Hard Road

Well, it's been a year since my last entry and let me just say this has been a journey. I still don't eat pork, beef, chicken, turkey or duck. However, I still can't stop eating fish. It's been harder then I thought it would be. The Crab Feast didn't help my journey or the Friday night ritual of picking up a dozen crabs with mom. I don't eat it as often, but it's still a part of my diet. I want to at least give up scavengers by the end of the year. After all they are just as nasty as eating a pig. They eat off the bottom of the ocean or whatever water way they come from. So, no tilapia, no crabs and no shrimp by the end of the year. I was told by a vegetarian that it's baby steps. Some people can't do it all at once. She said to take your time and you will get there. I truly believe that. It's not about how long it takes you to get there. It's just about getting there. Now, where is there? There is in a healthy place with wonderful fruits and vegetables. There is 50 pounds lighter. There is frequent exercise and not every now and then. I am making a choice to be better to myself and to think more often of the things I eat and do. I've found new items to cook with. Vegetarian Chili and Spaghetti were discovered earlier this year. I will share them the next time I cook. They will put any beef or turkey dish to shame. LOL. Well, this is my new dedication to this page. I hope I can help someone on their journey as several are helping me!!!

Vegetable Stir-Fry

Just wanted to share a quick and inexpensive meal I make. You can purchase the bag of Stir-Fry  for under $8 bucks at Costco. The sauce is there as well.

I prepare this dish in a skillet, but some may prefer a wok.

Meal for 2

2 tablespoons Olive Oil / Vegetable Oil
1 large onion (chopped)
2 cups of Frozen Stir-Fry Vegetables
1 cup of rice
Mr. Yoshida's Marinade and Cooking Sauce

Preheat the skillet and add the Oil over medium heat. Once the oil is heated add in the Stir-Fry Vegetables. Once they are halfway cooked add in the onions. If you want the onions cooked more you can add them when you originally throw in the vegetables. Turn the heat to low and cover. Once the vegetables are cooked turn the heat off. Drain the water from the vegetables and add marinade to your liking. I usually add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Serve over cooked rice and enjoy!

My Vegetarian Burrito

Just a quick note to let everyone know Chipotle is good without the meat!!! This Burrito made me smile.

Santa Fe Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can stewed tomatoes
1 11-ounce can whole-kernel corn (or equivalent amount of frozen corn)
1 medium or large zucchini, chopped

In a large skillet heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the chopped onions and zucchini with the chili powder, ground cumin and cayenne pepper. Saute the onions and zucchini with the spices. Once the Zucchini starts to cook add the drained black beans, tomatoes and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the mixture starts to thicken a little, probably about 10 to 15 mintues. You can add salt/pepper to taste.

You can eat the stew alone or over rice. It also goes great with nachos. Enjoy!

No Meat - No Problem!

I haven't written in a few days, because I didn't know what to say. Should I ramble about my ideas on being a Vegetarian? Should I tell you about the meals I've prepared? I decided today I would do a little of both while I am on my lunch break. So, many people have views on my food choice. I've heard a few lately since I've openly stated I want to become a Vegetarian. I understand everyone is entitled to their opinion, but hey so am I. I've decided to do this for me. I am not trying to change anyone's views. I am not trying to turn the entire world Vegetarian. I am trying to live with no meat and have no problems! I mean that in a few ways. I am hoping that becoming a Vegetarian will make me a healthier person, and many articles advise that it will. I am hoping it will decrease my chances of being diagnosed with Cancer, and many studies say that it will. I am hoping that family and friends will understand that you can still eat a steak around me and I will not condemn you for doing it, but remember I would like that same respect when I don't eat a steak, chicken, ham or whatever other meat or poulty I've eliminated from my diet. Over the last few days I've been happy to eat soy yogurt, nondairy brownies from http://stickyfingersbakery.com/, stir fried vegetables, santa fe vegetable stew and my new favorite guacamole and chips. I've also checked out a few of my old favorite snacks like  BBQ Chips and noticed they contain milk. I honestly never thought about that before. Now I check the label on anything I purchase that is already prepared.
I am really enjoying finding new recipes and new restaurants in DC that offer vegetarian and vegan menus. I think with our knowledge and understanding of food there are more people looking for the same thing I'm looking for - a different way of eating!!!
Well, my lunch break is up. I will download my Sante Fe Vegetable Stew recipe tonight. A few years ago my friend Lorena and I found this recipe online. We changed it up a little looking for the taste from another stew we had. We would buy this stew from a local restaurant and they charged almost 5 bucks a cup. Well, you can make a pot of it for less then $10 and have it for the week.

My Reasons for Becoming A Vegetarian

I decided to start this blog to document my journey to becoming a Vegetarian. I wanted to share my thoughts, recipes and everyday journey to becoming what I believe to be a healthier way of life. My reasons for wanting to become a Vegetarian are simple: to lower my chances of cancer, diabetes & other illnesses, to become a healthier me, and to save animals from slaughter for my consumption.
I am not saying I am an expert on the subject, but I want to research and share views and opinions on Vegetarianism.I attended DC VegFest Saturday and learned and tried Vegetarian dishes. I also learned of cruelty to animals that I never knew existed.
I am not a Vegetarian just yet. I stopped eating beef and pork over 17 years ago. It was and is the only New Years Resolution I've ever stuck with, and I am proud of it! I stopped eating chicken and turkey earlier this year. Now I am considered a pescetarian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pescetarianism. In a nutshell I still eat seafood and some products that contain eggs and dairy.
I hope you will follow me on my journey to giving up fish and products containing eggs and dairy. I also hope that you will share your thoughts on the subject and maybe a few recipes too.