MaizeyMaizey wrote: »

Congratulations on a major step. I know, from recent experience, how challenging and rewarding it can be.

What helped me most was stepping away from websites, which gave me great ideas but information overload, and going back to basics:
peanut butter, hummus, beans (chili, burritos, tacos, nachos, tamales), veggies, stews, soups (with bean base and French herb or cajun style, etc.) slaws. Basically, what worked best for me in the transition was when I took recipes I loved and made vegan versions. Now, after more than five months, I am eating less-processed whole foods and spending less time in the kitchen. It has been a journey.

I also got more educated about protein needs which took the pressure off me to have massive amounts of proteins in every meal and found that I eat a lot of protein without even trying. I have learned random things I never knew, like how fish get the fish taste from seaweed and such. So, I learned to use small size TVP and a a few crumbs from seaweed sheets from the sushi section at Walmart to make DELICIOUS vegan tuna salad. I also found black salt that tastes like eggs, and now I can make veggie sausage (LiteLife:Gimme Lean from Walmart) and tofu-egg biscuits.

I found a few splurgy (naughty) items at Kroger and Walmart that I have every once in a while like Ben and Jerry's or So Delicious non-dairy ice cream, Beyond Meat burgers with BBQ sauce, some prepared vegan meat replacements like Morningstar Farms 1/4 lb. vegan meat-lovers burger. Oreos are vegan, and Vegenaise from Follow Your Heart (soy-free) is divine. I love it much more than real mayo. While typing this, I had Gardein's fish fillets with Vegenaise tartar sauce and oven fries. So good! (But that's the first time in five months, so it's not an every-day thing.) My hubby compared the fish fillets to Long John Silver's. They were good. (Vegan fish tacos, anyone?)

In the beginning, it was hard. On weekends, I would research and experiment with old recipes and new ones, using TVP to transition and to feel I hadn't lost my favorite meals. Oh, and a few things made all the difference: CASHEW CREAM, liquid smoke (used sparingly), and frozen-then-fried tofu. I made the most awesome Chick-fil-A style nuggets with that frozen-thawed tofu and a vegan version of Chick-fil-A Sauce my hubby said was better than the original. Little victories gave me hope I could do this without suffering and missing familiar favorites.

Mexican food is easy to adapt and make healthy/light as so is Indian (which I love). Chinese can also be adapted with cashews and/or tofu. The hardest has been Italian food because apparently what I liked was Parmesan and saltiness, not Italian food.

This is huge. Sorry. I just wish I could help you hands-on, but I know it's a personal journey. I was scared, hopeful, overwhelmed, and positive it was one of the best decisions of my life. It was. I have NO REGRETS, and I can tell from your wording of your post that you will find what you need as you make your journey. I hope, if nothing else, my excitement at least translates as encouragement as you seek suggestions and help along the way. You have my best wishes!