Vegetarian? What in Thunder are you thinkin’? You aren’t thinkin’! Is this about not wantin’ to kill critters? You are as soft in the heart as you are in the head! Don’t you know that God gave man dominion over the animals of the earth, the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air? That means we are supposed to eat ‘em! Next thing you know you’ll be throwing paint on my leather cowboy boots. Vegetables! That’s what food eats!
That’s the reaction I’ve been getting in the heart of “Beef Country” for the last four weeks as I eschew meat in favor of vegetables.
It's NOT just boring broccoli!
In truth, I probably deserve to hear that, because I think I’ve used the same sneering tone in the past when people announced their renunciation of meat. But, I’m not calling myself a “vegetarian” … I’m simply saying that I’m eating like one. This is my clever way of giving myself an “out” if the lure of crisp slices of applewood smoked bacon overwhelms me. I have no doubt that it eventually will.
As for the reason why I am doing this … it’s not about the critters. Yes, I love animals (and have many delicious recipes for cooking them). I admit that I’d not eat meat if you handed me a butcher knife, pointed to the barnyard and said, “Go get dinner.” I’ve heard the death throes of chickens, but I’ve never heard a squash squeal. I wouldn’t be able to murder my own meal. However, all my life I have happily cooked meat that I bought already cut into pieces and packaged in plastic wrap (so I could pretend it never could have looked at me with big brown eyes).
I like the taste of meat … and admit that I’m addicted to bacon. So why give it up? It’s a test. My cholesterol levels are off the charts. You know it’s too high when the doctor looks at you and incredulously exclaims, “How are you alive? Yes, he really said that!
When faced with the choice of either taking medication, which could cause liver damage, or changing my lifestyle, I opted to try the lifestyle change first. I was told that I could lower my cholesterol if I dropped some weight, got regular exercise, and ate healthy foods.
At the time of that first test, I did eat a pretty healthy diet … but I ate a lot of meat (and of course, bacon). Small changes didn’t result in a noticeable drop, so I decided to go “whole hog,” so to speak, and eat like a vegetarian for three months.
It hasn’t been as difficult as you might think. Eating like a vegetarian is certainly not as hard as I thought it would be. I cook large batches of meat for my husband each week, because I’m not going to make him stop being a carnivore. I’m not even tempted to taste test it. I’m not hungry all the time (as I thought I would be), because I eat some darned tasty meals.
The only “difficulty” I have encountered has been finding new recipes that will please my discerning palate. If you have a tasty vegetarian recipe, I’d be delighted for you to share it with me!
I have no clue if this “vegetarian tactic” of mine will help me avoid taking medication. I’m hoping that it lowers my cholesterol levels, but I won’t know that until I’m tested again in August. With almost a month of eating like this “under my belt,” I can tell you that my belt cinches a lot tighter now … I’ve managed to lose twelve pounds without ever feeling hungry and with bread and desserts still on the plate! That alone is worth the effort.
I can also tell you that if this “vegetarian thang” doesn’t work out as planned, and my cholesterol levels don’t lower enough to avoid medication, I plan to pig out!
Other posts you might enjoy:
- My “Cholesterol Fix”
- Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.
- Cosmic Café Is An Out Of This World Restaurant
- Stuff It
- “Shelly, God Wants You To Fry”
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Sheesh! It almost sounds like we have the same doctor -either that, or they all use pretty much the same script to tell us how to correct our health issues. (I’m also supposed to monitor my sugar levels too. ARRGH!)
I still eat meat though although I do try to cut back on quantities of that as well as carbs and have laid really low on eating sweets. The word Diet is truly a dirty word to me though but walking the dog, fairly longish walks, as often as possible every day has helped me to lose 15 pounds over the past five months. Not a great loss but better than nothing is my theory.
.-= Jeni Hill Ertmer´s last blog ..Sharing the Good Finds! =-.
Any word that has “die” in the middle of it is a killer! 15 pounds is a great weight loss! I wish we had better “walking weather.” It gets too hot too fast for me to want to spend much time out there. But, gardening is plenty of exercise
Just where and when do they teach doctors how to mess with your life? I got the same lecture. Without going completely vegetarian just cutting back to three or less meals like that a week, I’ve lost 30 pounds so far. Cut back on the carbs as well which is a big help. Not depriving myself just taking it very easy by treating it as a luxury.
If you want to feel patriotic remember that Thomas Jefferson said that meat should be eaten as a “condiment” not a main dish. For recipes, there is a great place on the web:
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/ They want you to pay $15 for the magazine, but you can say no and skip to the recipe you’ve selected. This is their recipe for a vegetable wrap which is what I eat in some form for lunch most days
Directions
1. Preheat grill or broiler. Toss together asparagus, bell pepper, squash, and oil on large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Grill or broil vegetables 4 to 6 minutes per side, turning once.
2. Mash together canned beans, garlic, and chile sauce in small bowl until smooth.
3. Spread half of bean mixture over each tortilla. Top each with 3 basil leaves, 1/2 cup roasted vegetables, 4 onion slices, and 1/2 cup arugula. Fold bottom third of tortillas over vegetables, and roll up tightly, tucking in sides as you go. Cut wraps in half on diagonal. Serve immediately, or wrap each half in foil or wax paper, and chill until ready to eat.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Bucket List Revision =-.
I’ve bookmarked that website … and the recipe sounds delicious. I may have to try that for lunch tomorrow! I’m loving these little “pita pouches” that I bought for sandwiches. Add some sliced tomato (marinated in olive oil & balsamic vinegar), some sauteed mushrooms, avocado and lettuce … I hardly miss bacon.
(liar liar pants on fire)
Ahh, you must have the same doctor as my husband, who’s been ordered to take off a bunch of pounds. While we haven’t gone the all-veggie route, my new heartthrob is Dr. Gourmet, at drgourmet.com. Great calorie-measured, healthy recipes with a Mediterranean twist.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Molasses to Rum to Slaves… =-.
Oh, I just looked at that and like it! Thank you. I’ll be perusing the internet all night. I’m not counting calories, but I don’t mind eating lo-cal if it’s delicious!
Way to go, girl! I suspect you’ve lots of company in the cholesterol department. And losing pounds slowly is the best way. I’m only too happy to help. As promised, I did develop a recipe for portobello on a bun. I’m committed to Meatless Mondays, and have many meatless dishes on my site. And since I’m ticked off at the meat industry, I’m going to develop even more meatless wonders.
I have artichokes, baked apples, chocolate pancakes, curry, divine mashed potatoes, fish (baked, poached, bbq & cooked in salt crust), eggplant marinara & mint, forbidden rice (good substitute for white rice), hummus, krisped kale, lentils, liptauer spread (a variation on pimiento cheese), quinoa, herbed rice w/mushrooms, raisin rice, lots of soups & salads, tacos, veggie pasta, (you know wok) and zucchini.
You can make corned beef & cabbage for Mr Tucker, then use the cooking liquid for a luscious soup with all your favorite vegetables. A hearty Russian pumpernickel rye bread is great for a sandwich of alfalfa sprouts, cuqs, mushrooms & tomato drizzled with balsamic vinegar & olive oil, topped with grated carrot.
I haven’t published my prized granola recipe yet but I’ll give it to you if you want. It’s my breakfast with plain yogurt every morning. Explore the wondrous versatility of plain yogurt, as a food and a substitute for buttermilk, whole milk and cream in recipes. Cream-top plain yogurt makes a great frozen yogurt without using whole milk. Let me know what you like!
I probably wouldn’t do granola … but I’m searching your site for ideas, believe me! I’m hoping that if I have a repertoire of about 25 decent dishes that I can keep me happy. So far, I have about 14 that I really like. However, they have to be quick (because I’m working in the yard so much that cooking is no longer a high priority). I appreciate you, Joy!
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