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I was at a dinner party last night, and the host is an amazing cook!! I have not had any meat or dairy cravings these past 3 weeks, until last night and today. I declined the meat, but they smelled so good, and everyone (but me) was raving about them. Then today my mom was eating my favorite dill cheese by Vermont cabot, and again I was drooling, but still declined. Now all I can think about are those two specific foods, and its killing me. I am very proud of myself, I am entering my 3rd week, and feel great, lost a few pounds, my skin looks wonderful, I feel awesome. So, What are some yummy alternatives for meat and cheese. Ex. a good rice/soy cheese that can replace my favorite dill cheese (do they make some other than shredded or in single sheets.... all I have seen.... I am hoping for a block that I can slice and have with some hearty whole grain crackers). What do you do when you get a big craving?
Hi Gretchen,
You might have been hoping for an answer from Alicia but I just thought I'd share some advise. I think the willpower that you have put forth is awesome first of all. As for cravings, I personally have realized that craving anything just means you're hungry and to get anything in your stomach to fill it will help if not eliminate that craving temporarily. Meat and cheese have a lot of salt and I wouldn't recommend getting too much all the time but that might be what you're smelling and craving. In this modern society, we get too much salt and are use to it so I would recommend thinking of some alternative that would be just as tasty. I don't know if you have had hummus before but that with some crackers is awesome and you can always add other spices to it if you want. Cedars makes the best in my opinion. It has a tangy flavor like cheese and you could add salt or whatever. I eat a whole container at a time. As for meat, I don't know if you have a Whole Foods Market around you but they make something called General TSO's chicken and beef and broccoli with vegan/artificial meat. I think it's actually seitan or some soy product but...Gretchen...you can't tell the difference from real meat and it is very good!
As for cheese I personally have not found a vegan cheddar that doesn't taste like velveta or the stuff that squirts out of a can but the vegan mozzarella is good as a grill cheese sandwich. There has also been a discussion here about other cheeses you might do a search on. I hope you can think of some other alternatives to cheese because I know how you feel. I love cheddar, colby jack, muenster, and all the tangy cheeses. I can't have pasta with red sauce without smothering it in cheddar. Good luck.
where do you live?
try and take yourself out for a sexy vegan meal...indulge...get dessert and everything...really give yourself the yummie stuff you want...but healthy version. cheese blog coming tomorow! and for meat get the sausages. and have a seitan dish maybe? or the waffle and cheese panini in book.
good for you for sticking to your guns....its great! its hard at a dinner party....it wouldnt be as hard if they cooked the meal with you in mind...then you would be so supported and happy. maybe next time offer to help come up with great meal ideas? so its more veggie than not...and turns others on....if you are satisfied then you wont be missing the other stuff...and they will all be syched to try the new or just so happens to be healthy stuff inspired by you!
good luck and keep me posted.
Try Tofurkey sausage, keilbasa and bratwurst links. The meat lovers I have served these to love them. You can cut them into medallions and pair them with pasta and sauce or fry them up with onions and peppers on a long roll. You can get those wheat crackers you were talking about and spread tofutti cream cheese mixed with dill on top. I agree with you about the vegan cheese. I haven't found any that I love but the cream cheese is really good. These are not super healthy diet foods but they should help you with your cravings so you can shut them up and stay on track. Good Luck and keep us posted!!!
Thank you very much C.Blake, Alicia and Lea. Those are all very helpful suggestions! I live in a small town in Vermont, I have to travel about 20min. to get to a co-op/natural food store (but its worth the trip), I try to only go once a week. There is a Whole Foods in North Hampton MA, about 1hr. 45min. away, and a Trader ' and I have heard a really yummy vegan restaurant. I am planning to take a trip there to hit all three and get some shopping done, and tons of eating. Sadly, there are NO vegan restaurants in my town (and its a ski resort town).....hmmmm maybe a new business venture 
(*insert cheeky grin here) Anyhow, I agree with you C. Blake, the hunger has a lot to do with my cravings, once I am satisfied they go away (which never use to be the case when I ate meat and dairy, I would just crave the next sweet or salt item). I love not feeling sick full after meals now!! Looking forward to the cheese blog Alicia, and I love your suggestion about bringing a dish or two and helping out at a dinner party....that is my plan for Thanksgiving :). Lea, great idea about the tofutti cream cheese with dill and crackers, I have not tried tofutti yet, but I bet that would give me satisfaction.
I love the support everyone offers here!!
Thanks again 
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