imitation meat *and response to Judy's post

November 14, 2008

Frankly, I am glad there are these foods out there. No one HAS to eat them

or purchase them if they don't want to, but they do add variety and flavors to

one's meals.

All one has to do is read the labels for the listing of ingredients to see

whether the ingredients include anything objectionable, even if the " look and

texture " is such that it resembles the other foods, the fact remains that it is

NOT those other foods and never will be.

The choice of the appearance and shape of the manufactured products is

sometimes unfortunate. (Anyone marketing those things with the " sticks " in them

should know that this isn't the best marketing tool for people who would never

think of eating the " real one " that it's supposed to resemble.) On the other

hand, maybe there needs to be a two-tier system: food that looks too much like

" real " for those who are " transitioning " and would MISS the other things, and

food that is mostly round, oblong, loaf-shaped, and/or generally non-descript in

shape and maybe not colored a certain way for those who take offense when the

product is " too realistic " for them.

I do like the foods I have tried that are made to " substitute " .. They add

flavor and interest to a lot of foods, but, in their absence, I am sure I could

enjoy many foods without them. I think it's lovely that there are foods that

are NOT derived from " flesh-sources " that are tasty and nutritious. My DH is

more convinced when something is not totally unfamilar-looking to him and/or he

isn't under the impression that he has to be " without " something that is similar

to something he likes for the rest of his life. Instead of emphasizing " giving

up " , is is more of a " you GET to eat this good stuff! " That shift of focus

makes a difference.

Thank you for letting me have a chance to say this. Thank you, also, Judy,

for your wise comments and observations. I hope my note here has not

offended. I agree with the person who wrote recently, " eat and let eat " . Many

of us at different stages in this continuing journey and, sometimes the scenery

along the way looks different from the differing perspectives. Ultimately, the

goal will be similar for all of us.

Wishing health and good eating to all!

--Laura B., in Illinois.

Re: Meat Substitutes - Barb

Posted by: " wwjd " jtwigg cvtfluffy

Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:15 am ((PST))

Because the ones we use, tastes very good and I've never eaten meat and never

ever will. It gives us more variety in our meals, is quick to use and seems

like it makes a meal more satisfing to us, though we do have many meals where we

don't use any and enjoy those too. The meat substitutes that we use are not so

close to looking and tasting just like meat so it doesn't bother me at all. Now

looking at and smelling meat cooking makes me gag beyond words. We like the

texture of the Worthington, Loma Linda, Cedar Lake, Morningstar Farms and

Vibrant Life products and all the things we can make with them. Also for folks

like my husband who aren't big bean eaters, it is a great source of grains and

soy protein. They are healthy and full of good nutrition too.

It is a personal choice, but condeming folks that choose to enjoy these

vegetarian products ongoing in their vegetarian lifestyle, is not kind,

tolerant or appreciative of the companies that make these healthy choices

available to use all. They are a so much healthier than any meat.

Yours to Enjoy,

Judy

November 14, 2008

I hope no one minds me inserting my two cents on the subject.

I've not tried many of the products that are out there, but I'm going to, I've

ordered some and I look forward to it. I'm glad they exist, and I don't even

mind them having some of the same flavors.

While my stomach rolls at the thought of eating the real thing now, I have no

problem whipping up a nice plate of sausage gravy and biscuits (granted I use

okara, grains, beans etc and spices to make the meat and a nice simple white

sauce for the gravy (oil, flour, soy milk, spices)). Some of my favorite

memories from childhood are weekends at my grandparents' farm, grandpa would

always make his gravy and grandma would make these huge biscuits, lots of laughs

and good times and not disturbing at all for me to have the same good time, now

I just do it without the meat.

I believe the same holds true for many who are changing to a healthier lifestyle

- smells, flavors are very powerful reinforcers and I think it's critical for

substitutes to be available, even if they do smell, taste or look like the real

thing.

I use vegan beef flavor in my chili, chicken flavor in a lot of casseroles for

the same reason. The smells and flavors make me feel good because i have a ton

of memories that are associated in one way or another with those tastes and

smells. I just do it now without the meat

Several of my friends have given up meat because I've showed them that they can

make just about any of their favorite meals without it. The substitutes, from

what i've heard and read will help me do that even better by using them like

others here do in recipes, etc.

It's all good.

--- On Fri, 11/14/08, L.B. <elbee577 wrote:

L.B. <elbee577

Re: imitation meat *and response to Judy's post

Friday, November 14, 2008, 10:41 PM

Frankly, I am glad there are these foods out there.. No one

HAS to eat them or purchase them if they don't want to, but they do add variety

and flavors to one's meals.