Obviously there are reasonable limits but it isn''t irresponsible parenting!!!

Sorry your uncle went off on you.

Re: my frustration. It isn''t specifically anyone in particular I just get frustrated with some of my PETA-supporting friends who refuse to see other viewpoints.


Vesper: It''s true, cheese is so dangerous!!! I love dairy but since I barely eat any after having moved to Morocco I lost about 10 pounds. I am one of those people that likes good meat once in awhile but trying to eat it every day I literally have to force myself to take bites....no idea why. When I am really working out I eat more.

 

[DMBsGirl]

Date: 8/9/2007 12:49:44 PM
Author: Macie
Also Indy do you have some good recipes for different beans and so forth I like chick peas and lentils but they become a bit boring the same way over and over. I would like any different recipes for any legume.

I don''t know if you have access to ethnic foods where you are, but I love making spanish style beans. I buy a jar of "Goya Sofrito." The instructions for making beans come right on the jar. I use this for black and red beans, gives it the best flavor!

 

[rainbowtrout]

My favorite chickpea/lentil recipies:

Sizzling chickpea pasta--canned chickpeas, bread crumbs, garlic, EVO--saute until everything is browned an sizzling and the chickpeas are heated through, dump on fresh pasts.

Hummus, obviously.

Chickpeas with dark bitter greens

Chickpeas in 7-vegetable couscous


Lentils and brown rice smothered in caramelized onions: lentils cooked with brown rice, topped with 2-3 large onions sauteed in 6-7 tbls of EVO on low heat for 20-30 mins. Oh so simple and very tasty.


Lentils, okra, and carrots cooked in the juice from a 28-oz can of tomatoes, with tumeric, ginger, cinnamon and a bit of cumin. I do it in a dutch oven covered tightly for about 40 mins.

 

[angel_nieves]

Dmbsgirl the town I live in is mainly made up of Cubans so I already use sofrito, I tried it to night in lentils and wow it was good. Thanks so much