Vegetarian group. Kick-off WEEK 1

July

I'm excited for this group!

Goal weight loss in lbs - I lost 20 pounds (146 to 126) and I'm trying to maintain, though I wouldn't mind being 123, my lowest weight while participating in a diet study

# of Kids (or do you want kids)- no kids, and I plan to adopt after I'm 30.

How long have you been a vegetarian or vegan? - since 1999 - wow, 10 years!

Age- 27 and 11/12

Anything else you want to share - I'm currently living in China with my husband (1 year anniversary next month!), teaching math and English to Chinese students who want to study in the US. Also, I like making friends!

Kidvicious28

glad to see you joined our group!!! Welcome and good luck with everything

Kidvicious28

Wanted to share some of these breakfast recipes:

- Sweet-Potato Pancakes with Honey-Cinnamon Butter -

For the honey-cinnamon butter

* 1/4 cup low fat unsalted butter, at room temperature
* 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the sweet-potato pancakes

* 2 large eggs
* 1 cup low fat buttermilk, plus more if necessary
* 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 cup store-bought pancake mix
* 1 small pinch ground nutmeg
* 1 small sweet potato, boiled, peeled, and mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1. Beat together the butter, honey, and cinnamon until smooth. Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and oil. Stir in the pancake mix and nutmeg until just combined. Fold in the sweet potato. If the batter seems too thick, add more buttermilk until it reaches the desired consistency (it should be thick but still pourable).

3. Place a large, greased griddle or pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, spoon the batter onto it and cook until the surface of the pancake is covered with bubbles, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, 1 to 2 minutes more. Serve, topped with the honey-cinnamon butter and a little maple syrup.





- Breakfast Burritos -
Eggs - 8
Jalapeno peppers - 2 (chopped and seeded)
Green bell pepper - 1/3 cup (chopped)
Tomatoes - 2 (seeded and chopped)
Low fat cheddar cheese - 6 slices
Large flour tortillas - 6
Salt and pepper - add to taste
Hot pepper sauce - a dash
Low fat butter - 1 tbsp
Cilantro

* Beat the eggs well, and add hot pepper sauce, jalapenos salt, and pepper.
* Melt butter in a pan on medium-high heat. Then pour in egg mixture, and cook until the eggs solidify.
* Place a slice of cheese on each tortilla. Top with egg mixture, tomatoes, and cilantro.
* Roll the tortilla and tuck the ends under. Bake for 10 minutes at 350.


I haven't tried either of them yet, but they def sound yummy! I think I'm going to make them this coming week. I'll let you know how they are :happy:

TheMaidOfAstolat

The pancakes I'll have to make tomorrow! They sound so yummy. If only I liked eggs...:ohwell:

jlauren6

Those pancakes sounds soo good...I'm going to try them this weekend! Thanks!

Kidvicious28

Lemme know what you guys think of them! I'm not going to make them until tuesday for when my family comes up :happy:

Kidvicious28

Just doing a morning BUMP! :happy:





oh and by the way, now I know what you guys were talking about with Applebee's (I think it was this thread...unless it was the other veggie thread....but I think some of you responded on that thread too...) anyways...
I went to applebee's last night for dinner and order a side garden salad....it came with a CRAP ton of bacon. I was like "REALLY!?" I didn't even think that a "garden salad" would have bacon on it. It didn't even cross my mind. I of course tried to get the server to take it back (which took forever) and my friends were so annoying...they kept saying "just pick them off" or "why is it such a big deal"...

I'm sure some you have dealt with this every now and then. It get so incredibly frustrating. I'm absolutely sick and tired of dealing with questions like that. No matter who it is, as long as they eat meat and I'm around, they some how always seem to make a big deal out of me being a vegetarian. Ugh. I wish everyone would just get over it. Why is it so "weird/strange" to everyone to be a vegetarian? I don't sit there and ask them "why do you eat meat?" or "what made you decide to be a carnivore?"

*frustrated*

lynniejones

Just doing a morning BUMP! :happy:





oh and by the way, now I know what you guys were talking about with Applebee's (I think it was this thread...unless it was the other veggie thread....but I think some of you responded on that thread too...) anyways...
I went to applebee's last night for dinner and order a side garden salad....it came with a CRAP ton of bacon. I was like "REALLY!?" I didn't even think that a "garden salad" would have bacon on it. It didn't even cross my mind. I of course tried to get the server to take it back (which took forever) and my friends were so annoying...they kept saying "just pick them off" or "why is it such a big deal"...

I'm sure some you have dealt with this every now and then. It get so incredibly frustrating. I'm absolutely sick and tired of dealing with questions like that. No matter who it is, as long as they eat meat and I'm around, they some how always seem to make a big deal out of me being a vegetarian. Ugh. I wish everyone would just get over it. Why is it so "weird/strange" to everyone to be a vegetarian? I don't sit there and ask them "why do you eat meat?" or "what made you decide to be a carnivore?"

*frustrated*

I just want to tell you how much I agree with you! I always feel like a weirdo, but luckily I do eat fish, so I can order something..my big problem is no dairy (LI) and everything is usually laden with butter or cheese or creamy sauces. I had such a nice waiter at the Outback the other day though. I'd ordered crab stuffed Tilapia and he came back in a few minutes and let me know that the stuffing had milk in it. What a sweetie. Seared Ahi tuna and a side of steamed veggies it was for me. Nice fat tip for the waiter. I was just with the hubs and he is *trying* his best to understand.

Kidvicious28

I eat fish as well (not a lot, but still some)...I still get all the questions. I just don't understand why it's such a big deal for ppl. I guess it gets to me a little more each time someone asks me. I'm to the point now where I just ignore the questions or just say "I've answered this a bajillion times already, I'd rather not talk about it".

What do you guys say when ppl ask you those silly questions over and over?

TheMaidOfAstolat

I've been getting those questions my entire life. I've never eaten beef or pork....so you can imagine what it's like to sit in the caf when you're 6 years old trying to explain that I don't want to eat cows and pigs. Of course most of the kids my age didn't realize that there was an alternitive to eating meat. I still get asked questions to this day and I alwasy resond..."I do not eat meat for the same reason that you may or may not drink/smoke/eat fattening foods...it's a choice and it's my choice but thanks for asking". It usually clears up the problem without having to get into a debate over animal welfare.

Kidvicious28

yea i completely understand. I just gets really frustrating sometimes, esp with ppl that will insist on asking questions even after you've answered them already.

TheMaidOfAstolat

BTW...the pancakes were really good! :bigsmile:

Kidvicious28

oh my gosh that's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that. I can't wait to make them!

TheMaidOfAstolat

oh my gosh that's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that. I can't wait to make them!

I added ground flax as well...for just a little bit extra nutrients. They turned out wonderful....yum!

jlauren6

I still haven't had a chance to make the pancakes :grumble: My husband and son leave by 6am and 7 for me so it has to be a weekend deal.

I too hate the vegetarian comments. I tend to keep it on the down low at any gatherings and just make sure to avoid the meat. There are a couple people at work who think anytime I catch a cold or get a headache it's because I don't eat meat. :laugh: Give me a break! I always get the comment "you need a steak!" What?! I just laugh it off and say eeeww.

My husband wants to order pizza tonight and watch a movie, I'm dreading the pizza part because I can't seem to EVER eat a normal portion.

lynniejones

There are a couple people at work who think anytime I catch a cold or get a headache it's because I don't eat meat. :laugh: Give me a break! I always get the comment "you need a steak!" What?! I just laugh it off and say eeeww.

I totally get that! I have a bad upper respitory infection and that is the first thing the hubby mentioned. How does a nasty bug translate to "eat meat"?
HAHAHA
It's been a fun adventure.

Kidvicious28

It's funny you mention that bc I get that ALL the time from the ppl I work with. Every time I'm sick they'll say "well you should eat some meat, it'll make you feel better". :noway: I used to eat meat when I was younger and meat sure as h*ll didn't magically fix my colds lol

Sometimes I wonder about ppl *shakes head*

jlauren6

How are the veggies doing today??

I made some carrot soup for lunch today, probably hummus in a pita with tomatoes for dinner.

What is everyones fav thing to do for exercise? I have gotten into running in the past year, I'm still not very good but it definitely gets me sweating!!

TheMaidOfAstolat

Doing pretty well. I had a really good lunch...quinoa with corn, peas, asparagus, and roasted red peppers. And a side of apples, grapes, and stawberries.
I also run...about 8-10 miles a week. I do trails though (local mountains), not track or cement style runs.

lynniejones

How are the veggies doing today??

I made some carrot soup for lunch today, probably hummus in a pita with tomatoes for dinner.

What is everyones fav thing to do for exercise? I have gotten into running in the past year, I'm still not very good but it definitely gets me sweating!!

My favorite thing to do is bicycle. It makes you feel like a little kid again and burns mad calories.

Kidvicious28

I'm doing good. I had a 6 inch veggie delight sub from subway. It was sooooo yummy!
Last week I lost my motivation to exrecise, but I'm slowly getting back into it by walking every day (at least until I get my motivation back). Usually I run/jog and do some exercise videos. I think I got tired/bored of doing them. I need to find something else to do for exercise. Something fun.

Any ideas?

TheMaidOfAstolat

I'm doing good. I had a 6 inch veggie delight sub from subway. It was sooooo yummy!
Last week I lost my motivation to exrecise, but I'm slowly getting back into it by walking every day (at least until I get my motivation back). Usually I run/jog and do some exercise videos. I think I got tired/bored of doing them. I need to find something else to do for exercise. Something fun.

Any ideas?

Kickboxing, either at a gym or a video. I believe that going to a gym is best because they have all the bags. It great to release any frusteration. I have a gym nearby that I go to that is only from kickboxing, MMA, Krav Maga, and bootcamp style workouts. I love the instructors. Heike is the the instructor for Krav Maga and personal traingin and she can be pretty scary. She is ripped...she does body building competitions, it's like working out with a man more so than a woman but she is so dedicated for everyone that comes into the gym to be healthy and be in great shape.
Oooh...we also are finally getting a greenway put in through our county...now I have a safe place to ride my bike! :bigsmile:

Kidvicious28

doing a morning bump :happy:


off to the gym :flowerforyou:

Kidvicious28

thanks maid for the exercise info. I'm going to look into all the classes at my gym

TheMaidOfAstolat

thanks maid for the exercise info. I'm going to look into all the classes at my gym

Let me know how it goes. I take the Krav Maga class and it's $99 a month but I have free access to all the other classes at the gym. :bigsmile:

calharv

I am very interested in McDougalling (as my daughter calls it), and have had terrific success in past. I have 2 meat eaters in family and find it difficult to cook for everyone as planning/preparing meals is already enough of a challenge for me. Any thoughts?

Best to you...Cal

jlauren6

I'm there with you, it has definitely been an adjustment to prepare 2 meals after a long day at work. The easiest solution for me is to make a regular meal, say tacos, chicken quesadillas, & wraps but just make mine veggie. Otherwise I prepare meatless entrees such as gnocci, pasta, salads...etc. We order pizza once a week too:blushing: I love that night! hahahh

ChristyMourning

Goal weight loss in lbs - 51lbs to start, goal is by 11/19/2009

# of Kids (or do you want kids)- I have 3 girls and just had a boy a week ago!!!

How long have you been a vegetarian or vegan? - Vegetarian on and off for years but finally sticking to it now , started back in april.

Age- 26

I think its nice to have a veg group! I'll post my success this week I'm-6lbs!
:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Kidvicious28

Hello ChristyMourning Welcome to our group

TheMaidOfAstolat

So...how was everyones weekend? Mine was jampacked with stuff. Birthday party on Saturday at Chuck-E-Cheeses, lots and lots of yard work (I probably sweated off 3 pounds by just being in the 95 degree heat for 8 hours), and my daughter is spending the week at my moms for the first time ever...I can only hope that my mom doesn't call tonight and says to come pick her up. haha. :bigsmile: