BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine American Regional Cuisine My new direction

After much thought and some research, I've decided to go vegetarian...not vegan...vegetarian, keeping the points within the parameters of Weight Watchers. That's the program my dr. suggested I try, but have decided with my passion for animals I want stop eating their flesh. I'm sure there will be plenty of ideas from here that I can use, or alter to keep me from getting bored.

That's a huge decision Granny...good for you! I was a vegetarian for a very long time (not vegan, I love eggs and unfertilized eggs I really don't see a problem with) I think when I switched back to meat in my diet was when I was really busy with work and wasn't taking the time for a vegetarian life.

This gives me an idea for a vegetarian chili recipe that I used to make a lot. I think I'll post that as an article this week. I've been toying with posting that one and now I have a great reason too!

What are some of your ideas for menus and balancing your proteins? Eggs, cheeses and nuts are helpful there and you already know how to make an awesome avocado omelet! This will be fun to follow and join in with you.

Here's another thought for you nutritionally.....Kombuu, which is a seaweed you can buy dried in a package, usually at a Whole Foods kind of store (are you familiar with them?) But whatever pasta or rice dishes I make, I add a slice to the water and it releases a bunch of good nutrition for you. You can also eat it (talk to your doctor about the iodine and seaweed with your thyroid....for myself Kombuu has been a great addition)so you can eat it cooked or toss it out to the garden after using it.

What's on the menu for today?

I don't see much of a problem eating vegetarian. I've done some research into what makes complete proteins and it seems quite basic. I bought canned beans, black and kidney yesterda, but will eventually do my own from dried. Brown rice was on my shopping list as was yogurt and high fiber bread. I made a soup with vegetable stock, salsa, black beans and corn. That will be part of my lunch this week with a sandwich of natural peanutbutter on a slice of whole wheat high fiber bread. Dinner will be spanish rice (no meat of course), green salad and probably brussel sprouts because I've got a ton of them frozen in the fridge. Breakfast was split...fat free yogurt around 5:30 this am..then an egg scrambled with cottage cheese and an english muffin at 9. I'll check into the Kombuu. Sounds interesting. I've been invited to a picnic this weekend and I told my friend right off I wasn't eating meat anymore so I'm bringing a big macaroni salad and if I get a chance I'll make a 3 bean salad. I've searched out a recipe for Tabuli...great stuff that I'll make for next week. One thing I will do a lot is grill up portabella mushrooms. If you brush them with olive oil and garlic they have a super flavor and they have substance to make you feel full.

Vegetarian chili sounds great...I'll be looking for that one.

Those are great menus....they really are! And this is crazy, I have a nice bowl of Taboule this week, I've been trying to cleanse with this kidney deal that's still hangin on and I'm munching on it along with some Quaker oat squares (oats are so good for you too)

It's great you like these foods and the grilled portabellas....yummy. I love the idea for the cottage cheese mixed in with the egg. I usually put it to the side, I bet the eggs are so creamy, funny that I'd add other cheeses all these years but not cottage cheese...thanks for the idea.

I really think that you are so open minded and experimental with your foods that you'll do great. Maybe take some of those mushrooms to the picnic so you can have some grilled on your hamburger bun, you can start making your own veggie burgers too (though they do have some good ones in the health food stores but fresh is always better) the possibilities are endless.

Hi Walking Granny:
I have been eating vegetarian for a long time and I know that it makes me feel better. If I eat a piece of meat it just does not make me feel well at all. I have given you a link to a great recipe that my family enjoys. It is a little different than the normal pasta recipe and it uses a great pasta, Orzo. Enjoy!

Cheese Orzo Bake

Tomatolady..that recipe sounds great..I'll try it next week after I get a chance to shop again.

Sue, I was wondering what to do for the picnic..but I'll do just that..take my portabella mushroom to grill. I'll be the envy of the party. The girl who is having the cookout has a daughter who is vegetarian, might take one for her too.

I'm making my way through the vegetarian forum looking for ideas. I'd thought of making my own veggie burgers..gotta walk before I can run. To me meatless means mac and cheese or rice. I'll get better at it.

Granny, that will be great, taking some extra portabella...you will be the envy!! "Hey what's she's eating over there? Sure looks tasty....I want some....yeah, me too!" It really won't be that hard to fit a lot of vegetarian in, even going to outings and such. And you're so creative (you really are!) and not going vegan, you really have a lot of choices. and a lot of times if you don't mention meats but have delicious foods, most times guests don't even notice as long as it all tastes good!

Veggie burgers won't be hard for you when you decide to try it. It's really a wet bread or grain that binds your ingredients together. You can finely chop all of the veggies you enjoy (mushrooms, carrots, etc.) you can add Bulgar wheat, tofu, shredded cheeses, Taboule.....it's endless. So have fun and I hope you have a great time at the picnic....let us know about it so we hear all the excitement about your mac salad and portabellas

Found out my friend just bought her daugther a vegetarian cook book and she (daughter) wants to make something from it for the picnic...I doubt I'll have any trouble at all..but I'm still taking the portabellas for Sara and me..

That's so cool! Seems like this will be a great journey for you Granny, the vegetarian journey and already you're going to a picnic and bringing portabellas to grill, meeting another veggie person....with a cookbook too! I'm excited for you

I'm looking forward to hearing about all the dishes that will be at the picnic and the things that you girls choose to make and eat. Are you still bringing a macaroni salad along with the portabellas?