Having been on this journey for around two months now, I have settled into a routine. I wanted to share a few tips to help others explore the vegetarian lifestyle.
Spend a little more time in the fruit and vegetable section of the grocery store. You are going to need to spend a little more money in this department, don’t worry though, you’ll spend less in the meat and seafood sections though.
Drink water - get a brita, soda stream, or some type of filter, and carbonation device if you like the fizz. No more soda.
Eat at home more - the meals are fresh, and the perfect portion
Try more variety, don’t like onions? Give them a try again. Try tofu in many formats and styles, definitely try thai, chinese, and japanese food.
Have soup and salad, almost every restaurant offers this, and they are usually vegetarian oriented, and it is a perfect meal
Don’t be afraid to get the dish you want on the menu, and ask them to hold the chicken. Most restaurants will accommodate you, or even offer more of something else in its place.
Granola bars - find the all natural, corn syrup free versions, and stash some in your desk, car, or backpack. If you get a little hungry, eat one.
Multi-vitamin - please take one daily
Checkups - get one when you start, get one at the end of your challenge
Donate blood - another quick way to get a brief checkup, especially for cholesterol levels.
I encourage anyone who has not tried it, to please do so for twelve weeks. That is all. You have been eating meat, and the American diet for your entire life, what is twelve weeks to see how it changes you, just to see if you can do it, and if you like it or not.
At the end maybe you’ll be of the opinion that hey, I feel amazing, I’m going to do this forever. Or maybe you’ll say this has been crazy and hard, and I’m getting a steak. What I’m finding is that I’ll probably try to eat vegetarian as much as I can, and once in a blue moon have a small piece of steak or chicken.
Either way, you’ll have helped the environment for 12 weeks, and hopefully added a few minutes onto your life.
If you do take the challenge, please let me know the results!