{V is for Vegtarian ... I'm Pretty Sure}

I went a whole year (2009) without eating any meat except for seafood, which I had two to

three times a month on average. I loved it. I didn't miss the little bit of chicken and turkey I

had eaten in previous years. Not at all. And my conscious felt so much cleaner.

Here's the thing ... giving up meat was easy. I never really like it in the first place and there

are so many reasons ethically and environmentally not to eat it. Seafood is a different story

for me because I enjoy it ... the taste, the texture, the flavor, ordering it when I'm out. And

it was a good source of protein and omega 3.

But I don't want the foods I eat to harm animals or the earth. I know most of you are meat eaters, and I'm not trying to convince anyone else to be a vegetarian. I think it's a very

personal decision. I'm just waxing and waning a bit on my path and choices. It's been kind

of an interesting journey for me, and one that seems to be evolving yet again.

The last seafood I had was on Christmas night 2009 ... Lobster tail. I haven't decided

completely, but I'm thinking about that being the last "meat" I have for a long, long while, including seafood. I am fairly sure I'm ready to take this vegetarian thing all the way.

Right now, I'm taking it one day at a time, and I haven't missed it (much).

Still, it's easy for me to over do it on the carbs. Especially at home, where I've often made a

meal and just eaten the sides. I enjoy the sides, but with them alone, I'm not always getting

the nutrients and balance I need. I'm low on iron and high on triglycerides, according to my latest blood work. So, I'm working on a few things to balance that out.

First, I'm actively looking for more vegetarian recipes that are complete and satisfying meals.

That's really the biggest thing I need to do food-wise. There are a lot of them out there. So,

it's just a matter of looking, meal planning, shopping, and cooking -- something many of us

are doing anyway. I got two very nice vegetarian cookbooks in December. One from my MIL and another from my friend, Kim. There's some great ideas in them that I'm really looking forward to trying.

Second, I'm reaching out to experiment with new foods that contain the nutritional value I'm lacking. I tried a couple meat substitutes last month. They're okay ... kinda creepy though.

What I don't like about the ones I've tried so far ... they make them to taste like meat, and I don't like meat. But I am in search of some good protein replacements. I love tofu but have

only had it prepared for me at restaurants. It's time to try cooking with it at home, along with other plant-based proteins like lentils, quinoa, edamame, etc. I've also heard good things about "Gardein" products. So, I'm going to pick some at Whole Foods and give them a try.

Third, I'm incorporating some daily supplements into my routine.

Cinnamon -- helps your body use the glucose you produce, naturally lowering triglycerides.
Iron supplements -- to raise low iron, obviously.
Acidophilus -- a probiotic for happy digestion.

Flaxseed oil -- lowers triglycerides and is good for the heart.

Anyway, I'm feeling good with my path as it's evolving. It feels like part of the route I need
for a healthier me. I'm excited to take seafood out of my life and replace it with some sustainable, whole foods and some other options. There's no veganism in site ... I love

dairy too much to go there. But this step feels like the right one at the right time for me.

"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian." ~Paul McCartney