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Posts Tagged ‘Vegetarian’

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Vegetarian cooking does not have to be complicated. In fact, it can be very fun, educational and liberating. To know that you have just cooked a delicious and healthy meatless meal for your family can give you the boost of confidence you need to tackle and try any vegetarian or vegan recipe you discover.

Making sure your kitchen is well equipped with certain items will provide you with more flexibility and options to prepare your meatless food items and allows you to be creative with the vegetarian and vegan dishes you decide to cook. Here are a list of 5 must have appliances to get you enjoying vegetarian cooking.

Culinary Knives – Great knives are a must have for chopping and dicing your fresh fruits and vegetables. Don’t be shy about spending a couple of bucks on good knives. Cheap and dull knives can become a safety hazard while trying to prepare fresh produce. You don’t want to run the risk of injuring a finger while cooking do you?. What fun would that be?
Food Processor – If you are not in to manual labor, the food processor is a great option to help you chop and dice nuts, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and plenty more. A food processor will also come in handy when you are preparing dips, spreads, and sauces.
Blender – Blenders are not just for smoothies. There are so many other tasty meatless foods that a blender can help you create. Blenders are great for whipping up sauces, dressings for fresh salads, and soups.
Juicer – This is a no brainer. To really get the nutrients, vitamins, and fiber from fruits and vegetables, you need to consume produce in its freshest form. Using a juicer allows you to “drink” your fresh produce and enjoy the great tastes of your creation all at one time.
Steamer – Steamers are a life, time, and energy saver. An all inclusive steamer can steam everything from grains to vegetables. You will use less water and energy when using a steamer to cook your favorite produce and rice. If you are a pesco-tarian, you can even use the steamer to prepare your fresh seafood.
Crockpot/Slow Cooker – Do you have a favorite vegetarian chili recipe that you haven’t had time to cook?Or maybe you are in the mood for some navy beans and rice for dinner, but you can’t wait two hours to wait to eat. A crockpot or slow cooker is truly a “set it and forget it” appliance that will let you put all your ingredients in one pot, set the time and temperature, and tend to other items on your “to do list,” while your wholesome dinner is slowly cooking. Excellent for busy vegetarians and vegans on the go.

Ask are you struggling with becoming a vegetarian because you love the taste of meat? When you are trying to become a vegetarian you will face many temptations. Most people who have decided to become a vegetarian one of the challenges they face is the ability stop or reduce the amount of meat they eat.

Every time you are faced with the temptation you need question yourself why you decided to become in the first place.

The best way to find solutions to your problems is raising questions to them. Ask yourself these questions if you are experiencing problems in transitioning to vegetarianism.

A Why did you turn to vegetarianism? Asking yourself this question will remind you of the reasons and will help you get the will power you need.

B Is it the fear of not liking any new vegetarian foods that you will enjoy, which stops you from moving forward?

C Are there many friends, family or co –workers around you who tempt you to go being a non- vegetarian again?

D Do you think that you are not a good cook and so you won’t be able to cook many good vegetarian dishes yourself?

E Is it really that you don’t like fruits and vegetables?

Vegetarian diets keep the skin glowing and more alive apart from maintaining the normal. Hand fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good source of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients which are beneficial for your body in the long run.

The most important thing you need is will power. Without will power, you are likely to go back to eating non-vegetarian and unhealthy food. If you find it extremely difficult to follow, you can always start with semi-vegetarian diet. It is not difficult to follow a semi-vegetarian diet and you can slowly turn to vegetarianism.

Become A Semi Vegetarian!

A semi vegetarian is someone who reduces  the amount of meat they eat but , but can continue to consume some amount of white meat like fish, chicken, lobsters and other sea foods but include more healthier food options like fruit and vegetables into their daily diet

When a person is constantly eating junk food, they create bad eating habits and this leads to negative health conditions such as;

High blood pressure
Hyper cholesterol condition
Obesity
Types II diabetes
Cancer
Strokes and sometimes heart disease and disorders are usually encountered by people on unhealthy diets.

There are various benefits of eating more vegetables rather than going for meat. You tend to stay healthy and fit with a higher energy level.

As a new vegetarian it is normal for you to go through challenges, but you can overcome them with willpower, determination and knowledge because at the end of the day your health is worth it.

Today, people are willing to do anything to achieve weight loss. There are so many new diets added on to the market everyday. The result is that in their quest to become thin, many people are starting to take such drastic measures that it ends up harming their health. The weight loss effects of such fad diets or products, which claim to be “miracle diets”, have short term results and have many side effects. This makes it extremely important that we choose ways of weight loss methods which are healthy. The Vegetarian lifestyle is well known to help people lose weight.

If a person is overweight, and has a bad diet then this is not their only problem. There are many health conditions that come along as a consequence of a bad diet;

Diabetes,
High blood pressure
High Cholesterol
Reduced energy level
Poor skin
Heart disorders

But with the vegetarian diet you can have these benefits;

Weight loss
More Energy
Better Mental Concentration
A Relaxed Mind
Radiant Skin
Helps to detoxify the body

The vegetarian diet includes many low fat, low sugar and low calorie recipes which are used by many people in the world for various reasons. Depending on what kind of vegetarian they are people are trying to create different low fat vegetarian recipes. People are turning towards these low fat vegetarian recipes because they are nutritional, help reduce cholesterol and also help people mentally concentrate better.

A vegetarian diet has benefits of its own.  With this diet you can eat as much healthy food as you want to but the calorie intake would be real low as compared to a meat diet with the same fraction. In no time your energy level will increase and you will start losing weight over a long period of time.

The Vegetarian Lifestyle is a healthy option to lose weight by becoming a semi vegetarian.

So what is a Semi Vegetarian?

A semi vegetarian is someone who reduces  the amount of meat they eat but , but can continue to consume some amount of white meat like fish, chicken, lobsters and other sea foods but include more healthier food options like fruit and vegetables into their daily diet. The number one question that most people ask are “why and how to start a vegetarian diet”? First of all, it provides more nutrients, vitamins, minerals to your body and increasing our daily recommended nutrition.

As you can see, going vegetarian can really help you to lose weight, become more energetic and look radiant.  Below are simple steps to begin a semi vegetarian diet-:

1. Remove junk foods from your refrigerator. When you don’t see these junk foods, your desire to eat them gets diminished and gradually you can adapt to the vegetarian diet.

2. You should seek help from your physician before you make any decisions to change your diet or lifestyle. He or she will advise you which vegetarian food items are best for your health and how to take them to lose weight effectively.

If you have made a choice and taken the decision of being a vegetarian, it’s important you learn how to be one. This article will help you find the answer to the question “How to become a vegetarian for the first time?”

Each person has their own reason to become a vegetarian.  You need to first figure your own motive ?? below are some reasons people decide to become a vegetarian;

A. Some people are animal lovers, who are against animal cruelty that are slaughtered in meat production and slaughtering houses.

B. Some people are environmentalists, who understand that raising animals for meat requires land for grazing and that the meat production work in different slaughter houses leads to animal waste accumulation and waste run off, apart from emission of lethal gases like methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

C .Some people want to become a vegetarian to follow a religion or a philosophy that they have adopted.

D.One of the main reasons why most people are becoming vegetarian these days is because of the various health benefits that come with becoming a vegetarian. People feel more energetic and vigorous following a vegetarian diet.

Becoming a vegetarian is a learning curve. You should realize and understand that human being’s taste buds adopt themselves according to the food that we usually eat. If you’ll try something different or something for the first time, the taste might certainly be rejected which is normal.

Step 1. So, the first step towards becoming a Vegetarian is to have enough patience to travel the path from being a non vegetarian to a complete vegetarian. Once you have committed to your goal of being a vegetarian, the following tips will help you achieve it:

Step 2. Become a gradual vegetarian and slowly reduce junk food out of your daily . Do it in steps so that you get time to adopt yourself to the style. Divide the non vegetarian food items into different groups and start by removing each group at a time out of your diet.

Step 3. Learn to say no. This will be difficult in the beginning when you still remember the taste and smell of your favorite non vegetarian food but with time you will develop the resistance. A good idea will be telling all your friends and family about your newly adopted eating habit, so that they don’t force you to eat meat.

Step 4. Try a new vegetarian food item every time you go to a shop or restaurant . This is important because you are leaving your favorite diet and you will need something good to replace it. If you don’t like a vegetarian product the first time you try it, don’t lose patience. Try the same product but of a different brand. Tastes vary and so are your choices.

Believe it or not, I was not born a vegetarian. I had to work hard at it and I did take baby steps.  I didn’t just jump right into the vegetarian lifestyle.  I began eliminating meat from my diet at the age of 12.  I had to figure it out (and I am still trying to figure it out) and learn how to replace meat with healthy foods that would not only nourish my body, but keep me feeling full and just as important, tasted great.   ‘My father, the vegan,’ was a vegetarian for a couple of years, then became a vegan.  So as I took my journey to become a vegetarian, there was a point in time when I was still eating seafood (and no other flesh) and I remember him saying to me, “Ebbie Webbie (that’s what he calls me) when are you going to become a REAL VEGETARIAN?”  I was like what, are you kidding me?  I thought I was a real vegetarian.  Who defines who the real vegetarians are?  Are you less of a vegetarian because you eat dairy, eggs, or fish?  My answer is “no” but others would say differently. Either way, you have to start the vegetarian transition somewhere and to help you design a meatless plan that works best for you, here are 10 different types of vegetarian diets that you can adopt to assist you with becoming a “real” vegetarian:

Lacto Ovo – This vegetarian diet consists of eggs & diary, but do not consist of any animal flesh or seafood.
Ovo – If you are an Ovo Vegetarian then you don’t eat any flesh, seafood, or diary products, but you still consume eggs.
Lacto – Lacto Vegetarians do not eat any flesh, seafood or eggs, but still enjoys the taste of diary products.
Pollo – If you are a Pollo – Vegetarian, then you are probably still trying to ease into the vegetarian lifestyle.  You still eat chicken, but no seafood or other animal flesh.
Pesco Pollo –  I was a pesco-pollo vegetarian when I was 12.  I ate seafood and poultry and no other animal flesh.
Semi (part-time) – If you are a part-time vegetarian then you still eat meat/flesh but you have reduced your consumption.  For example, you may be a vegetarian Monday – Friday, but once the weekend hits, you want chicken or steak.
Pesco – Pescatarians just eat seafood and no other flesh or meats.
Fruitarian – I would like to meet a fruitarian.  Fruitarians only eat fruits and veggies that do not hurt, harm, or suck the life out of the plants from which they stemmed from.  An example would be oranges and apples.
Vegan – Don’t eat any flesh or any products that come from something that once had a face (is how I like to describe it).  They don’t eat honey, wear leather, silk, or use or eat gelatin products.
Raw – Raw vegetarians only eat whole grains, raw or lightly steamed vegetables and fresh foods.  Some raw vegetarians don’t even cook their grains and beans, they just let them soak for a couple of days until they are soft enough to consume.

All food pyramids are not created equal.  The beloved “USDA Food Pyramid” that we all grew up with and were reminded of every single day in school, does not quite satisfy the nutritional needs and desires of vegetarians and vegans.  Two reasons why many people fall off the “vegetarian wagon” are; people do not “feel full” or people say they become sick on a vegetarian diet.  The main causes of these two ill symptoms of vegetarianism are rooted in one issue; the lack of nutritional foods and supplements to support the body.  Often times, vegetarians don’t know how to eat properly, thus, leading them to feel sick or not feeling full and satisfied from the foods they are consuming.  This leads to vegetarians loading up on veggie burgers, pre-packaged foods, pizza, cheese sandwiches and junk food, just to try to satisfy their hunger, all the while sacrificing their health.

To prevent vegetarians from failing at their lifestyle and diet; to prevent vegetarians and vegans from eating too much of the wrong types of foods (i.e. veggie burgers, soy-based meat alternatives, and carbohydrates) and to prevent vegetarians from getting sick, here is a vegetarian food pyramid to empower vegetarians and vegans with the foods that they should focus on eating everyday to support their bodies and their appetites.

Vegetables and Fruits – The foundation of your vegetarian diet should be fresh vegetables; hence the word “vegetarian.” Vegetarians should eat at least 6 servings per day of vegetables and fruits. This is really important because the plant kingdom provides many nutrients, vitamins and trace minerals that vegetarians and vegans need to provide their bodies with energy and vitamins to support cell growth and development.  Avoid canned fruits and vegetables as these types of products do not add much value to the body.  Instead, opt to eat fresh or lightly steamed vegetables to maximize the healthy benefits that the plant kingdom has to offer.  Vegetables and fruits are also packed with fiber and are a great way to naturally cleanse the body.  Vegetarians will be surprised at how much more energized they can feel just by eating fresh vegetables and fruit.
Pasta, Rice, Whole Grains, Cereals, and Bread - Remember a couple of years ago, everyone was “anti-carbohydrates?”  During that time, carbohydrates caught a bad rap.  The trick is eating complex carbohydrates in moderation.  As a vegetarian, grains and pastas are a staple of this meatless diet.  Vegetarians and vegans should not eliminate this important fuel from their diets.  Just make sure to eat at least 4 servings per day to support the functioning of the brain and provide your body amino acids.
Legumes (beans), Seeds, Nuts – Beans and nuts are great sources of healthy fats, fiber and proteins for the vegetarian diet. 3 servings is the ideal amount that vegetarians and vegans should consume to balance their meatless diet.  Try to avoid canned beans because these beans are loaded with preservatives and salt.  To really receive the most nutritional value from beans, use dried beans cooked slowly in a crock-pot.
Meat Alternatives – Meat alternatives such as veggie burgers, textured vegetable protein (TVP), tempeh, tofu, and seitan should be limited to about 2 servings per day.  It is better to eat tofu, seitan, and tempeh then it is to eat the processed “faux meat” products on the market.  The less processed the foods, the more nutrients vegetarians and vegans will receive from meat alternatives.
Fats, Oils, Sweets – Incorporate fats, sweets, and oils in to your vegetarian or vegan use sparingly.  When selecting fats and oils to eat or cook with, try to select the healthier fats such as oils from Avocado and Olive Oil.  You can apply the same principal for sweets.  Try using agave or applesauce as sweetners instead of sugar.  If sugar is all you have access to, try cooking with the raw sugar cane.

A lifestyle is a personal choice but while agreeing to choose it, you should also be careful about  your own personal health. Some people who turn to vegetarianism often make some basic mistakes which might be dangerous to the body. It is easy to make mistake if you are a vegetarian newbie as you are still learning and trying to change the lifestyle that you have been following for years. Transition from non-vegetarian to vegetarian can sometimes be tricky, but it can be done easily with the right motivation and by avoiding some common mistakes.It should be a person’s first step to know and learn about vegetarianism before starting to follow it. This article will  help you identify the five mistakes that every Vegetarian Newbie should avoid. They are:

1. Not Reading Food Labels: To start with read the labels on the food items. Not only will it confirm to you that the product you are using is hundred percent vegetarian, it will also let you know the quantities of various food components that you are consuming. Develop the habit of reading food labels.

2. Not Meal Planning: Planning your meal is so important to your vegetarian diet. This is because when you are a new vegetarian, you have to learn to be cautious about getting the right amount of  the basic requirements of the body everyday. Not planning a meal properly will lead to a disrupted and unbalanced diet which should be strictly avoided.

3. Not monitoring the effect of Vegetarian Lifestyle on their health: When you change anything significant in your daily routine of eating or exercising, your body is bound to respond to it. So it is obvious that when you change from being a non-vegetarian to a vegetarian there will be some changes in the body. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you keep visiting your doctor or nutritionist on a regular basis. This is just to make sure that your body is adapting to the changes in your lifestyle and it’s not having any negative effects on your body.

4. Not buying the correct Multi- Vitamin Vegetarian Supplement: The Vegetarian diet might not be able to satisfy all your Recommended Dietary Allowance for iron or some important vitamins. These vitamins and iron play an important part of the diet and help prevent many diseases. Although fruits and vegetables are very rich in vitamins, it is recommended that, being a vegetarian newbie, you consult your doctor or nutritionist regarding your daily vitamins and mineral needs. There are many vegetarian multivitamin supplements available in the market that can be used to satisfy the need. It is up to you to do the research and get an appropriate multivitamin supplement.

5. Not educating themselves: Lastly, every person should educate themselves about the things they follow in life. This is a general rule for everything. Whenever you develop a new habit, weigh its pro and cons and put it against your personal liking and disliking towards it. Do the same when you decide to become a vegetarian. Gather information about vegetarian food, recipes, its side – effects and benefits. This will help you make a better decision.