Did I mention one of our lifestyle changes for 2011 is another year of being meat-free? We did this once in 2007 or 2008 (can't remember), though I would still eat chicken occasionally. But once you've seen the documentaries (Netflix) on where our food comes from -- beef, poultry, fish, and produce alike -- it is very hard to look the same way at your normal shopping list. Processed foods have been abundant in the house because they have coupons for those and I have been a little busy these days, new baby and all. But as we headed into the Holiday season knowing many of our menus would be out of our control with parties and carry-ins, etc., we found ourselves craving veggies and fruit to balance the nutrition-less (but yummy) items that were ahead of us.
So New Year's Day, we began our meat-less living again. It's easier this time. We're allowing eggs and cheese, and we try to get organic eggs when we can afford it, as well as "natural" cheese. Maybe one of these days we'll drop these and go vegan, but for now we're limiting the quantities we consume.
Brian still drinks cow milk, but the rest of us drink Almond Milk anyway, due to lactose intolerance issues (sorry, kids - my fault). I've cleaned the pantry and rid our shelves of all things meat (chicken stock, canned tuna, etc), as well as checking labels for MSG. Funny thing, as I cleaned out the pantry it dawned on me that vegetarian living allows me extra room in the pantry, but requires a larger refrigerator. :)
We also have a new juicer. Don't laugh. We love it. My supremely picky 4 year old actually consumed an ENTIRE carrot, along with some other fruits and veggies -- yes, veggies. Can you believe it? Worth it completely based on that fact alone.
So, if we invite you over, I probably won't serve you Tofu or lentils. But I won't be serving you steak or a burger, either. Sorry in advance. What we do have are some killer brownies, homemade chai, homemade bread/granola, and numerous other yummy things that will hopefully satisfy your tastebuds so much you won't even miss the meat we didn't give you. :) [If interested in any of these recipes, let me know. they aren't my own, but I will happily share the links with you even though I'm not posting them today].
I also am on a homemade kick in other areas of life.. hoping to whip up some chapstick, lotion, eczema salve soon, as well as purchase Bethany's candles... and maybe deodorant if I'm brave enough.
5 comments:
Wow! Impressive, my friend! And I can't wait to see what kinds of fun homemade things you come up with.
I want the link to the granola! I am impressed with all your baking endeavors... how do you have time for that?
Wow--look at you! I could not go without meat. I DO, however, get grossed out with some of the more "commercially produced" {artificial growth hormones, etc.}meat and such. Hence the locally raised meat we're doing lately. It's our baby step :) So impressed with your meatless journey!
Kara - I'm sending it to your facebook. It's EASY and FAST. And that's the only reason I have time. :)
I triple-dog-dare you to do the homemade deodorant....we love it! if you need a recipe, i will gladly share mine with you!
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