My veggie anniversary

I have now been a vegetarian for one whole year! I don’t remember the exact date I ate my last piece of meat because I never officially made a big decision to stop eating meat, it just sort of happened, and I know it was sometime during the last week of may. So I figured why not make June first the date of my veggie anniversary.  Or should I say, veggieversary! hehe. (I know, I’m a few days late writing this) Anyway, I thought I would share the story of my first year being a vegetarian.

Not eating meat was something I had wanted to do for years, but never thought I would be able to; there seemed to be so many good meals that contained all kinds of meat! And how would I cope at Thanksgiving? Easter? At summer cookouts?!! But one day last year I realized I hadn’t had any meat in about 3 days as a fluke, so I was curious as to how long I could keep it up. I didn’t really expect it to last that long but before I knew it a whole week had gone by!  I decided that maybe I would just try to avoid eating meat and only eat it on occasion, but whenever the occasion came up I felt like it would be cheating to eat it. Plus I’ve always liked to see how long I can keep something going, and the thought of starting all over again after I had a little bit of meat felt like a failure.

 At first it was kind of hard; I felt like I could hardly eat anything. I remember going to a charity cookout downtown for lunch one day with some coworkers and the only thing that was served was hamburgers. So I ate a tomato with cheese on a bun, and I don’t even like tomatoes very much! Another time I went to a wing restaurant and just snacked on celery the whole night. But I soon noticed that I didn’t even miss the meat, in fact, I thought a lot of meals were actually improved without it! Like lasagna! Being a vegetarian also made ordering at restaurants very easy, I usually only have about one or two options at most places and for an indecisive person like me, that’s great news! 

Throughout most of the year I was unsure I could actually avoid eating meat forever. For instance, before I became a vegetarian Steven and I had decided to serve a bunch of hot wings at our wedding and his uncle’s delicious beef stroganoff, which was one of my favorite meals. But surprisingly enough I didn’t feel like I was missing out by not eating it. I also thought for sure I would have to have my mom’s famous meat pie at Christmas time (something I would crave the entire year!) But nope. I didn’t even want that. It’s funny how once you stop eating something you eventually don’t even want it anymore. I used to love bacon, now the thought of it grosses me out. I think after declining the meat pie last Christmas was when I really knew I could be a vegetarian forever! 

I thought I would share a few veggie recipes, some of my favorites and some I would like to try.

Zucchini fritters– This look so good! Like healthy pancakes 🙂
Spinach burgers– We usually have store bought veggie burgers, but I’d love to try making my own!
Vegetarian bean chili– Just because you don’t eat meat doesn’t mean you can’t have chili! We made this last winter and it was sooo good.

Spinach balls– One of my favorite treats used to be my mom in law’s sausage balls so I was kinda sad about not eating them anymore. But then I found this amazing recipe and have made these a bunch of times!
  Zucchini squash sandwich– I came up with this yummy sandwich recipe when I was trying to come up with vegetarian sandwich ideas.


I’m so glad I decided to finally go for it and I am still surprised I was able to do it! I don’t even think twice about eating meat now. And  I also don’t feel  guilty when I see cows anymore. Haha


So if any of your guys have ever thought about being a vegetarian, you should try it! It may be easier than you think.

0 Responses

  2. Very cool! I stopped eating most kinds of processed sugar a few years ago (I still eat honey, maple syrup–the “natural” stuff) and it has been surprisingly easy.

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  6. Congrats, girl! What a great milestone! I'm a vegetarian, too, so it always makes me feel good to read other people's stories! I always thought I'd never be able to give up meat (like everyone says, ugh), but after I moved out of my parent's house I just stopped buying it and it became so easy!

    Those cows are just too cute! 🙂

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  7. So good you are a veggie! I've been veggie for several years now and have been eaten vegan for a month and I also don't look back!

    -Kati

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  8. Congrats! That's real commitment 😀 I used to be a vegetarian when I was younger until I got sick. I've thought about doing it again now or even going vegan but I love the cheeese!! D:

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  10. What a wonderful post about your motivation to eat healthier and becoming a vegetarian. I admire your willpower & conviction!
    And once again you've inspired me to be healthier! Remember when I used to be addicted to drinking Crystal Light tea? All through the 90's I guzzled that aspartame laced garbage until you inspired, not only me, but our entire family to start drinking just plain water.
    Now I find myself putting Veg first, eating lots of salads & whole foods. Meat is pretty expensive so it is great on the budget to leave all it off my shopping list. We have weaned ourselves off of processed meats like bacon & Lunchmeat that are so full of chemicals.
    Nice photos, especially the cute cows. I want to pet them!!

    I'm so proud of you and the choices you make!

    xo,

    mom

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  11. I would like to be vegetarian, because I love animals too much! When I look to yours beautiful meals, I would surely become one ;)) They seems so delicious :***

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  12. I love vegetarian and vegan meals! I don't eat a lot of meat as is (yay CA for having plenty of options) but have thought about going veg…maybe this is the month to start! 🙂

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