End of 3 months Vegetarian

Well, people still ask me how this whole vegetarian thing is going. And I say...really well. 1. Especially with spring in the air (and fruits and veggies coming up) - I love the fresh foods. 2. I messed up once this month...really I just didn't want to tell a friend I wasn't eating what she made me. So, I wasn't rude and had baked sandwiches (ham) and pizza dip. She later said she would have wanted to know, but it was ok. Next time I'll know. 3. I love salmon and ahi tuna! 4. I miss meat. 5. January 11 - please come quickly!

2 months down

The past few weeks have been easy on the vegetarian front.
I went to a "down home" restaurant and ate around the ham pieces in my green beans. So, I know there was some ham spit in there, but I didn't eat any of it. Man, I wanted to give in to the fried chicken or the chicken n dumplings, but I didn't!
I've been eating more easy convenient foods: veggies subs, cheese quesadillas, frozen lean cuisine pizzas, frozen veggies - I've just been so busy!
I am thankful that Spring is almost here because that means more farmers markets and lovely fresh veggies! :) Can't wait.
Has it been hard? Yes. But, I think to myself - less than 10 months to go! :) I love meat, but this has been good for me to practice self-control!

Fail #2

Well...I failed again, but it was noted that it was out of omission rather than commission! :)
But really it was out of eating when I really shouldn't be eating just to eat, and not thinking about what I was eating.
I was visiting a friend and her daughter made Totino's Pizza Rolls - Triple Pepperoni. I just didn't know it was Triple Pepperoni when I ate them.
But, as soon as we realized, I said Fail 2 - and moved on with life.
Rest of this meatless journey is going fairly well. It is very easy to eat at restaurants. Last night I went to Elmo's Diner in Durham and was recommended to try the Greek Grilled Cheese - so good. Cheddar, feta, cuks, toms, warm pita with a sauce. Yum!
So...here we go again! :) I wonder how many fails I will have in 2011 - hopefully only 2!

Meatless - 1 month down

11 to go!
I've enjoyed my month of being meatless. I've eaten more seafood, eggs, yogurt, and grains than before. I still need to be more healthy in my choices - but seriously - celebration meal of one month down: mussels and apple brie pizza.
Can it get any better?
I've only missed meat twice and both of those times were when I was at a function and couldn't do much about it.
But, other than that - 11 months to go till I can eat BBQ or a Cuban sandwich at a new shop in Durham, or celebrating with Firebirds or Angus Barn...

Meatless Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup

Since my staff meeting consisted of BBQ yesterday (which I ate a roll, cole slaw, and banana pudding), I wanted to come home and make something warm and satisfying. This did it. My precious Momma sent me this recipe and I finally got around to trying it.
Sorry for the lack of pictures, I was starting to feel sick and I got to speak last night, so I wasn't in the mood to snap photos

EVOO
3 medium sweet potatoes - cubed small
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 T chili powder
1 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp red pepper
3 cups vegetable broth
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes - do NOT drain

cilantro and lime to finish

Saute all up to seasonings for about 4 minutes, then add seasonings, saute over medium heat for another 6-8 minutes. Add in everything else and simmer (covered) until the sweet potatoes are done. Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes for the whole thing (key is cubing your potatoes small).

Bowl up and top with cilantro and lime.

SO GOOD!

Weekend Eats

Yummy weekend, even if meatless!

Main attractions were a pbj with a family. She had made us chicken salad - but this friend gladly changed mine for a pbj - I got to also partake of pringles and apples with this dear friend and her family. Sweet times.

Super Bowl 45: the only thing I couldn't eat were the hot dogs and the pigs in a blanket. Those are so yummy. But you know - there is always next Super Bowl! :)

Oh, the Caribou Veggie Daybreaker - best fast food veggie sandwich I've had! So good - and good conversation about vegetarianism with the drive-thru guy. Thanks Caribou drive-thru guy!

This week will include the end of month one!

365:25 - MOES

Thursdays are my day off, so here we go:

Soaked oats with kefir and milk, banana, and peanut butter
Moes unanimous decision (vegie taco)
Cobbleston from Panera
yogurt, apple, granola for dinner
popcorn while I read Big Sur Bakery Cookbook