Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hi My name is Sheena and I am a starter at all of this. I am soooo over my head. My doctor had suggested that I do this do to health. (Family history) So I am pumped and ready to rock and roll, but don't know where to start. I have always been a meat eater. However I don't think that it's going to be a problem going in this direction if I know what to do, eat etc. I know that my 6 yr old daughter and husband will make it a little bit harder. My daughter is picky and allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. Any suggestions? When i told my husband he thought that I was just being silly. But little soes he know I'm serious. Any suggestions, direction....... any thing will be very helpful thank you all! Sheena Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Sheena--I agree with the previous poster. Make a list of all the meals your family already enjoys that are meat free. If you usually eat your spagetti with meat sauce, or meat balls, either use a vegetarian substitute like Morningstar Farms (can't think of the product name, but it looks like cooked ground beef, and tastes amazingly close), or Nate's brand vegetarian meatballs (my favorite vegan meatballs--delicious!). A lot of ethnic food is meat free. If you're doing this for health reasons, I'd go easy on, or eliminate, the dairy and eggs, at least for a while. You can use egg subs in baking, and all sorts of delicious non-dairy " milks " wherever you'd use dairy milk. Nut and grain milks are fast and easy to whip up in your blender, or you can buy it in stores. If your daughter can't handle peanuts, just substitute almond or cashew butter. They're delicious, and my own kids love them! It's going to be a bit of trial and error, finding a milk or burger sub (for example) that your family likes. Expect some " duds " along the way. Chalk it up to the learning process. Soon you will have a long list of foods your family will like. Remember--Fritos are vegan! Think positive--try not to dwell on what you're " giving up " --be excited for your new adventure! Think of your family's health, and don't be afraid to try new things. There are a TON of vegan and vegetarian websites out there, as well as cookbooks, to get you started. You can find books and websites that come from a health standpoint, religious standpoint, animal rights standpoint--whatever you want. Just do a google search for websites, look for cookbooks or books about becoming a vegetarian (for adults or kids) on Amazon.com, or ask here for recommendations, and you'll soon be over whelmed with the choices! Have fun! Marilyn **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Sheena, When I first became vegetarian, I did not expect my family to follow along. BUT to make it easier at meal time, instead of ALWAYS making two separate meals, I made a list of the meals we currently ate that were already vegetarian (spaghetti, for example). You might surprise yourself with some of the foods you have been eating for years that were fairly healthy for you! Start with that. Then experiment with any recipes that sound interesting. Go to your local library for some vegan cookbooks. I'm really excited for you! Jennifer sheena hartman <tat2grl82 wrote: Hi My name is Sheena and I am a starter at all of this. I am soooo over my head. My doctor had suggested that I do this do to health. (Family history) So I am pumped and ready to rock and roll, but don't know where to start. I have always been a meat eater. However I don't think that it's going to be a problem going in this direction if I know what to do, eat etc. I know that my 6 yr old daughter and husband will make it a little bit harder. My daughter is picky and allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. Any suggestions? When i told my husband he thought that I was just being silly. But little soes he know I'm serious. Any suggestions, direction....... any thing will be very helpful thank you all! Sheena Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hi Sheena, My name is Tanya. My maiden name is Hartman so your message caught my eye. I became a vegetarian at 14 and I started off all wrong. My parents and my entire family were carnivores. We would actually raise and butcher our own animails. This is the main reason that I became vegetarian. My family was devistated and I had no help from them. They were sure that I was going to starve or witherr away. The exact opposite happened . Doing it myself at 14 I had to cook for myself or eat meat. So I ate mostly pasta and frenchfries. I gained about 60 pounds on a carb overload. I had to slowley learn how to incorperate chic peas, lentals, and tofu. Eventually I encourperated dairy and eggs (as long as no roosters were involved in the making). Now 18 years later I have finally figured this stuff out. Don't be scared to experiment. I call my experiments Tanya Surprise. Sometimes they are great and sometimes they are never heard from again.lol I hope this helps a little. Tanya sheena hartman <tat2grl82 Sunday, December 30, 2007 8:37:21 PM I'm a Starter (HELP) Hi My name is Sheena and I am a starter at all of this. I am soooo over my head. My doctor had suggested that I do this do to health. (Family history) So I am pumped and ready to rock and roll, but don't know where to start. I have always been a meat eater. However I don't think that it's going to be a problem going in this direction if I know what to do, eat etc. I know that my 6 yr old daughter and husband will make it a little bit harder. My daughter is picky and allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. Any suggestions? When i told my husband he thought that I was just being silly. But little soes he know I'm serious. Any suggestions, direction... .... any thing will be very helpful thank you all! Sheena ------------ --------- --------- --- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Thank you Tanya. I just think man I'm hungry...... what should I eat and I need to replenish the fridge and so the last 2 days I 've been living off of coffee and blueberry muffins and egg sandwiches. Where and or what brand do you go with. (eggs w/o the rooster) tanya wynette <wynettelove wrote: Hi Sheena, My name is Tanya. My maiden name is Hartman so your message caught my eye. I became a vegetarian at 14 and I started off all wrong. My parents and my entire family were carnivores. We would actually raise and butcher our own animails. This is the main reason that I became vegetarian. My family was devistated and I had no help from them. They were sure that I was going to starve or witherr away. The exact opposite happened . Doing it myself at 14 I had to cook for myself or eat meat. So I ate mostly pasta and frenchfries. I gained about 60 pounds on a carb overload. I had to slowley learn how to incorperate chic peas, lentals, and tofu. Eventually I encourperated dairy and eggs (as long as no roosters were involved in the making). Now 18 years later I have finally figured this stuff out. Don't be scared to experiment. I call my experiments Tanya Surprise. Sometimes they are great and sometimes they are never heard from again.lol I hope this helps a little. Tanya sheena hartman <tat2grl82 Sunday, December 30, 2007 8:37:21 PM I'm a Starter (HELP) Hi My name is Sheena and I am a starter at all of this. I am soooo over my head. My doctor had suggested that I do this do to health. (Family history) So I am pumped and ready to rock and roll, but don't know where to start. I have always been a meat eater. However I don't think that it's going to be a problem going in this direction if I know what to do, eat etc. I know that my 6 yr old daughter and husband will make it a little bit harder. My daughter is picky and allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. Any suggestions? When i told my husband he thought that I was just being silly. But little soes he know I'm serious. Any suggestions, direction... .... any thing will be very helpful thank you all! Sheena ------------ --------- --------- --- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Congrats on making the switch! I have done it before and it isn't that difficult. Alot of people don't realize they are eating meatless on occassion already (pasta, pizza, alot of breakfast foods). I am going meatless for good tomorrow (New Year's) and I have started to plan my meals out, gone shopping for some vegan/vegetarian staples (rice, polenta, breads, fruits, veggies, ect), got some veggie websites marked and some veggie cookbooks on their way to me. Everyone on the board seems very helpful and nice so far, I have been a member for just a few days and already they have great ideas! Tricia Remember to spay and neuter your pets! ______________________________\ ____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Hi Sheena. My name is Dessica and I too am new to all this, as an ethical decision on my part not really a health issue, although all the more reason to keep going. I have only been following a vegetarian diet for a month but already meat of any kind does not smell or taste good to me anymore, which makes it easier. The biggest hit of all has been veggie lasagna and enchiladas, which I have made with Boca ground beef substitute and it tastes so much better than the original. I used to be on a low carb diet and ate only meat and lost 50 pounds but put 15 back on immediately after adding back in carbs. Since I cut out meat, I have lost about a pound a week without even trying. I also bought PETA's Compassionate Cook cookbook which has very simple easy recipes that will sound very familiar to you. The transition will be so much easier after a couple weeks and you will realize what all you CAN eat rather than what you cannot. Peace and love. Dessica Albertson sheena hartman <tat2grl82 wrote: Hi My name is Sheena and I am a starter at all of this. I am soooo over my head. My doctor had suggested that I do this do to health. (Family history) So I am pumped and ready to rock and roll, but don't know where to start. I have always been a meat eater. However I don't think that it's going to be a problem going in this direction if I know what to do, eat etc. I know that my 6 yr old daughter and husband will make it a little bit harder. My daughter is picky and allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. Any suggestions? When i told my husband he thought that I was just being silly. But little soes he know I'm serious. Any suggestions, direction....... any thing will be very helpful thank you all! Sheena Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Hi Sheena, its easy read alot from writers like: JOHN ROBBINS DR. John McDOUGALL DR. Michael KLAPER DR. HARRIS DR. ATTWOOD DR. T C CAMPBELL DR. ESSELSTYN DR. PINCKNEY DR. HEIDRICH DR. GREGER JO STEPANIAK BRYANNA GROGAN GAIL DAVIS MARIE OSER VESANTO MELINA RD RYNN BERRY DR. GRAHAM RON PICKARSKI STANLEY COREN PhD and there are many others, but I would suggest to start on the kiss principle. Eat as many colored veggies as possible each meal like red, green,yellow, purple etc, incorporate lots of beans, lentils, nuts (peanuts are not a nut they are a legume) . at least 3 fruits a day and as much water as possible. Plus look at all the recipes you have and see if you can modify them with better ingredients, like if it asks for eggs use cornflour, if it asks for meat use things like nuts, TVP, tofu or another substitute. That's my 2 cents worth, plus have fun doing it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 This may be just a local product (made in Skokie, IL), but I just tried Upton Naturals Italian Sausage Style Seitan; absolutely fabulous with spagetti and marinara. www.uptonsnaturals.com. I found this in a local kosher market. sahmomof8 wrote: Sheena--I agree with the previous poster. Make a list of all the meals your family already enjoys that are meat free. If you usually eat your spagetti with meat sauce, or meat balls, either use a vegetarian substitute like Morningstar Farms (can't think of the product name, but it looks like cooked ground beef, and tastes amazingly close), or Nate's brand vegetarian meatballs (my favorite vegan meatballs--delicious!). A lot of ethnic food is meat free. If you're doing this for health reasons, I'd go easy on, or eliminate, the dairy and eggs, at least for a while. You can use egg subs in baking, and all sorts of delicious non-dairy " milks " wherever you'd use dairy milk. Nut and grain milks are fast and easy to whip up in your blender, or you can buy it in stores. If your daughter can't handle peanuts, just substitute almond or cashew butter. They're delicious, and my own kids love them! It's going to be a bit of trial and error, finding a milk or burger sub (for example) that your family likes. Expect some " duds " along the way. Chalk it up to the learning process. Soon you will have a long list of foods your family will like. Remember--Fritos are vegan! Think positive--try not to dwell on what you're " giving up " --be excited for your new adventure! Think of your family's health, and don't be afraid to try new things. There are a TON of vegan and vegetarian websites out there, as well as cookbooks, to get you started. You can find books and websites that come from a health standpoint, religious standpoint, animal rights standpoint--whatever you want. Just do a google search for websites, look for cookbooks or books about becoming a vegetarian (for adults or kids) on Amazon.com, or ask here for recommendations, and you'll soon be over whelmed with the choices! Have fun! Marilyn **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Thank you Robin and Marilyn!! I am VERY excited and ready to make the change. I will check on amazon.com as suggested. If you have any kid friendly recipies for the BIG or small kid. Thank you ladies... You guys have already made me feel like I am making the right choice. Thank you for your support!!!! Hope you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! Sheena robin koloms <rkoloms wrote: This may be just a local product (made in Skokie, IL), but I just tried Upton Naturals Italian Sausage Style Seitan; absolutely fabulous with spagetti and marinara. www.uptonsnaturals.com. I found this in a local kosher market. sahmomof8 wrote: Sheena--I agree with the previous poster. Make a list of all the meals your family already enjoys that are meat free. If you usually eat your spagetti with meat sauce, or meat balls, either use a vegetarian substitute like Morningstar Farms (can't think of the product name, but it looks like cooked ground beef, and tastes amazingly close), or Nate's brand vegetarian meatballs (my favorite vegan meatballs--delicious!). A lot of ethnic food is meat free. If you're doing this for health reasons, I'd go easy on, or eliminate, the dairy and eggs, at least for a while. You can use egg subs in baking, and all sorts of delicious non-dairy " milks " wherever you'd use dairy milk. Nut and grain milks are fast and easy to whip up in your blender, or you can buy it in stores. If your daughter can't handle peanuts, just substitute almond or cashew butter. They're delicious, and my own kids love them! It's going to be a bit of trial and error, finding a milk or burger sub (for example) that your family likes. Expect some " duds " along the way. Chalk it up to the learning process. Soon you will have a long list of foods your family will like. Remember--Fritos are vegan! Think positive--try not to dwell on what you're " giving up " --be excited for your new adventure! Think of your family's health, and don't be afraid to try new things. There are a TON of vegan and vegetarian websites out there, as well as cookbooks, to get you started. You can find books and websites that come from a health standpoint, religious standpoint, animal rights standpoint--whatever you want. Just do a google search for websites, look for cookbooks or books about becoming a vegetarian (for adults or kids) on Amazon.com, or ask here for recommendations, and you'll soon be over whelmed with the choices! Have fun! Marilyn **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Hi and Welcome! We are a vegan family with four kids, two of which are allergic to milk/peanuts/tree nuts. I felt totally overwhelmed at first because it felt like we couldn't eat anything. VRG referred me to an awesome dietician. She had huge lists of the things my family could eat, recipes, and ideas on how to make sure my family gets all the nutrients they need. Also, I found some really great books like The Vegan Lunch Box which has an index listing its food allergy safe recipes. Alaina Hickman On Dec 30, 2007, at 10:37 PM, sheena hartman wrote: > Hi My name is Sheena and I am a starter at all of this. I am soooo > over my head. My doctor had suggested that I do this do to health. > (Family history) So I am pumped and ready to rock and roll, but > don't know where to start. I have always been a meat eater. However > I don't think that it's going to be a problem going in this > direction if I know what to do, eat etc. I know that my 6 yr old > daughter and husband will make it a little bit harder. My daughter > is picky and allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. Any > suggestions? When i told my husband he thought that I was just > being silly. But little soes he know I'm serious. Any suggestions, > direction....... any thing will be very helpful thank you all! > > Sheena > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. > Try it now. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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