The V stands for "Variety"

It's almost been one week since I've gone veg, but I don't really feel all that more healthy than before. It's probably because I have been eating mostly crap. I guess since I've cut the meat out of my diet, I've replaced it with more chips and unnecessary snacking. I'm still having trouble eating the amount of veggies and fruits that I am suppose to eat. I'm not really use to incorporating such healthy things in my diet lol. But here's to a new week. Hopefully I'll do better and eat lots of great produce instead of lots of the same crap. I'm working on making an appointment with a nutritionist who will hopefully lead me in the right direction and give me lots of ideas on approaching a vegetarian diet.

The V stands for "Vanity"

Coming to terms with the "no-meat" lifestyle should translate to all aspects of my life, but I am having trouble getting rid of my leather and suede clothing items. Not only were they super expensive, but I love how they look. I know that any true vegetarian would condemn me for keeping them, let alone wearing them. Perhaps with time, I can let go, but in the meantime, I guess it's about making changes a little at a time. I guess doing something is better than doing nothing at all. I guess I should just get all the use out of the items as I can and in the future, choose items that do not conflict with being a veg. I feel like wearing them is so hypocritical of me, but not using them seems so wasteful and thus maybe even worse???

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V-Food: Banana Bread

Yesterday I baked some fresh banana bread and it was quite yummy. The recipe I used called for way too much butter so I think next time I will definitely cut back on. Maybe I will try to make it with Splenda as well.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

V-Food: Hot Dog on a Stick

Yesterday, I tried the Veggie Dog on a Stick at Hot Dog on a Stick at the Stonestown Mall Food Court. To my surprise (and joy), it was just as delicious as the meat version! The texture is quite similar to that of a regular corn dog and I am almost positive that if you ordered it for someone accustomed to eating the regular version, they wouldn't even notice a difference. The batter is the best part of the dog and it is cooked nice and crispy. The oil that they use is 100% cholesterol-free which is another bonus. However, the dog is deep-fried in the same oil that is used for the meat dogs (which is probably an unavoidable factor when eating at fast-food places).

Just dip in your favorite combination ratio of ketchup and mustard, and you've just had a great alternative to corn dogs.

Oh, and this picture that I found is uber-amusing!

V-Food

Since finding vegetarian options can be challenging, "V-Food" posts will explore different options around the Bay and beyond as they are discovered. I'll also share some recipes that I either stumble upon or create while cooking in the kitchen. These will all be vegetarian (not vegan), and hopefully help with exploring food choices and substitutes. 

The V stands for "Vision"

Going "Green"

I've read so much about the impact that we have on our environment via our food and global warming has asserted our negative impact on the world around us. Imagine all the pollution we cause with our meat industry. We ship meat all over the world leaving giant foot prints of carbon emissions and other pollutants. Things are not like in our ancestors' times when we hunted our prey and ate only what we needed. Now, we rely on the Slaughter industry to hunt for us and we expect them to fill our hunger for meat which is higher than ever before. I know that I was accustomed to having meat at every meal and now that I think about all of the animals who died for me in order for me to enjoy my breakfasts, I am guilt-ridden. We waste so much of the animals who give their lives for us and do not give it a second thought. My Native-American ancestors hunted locally and used every last bit of an animal in order to justify its death. However, we often act like there is an endless supply of meat for our fancy. And there is.

As long as we support the Slaughter Industry, there will be a non-stop supply of meat for our disposal. But imagine if we stopped supporting the Slaughter Industry. Perhaps then, as the demand for meat subsided, the supply could be then replaced by agriculture. And then perhaps if all of these farms started planting more crops, more localized agriculture could thrive and support their local communities. More people could be fed on cheaper and cheaper crops that become in high demand and thus in high supply. We wouldn't have to rely on shipping things all over the world and we could lessen our pollution supply. We could feed more people and help our environment at the same time. Not only could we help stop pollution, but by creating more crops and agriculture, we could also support the research for alternative energy (more bio-fuel). By cutting meat out of our diets, we could also help stop the cruel treatment of animals at slaughter farms and factories. Their lives would not be in vain anymore. And our lives would not be in vain either.

We could make a real difference to the animals in our world, the humans in our world, and the world itself. 

The V stands for "Values"

It's been almost a week since I've gone "veg." After much contemplation over the last year, I have decided to cut meat out of my life once and for all...hopefully. As this is my first time in my life going completely meat-free, I know it will be a rather bumpy road ahead. It's going to be hard shifting from an omnivore lifestyle to one of an herbivore, but hopefully I can stay strong and focused on the reasons why I'm opting for a meat-free existence.

1. Taking responsibility for the impact I have on the world around me.

2. Lessening the global and environmental pollution created by the Animal Farming Industry.

3. Lessening the cruel and abusive treatment of the Meat Slaughter Industry.

4. Utilizing non-meat ingredients like fruit and vegetables for a more healthy diet.

5. Eliminating meat foods from my diet that contribute to future disease and poor health.

6. Caring for all of God's creations with respect and love.

7. Supporting more produce and grain harvesters in crops that can help stop World Hunger.

8. Supporting more local and organic produce that lessen shipping pollution.

9. Helping ecosystems such as the ocean retain their natural order.

10. Act as an example that even though we are animals that have the power to eat other animals, we are also animals with the power to explore other ways of coexisting with our world.