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a lot of this is unappealing to me, what now?
Started
by Beth Efird
on May 24, 2010
I have been doing a ton of reading on veganism and trying to find recipes to try since I finally realized that living off of tofurkey, soy cheese and veggie burgers was missing the point. But what about the fact that a lot of this sounds so unappealing to me? I love black beans, whole grain wraps, brown rice, quinoa, most fruit and finally am really starting to love vegetables, but most of the recipes I see are just too dang weird for my tastes. Is it ok that my diet is really simple, or that I eat the same meals over and over? Anyone else not turned on by these recipes? I have no intention of giving up, but just don't see that I'll ever switch over to superhero from vegan. Are regular popular vegetables and whole grains and beans going to be enough?
Beth,
I am fairly new to this also. I have found that a lot of the items needed for recipes from the book I cannot find in my area, small midwestern town. I have found a website www.nutritionmd.org that has helped me to meal plan and also has recipe suggestions that I have found good as well as having more common ingredients.
It is totally ok to not be turned on by internationally inspired recipes. You might try Veganomicon and Vegan Soul Kitchen both of which have 'normal' recipes.
I am new too, but I have just been veganizing my regular recipes. Like, instead of spaghetti with meat sauce, I make spaghetti with marinara, spinach and mushrooms or pizza with veggies and no cheese or baked potatoes with vegan chili instead of sour cream and cheese. You can totally simplify it. I think the point is to eat a variety of whole foods. As long as you are doing that, then eat what you like!!!!
Beth, I feel the same as you...all the 'tastes just like meat and cheese' foods I can't do so I go by what I love, the simple foods call me over and over again. I am totally cool with a plate of asparagus and yams lightly salted with a couple of spoons of crockpot beans for dinner every night. I am a creature of habit. I will say though...and you might want to try due to the fact the I don't really have alot of confidence in the kitchen...every week I try 2 new simple recipes. 1 is usually with whatever veggie is left in the bottom of my weekly veggie box or a totally new veggie...this week is cauliflour (bleh) and then a cook book recipe.
I am 4 months vegan and loving it!
I eat a grain, a bean and a veg over and over and over! I have found a few recipes over the years I love, and will throw them in every now and again, but honestly I think its actually better to go simple! just be careful - too much of the same exact food can cause problems over time, try and "rotate" stuff so you are not eating the same thing day after day -
Find food that you love!!! You don't have to eat what other people like. I love veggie pizzas made with Ezekial tortillas. I love veggie fajitas with guacamole. Or, tostados. I make stir fry with brown rice. I make burritos with rice and beans and veggies. I love grilled veggies grilled on the bbq pit....or roasted in the oven. I've found lots of salad recipes that I love.
Go to your local library and check out vegetarian cookbooks. When you find a recipe that looks good, make a copy and try it. I've found so many awesome dishes by doing a little research. I've been a superhero for awhile. I tend to eat the same things all the time because I love them. I believe being a superhero is giving up all those processed vegan foods and eating food that is more pure.
I'm with you, and completely understand your aversion to some of the foods. Of course, I live by the ideal not to knock it until I've tried it, but if I don't love it I don't cook it again. Lately I've been actually trying to incorporate more whole and raw foods into my diet. This is a marvelous book written by someone that Alicia actually references in hers- Brendan Brazier's "Thrive Diet." Its amazing, and has recipes for smoothies, sandwiches, pizza (some raw and some cooked). The best thing about it, he doesn't use soy and all of the foods are unprocessed. Let me know what you think if you try it!
I think the key is to just cook regular meals that you normally like switching out meat with a meat substitute like seitan, mushrooms or tofu. Switch out meat broth with veggie broth. You don't have to make things strange. Stay with what you know and are comfortable.
On the other hand, this may be an opportunity to widen your foods palette. Try at least one new thing a week. Don't go crazy, just dip in your toe... so to speak.
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