One of the items on my 101 Things in 1001 Days list is to “eat a vegetarian diet for a week.” This is an item that I have been pondering off and on quite a bit over the past few weeks because once again, I have fallen into one of my I-hate-cooking-and-food-in-general moods.
This anti-cooking sentiment reached its peak last weekend when I thought I was in the mood for one of my favorite dishes. I bought all the ingredients and made it, but once it was ready and I sat down to eat I wanted to throw it out after two bites. It wasn’t that it wasn’t good. It was. It just didn’t appeal to me. So I put the left-overs in the fridge and the next day I tried to eat it again (usually it is even better the second day), but even then I didn’t find it appetizing. I gave up and threw it out.
As a result, last week I began to think that perhaps a temporary change in eating habits might lift me out of my mood. Therefore I began to wonder if I was ready to implement the challenge of eating a vegetarian diet for a week.
So I started doing a little research on vegetarianism. I found this somewhat difficult because a lot of information out there is little more than militant propaganda (PETA anyone?), but eventually I found some advice for people who are considering vegetarianism. One of the things most often suggested is to try vegetarianism for thirty days and eat meatless meals that appeal to you. You don’t have to eat asparagus and tofu right off the bat. It is OK to eat spaghetti with meatless sauce and baked potatoes. You also don’t have to wake up one morning and completely give up meat. You can gradually wean yourself off of it. This type of advice was what I was looking for and was all I needed to decide that I am ready to begin my vegetarian experiment.
When I wrote this challenge for my 101 Things list I wrote it fairly simple because I thought if I left it as merely “a vegetarian diet for a week” I might accomplish it. However, I had hoped to not just eat a vegetarian diet for a week, but actually sit down and do a vegetarian meal plan as well. I wanted to find vegetarian recipes that sounded good and give them a try.
However, I have not yet seriously looked for any such recipes and given my current mood concerning food, I am not sure that a week is enough to get me out of this funk. Therefore, as most places suggest, I have decided to try vegetarianism for thirty days as opposed to one week.
Nevertheless I have also decided that I will not completely forbid myself from eating meat. In other words, I will allow myself to eat meat only if I go out to eat. This does not mean that I will circumvent my experiment by eating out every night or require myself to eat meat if I go out, rather I will not deny myself a steak if I am at a restaurant and I want it.
As a general rule though, for the next month I resolve to no longer buy or cook meat and will actively search for and try one vegetarian recipe a week. In a month I will evaluate the state of affairs and at that point determine if I am really the carnivore I always thought I was.
Hev says:
Just make sure you get enough protein & the nutrients that you need. My mother & I love to eat vegetarian meals, but at the same time we don’t deny ourselves meat for the fat & protein that it provides.
Hope you get out of your funk soon. Funks are no fun.
21 September 2008 at 19:59
Peggy says:
Cutting back on meat is a great move on the way to a healthier life. Cutting back just 15% (or one day out of seven) is enough to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Seriously. That’s why I work for a nonprofit public health campaign called Meatless Monday. Their website (www.meatlessmonday.com) is a great source of information on meat reduction–they’ve also got tons of meatless recipes and information on alternative sources of protein!
Good luck on your 30 day challenge!
21 September 2008 at 23:10
Nic says:
I’ve been vegi for over 20 years, some of my favourite cookbooks are American and include those from Moosewood (including the low fat one) and The Enchanted Broccoli Forest. You might find the Vegetarian Society useful, there’s some good advice for beginning vegis and loads of recipes:
http://www.vegsoc.org/
(this is a UK site, and I suppose I’m biased as I ran a Veg Soc branch for ages!)
Good luck on your explorations!
22 September 2008 at 01:23
Sharon says:
A really quick recipe that is delicious if you fancy trying it out.
1 400g tin of each of the following
chopped tomatoes
butter beans
kidney beans
flageolet beans
lightly fry 1 onion and 250g mushrooms. Add all the tinned things along with 1 clove of garlic, salt and pepper and chilli powder according to your taste. Simmer for about 20 minutes and serve over rice or with a baked potato. Really nice with a little cheese grated over the top too.
22 September 2008 at 13:34
Emilie says:
I do that sometimes too, especially when my husband away. Hope it works for you. A cookbook I love is “The Occasional Vegetarian” by Karen Lee. The ginger lentil stew is easy and makes great leftovers.
Good luck
22 September 2008 at 16:29
Kate says:
I’ve been on a similar diet myself - only eating meat when out - for a few months, but it’s more budget related than a diet. Cans of five bean mix are dead cheap, and you can put them in almost anything. Dhal is also amazing as reheated leftovers. Good luck with your veggie week!
22 September 2008 at 20:47
Rich says:
Saw your blog and thought I’d drop a quick note. You are to be commended for even trying a vegetarian diet. There are lots of sites and lots of good recipes out there. I’m sure you’ll find some you like. In the meantime check out our site too. We have some “professional” recipes submitted by other sites, some guest contributions and a lot of our own “down home” recipes that we think are pretty good.
Good luck! I think you’ll find you feel better after a short time on a veggie diet.
23 September 2008 at 06:12
Cara says:
I have been trying the same thing lately. It’s amazing all the vegetarian blogs that are out there! I checked out a lot of library books about vegetarianism and also recipe books with that focus. I’m really enjoying it - there’s a certain peace that comes with not eating meat. I’ve also let go of my pickyness when it comes to a lot of foods - I’ve been far more willing to try recipes with funky vegetables than I ever was comfortable trying recipes with funky meats. And the ethnic cuisines are so cool! If you’re looking for vegetarian “fast food,” aka frozen and packaged foods, check out Amy’s brand of products at the grocery store - haven’t had one I didn’t like!
Good luck to you! I hope you enjoy your journey towards vegetarianism!
25 September 2008 at 08:57