Guest guest Posted April 29, 2008 Report Share Posted April 29, 2008 Here is our Question of the Week for this week. - QOTW: How long have you been a vegetarian and if you aren't one yet, tell us if you are getting closer since being in the group? * * * * * * * * * Okay, I would not call myself an actual " vegetarian " , because I am not exclusively eating " vegetables-only " just yet. On the other hand, I would say that probably 9 out of 10 meals (days), or higher, for me and usually for my DH are exclusively " veggie " meals. And, it has been easier than I thought to do that. Both DH and I started doing this during Lent this year. We gave up all meat on weekdays and " allowed " meat-as-part-of-the-meal on weekend days only. And, even then, I don't think we had meat as a MAIN part of a meal at any time, unless on a rare occasion at a restaurant as an entree. There were several weekend days that went meatless anyway. We found we weren't " missing " it or really feeling deprived, etc. Are we " moving toward it " ? Yes, I would say so. I joined this group during our " Lenten discipline " time and really have enjoyed seeing all the varied and different foods in the recipe posts--and have enjoyed seeing the ideas exchanged here, too. I have tried many new foods and find I really do LIKE eating this way--especially when something is full of flavor, texture and color like so many " veg " dishes can be! It doesn't have to be dull and I do feel very enthusiastic when I try something and it's an exciting " taste adventure " . What has surprised me the most is that, once Lent was over, my DH actually AGREED that we didn't have to " end " our way of eating. I didn't push it, because I figured he might feel " deprived " or something, since he grew up eating VERY traditional (boring!!) mid-western meals--overcooked meats, white starches (potatoes, macaroni and cheese, white bread) and only maybe 2 or 3 actual vegetables his whole childhood and youth. DH would be the one of us two who is more of the " meat-eater " , if anything. My parents were avid summer gardeners--I learned to like broccoli, squash, greens, etc...but they insisted that every main meal HAD to have huge amounts of MEAT or else one could suddenly " DIE " of not getting all that " protein " ! (I was not a great meat-eater as a child, and there were times of conflict between me and my dad--who seemed to be particularly insistent about what we " should " eat!) Mom was that way about making us drink dairy milk--and I still have a great aversion to that, too, although yogurt and cheese are fine by me. So, my DH and I are eating more and more meals without the addition of meat, and we both seem to be doing just fine that way. Only last week, I made some multi-bean chili (no meat) and had it ready when DH came home. Almost apologetically, I asked him if he wanted me to get some ground beef or something to " add to it " . He answered, " No, I think it's just fine without that--you put in lots of beans, didn't you? --That will be good just like that. " So, without much fanfare, DH let me know that, while we are not full-time " veggie " people, not 100% vegetarian every day and night, he is not " missing " meat from the meals very much, and neither am I. Oh, and another thing I have noticed since doing this. I am moderately " chemically-sensitive " . From time to time, I have had to go to mostly " organic " foods and there are a lot of agricultural chemicals (we live in corn/soy farming country--pesticides are everywhere!) which bother me with different physical symptoms, particularly with skin problems. I have noticed that, while doing this roughly " 90% veggie " eating, my skin has been as clear as it has ever been in a long time. I still have a few " patches " (like psoriasis, I guess) on my face, but for this time of year, usually a really bad time for me--this has been the best I've seen my skin in a LONG time. I also try to drink lots of water, but consuming mostly a veggie diet obviously has been helpful. (when a younger woman at my church commented to me how she admired how smooth and " beautiful " my skin looked--I could hardly believe it--but I credit the diet with whatever it was she was seeing.) Lastly, I think this has been one of the best benefits, aside from the health aspects: DH and I now save a LOT of money on our groceries!! I do shop at " cheap " places like the " Aldi " store near us. I look for " veggie only " foods--and I have this HUGE collection of beans, grains, rices, pastas, herbs, and basic staple foods in my pantry. The veggie meals I have made from these foods--the " beans-and-grain " combination dishes--have saved us a BUNDLE on our grocery spending! That last part has been just amazing to me. DH and I are saving our money --or trying to--because we want to go on a " work mission trip " (church related) to Liberia, in western Africa next January. My DH has been there twice, but this would be my first time going. Of course, travel is expensive, and getting more so all the time. This ( " veggie-venture " , as I call it) has been my personal effort to keep more of the money we earn " in our pockets " so we can put it toward this planned trip. In the meantime, I feel we are also standing in " dietary solidarity " with our friends in the Third World, as is the country we hope to visit. When we go there, we will find many of the people eating some of the same " beans-and-rice " kinds of foods that DH and I are learning to enjoy now. Okay, that's my story! Sorry so long! I do appreciate all the very interesting things I read here and I am grateful that you-all allow people like myself, the " not-yet-vegetarian " fellow-travelers to participate and learn from the " pros " and the long-term veggie-folks. I have benefitted greatly from this association and have so many good recipes now to keep me busy for years to come! Thanks again, with appreciation and good wishes to all! --Laura B., in Illinois Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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