I'm new to blogging so forgive me for not being as polished as many. I have always lived my life on the edge of vegetarian and not a huge meat eater...in fact I will go on a limb and say the only reason I ever ate meat is because it was the way I was raised! I didn't know any better and I was horrified that my eating experience wouldn't be a pleasurable experience if I changed it so drastically. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! I think most people who convert to a plant based lifestyle do so for their love of animals but the health benefits are also undeniable. Be warned however there is a food addiction that you will struggle through as well as a detox phase...it isn't nearly as dramatic as it sounds and for the most part after the first week you are over the hump. If you are considering a change in your lifestyle READ ABOUT IT FIRST! You can't just stop eating meat "cold turkey" without getting sick so do your research. I started with PETA and their starter kit is very helpful!
My next fear was how the heck do I shop now??? Well SURPRISE...even that is much easier than expected. If you live in AZ one thing I strongly suggest you check into Bountiful Baskets for fifteen bucks you get a laundry basket full of fruits and veggies! They offer many other things as well but this is certainly one way to get FRESH fruits and veggies at an excellent price!
My stores of choice and in this order: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Frys Food/kroger, Fresh and Easy and Trader Joes. I haven't tried Lee Lee Asian Market yet but from other friends I have heard it is amazing. You can obviously find fruits and veggies anywhere and for the most part most grocery stores have a "natural" section so shopping isn't nearly the burden it once was.
Last and certainly not least and the most delicious part of my transformation...Meat Substitutes! Trust me when I tell you I was strongly against these...In my head I am thinking I stop eating meat but now I am going to eat meat shaped veggies??? SO here is my experience...thus far Morning Star Farms products are my favorite! I haven't had one thing I don't like with the exception of the no meat Corn Dogs...I should tell you even as a meat eater I wasn't a big hot dog fan but the Chikn products are hands down my favorite and I love the veggie burgers too!!! BTW many fast food chains have veggie burgers, they just aren't on the menu so if you are in a hurry Burger King is the safest bet but I have also heard that McDonalds has one too. My second favorite are BOCA products and they are fabulous too. Third and not really in a particular order is Tofurky. For those who think it is only for Thanksgiving you are missing out...they have some amazing products including Italian sausage, bacons and some other options including lunch meat slices. I never would have imagined how much I enjoy these products and they all have tasted better than meat in my opinion. No skin, veins or other disgusting things you find in your chicken nuggets or chicken wings!!! Most importantly no animal died for your dining pleasure!!
Use these links! They provide lots of helpful recipes and you will be absolutely amazed how much better you feel and if you are anything like me knowing that you are no longer contributing to the horrible conditions animals endure does a lot for your soul! My final link for this blog comes with a warning...this documentary is known as the Vegan Maker and I think everyone should watch it. I guarantee you that most people don't know what a dairy cow endures! I haven't ever been able to drink milk and prefer the alternatives like Silk Very Vanilla. But now that I lied and included a soy milk link I give to you the Vegan Maker: EARTHLINGS! Please don't watch this with children and I have to warn you it is very hard to watch and very hard to forget but even if you continue to eat meat at least you will be informed about what is happening.
I'll be posting more recipes this week but figured I should share some information first :)
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