I need help from fellow vegetarians

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks for all the replies! I am definitely going to do some research and have plenty of articles to present to my mom! I also may stop coming home so frequently. I know that will make her want to stop bugging me! It's hard though because if I eat at school I pay for it, if I go home and eat, well, obviously I don't pay for that. I'm just a college student, I don't have tons of money floating around.

What do you all do when you go to family functions? None of my family accomodates my eating style and at family functions I get a ton of comments about why I won't eat what they have prepared. I don't expect them to make a seperate dish for me, but would it be rude to bring my own food? How do other veggies handle these situations?

 

[druidia]

Wish I had a snappy comeback for you, but I don't. After 10 years of doing this, I still get comments from my grandmother about my diet, worrying that I'm not eating well, etc. Luckily my parents have pared down to the occasional comment, but still respect how my DH and I eat and accomodate us.

Don't these people listen when doctors tell them to EAT THEIR VEGGIES?? What could be bad about that? What do they think I'm eating exactly? OK, maybe not a lot of veggies, but certainly a fair amount of tofu.

Unfortunately, you will always get people trying to press their diet propoganda on you, trying to make you think that soy is "not as healthy as they make it out to be" and that "people were meant to be" omnivores.

I have issue with that last assertion. It is my understanding that the only thing that you get from an animal source that you cannot get from a plant source is cholesterol. Now without getting into an evolutionary debate, let me state that the liver (of healthy people) produces all of the cholesterol that you need to survive, hence you do not need to get it from an animal source. That tells me that from an evolutionary perspective, we most certainly were NOT bred down through the millenia to be carnivores.

But I digress...I think people feel guilty for eating that way, so they are always trying to break down non-meat eaters to make themselves feel less guilty. I am one of the last people you will find who pushes my beliefs on others, or belittles people for eating that way. I simply don't care how they eat, just don't expect me to eat that way.

There really isn't much else you can do to combat the comments and behaviors without being accused of being a PETA terrorist. I can't even bear to look at that propoganda, so I certainly couldn't shove it into the face of another to try and convince them.

As long as you stick to your diet habits, people will eventually realize that it isn't just a "phase" and that you are committed to your chosen way of life.

 

[druidia]

We do bring our own food to family functions. IMHO, if a host/hostess knows about your dietary needs and is not remotely accomodating, that is rude. You are certainly not rude to bring your own food.

This can work out to your advantage. My grandmother always has veggie dishes for us, but nothing substantial at the big meals, like Christmas. For the last 4 years, I have made a cornbread stuffing with cream of celery and Quorn veggie chik'n chunks. It's like a chicken and dressing dish. I put it on the counter amongst all of the other foods, and inevitably all of my relatives have a bit of it and love it. One of my uncles was making fun of Tofurkey and I told him he just ate tofu in my dressing dish. He insisted he didn't eat it, until everyone in the room corrected him and said he even commented on it being tasty.

Never another word about our tofu dishes again!

 

[Melissa M]

druidia,
I want that recipe! (Where's the drooling smilie?)

 

[budbeerlady]

PrincessJasmine08 - I have been a vegetarian for a grand total of 6 months now. My parents have been really great, I cook for them if I go over there. Or once in a while if I just pop in I call my mom on the way and she throughs a potatoe in the microwave for me and I eat that with the veggies. My hunter family can have its meat and I can find enough to eat to survive the occasional meal with them. My parents knew about all the health problems I had been experiencing in my life and my Mom is so excited that I finally feel good for the first time in years. They have been really supportive. (She did at first have some concern but I brought over my vitamins (which she is now taking) and went over the things I normally eat in a week. I eat the same stir frys, casseroles, etc. that I grew up on but with out the meat or with a meat substitute.)

Now for the in-laws.... When she isnt lying about what really is in the food she cooked for dinner she is doing the eye rolling and negative comments about how it isnt healthy for me. (When I ate meat I would often get VERY sick with in an hour afterward plus I was lactose intolerant and a mess. So why would I want to eat that stuff and get sick? ) So I avoid her, if we go over there it isnt to eat anymore. I dont need negative people in my life and she can grow up or spend less time with us.

Family get-to-gethers, I bring food and nothing is said. I eat what I bring but my family is usually very healthy in the food that have. They love salads, veggies and fruits. If they are grilling burgers I just throw mine on the grill when they are almost done cooking as it takes less time. And with Dh's side I usually eat before we go and on Sunday's there I am stuck with green beans, and apple sauce.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I often do bring my own food to family/friend get-togethers and/or eat beforehand. My MIL and SIL do try to accomodate me and I really appreciate that, but they don't have much of a concept of how much or what I eat. A side salad, roll, serving of potatoes, and serving of green beans will leave me absolutely starving within a couple of hours (at home I probably eat 6 small meals a day).

I think their feelings are a little hurt when I bring my own food--as if I am criticizing their hosting abilities--but since they live out of town, we stay with them for several days, and I would just starve if I only ate what they prepared.

 

[Laura]

druidia,
I want that recipe! (Where's the drooling smilie?)

Me too!

 

[disneysteve]

If every time I went to a certain place for dinner, I had to deal with my eating habits being criticized, I'd stop going there.

I think luvflorida is right on the mark. Tell your mom you love her and miss her when you are at school, but you aren't going to keep coming for dinner since you are tired of being hassled all the time.

Of course, this is dependent on one condition: that your mother isn't right. I know lots of vegetarians who really don't eat well. They don't vary their diets enough. They don't get enough and the right kinds of protein, etc. McDonald's fries and a shake is not a good vegetarian lunch. So as long as you are doing vegetarianism "right" then tell mom to stop bugging you.

If you don't get Vegetarian Times, you need to subscribe today. It has great recipes, product reviews and lots of articles on the benefits of being vegetarian that you could pass along to mom.

 

[budbeerlady]

If you don't get Vegetarian Times, you need to subscribe today. It has great recipes, product reviews and lots of articles on the benefits of being vegetarian that you could pass along to mom.

I second this suggestion. It is my fav magazine now, not just recipes but all sorts of interesting stuff. I got mine here for $5 a year. http://magsforless.com/pd_vegetarian.cfm

 

[maddiel]

Can you folks recommend some more books and/or websites on how to do vegetarianism "right"?

My thirteen-year-old wants to go ovo-lacto vegetarian and I want to support her, but she has to meet my conditions: she can't be a junk food vegetarian, she has to do research so that I am satistisfied that she understands what makes up a healthy vegetarian diet and she is not allowed to turn up her nose when I make efforts to accomodate her. Does that sound fair to you?

I'm afraid that this if going to be a real PITA because we're already accommodating my husbands low-carb diabetic diet and it was really hard to adjust to that (although it is definitely worth it, as I hope this will be.) Any suggestions as to how to provide for her diet and his without beccoming a short order cook would be very much appreciated!

M.

 

[disneysteve]

I second this suggestion. It is my fav magazine now, not just recipes but all sorts of interesting stuff.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not a vegetarian but I'm close. I gave up red meat years ago and DW is allergic to all seafood. We got sick of chicken long ago. So we gradually started doing more and more vegetarian cooking. I do eat fish and chicken when I go out, but we almost never have meat at home.

Now DD has decided she wants to be a vegetarian so we're working on that. Of course, we didn't freak like most parents, since we already eat that way she came by it naturally.

Her 3 favorite meals are my homemade pizza (with lots of veggies), tacos (made with Morningstar Farms Griller crumbles) and tofu noodle bowls (just like the ones they serve in Tomorrowland). How could any parent complain when their kid begs you to grill vegetables?

 

[s&k'smom]

Here are a couple I like www.vegweb.com and www.vegcooking.com, I know the PETA site can be rough but on their website I found www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan, it had all kinds of supermarket products that were vegan plus you can send away for a free "starter" information on becoming vegetarian.

 

[nhrenee]

For the last 4 years, I have made a cornbread stuffing with cream of celery and Quorn veggie chik'n chunks. It's like a chicken and dressing dish.

That sounds yummy! Could you post the recipe?

TIA

 

[nhrenee]

I am 20 years old. I have been more or less a vegetarian (lacto ovo) since I was 16 years old. However, I am still having a really hard time explaining this to my family.

I can only tell you I have been a vegetarian for 30 years (since age 15). Knock on wood, I'm in excellent health. It's so much easier these days with all the soy products.

Would she be interested in trying a veg meal or would that just give her an excuse to complain?

I really like the suggestion about not going over there for a few meals and telling her why.

Good luck!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks again for all the suggestions! I have followed all the links and I am getting together some good concrete evidence that vegetarianism if done correctly is perfectly healthy. My parents' big argument was that eating meat is so natural. They say people have been eating meat for centuries and it is the way it was supposed to be. I don't get this. What part of killing and cooking an animal, another living thing, is natural? It just makes me sick to eat meat, I like animals too much. I am also going to look into a subscription to that magazine. My mom is a huge reader, she reads anything and everything. So, if I get it sent to my parent's house for me I am sure she will read it! Maybe if I can just educate her I'll be more successful in convincing her I am perfectly healthy!

 

[druidia]

Quorn Chik'n & Stuffing "Casserole"

Note: DH and I are lacto-ovo vegs, so we so eat dairy and eggs

Ingredients:
Pepperidge Farm Cornbread stuffing mix
1 bag of the Quorn Vegetarian "Chik'n" Tenders
1/2 cup of chopped celery
chopped onion (I only use about 2 TBSP)
any other vegs you like in your stuffing
1-2 cans Cream of Celery soup (depends on how moist you prefer the dressing to be. I also try to use a low-sodium brand if I can find it.)

Directions:
Prepare stuffing mix according to bag directions (calls for butter or margarine). Toss in the chopped celery/onion/other veggies to soften in the water while bringing to a boil.
Cook the tenders in a little olive oil over low heat.
When stuffing is mixed and moist, fold in the cooked tenders and 1 can of the cream of celery soup. Mix well.
If it is still not moist enough, add additional soup to bring to desired moistness.

Spread mixture in a 13x9 pan or pyrex dish.

Bake at 350 for ~15 minutes just to set casserole and heat through adequately.

Serve with mushroom gravy if desired.

I haven't made this since Thanksgiving last year, so hopefully I'm not missing anything important! I have never written it down, I just improv it.

Enjoy!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Quorn Chik'n & Stuffing "Casserole"

Note: DH and I are lacto-ovo vegs, so we so eat dairy and eggs

Ingredients:
Pepperidge Farm Cornbread stuffing mix
1 bag of the Quorn Vegetarian "Chik'n" Tenders
1/2 cup of chopped celery
chopped onion (I only use about 2 TBSP)
any other vegs you like in your stuffing
1-2 cans Cream of Celery soup (depends on how moist you prefer the dressing to be. I also try to use a low-sodium brand if I can find it.)

Directions:
Prepare stuffing mix according to bag directions (calls for butter or margarine). Toss in the chopped celery/onion/other veggies to soften in the water while bringing to a boil.
Cook the tenders in a little olive oil over low heat.
When stuffing is mixed and moist, fold in the cooked tenders and 1 can of the cream of celery soup. Mix well.
If it is still not moist enough, add additional soup to bring to desired moistness.

Spread mixture in a 13x9 pan or pyrex dish.

Bake at 350 for ~15 minutes just to set casserole and heat through adequately.

Serve with mushroom gravy if desired.

I haven't made this since Thanksgiving last year, so hopefully I'm not missing anything important! I have never written it down, I just improv it.

Enjoy!

That sounds really interesting! Maybe I will prepare it at Thanksgiving and have my family try a veggie dish! What are the Quorn Vegetarian "Chik'n" Tenders like? Maybe it makes me a bad vegetarian, but I have no idea what those are!

 

[Laura]

Quorn "chicken" is very similar in flavor to processed white meat chicken. The company makes fake turkey loaves, "meat"balls, and so forth, but so far I've only had the fake chicken patties, "breasts" and tenders. They're very good, and the patties are great for a quick meal. You should find them in the freezer section with veggie burgers, often with the "organic" food stuff.
http://www.quorn.com/

 

[Melissa M]

Thanks, druidia for posting the recipe! DD and I were just discussing Thanksgiving. This will be our first one alone since my divorce and we were thinking it would be fun to have a huge vegetarian spread. My ex-husband was a die hard meat eater.

I told her I was anxiously awaiting a yummy recipe from a DISer. She thinks it's funny how much information I get off these boards.

This recipe will more than likely be the centerpiece. Thanks again!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Quorn "chicken" is very similar in flavor to processed white meat chicken. The company makes fake turkey loaves, "meat"balls, and so forth, but so far I've only had the fake chicken patties, "breasts" and tenders. They're very good, and the patties are great for a quick meal. You should find them in the freezer section with veggie burgers, often with the "organic" food stuff.
http://www.quorn.com/

Are they soy?