Giving up Meat

Vegetable chili with bean of choice (or no beans), quinoa, chickpeas in indian dishes are one of my favorites, nuts (in moderation), Black bean burgers are yummy.

Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole: http://fatfreevegan.com/blog/2010/03/24/vegetarian-enchilada-casserole/

Vegetarian Jambalaya: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/vegetarian-jambalaya/detail.aspx

"Hamburger Helper": http://thepeacefulkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/vegan-hamburger-helper-style-recipe-and.html

Mini quiches with zucchini, carrots, and Parmesan are good if you aren't trying for vegan. Even my picky kids eat those!

I can recommend some good cookbooks too if your interested.

I'm a vegetarian as well. Well, it's for the animals rather than my health...Though health is a great reason as well.
http://www.vrg.org/ is usually what I look at.

Well, I gave up red meat because it really just seems to not be that great for my health. It's been tied to cancer etc. Then, I just decided I wanted to give up the rest of it and really focus on getting a lot more veggies into my diet. I don't know if I will keep it up forever, but I just needed to shake up my diet a bit so I can lose some more. : )

Totally understand where you are coming from, I've considered a juice fast, drastic calorie reduction etc. in order to lose weight, but don't cut out meat for your "health". Those "links" to cancer are simply not proven, they are nothing but correlations which mean essentially nothing. By all means increase your vegetable intake, eats loads of vegetables but eat some meat too, your body will thank you.

Here is a "starter" list of veg proteins to help you out...I also have a list of cookbooks I could suggest, and also there is a vegan group and vegetarian group on MFP, you might find some answers there too! (I'm a vegetarian (for three years now) and just about vegan, about 95% of the time, though going for 100%!)

Protein in Legume: Garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, navy beans, soybeans, split peas

Protein in Grain: Barley, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, ouinoa, rye, wheat germ, wheat, wild rice

Vegetable Protein: Artichokes, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, green peas, green pepper, kale, lettuce, mushroom, mustard green, onions, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, turnip greens, watercress, yams, zucchini

Protein in Fruit: Apple, banana, cantaloupe, grape, grapefruit, honeydew melon, orange, papaya, peach, pear, pineapple, strawberry, tangerine, watermelon

Protein in Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, cashews, filberts, hemp seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts (black)

I am not meat free but I did start incorporating more meat free dishes. I did go meat free for awhile but didn't maintain it.

Here is a good website that gives you a lot of info on how to eat a balanced diet and recipe suggestions. So much information including restaurant info for you.
http://veg.ca/content/view/26/56/

I also bought Get Healthy Go Vegan by Dr Neal Bernard book. He also covers basics of eating healthy and meat free with recipes. As noted it is vegan but I enjoyed all the recipes I tried.

My favorite vegan blog, I bought her newest cookbook but haven't tried a lot so no reviews on it
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

A few recipes -
Loved this, I put chicken in this for my other half.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1124/moroccan-tagine

My favorite stir fry (tons of other recipes on this site)
http://www.ivu.org/recipes/chinese/five.html

You'll have a lot of people tell you that you need to eat meat, but becoming a vegetarian 7 years ago was one of the best choices I had ever made. I stopped having as many intestinal problems, and it made cooking at home more adventurous and in turn, sparked my love of healthy eating.

This will be similar to what others have said but, here's how I've managed.

You can still eat eggs, and get a lot of protein from them, as well as cheese and milk.

Please try and stay away from all the "fake" meat products such as Boca and Morning Star. They're chalk full of sodium and they're really not that great for you. If you enjoy cooking, there are tons of recipes online for making your own. Here's one of my favorites.

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html

You can use his recipe for almost anything and really play with it.

Tofu can take the place of the meat in many of your dishes. Pan seared tofu with onions and mushrooms, served with A1 can become a delicious steak. Summer time makes for great grilled tofu and corn on the cob.

Come winter, instead of Chicken Noodle Soup, you can make Veggie Noodle Soup using Imagine Brand No-Chicken Broth, which mimics Chicken Broth. I will use tofu pan fried with poultry seasoning as the meat, and then follow the recipe normally.

Please feel free to friend me and/or message me if you need any websites, recipes, or help!

Way to go! Way to focus on veggies, and there are lots of like-minded people on here so don't let anyone get you down. If vegetarians are unhealthy then I can't figure out why I have the greatest immune system ever! :drinker:

You'll have a lot of people tell you that you need to eat meat, but becoming a vegetarian 7 years ago was one of the best choices I had ever made. I stopped having as many intestinal problems, and it made cooking at home more adventurous and in turn, sparked my love of healthy eating.

This will be similar to what others have said but, here's how I've managed.

You can still eat eggs, and get a lot of protein from them, as well as cheese and milk.

Please try and stay away from all the "fake" meat products such as Boca and Morning Star. They're chalk full of sodium and they're really not that great for you. If you enjoy cooking, there are tons of recipes online for making your own. Here's one of my favorites.

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html

You can use his recipe for almost anything and really play with it.

Tofu can take the place of the meat in many of your dishes. Pan seared tofu with onions and mushrooms, served with A1 can become a delicious steak. Summer time makes for great grilled tofu and corn on the cob.

Come winter, instead of Chicken Noodle Soup, you can make Veggie Noodle Soup using Imagine Brand No-Chicken Broth, which mimics Chicken Broth. I will use tofu pan fried with poultry seasoning as the meat, and then follow the recipe normally.

Please feel free to friend me and/or message me if you need any websites, recipes, or help!

Very well put.

I also cut meat out (well, still pescetarian but will eventually transition) and I have never felt better. My family MD actually suggested it since I've struggled with many digestive issues, for many years. At last, I am 90% better and haven't felt this great in years! I also have a hard time with the moral and environmental issues so it's a win-win situation ;-)

I am not vegetarian, but I must say that all of you have given some great alternatives to meat. I may even try to lessen my meat intake and add more of your ideas to my menu. Don't know about the tofu, but hey, anything is possible. I do like the idea of still being able to eat eggs, cheese, and milk. That seems like it would give you more of a variety.

Have enjoyed reading the posts.

Just to let you know, the 21-day vegan kickstart starts tomorrow.

I know you aren't vegan, but it's a great way to get motivated on your new commitment.

I eat a mostly vegan diet for health reasons (I say mostly because I am human and slip but I try my hardest) -- I have definitely noticed an improvement in my health and my medical tests.

I know ya said not a bean fan but I have a recipe somwhere for black bean burgers which are amazing! and im not a fan of black beans! I Will have to find it and give ya the recipe