Me ~ "The Transitioning Vegetarian"

[IntlMom]

OK - so now's as good as a time as any.

I'm done being on the fence.

This is my accountabilty thread. You guys/gals are so great that I know that not only will be you be supportive and encouraging of my desire to go to a plant based diet....but that you will be full of suggestions along the way.

Ok - so, I am going for a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet.....for now. I may pull the dairy eventually, and I am still undecided on the eggs.

So this could be day one....but I have been "no meat" for 2 days (with the days before that being very little or no meat - but it's been two "clean days" for sure)

Day one: (Wed)
breakfast: egg and toast, nonfat latte
lunch: two bean burritos (taco bell)
dinner: salad with beans, roasted asparagus and brown rice

Day two: (Thurs)
breakfast: nonfat latte, brown rice porrige (delish!)
lunch: HM leftover soup - potato, leek and kale soup - YUM-O!!!
dinner: veggie quinoa, roasted asparagus, carrots

So I am sure that the vegans here will not love my diet, but let me tell you - I am in a meat and potatoes family, so I am doing my level best...... course hubby and the kids are finding more veggie meals presented to them all the time. (I have two planned for next week)

Thanks for everyone's encouragement!!

[KeithBC]

Hey, congratulations on climbing down from the fence on the right side!

[Rebookie]

Don't worry what others think!! You live for you, not them! Great job and keep it up!

[Natalie's Nesters]

Kudos to you for doing this. I live among meat lovers, so I can totally relate. We the boys go... so does the meat from this house. I do not eat meat, I have not liked it since day 1. Best wishes and keep us posted!

[falan]

Congrats! If you've been struggling with it, you should feel better already. You can do it.

[Palooka]

Yes! Welcome to the dark side. You can do it!!

I don't know if you know this but at Taco Bell you can order 'Fresco' style and they leave off the dairy and add a chunky salsa. You can get their bean burritos that way and many others. That is one fast food place that I find veggie friendly. They have no lard in their refried beans and their rice is cooked without chicken stock. Their sour cream does have gelatin in it so I always leave that off. I order their 7 layer burrito minus the sour cream.

Anyhoo, I'm happy for you. I live with meat eaters as well so I know how it goes and be prepared for all the smart remarks and silly questions...like..."where do you get your protien?" Trust me, it will happen once people find out. lol We can help you with some good come backs.

[IntlMom]

..... still doing great! (although hubby gave me a "disapproving" face when I opted for the cheese pizza instead of the combo with meat the other day)......

too bad so sad!

[falan]

Congrats!

Yeah, your hubby will get used to it. Tell him it's just more for the rest of them!

[Palooka]

..... still doing great! (although hubby gave me a "disapproving" face when I opted for the cheese pizza instead of the combo with meat the other day)......

too bad so sad!

I always found it so weird when people would notice what I have on my plate verses theirs. It's almost like they get defensive about it or silly something.

You are in the first early stages.

[The Muse]

Yay! I'm always happy to hear that someone else made this choice. Your DH and everyone else will get used to it. I remember feeling awkward at first, but now it's just a part of me and I don't apologize for it or feel awkward about it.

You can do this and you'll be so much healthier for it!

[cleaning]

Thanks for inspiring us!

[Dancing Lotus]

I always found it so weird when people would notice what I have on my plate verses theirs. It's almost like they get defensive about it or silly something.

You are in the first early stages.

I do think it's just people being defensive.

[IntlMom]

hmmm..... I don't know why ppl think eating veg is hard - I have found it to be very easy. I am enjoying my food just like always. I made a taco type casserole the other day and on my portion, I made the simple change of subsituting black beans for the rest of the families' beef (and made 1/2 pound of beef stretch for my whole rest of the family.... so I am cutting their consumption down too! - sneaky me!)

BUT today we leave for a weeks vacation. We are going to Orlando with all my extended family for the disney thing. ...... I am hoping to not have to come back and report that I had any meat (because quite frankly the thought of it makes me go **ick**)

So anyway - see you all in a week. Hope I have a chance to check in every once in a while.

[Palooka]

Yep, it's very easy being a veg head and I'm glad the thought of eating meat makes you go *ick*.

Even if you are eating out on your vacation it should still be easy to order Vegetarian food...maybe not so much Vegan though.

Can't wait to hear all about it.

[falan]

Have fun on your vacation!

Like Palooka said, there should be enough veggie choices for you not to have to worry.

You can do it!