Being Vegetarian

[Tamg 29]

I started having problems with the high animal Protein diet back in November of 2011. Apparently my gallbladder was deciding to go crazy. After the gallbladder was removed i was having bowel issues. One extreme to the next. I looked at what i was eating and then decided to eat a couple of weeks of plant based low fat and it was AMAZING.

I bought Lindsay Nixon's (the Happy Herbivore) cookbooks and subscribed to her blog and have started phasing out meat and consuming a lot less dairy. Her cookbooks are amazing. The recipes are all from scratch and the ingredients are stuff you can find at your local grocery (even walmart). Made her pumpkin bread with Maple Icing last night (How good does that sound!). The Engine 2 diet is on my list to read but right now i am fully satisfied with recipes in my current books and my own imagination. I still eat seafood and low fat meat occasionally (like maybe 1x a week) but in much smaller portions (2 oz at the most) than the past. I tend to eat meat when i am rushed or didnt plan my meal. I love vegan boca burgers (at sams you can get 16 for 9) but eat them sparingly since they are processed. Same with Gardein products. Gardein has BBQ skewers (good with BBQ Sauce on a bun)' date=' BBQ shreds, and buffalo wings. They are a little pricey but my Kroger's puts them on Managers Special and/or with a Q they come out real cheap. I hardly ever buy them full price. I eat a lot of Beans, greens, and lentils, quinoa, grits. I incorporate bread, brown rice, and Pasta and after that i am pretty satisfied. I eat a lot of "sides" but jazz them up to make a meal.

Did you know you can sub oil for applesauce in baked goods and eggs for mashed bananas?

This has been a gradual process and I will most likely never be fully plant based but my goal is to be 90% plant based. I have a hard time giving up yogurt and have not found a good substitute.

There have been so many benefits other than the regularity. My skin is better, i feel less tired (especially after a meal), my hair is growing faster and my scalp is less oily. During this process I have also learned to pay more attention to ingredients (and not only in food either) and how my food is made. I watched Food Inc. and Forks Over Knives and read the China Study to get my will-power in gear.

I stalled in weight loss after my gallbladder attacks started but if i stay on track with my new diet my weight slowly starts dropping again. I just have to make sure i stick to my allowed calories as well as watch what i eat. Plant based isnt a miracle cure but has become another tool to help my lap band journey.

The other benefit is that buy cutting back meat and dairy you spend a lot less at the grocery store!

Would love to have a Vegan/Vegetarian board on this forum![/quote']

I would love to have a veggie/vegan board as well.

[MellioM 116]

Me too!!!