Starting a new life

Jayfitness27

Hi everyone, My name is jason and I have recently came across this site by surfing trying to find meaning in my new lifestyle. I am a newly inducted veggie lover, and cut meat out of my diet for about (2 weeks) now and though I am feeling fatigued earlier on in the day I am having energy sparks at night and I want to change this, I am thinking its the lack of meat in my diet that is causing this. However I dont know the differences between being a Vegitarian or being a Pescotarian; in context I do know what they are but I dont want to be wrongfully critized for trying to change my life around. So many people say fish is good for you (even doctors) but yet I feel like I am cheating if I am going to cook it from a supermarket.

I also feel a little down because my "Domestic Partner" Eric is going along the same path as me, but we are unsure which direction to go, I already adapted him to meatless products in which he loves. Like veggie dogs pan fried in Canola butter (vegitarian butter) and Vegitarian fed eggs, I do not personally eat them but I do try and cook with the health benefit behind it. I come to this site for support and friends because I am unsure where to turn these days. Eric and I are eating well, but it just seems to me I am very confused on what exactly we should buy at the market, the labels are so confusing and we have been buying milk (soy, almond, and rice) but I just dont exactly understand (once again) about all this...

The reason I am making the change is my Cholestrol is at 210, and my weight is 184lbs (according to our wii, which miscalculates it everytime i redo the weight) but I was told at the doctors last year i was 206lbs which really made me cry and really had me looking at the "vegangal.com" video by Jill Onvik and she is an inspiration, but eric and I are on a food budget until I can find a job in this bad economy.. We are on the EBT system (Shudders at the thought) and we want to live a better lifestyle but is it even possible in this way? I know I am talking alot of different topics for an introduction, but this is who I am; and i am trying to find my fit and my secret to maintaining my youth as a turn 30 in a few years and I dont want to look back at my life and say all i did was consume animal fat and blood and didnt listen to my body... I really need support and help to change my life and that of the one I love dearly.


Thanks for listening.

RachelSRoach1

You can do this!! It sounds like you need to invest in some vegetarian cookbooks soon. What I do know for sure is you need to be eating as much protein as you can in sources like tofu or nuts, and of course use your veggies! A friend of mine recently was having health problems and her doctor suggested a drastic diet change and only ate fruits and veggies for a month which put her body to rights. Talk about the ultimate detox! If you need a friend just add me.

Jayfitness27

I am sorry for posting such as long post, I wrote from the heart and from where I am.. I am truly looking forward to meeting new friends and achieving my goal of 45 lbs or so. Again sorry if the posting off set people, I am very straight forward and really cant wait to be apart of this community. Anyone who would like to friend me can do so, the more the merrier.

strawberryshortbread

Hiya,

Just read your post and i have a couple of friends that are vegetarian and i cook quite a bit so if your looking for meal idea's i could quite happily trawl through my recipe books and jot some down for you and then if you like the sound of any of them i can send you the recipes...all low fat of course!

Jayfitness27

that would be perfect actually thanks so much ... same here... alot of my creations come out of my head... Eric keeps hounding me about writing them down and making a book out of it they are soo good... then again i doubt it

streetnamejim

Don't be over critical of your efforts... just roll into it as you learn more and find satisfaction in your small successes. As long as you are moving in the direction that you want to be moving, you'll get to where you want to be. Try not to take on "labels" because they pin you into certain beliefs or dogmas that may or may not be your own reasons for making dietary choices. You've started a change!!! Congrats to you!! That is the hardest part. Just keep building on that momentum.

strawberryshortbread

Hiya Jason,

Here you go then...i'm not claiming to be a super chef or anything but here are some meals i have made for veggie friends before and they have said it has been tasty. If you want any of the recipes let me know.

Mushroom & Spinach Rissotto
Red pepper and sweet potato soup
Stuffed Mushrooms with Garlic and Cheese (it's a healthy version!)
Chunky Vegetable Bolognese
Stuffed red peppers with spicy cous cous
vegetable skewers serveed with rice
Three Bean Chilli
Vegetable curry

They might not appeal to you but just thought i'd try help out where i can.

x

Jayfitness27

well they all appeal to me but eric is allergic heavily to mushrooms so everything is worth a shot, I made a few recipies myself that I can share with you that might be worth the try as well... I'll have to write them down and send them to you Dont ever think I would refuse any recipies because you know what... we are like sisters now, nothing is ever enough.. So never be afraid to ask me anything

strawberryshortbread

You mentioned Sisters...i suddently have the urge to burst into song "sisters are doing it for themselves...." Sing with me baby!...oooohhh LOL

I'd appreciate any recipes too anything that helps! I'm feeling full of beans of today. How are you doing?

Jayfitness27

well i am doing alright considering I am trying to beat this insomnia streak i have been having lately... I decided to do a complete shave of my body in the shower to make myself fabulous again ... i shave every summer and keep the hair during winter but i swear sometimes its better to just wax, but i dont have the money for it so i do it the old fashioned way though razors. though I am a man, i have to admit being hairless feels great and it boosts my mood and self image... now i just have to exercist when i wake up later and keep to it.. I am probably not going to bed until 5am PST but who knows these days I have been trying to log everything in the food diary myself like that recipie i thought about was made tonight with the ingredients for dinner and it turned out great...

I made eric into a gimme lean sausage/ground beef lover and he loves the meal i did the other day... we didnt have any buns so what i did was roll the meat in my hand after slicing it into 4 parts combing 2/4 to = 1 patty so the dog got a treat as well and added fresh tomatoe slice on top with pan friend onions simmered in canola butter (veggie butter) i put the onions aside and sliced the tomatoes while the burger was cooking i did it on (5) on my setting for about 10-15 minutes making sure to brown both sides so they didnt burn, and the butter lasted the whole time without causing any issues.. So when the burger was done i took the onion rings i made from the onion that was pan fried and placed it on top of the burger, then added a tomatoe and panfried some zuccini in the left over butter pan and browned them a little and placed it on top with a tad of pepper ... I seasoned the beef with celery salt and mint but you dont need to ... Anyways i did that and it was delicious...


As for the sausage i browned it up in Smart balance oil which was all soy and canola oils but i seasoned it with celery salt and mint as i did the last meal with the beef and rolled it in my hand and made a patty (3) out of the whole thing and pan fried it on med-high until golden brown and then i put veggie mozerella cheese on top with the veggie cream cheese ont he side with veggie cheddar cheese block pieces on the side to dip in the cream cheese. it was very good the dog had a field day with it and amazingly enough eric loves these meatless products and hes noticing his taste buds changing ... I am now also a prune juice lover ( not just for the old hags over 80) :P just kidding... but anyways yea i drink that and i cheated a little drinking a sugary lemondate from minute maid too , but over all i did well

The noodle recipie i told you about earlier that i made tonight is in the food diary for the 15th, but again i will try and write it down the best i can another time, but yea things are fine I am finding it easier to cut off of the coke now though yea i took a sip for the hell of it but what is like (6 gulps) going to do to me... Overall i think we are adjusting well to the vegan diet, just dont ask me to give up my clarol foundation and i will be ok...