Vegetarian...NEED ADVICE

jessicakate26
jessicakate26 Posts: 54
edited September 21 in Motivation and Support
Hi All!

I just ventured into the world of becoming a vegetarian and love every second of it. I read a book and watched a documentary on the treatment of animals and thought...I dont want to be a part of that...so on this adventure I begin!
Knowing that 'to each their own' ... I am not going to preach to anyone or try to force anyone that direction...and when I say this...I mainly mean my husband. He could seriously eat 2 steaks a day and is never going to give up meat...which is fine.

I just need help and wanted to know if anyone else faces this problem. We are having a cookout tonight...and I am the only vegetarian there...so I will obviously have my own food. But since I am the food shopper...I will be stocking up for grilling and burger and dogs are on the menu. I guess I am just having a hard time going to the store and physically buying all of the items after all that I have read.

Sorry for rambling...but if anyone else faces this...please let me know and how you deal with it. I know I am not going to change other people to becoming vegetarian...but I want to make the biggest impact I can and its hard when you go out and buy meat :(

Replies

  • Ladyiianae
    Ladyiianae Posts: 271 Member
    Hi!! First, I am going to add you as a friend for sure =) (if that's ok). Second, my change came a year ago today actually! I was never really a big meat eater to begin with but we went to the Minnesota State Fair last year on opening day...I went into the barns and there was this HUGE pig in this really fancy pen with all these first place blue ribbons around him! Cute!! PRIZE WINNING! With a big ole' sign that said "SOLD TO HORMEL" above his head. I broke into tears. That was it for me.

    I don't buy the stuff for the family, my husband does all that so I am of no use to you there. I do know, as time has passed I've become more sensitive to "meat" in general and I can't even touch or look at raw meat.

    Wish I had more words of wisdom other then WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF VEGETARIANISM! I love it!!

    Never eats anything with a face,
    Jenny
  • jessicakate26
    jessicakate26 Posts: 54
    Hi!! First, I am going to add you as a friend for sure =) (if that's ok). Second, my change came a year ago today actually! I was never really a big meat eater to begin with but we went to the Minnesota State Fair last year on opening day...I went into the barns and there was this HUGE pig in this really fancy pen with all these first place blue ribbons around him! Cute!! PRIZE WINNING! With a big ole' sign that said "SOLD TO HORMEL" above his head. I broke into tears. That was it for me.

    I don't buy the stuff for the family, my husband does all that so I am of no use to you there. I do know, as time has passed I've become more sensitive to "meat" in general and I can't even touch or look at raw meat.

    Wish I had more words of wisdom other then WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF VEGETARIANISM! I love it!!

    Never eats anything with a face,
    Jenny




    I love it...and of course you can add me as a friend!!!!
    Being so new...I guess I am just going to have to figure out how to work things out in buying food...because I literally do not want to buy it :(

    But thank you and I have to say with a couple weeks under my belt...I am loving this new lifestyle!
  • kimsy1222
    kimsy1222 Posts: 34
    Hi, JessicaKate :)

    I'm also a vegetarian with a meat-and-potatoes significant other. It is a challenge, but it can be done. I don't know where you live, but my local Wal-Marts have a section where you can get veggie burgers and hot dogs. You can also find recipes for vegan coleslaw and potato salad. You can even whip up (or buy if there is a Whole Foods near you) an interesting vegetarian and/or ethnic dish (whether it's tabbouleh or apple pie), and offer some for your guests. That way you won't have to buy as much meat as you used to buy. Although you won't turn anyone else vegetarian overnight, you can wow them with some interesting vegetarian entrees and meals. I'm assuming that your husband is understanding of your new decision; is he willing to try some mock meats? Boca and Morningstar Farms are good, but I highly recommend Gardein. Tastes exactly like meat.

    Good luck, and enjoy your cookout! :)
  • Ladyiianae
    Ladyiianae Posts: 271 Member
    Oh and I am a complete believer in "To each his or her own". I am the only vegetarian in my family though my family has now (it seems) gone more to the fish side of things and not so much beef...but whatever they want is ok by me. We are all different people =)

    It was a hard time at first for me, not the giving up but more so the knowing what some ingredients are in things. Like Rennet (in cheese), Gelatin (and anything that contains it, some surprising stuff in this list). If you ever have questions or just want to chat I'm here =)
  • christinashell
    christinashell Posts: 2 Member
    My husband grew up in Wyoming, Montana, Utah, etc. and grew up hunting, fishing, etc....and we have been a vegan family for a few years now. I, too, made the changes after becoming aware of the horrendous cruelty associated with animal products (meat, eggs and dairy). Fortunately, a veg lifestyle is becoming very mainstream; better than it was 20 years ago!

    The basic fact about our lifestyle: you have to learn how to cook, REALLY cook, and not rely on convenience foods. Otherwise, you will be so limited (not to mention nutritionally deficient) with convenience foods that you will most likely eventually give up. There are some wonderful blogs (and cookbooks) out there that will help you along. That's how I got started. Now, Momma can "veganize" anything!

    As for a cookout and what I typically do: portobello mushrooms are better than any burger (real or "faux") in my opinion! Field Roast (a Seattle company--Whole Foods and some Safeways carry it) makes awesome sausages but be careful when grilling them. I make potato salad (the BHG classic recipe) with Veganaise non-dairy mayo and 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast (whisked in the dressing) to replace the eggs. I also make a KFC copycat coleslaw recipe with the Veganaisse and the omnis are never the wiser! I also have a standard homemade BBQ sauce recipe that is good on anything: tempeh, tofu, seitan.

    Good luck; you are doing the right thing!
  • Ladyiianae
    Ladyiianae Posts: 271 Member

    The basic fact about our lifestyle: you have to learn how to cook, REALLY cook, and not rely on convenience foods. Otherwise, you will be so limited (not to mention nutritionally deficient) with convenience foods that you will most likely eventually give up. There are some wonderful blogs (and cookbooks) out there that will help you along. That's how I got started. Now, Momma can "veganize" anything!

    This is SOOOO True!!! We (my husband and I) have REALLY grown as cooks over this past year and I look forward to learning more and more!
  • jessicakate26
    jessicakate26 Posts: 54
    Many thanks!!! I love all the support...and I love this quote:

    Momma can "veganize" anything!!!
  • christinashell
    christinashell Posts: 2 Member
    Ha ha! We are a family of four - and, even though no animal products are consumed in this house, we still enjoy all of our old favorites (except the obvious). But, we have a large dinner every night and I usually make a dessert, too. My husband is an officer in the military (you can imagine the environment that he works in) and he takes leftovers for lunch every day (extra because he knows that he will be sharing) and he has managed to change a few perceptions about being a "tree-hugging granola eater".
  • stringcheeze
    stringcheeze Posts: 286
    If you're still needing to buy animal items for your husband, look into buying local if you live in a particularly agrarian area. Small local farmers generally (can be exceptions, just like anything) have more compassionate methods of farming instead of the large factory farming operations.
  • jessicakate26
    jessicakate26 Posts: 54
    If you're still needing to buy animal items for your husband, look into buying local if you live in a particularly agrarian area. Small local farmers generally (can be exceptions, just like anything) have more compassionate methods of farming instead of the large factory farming operations.

    Thats a great idea! Definitely going to stick that one in my back pocket! Thanks!
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