I've been flirting with veganism for awhile. Not so much because I don't think we should be meat eaters or anything, sometimes I just like to explore the alternatives in life.
Think of it like a frugal "no spend day"... sometimes we'll have a "no meat/dairy" day.
I bought Alicia Silverstone's "The Kind Life" a few months ago and some of the recipes are a hit. My kids LOVE the rustic pasta - which is essentially pasta, a whole head of cabbage, an onion, celery, shoyu (soy sauce) and marinara sauce.
But this experiment also has me buying new foods that I would have never otherwise picked up. It also has me paying more attention in the food aisle.
For example, in my area, I have been to three different grocery stores and CANNOT find Brown Rice Syrup to save my life! That and umeboshi vinegar, let alone umeboshi!
Yet, some other things I managed to find. Like tempeh.
I bought some today and although its loaded with protein and iron, I'm just not a fan. My son loved it & I could imagine this being a good alternative for him to get protein in his diet since he hates beans - but I'd rather have a bison burger or a ribeye steak to get my iron.
I'm still not sure where I'll fall in this organic, reduced meat-eating diet. It has saved me money, although that could be because DH is gone.
Last week I spent $125 on groceries, today I spent $85 for the week.
Spending less money on meat is allowing me to spend more money on produce. So I guess in the end its a wash.
Will I forgo meat? Likely not, at least not entirely... DH's midwest, farm boy roots would think I've gone off the deep end if I adopt veganism... and I enjoy seafood too much. Thats pretty much where I draw the line. I could cut back on red meat and poultry without a problem... tell me I can't/shouldn't eat fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, and clams - and I'm ready to abandon the whole vegan lifestyle.
In the end, I realize I could adopt a Japanese or Chinese diet for the rest of my life and be content. But even they eat meat. This as we are having Shrimp Tempura for dinner. I realized at the grocery store that I should probably take advantage of DH being gone and eat as much shrimp as I can since he's allergic so that has fallen off our menus out of consideration for him.
So, its shrimp for dinner.
Yet, like I said, if this book has accomplished nothing else - at least I'm trying new things and paying more attention to what is in my food (and also becoming aware that some foods are just NOT available in my area).
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On that note of trying new things, I also tried FlyLady yesterday. With the help of the kids, I was able to get everything done. My house has never been so clean without the help of DH.
The iPhone has an app called HomeRoutines that I used to get me started. I'm definitely a fan of it now that I see the results and hope to keep with it.
I also forgot how much of a workout scrubbing walls and cleaning baseboards can be. My arms and legs will be thanking FlyLady as well once they stop hurting.
Trying new things
April 11th, 2010 at 08:20 pm
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April 12th, 2010 at 01:37 am 1271036257
You do also realize that vegan also means NO dairy and/or eggs, right?
April 12th, 2010 at 01:50 am 1271037029
www.selfstorageblog.ca
April 12th, 2010 at 01:52 am 1271037143
Agreed with Dave about tempeh: I steam mine for about 10-20 minutes before using as instructed in the recipe. It improves both flavor and texture a lot. We like to slice it thin and marinate it in a mixture that makes it taste kinda like bacon, then pan-frying it. I also have a good recipe for mashing it up with spices and vegan mayo and using it as a sushi filling. But, its texture is unmistakable, even after steaming, so it may just not be your thing.
April 12th, 2010 at 02:42 am 1271040122
Dave & CeeJay, it hadn't even occurred to me to steam it. The directions on the back said to sear it with olive oil & soy sauce, so I did. But I think maybe if I changed the way I cook it - it may make a big difference.
I also bought some veggie burgers and "veggie bacon"... will see how that pans out. I do have to say I like experimenting, but I'm definitely far from proclaiming myself to be any particular type yet... well, aside from omnivore - which I've always been
April 12th, 2010 at 12:04 pm 1271073887