Pay more for no meat?!

We dined at Cowbells in Starkville last night for dinner. It was the first time that I paid more for a restaurant to leave meat off my entree....a whopping $2 more.

I will note that almost every menu item had a vegetarian substitute/or an option to leave off the meaty ingredients.
So, 2 points for that...

..... but a minus 5 points for making me pay more for my veggie meal.

Shopping

Whole Foods© is my newest obsession. (I hit up Tuscaloosa & Memphis when I can). In Tupelo, I'm restricted to our large chain grocery stores, Walmart©, and a small health food store(sans fresh produce).

Anyone want to start one with me?!

A Lite Brunch

IHOP© now has a nice vegetarian friendly breakfast (only for lacto-ovo's...not vegans). It includes two harvest grain pancakes with blueberries, served with sliced bananas & a side of eggs. I didn't even miss the syrup. I give it a two-thumbs up!!

For me, the best part of being a vegetarian is the health factor. Most of the fatty/"bad-for-you" items on the menu are easily tossed aside.

Vegan Spaghetti

I've been trying to pre-make dinners for David to take with him for part of the week.

This week's menu: Vegan Spaghetti
Barilla© - Whole Grain Rotini
Classico© - Tomato & Basil Sauce
Gimme Lean© - Hamburger Style
Fresh onion, garlic, basil
(We normally put mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, jalapenos...and anything else fresh from the garden. However, we didn't have much in the fridge..b/c I have been out of town).
I also sent him away this morning with some Naan, that I picked up this weekend at Whole Foods.

I normally send him with meatier concoctions. However, he's found all the foods (and meat substitutes) to his liking.

So, here's to us both living long & healthy lives!

Wanna know about Vegan MoFo. Find out more here!

Dining as a Houseguest..... is delightful

This past weekend,I had a lovely visit to an old schoolmate of mine, Anne. Aware of my new diet restrictions, she fabulously entertained me with a variety of veggie fare.
Thursday night, she made a fabulous bean soup....that I must twist her arm to get the recipe.
Friday, we perused "Whole Foods" and dined on a wonderful selection of cheeses and homemade veggie calzones. Her husband is the resident breadmaker, he lavished me with his newest homemade bread and whipped up the calzone dough without any effort. I might also add, that she grows many of her own spices and vegetables. (This is a girl after my own heart!!)
Saturday, she took me to a wonderful little bistro, Zoe's, that served a delightful feta cheese pita.

I only mentioned the food, but the fellowship was just as wonderful. Thanks Anne!!

Vegetarian = Sacrilegious?!

Where I come from being a vegetarian is sacrilegious. I descend from a long line of hunters, cow & pig farmers, and the notion that if it has furr...it is edible. My grandfather grew up in the Great Depression, and he was adamant that we learn how to "survive.. if it came down to it." (I'll leave those stories for another post).

I spent the entire weekend with my grandparents. David was out of town at a conference. I knew that broaching the subject would be difficult. You see, food is the center of conversation and interaction down there. When I arrived, they had picked up a bucket of chicken for dinner. Thankfully, I grabbed a baked potato and ate behind a stack of papers on the table. Yep, I was "chicken".....and I didn't say a word about this new change.

So, for now......I'm still "in the closet" about being vegetarian to my grandparents.

Cheap Date- A quirp on veggie wraps

I have long since been a fan of the veggie wrap at "Sweet Peppers Deli". It was the goal meal, during my cleanse, that I mentally kept returning to.
Peppers has a fairly new deal where every time you get an entrée: You receive a free chips n’ rotel (after filling out an on-line survey,of course). So, David & I have exploited this marketing strategy.
I’ll order a veggie wrap & he claims the free chips n’ rotel……and we can eat for a total of $4.

Last Sunday, our supperclub met for "lunch" (ironic, I know) at McAlister’s Deli. I asked for the veggie sandwich in a wrap. While edible, it’s lacking. The tortilla wrap was dry and cardboard-like. However, the veggies were fresh & crisp. Thanks for trying McAlisters, but I think I’ll stick with Peppers.

Veggie Wrap-UP
1. Peppers- Veggie Wrap -****
2. McAllisters - Veggie Sandwich in a Wrap- ***
3. Southern Ice Cafe - Veggie Wrap- **1/2

Cheaper than McDonalds

I've found that I spend more money at the grocery store, but far less when going out to eat. It's always an easy choice to go with a side salad, foregoing all that fried chicken and loads of cheese that usually accompany large salads. I can go to a nice restaurant and spend around $4.00. [It helps that I've been off of caffeine and sodas for 5-6 weeks now]. At the end of the meal, I'm completely satisfied....and not left feeling bloated and gross.

My favorite side salads thus far:
$3.99 Fairpark Grill's wedge salad
This salad always has a fresh slices of lettuce. The size of this salad rivals anything else on the menu. The fresh blue cheese dressing and crumbles give it a tangy twist on a traditional salad.

$4.29 Outback's wedge salad
This veggie delight has a touch a sweet vingrette drizzled over the very aged blue cheese. The combination left me intrigued....and in need of a breathmint.

Least favorite:
$3.00± Chili's side house salad
Buyers Beware: I could barely find any lettuce under the croutons and cheese. So, if you're looking for a healthy choice.... BYOS (bring your own salad)!!

Starting this New Venture

I've officially been a vegetarian for 3 weeks now. The two previous weeks, I spent on a cleanse. After which, I decided....I never again wanted meat in my stomach that would stay there decaying for years on end.

Enough, grossness.....I've made the jump to the big V. Now what? I intend on journaling my experiences with food, pressures of our carnivoric society, and cravings.

Wish me luck!!