Serena The Wanna–Be Vegetarian – Does Milk Do A Body Good?
We are becoming vegetarians and as the cow walks out the door with our burgers and pot roasts, there goes our milk too. Do we really need milk or is it just a habit leftover from childhood? Are we going to give up cheese too? With the revolt around bacon in full swing, we can’t quite give up cheese at this point. As for milk, I think we can find a substitute that is healthier for us.
Although I grew up drinking milk, I just never bought the idea that cow’s milk was good for people too. The thought just doesn’t make sense… uhmm… I’m not a baby cow it’s that simple. I’ve never given my children whole milk, low fat only and sparingly; they didn’t have to drink milk with their meals, only water. So here, I feel a bit ahead of the game.
I found this site to be the most helpful in determining which milk alternative we are going to choose. Click over and come right back!
You’ll see that although there are quite few soymilk products on the shelves, there is also controversy about how soy contains natural estrogen, which can interfere with our own hormonal balance. Rice milk seems okay, but the extra carbs are something that I don’t need. The almond milk seems to give the best nutritional bang and taste, with no natural estrogens to trip up our systems.
We’ll do our own taste test, and tell you about it. I’m already leaning toward almond milk. Which would you choose? Or do you drink any of these already?
For an even larger list of milk alternatives, check here.
- Serena
Serena the Wanna-Be Vegetarian – The First Week
Do vegetarians eat animal crackers? ~ Author Unknown
We are adjusting to life without bacon. My thirteen-year-old has taken to wearing a t-shirt the says, “Everything is better with bacon.” I agree.
Breakfast has become the easiest meal though, especially now. It’s summer and there’s plenty of fruit to choose from. A slice of melon, with cereal, yogurt and a smoothie goes over quite well with the kids.
We’ve officially cut out red meat. So one of the recipes I’ll share that my “substantial” meal-loving husband comes from Cane River Cuisine. It’s Shrimp Creole, this recipe serves eight, I like leftovers.
- 3 lbs. of peeled, deveined shrimp
- 5 tablespoons of canola or cooking oil
- 5 tablespoons of flour
- 1 cup of chopped celery
- ½ large onion chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ chopped bell pepper
- 2 (8oz. cans of tomato sauce)
- 2 cups of water
- 3 teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Make a roux of oil and flour, cooking and stirring over medium heat until golden brown. Be patient. This takes time. Do not burn roux. Add chopped celery, onions, garlic and bell pepper. Cook and stir until wilted. Add tomato sauce and water. Add remainder of seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer at least 1 hour. Add shrimp and cook for 15 minutes. Add chopped parsley just before serving. Serve over hot fluffy rice. For a more highly seasoned dish and Tabasco. Enjoy!
- Serena
Serena – The Wanna-Be Vegetarian talks with her family
I want to be a vegetarian for many reasons. The main reason though is that I want to eat healthier for my own well being and for the planet. After my “confession” last week, my husband was easy to convince and is on board with being healthy and having less of an impact on the environment. He’s a carnivore and asks whatever I decide to cook be “substantial.” My two kids however, went into the kind of shock that usually occurs when I turn off their favorite TV show, or take away their Nintendo DS.
My seven-year-old, “What’s a vegetarian?”
“Well there are several kinds, there’s lacto-ovo, which means we would still eat eggs and cheese.”
The seven-year-old looks hopeful.
“You can still have French toast in the morning or pancakes,” I say brightly.
“What about bacon mom?” The thirteen-year-old deadpans.
“We’re going to phase out bacon. We’re going to become vegetarians gradually; you’re hardly going to notice. The thirteen-year-old looks at me and rolls his eyes.
* * *
“I’m a level 5 vegan—I don’t eat anything that casts a shadow.” – Character on The Simpsons
People have different ways of expressing their vegetarianism. Here we go:
- Pescatarian – These are people who choose to eat fish only.
- Flexitarian – Eat meat occasionally.
- Lacto-Ovo – Vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy products.
- Vegan – Vegans eat no animal products whatsoever. No eggs, no dairy, no animal products, this includes honey too.
- Raw Vegan – Are vegans who do not eat food heated above 115 degrees.
So we are shooting for a three on this scale, lacto-ovo vegetarian. We’re going to do it gradually and I’ll let you in on out first tastes of tofu and post a recipe for you to try too. Join us!
- Serena
Serena The Wanna-Be Vegetarian
Hello, my name is Serena and I’m a carnivore.
I admit it. I want to be a vegetarian. But how can I when I don’t want to give up my burgers, my pastrami and especially my bacon? Sundays won’t be the same without its rich fatty smell curling around the morning, welcoming a new week. How lonely my eggs will be, and how could I ever explain the absence of bacon to my beloved BLT?
I admit that I’m powerless over meat…
I’m also determined. It’s not about that holier-than-thou feeling that some vegetarians seem to annoy people with. Now more than ever I feel a need to eat healthier, to be conscious of where my food is coming from and how it’s treated before it gets to my table. I’m not just talking about meat either. Some of that “eat local” stuff seems worth looking into as well. It just makes sense, ethically and environmentally.
I’ve made a list of all animals harmed and I’m ready to make amends…
Dear Pig, Fish, Chicken, Duck and Cow,
You’ve been involved, errr I mean you’ve committed yourselves to some of my best meals and memories, but I’ve reached a point where we must begin to part ways. I’ve seen these photos . They weren’t easy to look at, and this isn’t going to be easy. We’ve fried, roasted and grilled you at countless gatherings. I’ve paraded around with your parts on a stick at various county fairs. I’ve stewed, stir-fried and broiled you. Over the next few months I’m going to try and stop eating you, yes, I’m going to give you up. I realize that it isn’t going to be easy. I’ll start with one meat free meal a week. And gradually I’ll become a vegetarian, and not just a “wanna-be.”
- Serena
