Support thread for transitioning vegetarians

**cheles2kids** · 08-29-2008, 11:22 AM

I've read through the 3 threads already pertaining to going vegetarian, why people made the switch, etc.
But I thought a support thread for those of us who are interested in transitioning into this lifestyle is in order.

Anyone who is in transition now, have been thinking about it, or like myself were vegetarian at one point, but have reverted back to your old meat eating ways but would like to start fresh, please post your difficulties, your thoughts, your accomplishments, anything you'd like.

This thread is meant for support, advice, questions, etc. for anyone who might need it to "make the switch"!
I hope we can help to lend some support for those harder transition stages.

So, I thought I'd start:
I was vegetarian about a year ago, had been vegetarian for about 2 year prior and then I backslid.
I'm not sure exactly why, but I do think it had to do more with life changes and since we are creatures of habit, I fell back into my old meat eating ways.
Just as going vegetarian didn't happen overnight, neither did this, it was more along a meal per meal basis.

Before I knew it, I'm back here starting over from square one.

I know what people say, but when you are the only vegetarian you know and your responsible for cooking for a family of carnivors, it does make it more difficult to continue on the vegetarianism path.

So, would anyone else like to chime in to add their story, or ask a question?

**missyali** · 08-30-2008, 10:12 AM

I was a vegetarian for a few years in high school and college. It's been about 12 years since I have been back to my "meat-eating ways". I want to look at eating just fish and chicken. I will still eat eggs and dairy foods. I just think that I will feel better both physically, mentally, emotionally and environmentally. My family are HUGE carnivores! this is important to me, though. I have a menu plan: Monday ~ leftovers Tuesday ~ red meat Wednesday ~ chicken Thursday ~ meatless Friday ~ fun food (tacos, pizza) Saturday ~ fish Sunday ~ roasts of sorts. So, Sundays and Tuesday will be interesting, but, we'll see how it goes.

**cheles2kids** · 08-30-2008, 11:57 AM

Missyali, I'm so glad that you replied, I was wondering if I was the only one getting ready to go through the transition stage or already in transition?

Last time I went veg. I literally weaned myself one week at a time.
The first week I vowed that I would eat completely veg. one day that week, the next week was two days and so forth.

Right now I'm in the eliminating red meat phase, so you & I are *kinda* in about the same stage I suppose.
So for the next week or two, only chicken or fish for me.
While doing this I'm also planning on doing my one day a week completely veg. and then building myself up.

I really do commend people who can quite overnight, but for myself I knew that in order for it to be a long-term commitment that I needed to take it slowly and allow myself to adjust.

I mean eating and cooking veg. was a completely foreign thing to me before, because living in the south, everything is centered around meat.
So, it took me probably 2 months or or to really get the hang of it the first time around.
I'm hoping with having some meal ideas already that it won't take quite that long this time.

**Drgnfly423** · 08-30-2008, 01:34 PM

This is a great idea! I've completely cut out red meat, for me anyway. My husband still eats it. I eat chicken at home occasionally and fish in restaurants.

It is hard to transition. We have lunches provided at work and the pressure is unbelievable, especially when people know you used to eat meat...they act like "well you used to eat meat last month, what's different now?". I try to not even justify it. I feel like I shouldn't have to. KWIM?

Today we're having people over for a football game and I'm making turkey chili. Tomorrow we're having a BBQ, I'm having boca burger instead of hamburger. I have to agree that I feel much better when I don't eat meat. I've lost weight and I feel like my body is "working" better. Like my digestion is healthier. Has anyone else had this effect from eating veggie?

Thanks for starting this thread!

**cheles2kids** · 08-30-2008, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Drgnfly423

This is a great idea! I've completely cut out red meat, for me anyway. My husband still eats it. I eat chicken at home occasionally and fish in restaurants.

It is hard to transition. We have lunches provided at work and the pressure is unbelievable, especially when people know you used to eat meat...they act like "well you used to eat meat last month, what's different now?". I try to not even justify it. I feel like I shouldn't have to. KWIM?

Today we're having people over for a football game and I'm making turkey chili. Tomorrow we're having a BBQ, I'm having boca burger instead of hamburger. I have to agree that I feel much better when I don't eat meat. I've lost weight and I feel like my body is "working" better. Like my digestion is healthier. Has anyone else had this effect from eating veggie?

Thanks for starting this thread!

Great, I'm so glad to have you join in the discussion, Miranda!

I know exactly what you mean about having to explain things, I think sometimes if I just keep it on a low key most people don't even notice.
That way I don't even have to worry about an explanation.
I know before I would have people who were generally interested in what I ate, how long it took me to become vegetarian, etc.
Sometimes if you just use the, "Oh, I'm just trying to eat healthier and watch my cholesterol!" line, they seem so much more content with that explanation for some reason?

Then you have those who are just kinda put off with the whole vegetarian thing, I mean it's not like we're forcing our food choices on them, right?

On any account, as for your cookout. Another option for a meat burger is a portobello burger?
I dunno if you even like mushrooms or not? But you can seriously wipe of your 'shroom with a damp towel or if you want to be bad, like myself, just rinse it off under the faucet, drizzle with just a tiny bit of olive oil on each side and then sprinkle with some steak seasoning, it's *really* tasty.

Also I have several homemade bean type burger recipes, but I haven't tried any of them out yet.
I would be more than happy to share, if your to that point?

I know when I became veg. before I replaced alot of my meat with the meat replacements, but I gradually weaned myself off of those as well.
Morningstar has a decent Spicy Black bean burger, although for anyone else reading this, they aren't vegan, they do contain egg whites.

I'm actually making some homemade hummus this afternoon. Even when I went back to eating meats again, I would crave hummus, even for breakfast! I know, weird, right?

I vowed to myself that I'm going to experiment with making my own pita bread.
I cannot find a decent pita bread since we moved back here to Tennessee.
When I was in Jacksonville, I had ALOT more options and a great little natural/health foods store that had some awesome pitas.
(So sorry to have gotten off track there)

I remember before after I had gone totally vegetarian that the thing that stuck with me the most, was that I felt sooo much lighter (?)!
I never felt overfull, or stuffed, regardless of what I ate, unlike eating a meal filled with meat products.
There's definately a completely different feeling going on there.

Another thing that I noticed was that I didn't get sick as much, even a common cold was pretty much non-existent.
During that first year, I also lost about 20 lbs., because I became more aware, I also continued to eat even healthier.

As alot of people know, you *can* be a very unhealthy vegetarian.
I mean, pepsi & cheese puffs are vegetarian, kwim?
But not the healthiest for you.
I think there is just an awareness that comes with feeding your body healthier, it was more like stages to me.
First it was no meat, then limited dairy, no sugar came next, etc.

Good luck on your bar-b-que!!

**Palooka** · 08-30-2008, 10:18 PM

Great thread, cheles.

I just wanted to say that I first gave up beef. My last bite was in 92. Then it was chicken and turkey last. I never ate fish. Maybe a couple times in my life.lol I refused to eat it as a child even.

The best thing that got me motivated and made it easier was just reading books about it. There is tons and I was so interested in the subject that I sucked up any info I could find. I first checked out cook books from the library and wrote a ton of recipes from them.(no computor then. heh) At that time I just had my 2nd child and lost 30 pounds and worked out and was close to being 100% veg. I did this huge turn around.

It's your personal path and what works for some may not work for others. After I read about factory farming I never looked back at a turkey sandwich again.

Food for thought. Be prepared for the 'negative' people in your life that will start asking you a million questions. I never knew how much people was so concerned about what was on others people's plate until I went veg.

You will get the.."how do you get your protien." Fish is vegetarian" No it's not! " What do you eat if you don't eat meat" 'slaps head.' and many more comments and family gatherings can sometimes be the worst when they notice you passed that turkey up on thanksgiving.

Do whatever works for you and good luck! Any questions you have I would love to help.

**Palooka** · 08-30-2008, 10:39 PM

Forgot to add that trying some mock meats may make it easier. It's not very frugal though but it might help.

**madhen** · 08-31-2008, 01:11 AM

I call myself a semi-vegetarian. I always look for the vegetarian dish first, but if it looks suspicious, I'm not above going to a meat dish.

However, I do prefer vegetarian, and when I am out on a job, and someone takes sandwich orders, I'll always order a veggie sandwich. It is funny how one veggie sandwich brands you as a vegan. Most of the people at my office think I'm a vegetarian, because they've seen me eat ONE veggie sandwich!

Portabella mushroom burgers are the best!! There is a place here that sells tapas, and they have a portabella mushroom sandwich that they serve at lunch. It is the best thing I've eaten....ever. I'm afraid to ask how many calories it has in it, though, as it literally drips oil and butter down your hands.

I am happy to try to limit my meat intake to dairy and eggs, so I'll jump in. My main reason for not wanting to eat meat is the whole animal-cruelty thing, but since I have chickens, I feel okay about eating their eggs. I still wince a bit buying milk, but I haven't been able to wean myself from Half-and-half with my coffee.

If you like Chinese food, btw, I have a great recipe for kung pao that uses no meat. Even my staid meat-eating male friends like it.

Uses about four ingredients (five, if you want a side of steamed rice) and stores well in the fridge for left-overs or box lunches.

If you are still eating chicken, I also have a very tasty recipe for an ALMOST vegetarian dish (uses chicken broth) - its a lentil/long grain rice salad. Sounds a little dull, but it is very tasty!

**Palooka** · 08-31-2008, 02:15 AM

If you are still eating chicken, I also have a very tasty recipe for an ALMOST vegetarian dish (uses chicken broth) - its a lentil/long grain rice salad. Sounds a little dull, but it is very tasty!

Use veggie broth instead. It tastes better in recipes anyway.

**cheles2kids** · 08-31-2008, 08:34 AM

Palooka, thank-you sooo much for chiming in on this thread.

I think support from long-time vegetarians is very important, especially for people who are going this along for the first time.
You've given lots of good suggestions and brought up alot of great ideas.

I completely agree, I think reading and researching is an awesome suggestion!
I remember this is exactly what I did the "first time around", I had an awesome library system in Jacksonville and that's all I did for the first 6 months or so.
I just wish that I had kept a running list of all the great inspirational books that I had read, it would come in really handy now!

I also watched the videos, those were very heart wrenching!
They will stay with you for weeks and in my case years.

Wow! So, you've been a veg. since '92, CONGRATS!!!! 16 years, wowza, that IS AWESOME!!!

I do remember the last time when I went veg., that alot of people on another forum suggested to others that having a reason to help confirm your committment to *why* your veg. always helps.
Especially when you reach a point that it might be getting too difficult.
I have to say mine would be the healthy aspect of it and also the animal cruelty aspect.
I don't think people really take the time to think about where their food comes from, in my opinion.

But on a lighter note.
Thank-you again for jumping in here, it's great to have you a part of our discussion!!!

**cheles2kids** · 08-31-2008, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by madhen

I am happy to try to limit my meat intake to dairy and eggs, so I'll jump in. My main reason for not wanting to eat meat is the whole animal-cruelty thing, but since I have chickens, I feel okay about eating their eggs. I still wince a bit buying milk, but I haven't been able to wean myself from Half-and-half with my coffee.

It's great to have you here in this thread, madhen!
That was really the intention for it. To have some absolutely new beginners, some "semi-vegetarians", some that were vegetarian before but are starting over with their commitment (like myself), and even the support of some long-timers!
As for the chickens, I know devout vegetarians would have a completely different take on this, but having and raising your own chickens for eggs are a completely different thing to me, than purchasing eggs from the grocery store, that have come from factory farms.

If you like Chinese food, btw, I have a great recipe for kung pao that uses no meat. Even my staid meat-eating male friends like it.

Uses about four ingredients (five, if you want a side of steamed rice) and stores well in the fridge for left-overs or box lunches.I would LOVE your recipe for kung pao, and I'm sure others would love to add it their repetoire as well. So, PLEASE share!!!

If you are still eating chicken, I also have a very tasty recipe for an ALMOST vegetarian dish (uses chicken broth) - its a lentil/long grain rice salad. Sounds a little dull, but it is very tasty!

This one too! I have to admit I'm not a HUGE lentil fan but would be willing to try it, if it's as tasty as you say!I'm so glad to have you in our thread!!! Thank-you for taking the time to post!

**cheles2kids** · 08-31-2008, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Use veggie broth instead. It tastes better in recipes anyway.

There is also one called "No-chicken chicken broth", it's absolutely to die for!!!! Tastes like the real thing with no chicken used whatsoever!

Here's a link:
http://www.imaginefoods.com/products/product/1572.php
(Note-This is not a frugal food, and more likely than not you will only find it at a larger grocery store or at a health food type store, but it is defiantely worth the money, imho!)

**madhen** · 08-31-2008, 10:19 AM

Okay, just to show my level of commitment

I've added a Sept no-meat challenge to my sig. For September, I am going to try to eliminate any beef products. I rarely eat pork/ham, and my chickens are well-loved, very spoiled, and free range, so I am not counting their eggs. Maybe I'll add poultry meat in October. Not sure. We'll see how the beef thing goes. With winter coming on, a month without chicken noodle or chicken tortilla soup sounds daunting.

**ladykemma2** · 08-31-2008, 10:34 AM

i was a vegetarian when i lived in california. then i moved to texas. it is very difficult to be vegetarian in texas.

going vegetarian requires a total change in the way you think. in my opinion, the best book is Diet for a Small Planet by francis moore lappe. in it she teaches the idea of complementary proteins and meal planning. it's not about fake hamburgers.

instead of fake hamburgers, how does this sound?

lentils cooked in sherry wine with a sprinkle of grated cheese
a tossed green salad
garlic bread

i find the moosewood cookbooks excellent also.

**The Muse** · 08-31-2008, 10:45 AM

I'll jump in to offer my support as a seasoned vegetarian.

I read Fast Food Nation and knew part way through it that I didn't want to support the meatpacking industry anymore. I made the switch overnight and read as much as I could about vegetarianism and animal welfare. Like Palooka, I borrowed vegetarian cookbooks from the library and copied down the recipes that looked interesting. I jumped out of my comfort zone and cooked things I'd never heard of like tempeh, and things that scared me like tofu.

My husband was resistant at first, but after I showed him how delicious vegetarian food can be, he made the switch a few months after me. We've both not been sick in several years, we've both lost weight, and our blood pressure, iron, cholesterol, etc. are all perfect.

A couple of websites you might want to check out as you transition are VegWeb (for recipes) and Veggie Boards (for support and general info).

Palooka is right about mock meats...I love, love, love Gardenburger riblets! One of the best foods ever created. Seriously.

I'm also happy to answer questions on board or off...so give me a shout