pen's questions; was: Going vegetarian...

[Guest guest]

, " change2colors " <

change2colors> wrote:

 

> 1. What were your 5 trouble areas when you decided to go vegetarian?

 

i don't know as there were five per say, but my

challenges were my age and the fact that i was

still living at home and not in control of the food

budget. i was able to convince my parents that i

wanted to go vegetarian, but i didn't know a whole

lot about it, and we didn't have the internet then,

[the 1970s] so in my small town there weren't many

veggie resources for me to learn from. i started out as a

pesca-pollo-tarian... basically i just stopped eating

red meat and still ate chicken, turkey and fish.

When i got older and moved out on my own i gave

up the chicken and turkey but still kept eating fish

for a while more...then i went lacto-ovo veg. i am

comfortable there now and don't have plans to go

vegan, though i eat many vegan meals.

 

 

> 2. What is necessary for a pantry?

 

Food. Simple enough? *lol*

But seriously, my pantry holds the basics to make

quick, healthy meals from whole foods. Dried beans,

lentils, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes and vegetables,

natural peanut butter, baking supplies, soy sauce, dried

spices, flavorings, vegetable oils etc.

In my frigerator i keep a stash of whatever fresh vegetables

and fruits i can get at the local grower's markets, some

cheese, milk, soy milk, vegan margarine and shortening,

butter etc.

i stick with fresh, organic and least processed foods whenever

possible. i rarely ever have to go to a specialty health

food type places. We don't have any of them in my town

and the closest i get is the healthfood sections of regular

grocery stores like Market Of Choice and Fred Meyer.

Sometimes i will make a special trip to an Asian market

to get seasonings, noodles, sea weed and stuff like that.

 

> 3. What is one balanced meal I should include in my new diet?

 

If i had to recommend one it would be a good recipe for

a vegetarian chili. You can make a big batch up and one

day eat it over rice with a salad or another veggie dish

you enjoy. Then you can freeze the leftovers or use them

a few days later as a topping for a veggie burger, veggie

hotdog, baked potatoes, or stuffing peppers or zucchini

boats! So versatile and delicious... a stick-to-your-ribs dish

most everyone enjoys.

 

 

> 4. Is there a resource manual you would suggest to finding out what

> all the ingredients on a label mean? I usually don't buy prepared

> food because I like eating whole foods but I do like to have some

> easily prepared foods in my freezer for days when I just can't

think

> about food or don't have the time.

 

No... i usually just do a google search for weird words

as they come up.

 

 

> 5. Do you find that eating a vegetarian diet is expensive?

 

 

i live in a combined household, too. My husband and children

are currently omnivores. i don't find it more expensive.

i make whatever i want to prepare, and if they don't like it

or want meat, they can cook it out on the grill themselves.

i find it quite easy, and they mostly enjoy the vegetarian foods

i serve.

 

Our recipe files are full of tried and true recipes that we enjoy.

Check it out... and good luck to you.

Feel free to keep asking questions.

 

~ pt ~

 

He is richest who is content with the least,

for content is the wealth of nature.

~ Socrates