Freetobeme, I think there are about as many definitions of vegetarians out there today as there are people!
Some people don't eat meat, poultry or fish at all. Their definition of vegetarian would be simply that they do not want to eat anything that was once a living creature. This is probably the most accepted definition of vegetarian. Some also do not eat products made by animals, such as milk or eggs.
Someone who doesn't eat meat but who does eat fish (not your problem, is it? LOL) is actually called a pesca vegetarian. But I don't think I've ever heard anyone call themselves that, even if they are. And vegans eat only plant-based foods.
Alison gave you some awesome suggestions. I would second them, and tell you to just do one thing at a time, and let it develop naturally. Explore some of the soy-based products as meat substitutes. Change a recipe here or there. And when you're eating out, focus on the meatless entrees -- there are more and more of them these days, even at old standbys like Italian and Mexican restaurants. (Veggie fajitas, for instance, are wonderful!)
You might also like to check out or get a subscription to a vegetarian magazine, just for the recipes and inspiration. Vegetarian Times, for instance, has a database of more than 10,000 recipes you could browse (they say it's the world's largest collection of vegetarian recipes!), and they even have a place where you can click called "Vegetarian Starter Kit" that is a free 16-page pdf you can print out that includes tips, recipes and basic information about the food groups, nutrients and so on.
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Freetobeme, I think there are about as many definitions of vegetarians out there today as there are people!
Some people don't eat meat, poultry or fish at all. Their definition of vegetarian would be simply that they do not want to eat anything that was once a living creature. This is probably the most accepted definition of vegetarian. Some also do not eat products made by animals, such as milk or eggs.
Someone who doesn't eat meat but who does eat fish (not your problem, is it? LOL) is actually called a pesca vegetarian. But I don't think I've ever heard anyone call themselves that, even if they are. And vegans eat only plant-based foods.
Alison gave you some awesome suggestions. I would second them, and tell you to just do one thing at a time, and let it develop naturally. Explore some of the soy-based products as meat substitutes. Change a recipe here or there. And when you're eating out, focus on the meatless entrees -- there are more and more of them these days, even at old standbys like Italian and Mexican restaurants. (Veggie fajitas, for instance, are wonderful!)
You might also like to check out or get a subscription to a vegetarian magazine, just for the recipes and inspiration. Vegetarian Times, for instance, has a database of more than 10,000 recipes you could browse (they say it's the world's largest collection of vegetarian recipes!), and they even have a place where you can click called "Vegetarian Starter Kit" that is a free 16-page pdf you can print out that includes tips, recipes and basic information about the food groups, nutrients and so on.
here's the website:
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/
and here's the "starter kit:"
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/2007/pdf/vegetarian_starter_kit.pdf
have fun!
March 9, 2009 - 9:15amThis Comment
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