be vegetarian for a month

About 10 days in, and I’ve noticed that my skin is peeling to a ridiculous degree, on my hands in particular. Could be job related, So I’m going to keep up with the goal for the meantime, but if it continues to get worse, I’m going to have to assume I’m neglecting some Vitamin or nutrient and it’s doing my body more bad than good. We shall see…

Me and my wife decided to jump in on this together. Been about a week, ish, and so far, no real troubles. the only temptation thus far was a starving ride home from work, with 4 or 5 Free Whopper coupons in the glovebox from a month ago. I personally find meat delicious, and have no qualms about the animals themselves. While I respect man’s natural position as an omnivore, I had always been curious as to the health benefits of sticking to the Veggies. I’ve cut out all meats, fish included, however I am keeping eggs in my diet.

A funny thing happened this afternoon. I put this goal off for later this summer, so I haven’t been watching what I buy for groceries. This afternoon, a woman standing behind me at the grocery store cash register commented, “Oh, you must be vegetarian!” I paused to look over my purchases… cilantro, red kidney beans, string beans, tea bags, frozen veggies, tofu, apples…I’ve been unconsciously eating vegetarian!

So far so good, and even better, I know this is something I want to keep up for the rest of my life.

But, alas, I slipped up, as many new vegetarians do. Frosted bitesize shredded wheat. Who’d have thought it!? I only ate 2, to try them. I checked the label later and was so angry! Why on earth do they feel the need to put geletine in those things?

I shan’t be eating any more of them, no siree.

perhaps I will try 30 days, not consecutative. Sounds lame I know, but my sons and my boyfriend are commited carnivores, and I will not impose my choice on them – or heaven forbid, chastise them for their dietry choices. Possibly a self-rightious vegeterian is worse than a reformed smoker.

so far so good. Weekends make it easier. Going shopping tomorrow. I’ll be sure to pick up lots of vegetarian goodies.

Although this goes in veganism, I have stopped drinking cow’s milk. I’m still getting used to soymilk, but in a month or so I know I’ll love it. It’s just because I’m used to cow’s milk. Although, I still eat items containing milk (Though, I’ll try not to). I want to get used to being vegetarian before I go vegan. And also, I don’t want my foods to be too restrictive as I still live at home. I think I’d be making some difference just by not buying eggs or milk in the first place…

I’ll be much better at cutting out dairy once I get used to getting good nutrition. I know about vegan and vegetarian protein sources, it’s just a case of fitting them in my daily diet. I have some eggs to finish up, but I won’t eat whole eggs after they’re gone.

I haven’t been able to do this yet…it’s going to be a lot harder than I thought. Cutting out all meat, fish, and eggs was easy… it’s probably been over a month already since I’ve eaten any.

Dairy is a different story. I’ve been able to swap out soy yogurt for regular yogurt and soymilk for cow milk, but I have trouble cutting out cheese. My campus boasts about its vegetarian options, but every “grilled veggie” wrap or sandwich I’ve tried has had cheese in it. In three weeks I won’t be on a meal plan anymore, so I need to find some things other than cereal that I can eat.

Here are the foods that I’m having trouble cutting out:
1. Cheese
2. Honey (I’m not used to using sugar)
3. Gelatin (I never know what has it)

I’m not sure this is worth all the effort… actually, I’m not even sure why I’m doing it anymore. I’m tempted to just cut out cheese but leave honey and gelatin in, but then I wouldn’t feel comfortable classifying myself as vegetarian.

day 4 now. Already it is causing tension.

I want to eat vegetarian meals. My Mother doesn’t. She says she will cook two meals, but how long untill she starts yelling about the extra effort and cost?

I don’t have time to cook much myself, I don’t get back till later so I only have time to cook quick foods Which bore me. (Eggs, eggs, eggs)

I also don’t want to find mysekf eating a vegeburger or sausage every meal time. i want to excite my palatte!

Why can’t my family be supportive? Before i went vege, they complained of my healthy eating. (They called it fussy, and i suppose you coulld look at it that way)
Now that i don’t eat meat, it’s hell.

I want to do this for 2 reasons:
1) I love vegetarian food. When eating out I often take preference to it simply because I like the sound of it.

2) The book I am reading told me to. It’s one of those ‘101 things to do before age x’ books. One of the tasks is go vegetarian for a month, and for each month you are vegetarian you gain points.

I am not sure how my mother will cope, as my family are omni. And as she has told me many times, she hates a lot of vegetables, and one of my siblings is very set in his ways. Basically, they think a meal is not a meal if it contains meat.
I’ll show them!

I also intend to do this without eating much quorn. Quorn chicken style pieces are yummy, but there is more to meat substitution than quorn!

I may also try veganism sometimes. Although it isn’t something I will ever do long term. That really would screw up meal times, because so many foods which seem vegan actually are not. And I really think my mother will draw the line at buying expensive vegan food and preparing vegan meals. And besides, I have no reason to go vegan.

Although I do participate in alternative milks from time to time when I see them on offer.

Iv’e been vegetarian since the 25th, over a week now!