Vegetarian Meals (lots of photos!)

So it's not quite a recipe (though if anyone is curious about how anything here is prepared just ask) but for the past 2-3 years I've photographed everything I've eaten. Since May of last year I was doing this as an alternative to calorie counting and it worked great for holding myself accountable, but I've plateaued out a bit and needed to get more strict. That's how I ended up here, to start tracking my caloric intake.

I really enjoy cooking and for the most part my dietary requirements have been to reduce my processed sugar and carb intake and just to eat less of everything. I allow myself two "cheat" meals on the weekend, one entree and one dessert. This method doesn't work for everyone but it's been one of the main things that's kept me on track for over a year. Whenever I start craving something bad I like looking forward to Saturday night when I can have the best of the best of whatever it is I want.

Anyway, I thought I'd introduce myself with a whole bunch of pictures! This is basically just a summary of how I've eaten since May of last year to lose around 45 pounds.

Polenta rounds stacked with mascarpone spinach and marinara with a side tomato salad



Whole grain thin crust pizza with veggie sausage, mushrooms, and fresh arugula



Rosemary tomato soup with grilled cheese on ezekiel bread



Handmade mushroom raviolis with a brown butter sauce, fresh thyme, and toasted walnuts



Bananas foster muffin with pecan streusel and butter rum glaze (made with whole wheat flour and apple sauce in place of butter)



Caprese salad with rosemary parmesan crisps (super easy and reduced carb)



stuffed zucchini boats with baked portobella mushrooms "fries" and marinara



seitan and broccoli with pesto and cherry tomatoes



wasa with cucumber and cheese with fruit on the side



seitan with green beans and slivered almonds



savory oatmeal made with sausage, spinach, herbs, and parmesan. my cat is intrigued.



Veggie sausage, spinach, tomato, and feta cheese.



White bean, tomato, and spinach soup with lots of fresh basil, Ezekiel croutons, and Parmesan cheese.




Ezekiel greek style wrap with veggies, hummus, and feta. Side of carrots and strawberries.




Spaghetti squash with marinara and a side of garlic broccolini.



veggie turkey and caprese salad on wasa



cinnamon peaches and oats



Avocado rotini with tomatoes and parmesan.



i know this is just unfair to post, but this is one of my cheat desserts. Fudgey brownie soaked with a bit of rum, topped with bourbon vanilla ice cream, homemade hot fudge, vanilla rum whipped cream, and toasted pecans. Eff yeah.