I started eating vegetarian several years ago ...

[magicbeanstalk]

 

[pjlla]

Nice to have you here. But your point is...?????......P

 

[pjlla]

Did I scare you away? I was just curious about why you started a thread on your vegetarian lifestyle without elaborating more? Do you want to share recipes??.................P

 

[Padstack]

I eat vegetarian too, along with some steak and potatoes.

 

[toledo13]

I'm a veggie too! So is DH!

 

[FireDancer]

I'm not a vegetarian but I eat a lot of vegetables and have many vegetarian recipes around. I do eat very little red meat and when I do I try to make it Bison, Venison, or something else a little leaner than beef if I can. I could easily give up beef but couldn't give up chicken or fish.

 

[disney_mommy]

I'm a long-time vegetarian, brand new vegan! Love it!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I was a vegetarian for 2 years and gained 15 lbs. Darn those grilled cheese sandwiches!! I wasn't a "healthy" vegetarian but I have since gone back to eating meat (organic chicken and fish) once or twice a week and I find for some reason I eat healthier on the days I don't eat meat (it makes it a lot easier to eat at many restaurants, I was finding I was not even looking forward to going out to eat anymore as I couldn't take another salad, a mixture of the restaurants side items, or baked potato). I have since lost those 15 lbs.

I admire anyone that can become a vegetarian (and especially vegan!!) and do it in a healthy way (and I'm always looking for recipes! ).

Speaking of, here's my newest FAVORITE vegetarian dish. It's soooooo yummy!! (especially if you like Asian dishes):

Spicy Ramen Noodles

Ingredients:

1/4 lbs. sugar snap peas
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. minced garlic
5 scallions
2 eggs (or you can leave these out if you don't eat eggs; maybe substitute tofu?)
6 oz. of ramen noodles (I don't use the 10/$1.00 deep fried ramen noodles, most grocery stores have an asian section and you can find traditional ramen noodles there [which have next to no fat and lower in calories]. I've also used udon noodles and it worked great.)

Sauce:

1 tbsp. sambal oelek (it's an asian chili paste also found in the asian section; the original recipe I used called for 2 tbsp. but I used 1 tbsp. and it was SPICY so adjust accordingly)
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. fish sauce (also found in the asian section)
3 tbsp. water
1 tsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. cornstarch

Directions:

Cook noodles according to the directions on the package.

Whisk together sauce ingredients and set aside.

Cook two eggs scrambled over Med-Med/High heat. Once cooked to your liking remove from pan and set aside.

Add a tbsp. or so of oil to pan and cook the carrots and sugar snap peas for 2-3 minutes; add the chopped scallions and minced garlic; cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Add cooked noodles, cooked eggs, and sauce, just heating through. Serves about 2-3 (depending on what you consider a portion ).

****************

I've had this about 4 times in the past week and it is soooooo good! Oh, and you can leave the fish sauce out if you don't eat fish either.

 

[disney_mommy]

I was a vegetarian for 2 years and gained 15 lbs. Darn those grilled cheese sandwiches!! I wasn't a "healthy" vegetarian but I have since gone back to eating meat (organic chicken and fish) once or twice a week and I find for some reason I eat healthier on the days I don't eat meat (it makes it a lot easier to eat at many restaurants, I was finding I was not even looking forward to going out to eat anymore as I couldn't take another salad, a mixture of the restaurants side items, or baked potato). I have since lost those 15 lbs.

That's exactly the same thing that happened to me. Grilled cheese, pasta and cheeses did me in. And chocolate is vegetarian! I was not a healthy vegetarian, either. No fruits or veggies, just processed crap. But since going vegan, I have lost 20 pounds, without trying. No more cheese or chocolate. And with less crap to eat, I had to start eating better or I would have starved.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I admire vegans and vegetarians. I've gone vegetarian(just ate eggs and very little cheese-lactose intolerant) before in high school for over a year. I felt healthy. I just have a problem now sticking to it since I always seem to be cohabiting with omnis. I've always ate a lot of fresh veggies(canned and frozen too LOL) and fruit growing up but also all that other processed junk that can fall into vegetarian.

Its my goal to go vegan in healthy way. Guess this could be my new years resolution. I can always make meals that allow me to omit the meat part but I find it time consuming and I end up just having the same as everyone else.

 

[disney_mommy]

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is having a 21 day vegan kick-start program with daily menus, tips and forums. Even though I'm already a vegan, I still signed up, for the support and menu ideas. It would be a good resource for someone interested in becoming a vegan. Here is the link: http://support.pcrm.org/site/PageServer?pagename=21day_vegan_kickstart.