Inroduction--Barry *Seabird2

[Guest guest]

Seabird2,

 

Your story and your journey sound so interesting! I think that is the

direction my DH and seem to be moving in. We are not what one would call actual

" vegetarians " right now. (Someone told me to say " flexitarian " ...something like

that). We eat meat maybe twice in a week or less, and sometimes not at all.

--And the economic reasons weigh strongly upon us, as you mentioned, Re: " Diet

for a Small Planet " , there are plenty enough reasons right now--always

increasing reasons--for eating more inexpennsively and more " ecological "

foods--vegetables and grains, mostly, with some dairy and egg.

 

I find our grocery bills (now) are MUCH less--even with ever-rising

prices at the supermarket. I shop for whole foods as much as possible and only

occasionally, a " treat " (for me--DH still won't touch them) a " fake meat "

package of veg brats, " burger " patties, or (thru a friend who bulk-orders), a

6-pack case of my favorite organic tofu. Even with spending " more " when I look

of specifically organic foods, produce and ingredients, I find I have

significant amounts of my " food allowance " budgeted money --left over! That's a

GOOD thing! (Even when there seems to always be something that comes up, an

" emergency " that uses up that little extra cash!)

 

And, like you, I am finding so many interesting flavors and foods that I

want to try--the lure of the new recipes--that, yes, I think there are fewer and

fewer meals that are non-veggie in our house. We don't even eat a full 3-meal a

day, 7 days a week menu course. A pot of good vegetable soup or stew or a

bean-and-rice dish will last almost a whole week for us. (Again, as long as we

don't get bored with that, it's very economical!)

 

My DH has NOT put up a fuss about a run of " no meat meals " , either. He

knows, if he WANTS it, he CAN have it--I am not forcing something on him. If I

don't have something on hand like that that he wants, I will either offer to

make it (something quick) or he can get it for himself. And I eat what I want

if he's not in the mood for the same thing.

 

So far, it's gone " painlessly " . I don't know whether we will, like you,

find ourselves " completely " veggie, but it's possible that may be the outcome in

the future at some point. The veg. recipes will supplant all the others, most

likely. I enjoy cooking so much and love exploring really GOOD, flavorful

recipes. I also like feeling GOOD, and this way of eating DOES make me feel

good. It's not a cure-all; for me, I still have to read labels and watch out

for the " evil " corn products--syrup/oil/fructose...etc. in foods--my body just

HATES those, and it won't matter how " vegetarian " I am--high fructose corn syrup

has to stay as far away as possible!

 

Oh, sorry this is so long! I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed

reading your story of how you got to where you are now. And I have not seen

that book, " Diet for a Small Planet " in a long time--but I remember it came out

in the '70's!

I am thrilled to hear it is still in print, and going strong! I think I will

look for it and check it out! THANKS!

 

Blessings and peace!

--Laura B., in Illinois