Fist: I have missed you guys.
Last fall was too busy to do much outside work and family, and to be honest, I had kind of decided to use less time in the kitchen and more time outside – as in hiking, meeting friends and go to events. Turns out, I’m not really into events, and my friends live busy lives too. And truth be told, I realized that I gravitate towards the kitchen because I really, really like to cook!
So I decided to give in to my nature and I rewarded my new insight with a brand new crêpe pan! *sigh*.
As some of you remember I decided to eat more vegetarian meals last year. As in 99 percent vegetarian. It’s been an interesting ride so far. I had no idea when I started this project, that going vegetarian would actually alienate some people. Yes, alienate! One of my co workers said that “vegetarians are people who like to stick out and because they lack any other skills, they go vegetarian”. Well, geez, thanks a lot! I’ve had waiters in restaurants suggesting fish dishes when I have asked for vegetarian options, and one relative even told me that she had never before heard “such nonsense as cutting out meat”. Guess there is a lot of prejudice out there when it comes to vegetarians.
But let me tell you, I have discovered a new world of recipes, and I’ve had such fun doing it! Actually, it was so interesting and a journey of new wisdom, I have decided to do it for another year. (Like most things in life, I’m reluctant to say “I’ll never again…”, but so far it feels okay not to eat meat).
The only exception is when someone invites me to their home and cooks for me. In those situations, I’ll eat anything. Well, maybe not avocado. I have discovered that I’m allergic to avocado. I learned it the hard way when I visited one of our businesses and had dinner with the employees at a Mexican restaurant. The one hour flight home was a NIGHTMARE! Let me tell you, I thought I was going to die. Literally explode. *LOL*
Another challenge has been to cook for DH and me, as DH is a hard core carnivore. I started out cooking two different dishes for dinner, but that only lasted for a week. I’ve had to re-think dinner because I didn’t want to fall into the soy rut (as in eating mostly meat substitutes made from soy) since I’m a little concerned about some researchers saying that too much soy can cause cancer. Actually, I believe that too much of anything is probably not good for you, and I thought why stick to soy products when there are so many great vegetables out there. That said, I do eat soy products, but in a limited amount.
The most surprising thing that happened during my vegetarian year 2010, was when I discovered that the kids in the family (nieces and nephews) took so well to my new cooking. Vegetarian pizza, hummus, spinach soup – they have eaten it up without wrinkling their nose. They have never questioned not being served meat. As long as they like the taste, I think they’ll eat everything.
Ok, off to read the posts I have missed since my last visit. I promise I’ll post some of my T&T vegetarian recipes for you soon
Last fall was too busy to do much outside work and family, and to be honest, I had kind of decided to use less time in the kitchen and more time outside – as in hiking, meeting friends and go to events. Turns out, I’m not really into events, and my friends live busy lives too. And truth be told, I realized that I gravitate towards the kitchen because I really, really like to cook!
So I decided to give in to my nature and I rewarded my new insight with a brand new crêpe pan! *sigh*.
As some of you remember I decided to eat more vegetarian meals last year. As in 99 percent vegetarian. It’s been an interesting ride so far. I had no idea when I started this project, that going vegetarian would actually alienate some people. Yes, alienate! One of my co workers said that “vegetarians are people who like to stick out and because they lack any other skills, they go vegetarian”. Well, geez, thanks a lot! I’ve had waiters in restaurants suggesting fish dishes when I have asked for vegetarian options, and one relative even told me that she had never before heard “such nonsense as cutting out meat”. Guess there is a lot of prejudice out there when it comes to vegetarians.
But let me tell you, I have discovered a new world of recipes, and I’ve had such fun doing it! Actually, it was so interesting and a journey of new wisdom, I have decided to do it for another year. (Like most things in life, I’m reluctant to say “I’ll never again…”, but so far it feels okay not to eat meat).
The only exception is when someone invites me to their home and cooks for me. In those situations, I’ll eat anything. Well, maybe not avocado. I have discovered that I’m allergic to avocado. I learned it the hard way when I visited one of our businesses and had dinner with the employees at a Mexican restaurant. The one hour flight home was a NIGHTMARE! Let me tell you, I thought I was going to die. Literally explode. *LOL*
Another challenge has been to cook for DH and me, as DH is a hard core carnivore. I started out cooking two different dishes for dinner, but that only lasted for a week. I’ve had to re-think dinner because I didn’t want to fall into the soy rut (as in eating mostly meat substitutes made from soy) since I’m a little concerned about some researchers saying that too much soy can cause cancer. Actually, I believe that too much of anything is probably not good for you, and I thought why stick to soy products when there are so many great vegetables out there. That said, I do eat soy products, but in a limited amount.
The most surprising thing that happened during my vegetarian year 2010, was when I discovered that the kids in the family (nieces and nephews) took so well to my new cooking. Vegetarian pizza, hummus, spinach soup – they have eaten it up without wrinkling their nose. They have never questioned not being served meat. As long as they like the taste, I think they’ll eat everything.
Ok, off to read the posts I have missed since my last visit. I promise I’ll post some of my T&T vegetarian recipes for you soon