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Thursday, September 12, 2019

One Year Vegetarian: What Do I Eat?

Sorry guys, it's been a while. 

Back when I became a vegetarian last summer/fall, I knew that I was going to write this post. Now that I've been a vegetarian for a year, I'd like to share what I eat, generally. For the most part, it's been fairly easy transitioning from being a meat eater to a vegetarian, especially these days when we have so many great options available. Even when I go out to eat, I find that it's not difficult to find a few things on a menu, and I'm not just talking about vegan-specific restaurants either. So many places now offer vegan/vegetarian-friendly options -- even Burger King!

You should know that I still eat pizza, cookies, milkshakes and all that not-great-for-you-but-delicious stuff as well (usually on weekends). Also, the main reason I'm not vegan is because I'm still not a fan of vegan cheese, and cheese means the world to me. It's my ride or die.

The hardest part for me has been the fact that I still tend to eat more carbs than I should. Yes, there are many wonderful sources of protein in a vegetarian diet: plant-based, beans and the like. But since I don't cook, it is just a lot easier to have carbs at times. 

Here are a few dishes that I've enjoyed during this year of vegetarianism (all items can be found at your local grocery store or cold-pressed juice company):
  • Pear & Brussels Sprouts Salad: Spring mix (spinach, radicchio, arugula), chopped pears, shaved Brussels sprouts, pomegranates, olive oil and Dijon mustard
  • Supergreens Vegetable Pasta & Cauliflower Mash: made with spinach, zucchini, broccoli, parsley and kale with a side of mashed cauliflower (instead of potatoes)
  • Farro & Guacamole: as simple as it sounds -- cooked farro with avocado mixed in (I wasn't an avocado fan -- unless you count avocado boba tea -- before this dish)
  • Protein Pancakes: bananas, rolled oats, eggs, protein powder and Arden's Garden Powerfuel (flax seed, sesame seed, hemp protein, spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass) topped with light syrup or cinnamon
  • Fruit & Veggie Juice Pops: frozen Arden's Garden cold-pressed juices (these are no-sugar added, fruit and vegetable-only juices that are even yummier as frozen desserts)

I've also been enjoying some frozen vegetarian meals like the ones by Fat Rabbit. Also, I do like to do a juice cleanse every now and then to "re-start" my body in a sense.

One of my favorite places to eat is a vegan restaurant that makes the most appetizing pan fried dumplings (Asian cabbage, carrots, tofu, black mushrooms and spinach) and buffalo lollipops (Soy "chicken" drumsticks). If I decide to eat fast food, which honestly, I rarely do (fast food typically doesn't have many options for vegetarians anyway), then I opt for Burger King since they now carry the Impossible Burger for $5 as opposed to a restaurant's price of $15 for the same thing.

In case you're curious, I became a vegetarian because I was never a huge meat eater. Yes, I ate meat -- beef was my favorite -- but I could go days without meat and not be bothered. Then I started researching more about the meat industry and the negative environmental effects associated with it. So I decided to become a vegetarian to help the environment and to help my body. I don't care if you want to eat meat for the rest of your life. I've never been one to force my beliefs on anyone else. But I would recommend that you do some research on the meat industry if you truly care about the environment and what you put into your body.

Next goal for year two: add more protein and less carbs -- eat at Slutty Vegan since it's local and I hear it's amazing!

Would love for you guys to share what you typically eat, vegetarian or otherwise!
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53 comments

  1. I agree and nowadays most places now have a vegetarian option. Haha and I'm also a cheese lover. Those dishes you shared sound delicious and I might try them out!

    www.rdsobsessions.com

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    1. I wish I could have been there when the person who tried cheese for the very first time ate it and most likely felt euphoric, lol!

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  2. ooh im not a vegetarian but some of these meal ideas sound delish!

    xx rebecca // the crystal press

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  3. Congrats on one year of being vegetarian! That's amazing. I have been trying to eat less meat and more veggies recently and can't wait to try the salad- it sounds amazing! xoxo sarah

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  4. Congrats on your one year on the vegetarian diet :) All of the food sound delicious and healthy :)

    https://mariannyc.com/rooted-plants/

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  5. Your recipes sound so yummy, especially the protien pancakes! I'm not vegetarian, but I'm not a huge meat eater either, I actually rarely ever eat it nowadays

    www.sundaydahlias.com

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    1. I commend you on rarely ever eating meat. If all meat eaters gave up eating meat just one day a week that would have such a massive effect on our environment! :) And yes, those protein pancakes are amazing.

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  6. You're so good! I tried going vegetarian when I was in college and I got sick. I'll have to try some of your suggestions!

    XOXO
    Cathy

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  7. I'm not a vegetarian but these meals really look Delish. Enjoy. . .

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  8. It's definitely easier to be a vegetarian nowadays because there are many more options. We've been following a flexitarian diet for years which is mostly vegetarian with occasional fish and meat.

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    1. A flexitarian, how interesting! Would be nice to turn more meat eaters into flexitarians, lol.

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  9. That's so great you've done this, Cheryl:) Before I had kids, I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian for awhile. I think there's really something to be said for not eating anything on four legs! Alas, I don't have that self-control now, but yay that you're doing it:) And how can you not love the name of that restaurant Slutty Vegan? LOLZ

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    1. A lacto-ovo vegetarian -- oh wow! And yea, Slutty Vegan is the best name ever.

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  10. That recipe for brussels and pears sounds great. Usually I prefer my brussels sweeter anyways, so it's a good combination in my eyes, that's for sure! I would have such a hard time with this lifestyle because I'm allergic to a LOT of fruits and veggies, so I live off meat - but I do enjoy eating healthier, so these additions would be great too!

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    1. totally agree -- mixing sprouts with pears is an ingenious idea! sorry to hear that you're allergic to a lot of fruits and veggies.

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  11. Congrats girl! I'm not a huge meat eater either and it's great that you can find more good-for-you and tasty vegetarian options these days. Those dumplings sound (and look) amazing!

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    1. after writing this post, I think it's time that I stop by that restaurant and pick up more of those dumplings!

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  12. These honestly sound so yummy! I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm definitely going to try these!!

    Kileen
    cute & little

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  13. I think it's so cool that you're doing this! These dishes all sound so yummy!

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  14. While I'm definitely not a vegetarian, I don't eat a ton of meat either. There are so many options now at least it's easier! I've had the impossible burger and thought it was amazing. Also I could never give up cheese either - it's the best food in the world.
    Chic on the Cheap

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    1. Yeah, sometimes I just go to Burger King and get the Impossible Burger with cheese -- so good!

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  15. All five of those vegetarian dishes sound delicious!!! They also look extremely healthy. Congratulations on having been a vegetarian for over a year!!!!!! I am so incredibly lazy that I normally just get Amy's frozen vegan and vegetarian dinners at the supermarket and microwave them, but these recipes look yummy! I like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and avocados. For protein I try to balance the amino acids of grains with legumes and also include add peanut butter and/or sesame tahini butter (with felafel) to my diet sometimes.
    Kudos again on being a vegetarian!!!!!!

    https://full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/2018/10/last-minute-halloween-excuse-post-with.html

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    1. I do a lot of frozen meals, too. I'm lazy, too, luv.

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  16. This is so cool you did this! I love the sound of everything you eat - esp the brussel sprout salad!

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  17. Way to go on hitting the year mark! Honestly everything you shared sounds so yummy! I was vegetarian for two years and really loved it. Definitely noticed a difference in my body!

    xo Laura Leigh
    www.louellareese.com

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    1. 2 years - nice. Why did you stop if you don't mind me asking?

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  18. Wow, sounds so yummy, I'm not a vegetarian but would love to try it out.

    Have a happy Monday.
    http://www.rakhshanda-chamberofbeauty.com/

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    1. I would certainly recommend everyone trying it out!

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  19. I have never known any other way to life so I can't comment on how it must feel but today there are a lot of options for people who want to become vegetarian and looks like you have found a good way to incorporate it.

    ❥ tanvii.com

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    1. Have you ever considered changing your diet? Just curious.

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  20. I was vegetarian for 14 years so I definitely get it. Although, I am not completely vegetarian anymore, I love that there are loads of restaurants now all over the world where you can order strictly veggie food.

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    1. 14 years -- wow! I'd like to know what made you decide to change it up?

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  21. Congrats, you're doing fab!! This all looks really great!! x

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  22. Some of these recipes sound delicious- brussels sprouts are my jam!!

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  23. Congratulations on your one year anniversary! Your faro and guacamole meal idea sounds delicious.

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  24. Love this! And I'm with you- vegan cheese has a LONG way to go to compare to traditional cheese. I'm totally Team Cheese, haha. :)

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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    1. Such a long way to go! Team Cheese all the way, lol.

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  25. I love the meals you have as a vegetarian and congrats on 1 years that is so awesome :) I was a vegetarian for 4 years, which was many years ago about 2008 and I enjoyed it however my body took strain. At the time most of the veggie meals you could eat contained alot of wheat and my body was wheat intolerant. Also it was not that well known, so as much as I tried I really struggled with variety so my body started rejecting food, my hair started falling out and I was permanently sick. I had no choice but to start introducing meat into my diet, as soon as I did that I was a different person. I still do meat free mondays and have 2 vegetarian meals a week as well, but thats all my blood type 0 can handle unfortunately. So well done babe, I really wish I could do the same xxx

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    1. so sorry to hear that, J. It's always best to do what's best for our bodies. At least now there are way more vegetarian options out there. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  26. Congrats on being a vegetarian for a whole year! It's so much better for you! I've been a vegetarian for many years and I love it. I eat lots of veggies and fruit to get my vitamins :)
    xoxo, Vanessa
    www.WhatWouldVWear.com

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