Going Vegetarian

I've recently started cutting out the meat as well. I've bought a few vegetarian/vegan cook books at half price books to get some ideas. Someone posted these sites also on a message board recently and I found some useful recipes there. I have also had success with recipes I've found by googling (sp) my favorite foods but adding 'vegetarian' to the search criteria. Other than that, you can probably throw any veggie into olive oil and sautee for something quick and easy to eat if you can't tolerate raw veggies. I've learned to stay away from the starchy stuff though as it'll eat up my calories pretty quick if I don't watch it. Hope it works out!

http://www.poorgirleatswell.com/category/recipes-3/vegetarian-recipes/
http://www.brokeandhealthy.com/

I have been slowly moving my daughter and I to a more pescatarian lifestyle. We do eat some chicken, but I have eliminated most beef from our diets and we feel great.

I use lots of different things for protein...Boca and Morning Star make some excellent vegetarian alternative "meat". Tofu, soy, nuts, beans, lentils, et cetera are all great.

We have eliminated most dairy as well, still eat some greek yogurt and a limited amount of cheese, but now use Almond Milk instead of regular milk.

I, too, am looking to transition to a mainly whole foods, plant-based diet. I came across just today a blog that looks promising:

www.wholefoodmommies.com

They have quite a few recipes to try, and I will be replacing several of my meals this week with some of their recipes. I look forward to learning additional resources from others here.

Good luck in your journey!

It is a myth that you need excessive amounts of protein, you wont have a problem with protein on a vege or vegan diet, beans are my fav Butter beans to be exact xxx

I know it's pretty old-school, but Frances Moore Lappe's Diet for a Small Planet still has some great advice on food combining to create whole proteins on a vegetarian diet.

Strict vegan also add me too if you like xxx

I've been vegetarian for 5 years and vegan for 3. Feel free to look through my diary for meal ideas. I rely mostly on vegetables, legumes and protein-packed grains like quinoa for protein. I also like to start each day with a breakfast smoothie, fortified with plant-based protein powder. (No extra soy for this lady). I've never had a problem getting enough protein, in fact some studies show that protein is easier for your body to assimilate when it's taken in conjunction with complex carbohydrates. Be careful that you don't try and supplement a veg*n diet with too many processed foods, or utilize soy products like you would meat in a regular omnivorous diet. The focus has got to shift away from that and towards more of a whole foods spectrum or you're going to carb load and be eating waaaay too much fat and processed soy. Also, be sure to start taking a good (edible or lozenge form) B-12 supplement, as it can be hard to get enough with a veg*n diet.

I'd recommend reading up on some nutrition books to make sure you make a safe switch over and that it'll be a lasting change that benefits your body.

Good luck!

I really like some of the fake meats on the market right now.. Morningstar Farms, Quorn, Gardein, and LightLife are some of the ones I love love love!! But I don't like eating these too often as they can be loaded with soy and extra stuff..
So my meat substitute is MUSHROOMS!!!! My mom made tacos last week and sauteed up some chopped mushrooms with taco seasoning.. OMG I was in heaven!!! It was awesome! AND less calories!

Check out the library as well. They have a lot of different cookbooks, some for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets. I too am transitioning towards being a vegetarian. Everyone had some great advice! Thanks! :-)