Semi-Vegetarian...yay or nay?

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Replies

  • bellevie86
    bellevie86 Posts: 301 Member
    When it comes to tofu, most people think tasteless white block floating the plastic tray, but its lot more than that. If you visit your local Asian supermarket, you will be surprised to see how many different types of tofu there are. Try to find products made by Veri-Soy.

    In San Diego we have SIPZ café and the Loving Hut restaurants, I have taken several of my strictly meat eater friends there and they all love the verity of meatless foods…... one just has to be open minded to try new foods.

    You're right....just never had it cooked the right way!!! I'm sure i'd like it if i had!!! It's all about how you season these veg products i find. If you don't season or spice them they taste like paper. The red meat gets flavour from the uric acid and other things.
  • pksd
    pksd Posts: 34 Member
    When it comes to tofu, most people think tasteless white block floating the plastic tray, but its lot more than that. If you visit your local Asian supermarket, you will be surprised to see how many different types of tofu there are. Try to find products made by Veri-Soy.

    In San Diego we have SIPZ café and the Loving Hut restaurants, I have taken several of my strictly meat eater friends there and they all love the verity of meatless foods…... one just has to be open minded to try new foods.

    You're right....just never had it cooked the right way!!! I'm sure i'd like it if i had!!! It's all about how you season these veg products i find. If you don't season or spice them they taste like paper. The red meat gets flavour from the uric acid and other things.

    If you get Veria channel on TV. They have a program called "Naturally Delicious".....some great tips on how to make vegetarian dishes. I think they are starting to add some of the recipes online as well now.

    http://www.veria.com/tv/show/naturally-delicious
  • amyann2
    amyann2 Posts: 69 Member
    I think eating less meat is not difficult at all, it's just a matter of thinking about your choices and prepping a little (by having non-meat foods on hand at home).

    I think I would fall in your definition of "semi-vegetarian" -- although I understand why folks here say that term can be confusing or misleading. But it sounds like the way I eat is what you're going for. I go most days without meat. When I'm eating in someone else's home I do not grill them about how the foods were prepared, which means something might have a meat product in it. Technically alone would mean I'm not "vegetarian". (And I also eat meat very occasionally, usually chicken. Red meat is maybe 4 times per year.)

    I have not had any meat in 2013 and I'm kind of wondering how far I can take it. Obviously I *can* go completely vegetarian if I make up my mind to, but I'm not sure if my commitment is enough to get me past certain situations. Do I want to start imposing this on people who entertain me? Do I want to completely forbid myself foods that I grew up loving?

    By the way, when people see how I eat, they ask if I'm vegetarian. I usually answer that I rarely eat meat. It seems the simplest and most straightforward way to represent it.

    Good luck! I think *any* reduction in eating meat is good for you and the planet. I like the Meatless Mondays concept but have trouble understanding why people think it's a sacrifice to go ONE day a week without meat. ;-) I don't consider it a sacrifice to go many days without out -- there are so many healthy yet tasty non-meat foods out there!
  • MeeshyBW
    MeeshyBW Posts: 382 Member
    Why do you want to be vegetarian? Whats your motivation?

    If your motivation is great enough the transition will be easy.
  • SleepySin
    SleepySin Posts: 168 Member
    When it comes to tofu, most people think tasteless white block floating the plastic tray, but its lot more than that. If you visit your local Asian supermarket, you will be surprised to see how many different types of tofu there are. Try to find products made by Veri-Soy.

    In San Diego we have SIPZ café and the Loving Hut restaurants, I have taken several of my strictly meat eater friends there and they all love the verity of meatless foods…... one just has to be open minded to try new foods.

    Loving Hut restaurants are awesome! I used to have one up the street from my college in NYC and other locations I've traveled to. Wishing CT would open some up soon.

    Plain chicken, beef or pork is pretty blah too from what I remember (YEARSSSss ago!) but if you are talented in the kitchen or can follow basic recipes, it's not all that hard to make the transition. Just do your research first.

    I agree with what many of the other people here have said - you're just looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. It doesn't make you a vegetarian.
  • EvelynBfly78
    EvelynBfly78 Posts: 240 Member
    When it comes to tofu, most people think tasteless white block floating the plastic tray, but its lot more than that. If you visit your local Asian supermarket, you will be surprised to see how many different types of tofu there are. Try to find products made by Veri-Soy.

    In San Diego we have SIPZ café and the Loving Hut restaurants, I have taken several of my strictly meat eater friends there and they all love the verity of meatless foods…... one just has to be open minded to try new foods.

    I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian. When I visited Chula Vista last month I took my brother & sister-in-law (who are definitely meat eaters) to SIPZ for dinner. They enjoyed it as much as I did. I highly recommend that restaurant in San Diego. Wish they had one here in Vancouver WA.
  • littlehealthyhope
    littlehealthyhope Posts: 22 Member
    semi-vegetarian? what's that? i am a pesceterian, i eat fish so i do get my protein in :)
  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    I think that is probably the healthiest way to eat.
  • honeyandmilk
    honeyandmilk Posts: 160 Member
    Thanks! This is really helpful. I thought about the lacto-ovo, but my husband is a huge meat eater and I thought it would be easier for me to eat fish and chicken. I'll do some more research and maybe sit down and talk with him about our meals. Thanks!

    That's...not vegetarian, semi or otherwise. You're an omnivore that chooses not to eat red meat and pork. Don't label yourself as a vegetarian or semi-vegetarian because it just perpetuates the common thought that vegetarians eat chicken or fish. Vegetarians abstain from meat, regardless of where it comes from.
  • honeyandmilk
    honeyandmilk Posts: 160 Member
    When it comes to tofu, most people think tasteless white block floating the plastic tray, but its lot more than that. If you visit your local Asian supermarket, you will be surprised to see how many different types of tofu there are. Try to find products made by Veri-Soy.

    In San Diego we have SIPZ café and the Loving Hut restaurants, I have taken several of my strictly meat eater friends there and they all love the verity of meatless foods…... one just has to be open minded to try new foods.

    Loving Hut restaurants are awesome! I used to have one up the street from my college in NYC and other locations I've traveled to. Wishing CT would open some up soon.

    Plain chicken, beef or pork is pretty blah too from what I remember (YEARSSSss ago!) but if you are talented in the kitchen or can follow basic recipes, it's not all that hard to make the transition. Just do your research first.

    I agree with what many of the other people here have said - you're just looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. It doesn't make you a vegetarian.

    There's a Loving Hut in Orlando that I love, but the entire chain makes me laugh/roll my eyes. It's basically a vegan cult run by Supreme Master Ching Hai.

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