It's a vegetarian life

Vegetarian lifestyle

It's amusing to hear people's response on being a vegetarian. It's as if they have to defend their own meat-eating lifestyle. I don't mind other people being meat-eaters. As far as I am concerned we are responsible for our own health and well-being. I used to be a meat-eater for half of my life, and I cannot impose my change of mind on anybody. The same with religion.

I am being a vegetarian for myself, my health and being kind to animals, our fellow living creatures on the planet. I would not be able to look back at my life, and say that I should have... One thing that I can tick off for life!

I am not struggling to be a vegetarian. There's always an option, and I have become used to take food along when I know there won't be much vegetarian options. I always have to shake my head when people ask about my protein intake. That is one of the most common responses, or queries. :-)

I have been building a Pinterest Board about all the come-backs about being vegetarian. It seems it is common. What don't you know about being vegetarian?

Vegetarian in a meat-eating household

Lentil Curry Wrap at Craft Beer Library

I have now been a vegetarian for nearly a year and a half. I don't want to eat meat, and I know I won't enjoy it any more! Being a vegetarian is not difficult at all!

My family has been very supportive of this lifestyle choice, and there always something on a menu at a restaurant, or at home to replace a piece of meat! My husband usually makes the meat portions, as he has done before I made the change!

I usually sort myself with a mushroom or a brinjal slice. I can now also make a mean bean curry or spicy beans. Google makes it easy! As long as we have a few options of vegetables, I do not feel that I am missing anything! I also buy a bag of mixed raw nuts at the beginning of the month which helps when I start feeling depleted!

I need to watch myself with the carbs, though! As a vegetarian you can easily start to carbo-load to fill up!

My secret was to take each meal on its own. Taking it step by step!
Each meal is a choice not to eat a living being!

If I can stop eating meat, I must be able to stop eating bread! That is my next mission! (Because the scale is going up, and not down!)
Watch this space!

Some of  the vegetarian options I found in my camera roll:

Mushrooms on the girl

Potato skins at Craft Beer Library - Super Yum!

Sometimes I get a craving for a sausage on the grill

What lifestyle changes have you made, and how did you keep to it?

Vegetarian - not difficult at all!

I have been a vegetarian for 8 months now! It has not been as difficult as I thought it would be!

I woke up on 2 January this year and decided that was the day I needed to change. I have been saying for most of my life that the day I have to kill for my food, is the day that I would become a vegetarian.
My family has been very supportive! Thanks, dear Hubby and kids! 

I have been a hypocrite for too long! What will I think of myself in my golden days when I have been living a lie for so long?

I would love to cut out eggs and cheese as well (Vegan), but for now I am happy that I have not eaten meat and fish for 8 months in a row!

I feel great! I feel healthy!
I am still struggling to not overeat on carbohydrates, but that has always been a problem. Not only now! :-) I see a dietician every two weeks, and she gives me great advice! I think I am her "off-the record" client, because I have not been losing weight for many months, but I always ask her not to "fire" me! Next time I will have lost some weight! Definitely!!

I take my mushroom with me when we go to a braai (barbecue), and Hubby also sometimes makes a brinjal over the fire. I do not like the over-processed vegetarian meals and "meats", and I don't think it is healthy at all!

I can make a mean curry bean dish by now (it gets spicier with each try), and have found the most wonderful spicy dishes on Google! Chilli, nutmeg, paprika, coriander, curry, mustard, cinnamon, garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin... All of it works wonders with any type of of bean in the cupboard!

When we go to restaurants, I usually try the vegetarian options. I found the best vegetarian burger so far in Melville at Gravity on Saturday, but I will continue the search!

This has been a great adventure!