The endlessly kind Joni over at Hometown Seeds sent me a bundle of Survival Seeds a few weeks back. I planted a few to check germination. They were awesome. (Have you heard of these 'Survival Seeds'? Brilliant, I think.) I'm keeping the rest, tightly packaged, in the back of the refrigerator for later. Not only is the seed bundle some old-fashioned, peace of mind assurance, it's a glimpse of gardening hope each time I open the fridge. I will garden again. I'm prepared for it when I do... or when I have to. It's precious, almost.
(Thanks, Joni, for the seeds. I'll send you something from my potted garden soon.)
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I'm on a vegetarian diet experiment. Did I tell you? So here's the question: are there any lacto-ovo vegetarians among us? Can you tip me off to some great cookbooks, meals, dining options? This cereal, baked potato, steamed spinach, and soybean, pumpkin kernel, cranberry and almond mix diet is getting old. *smile*
Gratefully- Brin
22 comments:
i'm curious -- how does reducing fat in your diet treat your condition? it sounds more like it is an electrical problem than a problem with cholesterol or fat buildup in your arteries. that is not to say that a low fat diet is not beneficial for most people. i hope you can eat good fats, like fish and olive oil and eggs and such. i have been reading your blog for some time, and i admire your perspective. i am relying on my faith more than ever, but some days it is difficult to give it over to God yet again. that being said, He has proven His faithfulness over and over, so once again i trust that He will continue to be faithful. thank you for being so open about your life and your faith. you are making a difference.
I am a lurker on your blog...a vegetarian most all my life. I have learned that there is nothing that really takes the place of meat...the soy burgers never taste like the real thing...but my suggestion is to search the internet for vegetarian recipes to try that look palatable. Then realize that your taste buds must learn to like a different flavor. Look at authentic dishes from other countries...like India where they are a society of vegetarians. I still miss fish, but have disciplined my mind to block the craving...I am a chocoholic and had to do the same thing with that... Good luck on your journey. I know you can do it!
I really like Moosewood's Simple Suppers. Their recent cookbooks are very good, their older ones trend towards the overtly oily, so check the copyright date before purchasing.
Hey, I'm one of your readers who never comments. BUT I've been a vegetarian and a Texan since I was 11! So maybe I can help you out a bit. As they say, "There's plenty to eat without choosing meat!" :-)
Here are a couple of cookbooks (with links to Amazon) that I go to again and again: Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and Vegetarian 5 Ingredient Gourmet.
Also, Vegetarian Times magazine is very good, with new recipes every month and lots of free ones on their website.
And in the last few years, so many good vegetarian substitutes and ready-made foods are available in grocery stores (even in Texas). My favorite brands are Morningstar Farms (they make "Veggie Crumbles" that work beautifully as a ground beef substitute in spaghetti) and Amy's (try her frozen meals when you don't feel like cooking...mmmm!).
There really is so much to eat out there. Have fun! Good luck! Looking forward to reading about your adventure as vegetarian.
Try Laurels Kitchen...has a wealth of info and has been around for over 20yrs. My favorite vegetarian cookbook is 'The Best Of Jenny's Kitchen' by Jennifer Raymond(I don't even know if it is still available). I'm not a vegetarian but I do eat vegetarian style...I eat beef maybe once a week and chicken breast more often in small amounts. I rarely eat a full serving of meat. I've gotta have some though with my blood type I am a 'hunter gatherer'...I need meat and nuts. tee hee Good luck!
just did a google search and jennifer raymonds latest vegan cookbook is 'Peaceful Palette' and sold at Barnes and Nobles. I'm going to go get myself a copy!
I loved this post so much, you touched on my meaning of gardening to a tee! :) I'm so sorry to hear about your heart condition, but Brin, your heart is so full of kindness and faith, I'm not worried, this too will make you stronger! Hugs!
I have no tips on vegetarianism, but I'm kind of a raw foodist and that's new to me...so I won't give advice until I actually become wise :) Your gardening thoughts got me thinking though. Have you ever read Like a Watered Garden by Patti Hill? I think you'd love that book. The main character is your kind of people, me thinks.
Thank you for the seed link. My husband and I have considered purchasing survival seeds.
I developed Juvenile Diabetes as an adult and along with it, the much increased chance of heart disease.
I've slowly been including more vegetarian meals in the family menus. I've found wonderful ideas in ethnic cookbooks.
Laurel's Kitchen and any Moosewood cookbook need to be added to your collection. Stat. I've been a vegetarian for 10 years and they are by far my faves.
those tomatoes have me drooling for a nice delicious tomatoe sandwich - toasted bread, ruby tomatoes with mayo and fresh cracked pepper. nummmmm
I've found the Hallelujah Diet website very interesting. They eat mostly raw veggies and fruits. The "cures" people have experienced are amazing. I first heard about this group when I attended a Seventh Day Adventist lecture/dinner. I don't belong to that church, but found the doctor/lecturer very interesting and the meal was great!! Who knew? I've been eating a lot less meat for several years and a lot more veggies. I'm in my 70's and feel better than I did in my 40's and 50's! God bless your efforts and your health.
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, Clean Food, The Kind Diet, The Mediterrasian Way (does include seafood but plenty of them don't and recipes are so yummy you can always substitute with tofu).
Also love Vegetarian Times magazine for ideas each month. When I first started going vege, I started with this cookbook. Really good way to "wean" yourself off meat but also have the option if you need it!
http://www.amazon.com/Almost-Vegetarian-Primer-Chicken-Altogether/dp/051788206X
Good for you. My sons are vegetarians and I don't eat meat. My hushband and daughter eat meat, so we cook double shift for years and years now.
I find: "Entertaining vegetarians" by Celia Brooks Brown a lovely book. You can try find her website on .com possibly.
The secret of replacing meat fully is using mushrooms to get a spicy bite, grill them with sault&pepper, use onions, garlic and indeed look for Indian recepies, there is this book by Deepak Chopra The Deepak Chopra centre cookbook, also Creating Health and Perfect health, in eyervedisch ( ? don't know the english word really ) cooking.
Use whole weat corn and use vitamins B12. We Dutch eat cheese, but for vegetarians it has to be biological, because we don't eat any stremsel ( wich is in Goudse etc. ) . Take beans each day, and nuts too, especially walnuts...
Good luck and have fun !
Lieve groeten
Godeliva van Ariadone
Not to dig up old wounds...but what became of Freeman House? I can only hope that some kind soul took over and treasures it as much as you did.
I've been a ovo-lacto (or is it lacto-ovo? You say tomato, I say tamato...) for 15+ years. The best advice I can give you is to cook all your favorite recipes without meat. You will be surprised at how easy it is to adapt a dish to be meatless. If you think you will miss the texture, think of something you can add that would give that texture. Same with flavor. Add a little more olive oil if you miss that deep fat taste. Or add a few drops of liquid smoke to a dish. I would 2nd the vegetarian times magazine suggestion. I also have a cookbook here that I don't use much anymore, maybe check it out from the library and see if thumbing through it would spark your creative energy. _Vegetarian Planet_ by Didi Emmons
(I've had that soynut, pumpkin seed kernel, cranberry, almond mix from wallyworld and it's delish!)
All the recipes I've tried from all the Moosewood cookbooks have been wonderful. Yum! Enjoy your garden! That's where life began, no wonder we love being close to one!
We (my sweetie and me) pretty much have totally eliminated anything that walks on all fours, we only eat free range happy chickens, and eggs from those happy well treated chickens, lots of fish especially salmon, tofu, beans & legumes limited to never dairy, cheese or butter. Little or no sugar or salt. Just lots + lots of real food. I'm having so much fun coming up with heart healthy, colourful, beautiful plates and protein adequate meals for us. Mind you I do LOVE to cook and that love certainly helps.
Now I can't ever see going back to to a diet that included things like creamy mac & cheese, cinnamon rolls gravy etc ... you really do get to like this way of eating better.
I've heard of heirloom seeds--I wonder if that's the same. I do think we need to get away from hybrids and start saving survival seeds (if that's the same) because hybrids won't keep supplying us.
The Passionate Vegetarian is good. Any of Mollie Katzen's books. Check out Heidi Swanson's website and book: http://www.101cookbooks.com/ and Dana Treat: http://danatreat.com. Also, Indian food is mostly (or easily) vegetarian.
Good luck! I was raised vegetarian, so it's easy for me, but I understand the switch over can be challenging.
I'm not sure your reasoning for changing to a vegetarian diet, but I am assuming for health reasons? I a chef, specialising in Raw Food and I just returned from Oklahoma City where I completed my training (I am Australian but live in Saudi Arabia). Drop me a line at robyn@girlonraw.com if you want specific ideas or goto my website www.girlonraw.com if you want get some ideas for health giving and delicious foods. I am especially loving smoothies right now as they are easy, filling, nutritious, delicious and alkaline promoting (if you are choosing a vegetarian diet for health reasons then sickness cannot reside in an alkaline body!)
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