Jason and I completed our first week as non-meat-eaters! We've had some good meals, some "so-so but we're learning" meals, and one that I almost threw out (I overcooked the eggplant and it was pretty mushy). My favorite dish so far is one I threw together for lunch a few days ago. It was quinoa cooked in vegetable broth with sauteed mushrooms and spinach, green onions, and a little bit of chopped pecans (which weren't necessary because of all the protein and crunchiness of quinoa but it still tasted good), with some seasoning.
I think I could not eat meat ever again and be fine with it (though that's not a commitment). The tricky part has been no dairy, which is surprising, considering how little cheese I generally consume. Most restaurants around here have cheese on almost every non-meat food (at least the ones I'd go to for a quick lunch, which I rarely do anyway). I went to Jason's Deli for lunch and they didn't catch my "no asagio" request for my wrap, so I did eat a tiny bit in my first bite (before I realized it was there and took the sandwich apart to attempt pulling out all the cheese melted throughout all the other ingredients). Yesterday I was put to the test when we had icecream cake for my coworker's birthday and could only eat the frozen strawberries off the top. I do like icecream. :) I really enjoy all the vegetables we're getting, though. It feels good to eat healthy.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
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4 comments:
That's awesome - you'll have to share your successful recipes. I know I could give up meat if I chose to but I would probably become a pescatarian and not a vegetarian. Jason and I have toyed around with that idea for awhile.
I know I could not give up dairy though. :) What is another source of calcium (I know there's got to be one)?
The study the author of the book did showed that people in China (who eat VERY little dairy, if any) actually have LOWER rates of osteoporosis. There's evidence that a chemical in animal products, including dairy, is highly acidic and pulls calcium out of the bones to balance it out (though probably not ALL of the calcium found in the product). We're taught to think milk is the best source because the dairy industry has such good advertising (including funding the "science" that determines recommended daily allowances of certain food groups and nutrients). Lots of dark green veggies have tons of calcium (often MORE than a glass of milk), though some, such as spinach also have a chemical that reduces calcium's absorbency. Tofu, if coagulated with calcium sulfate or a few other things, has lots of calcium (same with other soy products). Orange juice is often fortified with calcium as well. Here's a site: http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/calcium.htm
Very interesting. I did know about meat being acidic therefore pulling calcium out of our bones (just like carbonation from soda will too) but I didn't realize that some veggies had calcium too.
I've got a recipe that I'm trying in your honor this week - hopefully it's tasty and I post it on my blog. :) (The sushi bowl that I tried that's from 101cookbooks also comes to mind as something y'all might enjoy!)
Can't wait to hear how it continues to go! We enjoyed having dinner with you guys and hope we can hang out again. We'll have to have you guys over next time.
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