The Outcry!

Well, I definately didn't expect so many comments when I linked this new blog to my facebook to tell people about my "Veg Pledge" challenge. It definately prompted debate/discussion/argument! There were people telling me they "gave it a week" (very supportive), those who couldn't believe that I even ate vegetables at all (childhood friends who still remember the awkward mealtimes when I refused to eat what their mother had cooked for me) and those who felt that vegetarianism was an unhealthy way of life, and indeed even those who felt I was "obsessed" by food or had an unhealthy body image. Thankfully, there seemed to be equal numbers of those quoting studies or sharing support for this change in diet. It's odd that there are still so many people who feel meat is intrinsic to a healthy diet, or that I will end up suffering from a severe Vitamin 12 deficiency which will render me unconscious. I am aware that you have to think more when you eat this way, to make sure you get a balanced diet. I may look into taking some Vitamin supplements if this becomes long term just in case. However soya milk has added Vitamin B12 due to this issue.

I can definately say that this time, it's less about weight (although keeping trim is always an added bonus) but more about eating healthily, being more informed and animal welfare. Indeed today I did my food shopping and felt a pang of quiet triumph as I skipped merrily past the shrink-wrapped packets of meat and headed for the pasta and beans aisle. I was also surprised at the cost of my shopping - it seemed a fair bit cheaper than when I usually buy meat, which can only be a good thing when you've recently required a mortgage for a house with an eye watering council tax bill (Band F in case you were wondering).

I'm currently having a break with a cup of soy milk tea and a crumpet with cashew butter (a very odd consistency - is peanut butter the same in that it sticks to the roof of your mouth instantly?). However, it should me a tasty protein snack. It's quite odd because I've always had a severe nut allergy (peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts) but have recently discovered I can eat whole cashews without keeling over in anaphylaxis. Likewise for almonds. As they are still technically nuts, I've tended to avoid them as its easier when dealing with a nut allergy, however they are a good source of protein and since I'm also allergic to eggs (yep, I'm one of *those* people) it seems silly not to eat some from time to time. This cashew butter is really weird though - it kinda makes my throat feel a bit tight, but that might be because it's still clinging to the roof of my mouth and impairing my ability to swallow. What is with this stuff?!

I have decided to make a "south Western Style Salad" for lunch at work for a couple of days, so will see how that pans out. Dinner will be soy mince/bean stuffed Peppers with Dairy free cheese (an odd concept I know) and sweet potato chips. I stocked up on quite a few vege mains as well as frozen veg - tried out Holland and Barratt (egg free mayo!!!!) as well as the normal vegetarian ranges in Tesco. The granose ranges are really good and are currently 2 for £2 in Morrisons (or usually about £1.50 each in most other places). You add water to a soy/herb mix and create things like burgers and sausages and falafels which you then fry and can add sauce to or whatever. I think they're pretty good. It's also nice not having to fuss with defrosting meat or worrying about cross contamination or it going off (salmonella anyone?)