Be a better vegetarian

I have been a veggie for a few years now. I definitely feel the health benefits of this choice. I started subscribing to Vegetarian Times mag to get fresh recipes and perspectives. I am continuing to try new foods, and I am considering going vegan at some point. Right now I am happy with where I am with all of this.

The holidays are finally over. I’ve been trying to get rid of the cookies. I gave a bunch to my brother and his family yesterday. I want to get back to some healthier meals and snacks.

I stirfried some water chesnuts, bean sprouts, mushrooms, fresh broccoli, & tempeh in a ginger garlic sauce. Then I tossed in some lo mein noodles. This was one of my best experiments ever. Yum.

I’ve been doing better with this – eating more simple home-cooked meals. It’s still hard sometimes having 2 vegs and 2 omnivores under the same roof. My husband will eat veg quite a bit though. My son is the only one who refuses to even try new foods. Maybe someday. I bought some seitan which I’ve never tried before. Maybe I will eat it tonight.

Ate too much shit at work yesterday. Someone brought in a cake. Then there was pretzels with dip. I ate a candy bar during my afternoon slump. I went home and ate macaroni and cheese and a freaking cinnamon roll. I don’t understand what possessed me because I actually took my breaks. (and ate during them) I can’t blame extreme hunger. Unless it was a hormonal fluctuation. I’d love to blame that.

I went to the library and got out 2 vegetarian cookbooks. Tonight I made a pretty decent meal that involved barbecue baked tofu, rice and steamed vegetables. My daughter loved it. I thought it was okay. I did feel better eating something healthy instead of convenience food.

I had a patient yesterday tell me he has been a vegetarian for 20 + years. I imagined myself saying that one day. (Of course, hopefully I won’t also adopt his horrible drinking pattern which made him ill. LOL)

I have slipped lately in eating convenience and comfort foods. I don’t take the time to plan ahead and be creative in my food choices. Whole foods are better – more nutrition, more taste.
Today I will go to the store and find something interesting to make for dinner.

My 13 y/o daughter helped me with this goal last night. She made me an awesome salad to take to work for my dinner/snack/breakfast. I felt full in a healthy way after I ate it too. I didn’t even want any nasty potato chips.

On Friday I went to my local fresh produce store and bought 4-5 bags of stuff for $23. I even got some rosemary and chives to start my herb garden (another goal of mine that I feel is linked to this one)

I need to cook at home more.
I want to be more creative when I do cook.
I need to limit the junk food and eat more fresh produce.
I feel so much healthier when I eat well.
I have to stop thinking of food as a reward.