Not only am I a crazy liberal who loves me some gays, but I’m also a vegetarian now. I know I did mention it a while back, but the cute picture of the giraffe may have sidetracked some people. So let me reiterate: I’m a vegetarian. Like for reals. Not the french fry vegetarian, but a full on, I-eat-vegetables-and-tofu vegetarian.
I know I know. Who AM I? Trying to conserve. Not eating animals. What a crazy hippie.
Though I know what you’re really thinking: WHAT AM I GOING TO EAT FOR THANKSGIVING?
Umm lots of things. Just not the meat, which no offense to anyone who has ever prepared a Thanksgiving turkey that I’ve eaten, but half the time it is my least favorite item on the Thanksgiving table. Ugh or actually giblet gravy is. Turkey is a close second. But I am still super excited for Thanksgiving. I hear that Talia is making homemade cranberry sauce. So I think I might just steal the bowl and eat that by the spoonful.
Anyways, I had to blog about the super yummy dinner Cale and I had after we got home from the gym. Let me show you the inspiration:
Vegan Dad is one of my new favorite blogs. Not that I’m vegan (yet), but there is always a ton of super yummy healthy eats just waiting to make me drool.
Now I’m not going to lie… our chili was not homemade, unless you count heating up a can of Trader Joes Vegetarian chili as homemade. And our buns were the whole wheat ones from Trader Joes. But we sliced some red onion to accompany our chili. And topped with finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Like I said, I’m not ready to go vegan.
Why go veggie? Well I haven’t eaten beef for years. I actually physically can’t unless I want to be sick for the rest of the day. And I was like hmmmm if something that I’m eating is making me sick, then I probably shouldn’t eat it. My main reasoning is not just because of the fact that meat comes from animals, but mainly for health reasons. Ashley provides some great reasoning for why veggie is best. Not that I’m trying to sway you. Cale isn’t even on board.. his hot dogs were your manly-man beef grilling hot dogs. I’m really trying not to be the high-maintenance vegetarian. I’ll bring my own food if need be. Or just eat side dishes. I know that most other people like their meat. Luckily for me, I’m not very picky in the non-meat department, so I’m not very limited with regards to other foods.
It’s been about a month so far. The only meat I’ve eaten is sushi once or twice (I just can’t quite say no to that. And I’m okay with that. I’m not out to be perfect here.) Do I miss it? Not at all. I would much rather have a sandwich full of vegetables than meat. Am I out to lose weight? No, again, not my goal. Am I malnourished? No. I take my vitamins, and I generally eat well-balanced meals.
In the words of Joey Tribbiani: “Absolutely! I could be a vegetarian. There’s no meat in beer, right?”
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i would seriously go veggie if i could find a suitable alternative to turkey sandwiches or chicken on my salads because as far as meat goes? that’s all i eat. i just don’t know where to start with it and i’m a SUPER picky eater… well, i wouldn’t say picky. i just know what i like and i stick to it (turkey sandwiches, no cheese, no mayo and lettuce.). suggestions?!
Yay so good to see you! I’ve been thinking about vegetarianism and I might have to give it a try. Like you I would probably still eat sushi because it’s freakin’ good and I won’t be anal about it, but it seems like a good idea and I really want to get healthier.
Awww I love you, you crazy vegetarian liberal who loves gays!
I think you’re super cool.
love, the crazy feminist, veggie liberal who loves gays.
Man. Why we gotta be so wacky?! ha.
OMG. I want a veggie dog NOW! that looks sooooooo delish!
p.s. I’m not going to tell John you had sushi. Or he’s going to go get some this second. ha.
@Rachel ….
My hubby’s fav food IN THE WORLD was a turkey sandwich but now that we’ve both gone veggie he’s doing OK on veggie sandwiches. Sooo maybe you wouldn’t miss the turkey? Then again, I guess you have a pretty sparse sandwich there. Just lettuce and bread. Hmmm. It’s better if you have tons of veggies in there too.
Allison,
Yeah it’s definitely not something I’m going to beat myself up over. That’s the last thing I need in my life. But I try. I was hesitant to make the plunge. I actually eased into it, and before I knew it, it had been a week since I’d eaten meat. So I said okay I can do this.
Rachel, I go for sandwiches that have guac or avocado in place of meat. Or hummus. Mmmmm now I’m hungry. With lettuce, tomato, and onion. YUM.
I love me some meat.
Oh, that’s what she said?
Those dogs look YUMMY!!!! I like turkey dogs/ground turkey, etc., over beef anytime! Okay I’m hungry. oh yeah and I haven’t had sushi in FOREVER…guess that’s what being poor does to you, HAH.
p.s. Yeah, you can’t beat yourself up….
Although I’m not eating any fish (missing tuna!) — I just bought those leather boots I had blogged about.
p.p.s. The other thing that’s hard is eating beans at Mexican restaurants (and John’s mom’s house) because I know 99 percent of Mexican places use lard in their beans. So I feel like I’m cheating. Hmmm. So I don’t know if I should say “don’t beat yourself up over this” or if I shouldn’t get beans. Hmmmmmmm. So far still ordering bean burritos. Aiii!
Leslie has inspired me on the veggie front. I def haven’t given meat up but I eat it much less now. I’ve tried a million veggie burgers since meeting Leslie. Can you even be a vegetarian in Texas? It would just be another thing my friends would annoy me about!
Sarah,
I’m telling you, you better tell Johnny to watch out. I’m going to steal you away and make you move up here.
And I’m going to pretend you didn’t tell me that about Mexican beans. I guess Chipotle will have to be our only source of “Mexican” food since I know for sure their black beans are vegetarian.
Awesome! Veggies kick ass. And, if you’re not missing the meat, then it seems like this change has been not only healthy but pretty easy! Way to go, you liberal, you!
Yay!
It’s not really that hard, right!?
I totally never miss turkey at Thanksgiving. I’ve even thought of trying Tofurky for fun, but I don’t even enjoy the taste of meat most of the time anymore!! Why would I want to fake it?
I’ll stick with the 5 bajillion side dishes and desserts, thank you very much.
Yes, pretend you didn’t hear that from me about the lard in beans.
I’m pretending I don’t know …
la la la … It’s not true, not true! I obviously don’t want to eat the lard (EW! sounds so nasty) but I don’t think if I go to a hole in the wall Mexican place they will make me a burrito without lard. Not going to happen. Ack! I’m soooo addicted to Mexican food. SO GOOD.
And we almost threw my mother -in-law for a loop with the no meat … I wonder what she’d say if we requested she cook without lard. WHAT WHAT?!
Which reminds me … I wonder if we’re going to survive Christmas with no tortas or tamales! … Well, we can have veggie tortas, like a veggie sandwich. And the sweet tamales? Or maybe cheese or something? At least I have an excuse for no tripas! EWWWW.
What’s weird though is even though I pretend there’s no lard in beans, I think I’m going to make stuffing with veggie broth. Maybe cuz it’s easier to be difficult with my mom? ha. Momma, I love you!
Whoa. This is a crazy comment. OK, no more leaving comments on this post!
xoxo
I am actually jealous. As a person with Crohn’s Disease, it’s really hard to eat a lot of veggies full of fiber because they can make me have a flare up, and every time I’ve tried to eat tofu in the past, I’ve actually gagged – something about the texture really turns me off. Well, I take that back, I’ve eaten tofu in the Miso Soup at the Sushi place and liked it just fine, but so far that is the only place…..I am open to suggestions! Will would love more tofu, if only I knew how to cook it in a way that DIDN’T make me gag!
Good for you!
I was a veggie for so many years, but I gave up one summer while backpacking across Europe (some Europeans don’t believe in vegetarianism, apparently – all you get to eat is rabbit food!). And now I haven’t gone back to it. It’s pretty hard when I have a Hubby that LOVES LOVES LOVES his meat. If there’s no meat, there’s no meal in his mind. And I’m too tired to cook two different meals in the evening. So, my lunches are veggie, but I usually have meat for dinner.
Great Job!
congrats!
let me know if you want any recommendations on unmeat versions of meat. i never liked meat, but i like a lot of unmeat things. plus, they are so much better now than they were even five years ago!
and eating beans with lard does not count as long as you don’t FOR SURE know. and by for sure, i mean the head cook has to actually come out and tell you there is lard! (there is also lard in really good flour tortillas shhh.)
WOW-those chili dogs look amazing! Good for you for your new little goal. Well, it’s not really a goal, lifestyle?? IDK-just good for you!
Oh, and I’m loving your “Daily Steph” today…love the glasses and you’re hair looks cute like that! Just thought you should know!
Every time I go veggie after awhile I just have to have meat one day and that just about ends it. I’ve never been one to hate the taste of meat. Oh, but if you do decide to stop definitely ease back into it. The day I decided to stop being a vegetarian my junior year in high school I decided to go full force back into meat and ate a double-double from In-N-Out. OMG did my colon want to kill me after that. So this last stint I learned my lesson and slowly eased myself back in with very small amounts of white meat and gradually increasing it and then adding red meat very slowly as well.
girl, you are so funny! i love that you are a vegetarian! i’ve thought about it, but i dont’ know if i want to because i’m not a big fan of meat or because i’m really passionate about it. wheni finally decide, i’ll talk to you about recipies and such!
P.S. When the plastic doll face wall plaque thing gets put up, you NEED to post a picture of it, k?
Lisa, Ohhh In-n-Out was the reason I swore off red meat for good! I hadn’t had red meat in a while, and decided that shoot I was going to get a cheeseburger. Oh my lord, I thought I was going to die at about four in the morning. Ever since, no way was I ever going to try that again.
Shan, Oh my I have to. You’re so right.
Good job Steph, that a big step..one that I would totally pass out about..LOL..but for reals..that’s amazing!
What the hay, I’ll make a bowl JUST FOR YOU, my little vegetarian.
I’m so impressed with how you’re sticking with it– good for you! Like Alyssa, I love me some meat and don’t think I could ever go completely without it, but I always admire anyone who can and does! And I totally think, regardless of whether a person eats meat or not, that adding more and more veggies is the way to go. It all sounds so healthy (something I am trying to be better about)!
those look yummy… I’ve been debating going vegatarian…. but i’m not sure I’m ready.. I think i want to, to be healthier!!!
I was hardcore vegetarian for about a year and eight months and let me say…Tofurkey is deeeelishishhh
I have none some vegetarians but I don’t think I know any vegans. I mean, they’re different, right? Well, I do eat meat but it’s not my favorite. I prefer veggies over all else and will often eat mashed potatoes and corn for lunch if hubs is gone.
So much of me seriously wants to jump on the veggie train. But I’ll echo the sentiments of a few girls ahead of me who said, “I love me some meat.”
It’s an issue, really.
I love that you’ve stuck with it, and I think that it helps that you didn’t have a serious penchant for meat to begin with. Hurrah for veggie girls! I admire you, so!
PS: That Joey quotation is classic. I love me some Joey, too.