Introduction

Okay, so I know blogging was SO 2004, but people still blog and add a million pictures for their kids, right? So I can blog and post pictures of my recipes. Its only fair.

As many of you know, I have gone through a lot of changes in my life this year. Well, half way through the year now, I can definitely say that I have been blessed with good friends and family, and lots of new experiences. Included in those is my new venture into veganism. Since then, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about why I would do such a crazy thing, if I’m getting enough protein, am I missing meat, and can I write out that recipe I was talking about. So, here I am with a few answers, and hopefully lots of new recipes that vegans, vegetarians, AND meat eaters will enjoy. Also as I am learning about a lifestyle that is better for the environment, I'll try to share when I find great products or hear good ideas.

Why I became vegan: I didn’t do it for health. I know that I’m a dietitian, and that I’m eating healthier than I ever have, but health is just a great side effect of my choice. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been a little over-emotional about animals. I remember on a fishing trip (I was all about catch and release), I let my fish be killed for dinner, and I cried about it. In another instance, I tried to be a vegetarian when I was 12 after reading an animal rights book, but I didn’t like vegetables then, so I just ate Kraft mac and cheese for 3 months. Eventually, my dad made a delicious steak and I caved. In college a professor made us visit a slaughterhouse for a grade, and that was another 6 months without meat.
Fast forward to present. I am newly…independent (still searching for a good word for ‘single’ that doesn’t elicit the automatic response, of “oh don’t worry – you’ll find someone else.” Ugh – definitely not my objective...but I digress…). I have a lot of time on my hands, and I am in a way starting all over again. In re-learning about the things that are important to me, I realized that this was a great time to revisit my constant struggle I have with the ethics of eating animals. I decided to become vegetarian, and within a week I changed it to becoming vegan.

Why I am not 100% vegan: True vegans don’t eat honey. When I was a little girl my brother and I were attacked by bees and I came out with 12 stings. I have no care for the life of bees, and I will happily eat honey, and kill any bee that comes within striking distance. Hehe

Why I don’t miss meat: My poor parents had to live with the pickiest children on earth, so only now am I discovering some of the most amazing foods ever. I don’t have time to miss meat. There are so many wonderful, and yummy foods, that I don’t even think about it. I was scared I would miss cheese, but that has not been a problem. I’m not saying that I don’t love a good Imo’s pizza – they taste good…but I have a great spinach pizza recipe that I would rather have any day. I am loving all the new recipes that I am trying.

Why I won't try to make you vegan: Basically, its not my business. I like what I am doing, but I respect your choices. If you want to know more, I'm happy to talk with you, but if not that's cool too. If we have dinner together, I won't make you eat tofu, and if you are cooking, I am more than sure that I can find plenty to eat without you making any special changes. :)

Okay, now to the recipes. Here is what I was eating while writing this first blog. I was a little leery about making this. Tofu isn’t my favorite, but wow – these were good!
Scrambled Tofu:

Chop and onion and green pepper, and cook in a little olive oil until onion is soft. Add crumbled tofu (about 8 oz) - works best if you squeeze it through your fingers. Has a good scrambled egg texture. Add 1 tsp turmeric (I used cumin this time), 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast, and 3 tsp of soy sauce. Mix well and cook through.
*for meat eaters, skip the tofu and nutritional yeast and add a few eggs to scramble
Hope you enjoy!

I am making a veggie lasagna tonight, so hopefully I will be able to post that soon!