Fell off that bandwagon...

[serendipity8791]

I was attempting to go vegetarian, with hopes to be 100% meat-free by my birthday. That didn't happen, due to the heat turning me into an "I don't care what I put in my mouth, it's too hot to plan meals/cook/care to eat healthy!" monster.

But on Saturday, my Ninjutsu instructor had ordered a catered lunch (included into our seminar fee) and there was a lovely three-bean salad (red beans, chickpeas/garbanzo beans, and lentils, with chopped up veggies, and a nice, tart vinaigrette). It was so good I could have eaten the whole tub, and it got me thinking that I really should look into fantastic vegetarian/vegan recipes to try out and COOK HEALTHY MEALS for myself. (Please excuse the temporary caps lock, but I really have to give myself a kick in the butt and get to that.)

With that said, I'm covered in bruises and still a bit sore today. But it felt great to get that intensive training done. I love sweating if it's for Ninjutsu.

Comments

[ilthit]

I was an ovo-lacto-vegetarian who eats fish (in other words, I ate anything except red meat or bird) for about 10 years, and only stopped because I got lazy, and cheeseburgers are cheaper than fishburgers, and Gilly doesn't consider a meal a meal unless it has some meat in it, meaning that being a vegetarian right now when I do the cooking for both of us is just too much work. Meat is a shortcut - put some on pan, fry it, add rice and salad, done - otherwise I don't see it as anything essential.

I know a lady who does the most amazing Greek-style lentil soup. Shall I ask her for a recipe?

[serendipity8791]

Took forever to reply to this but, yes, please, I'll take the recipe, haha.

And I'll be working on cutting down meat again, which is much easier at home than not at home, because my parents also do not consider a meal a meal if there isn't some sort of animal flesh in it.

I'm allergic to fish and seafood, so if I cut out red meat and birds, I cut out basically all animal flesh. O.O!!

[ilthit]

There are other shortcuts to protein, such as milk products - fat-free milk is enormously good for you - and tofu and beans are essential. Also egg, if you choose to eat egg. That should get you covered!

I have asked the friend for the recipe via e-mail! I hope it's not classified.

[serendipity8791]

Alas, completely fat-free milk is somehow the worst for lactose intolerant people. I'll eat reduced-fat cheeses (specifically, mozzarella) and yogurt, with little to no issues, but plain milk makes me very ill. I don't overdo it on the cheese though, because that also has rather, um, explosive consequences.

I'm not all that crazy about eggs, but I do like the feeling they give me in my belly once they're in there.

I like tofu, especially if I wasn't the one to cook it, haha. I suck at preparing it. It tastes good, but it becomes about as mushy as mushrooms, which is why I often pair it with mushies, because then my brain likes to pretend it's all mushrooms! I know it can be done more firm, as I've had tofu that had a meaty texture in Thai restaurants, but yeah.

Speaking of soy, I am obsessed with unprocessed green soybeans (edamame). Tastes so good, and it's good for you too. Better than anything made with processed soy anyway.