Veggie Fruit Fruit!

The name of the game :-)

Today is the day.  Today is the day that we say goodbye to meat, for at least 28 days.

The water challenge went pretty well!  I was thirstier than I have ever been in my life and it was my constant companion.

Oh water, what you have meant to me.  While I was job hunting you gave me plenty of potty breaks.  While I was enjoying a gorgeous day at Magic Kingdom, you gave me a bonus tour of bathrooms in every perfect section of the park.  While I was hanging out at the Scottish Highland Games you exiled me to portable toilets I would have expected at a week-long yard party for frat guys.  You also brightened my skin and made me feel pretty wonderful, so thanks for that.  I'll definitely keep you around, especially the carbonated, fruity version of you.

Now, a new challenger emerges!  Learning how to choose, buy, prepare, and enjoy a whole new set of foods without relying so heavily on meat. . .and snacks. . .and cheese..but there will still be a little cheese.

Today we went to the store to buy our vegetarian starter pack!

So colorful!

Which included, but was not limited to:

• Bananas
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Spaghetti squash
• Avocados
• Brussel Sprouts 
• Shallots
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Arugula 
• Crazy seedy bread
• Greek yogurt
• Peppers
• Kale (cause. . .you have to, I guess?)
• Fresh herbs
• Berries
• Peaches
• Oranges
• Pasta
• Rice
• Oatmeal

We prepared some recipes ahead of time but did not have time to complete any today--that's the plan for tomorrow.  

Tofu is out.  Eggs are in.  I realize that technically they are a by-product of the meat industry, but tofu is not really an option for us right now.  However you want to do it, however seriously, I just don't, for the purpose of this challenge, have an issue with eggs as protein.  

The point of this challenge is to expose yourself to new types of food you otherwise would not have eaten.  It's not to feel PETA guilty about meat or to limit yourself to only cereal and french fries because you couldn't find a way to prepare vegetarian meals on the regular.  I read somewhere that if people substituted regular meals for vegetarian meals two days a week it would reduce emissions more than those same individuals substituting their cars for Prius...es.  So, that's positive.  However, making yourself go broke trying to buy a ludicrous amount of perishable produce is not.

Julie and I have a combined 14 years of vegetarian/vegan experience (most of it hers, all of it to make our fathers angry^^) and we want to take that knowledge and make this fun.  Julie and I also have very little money at this point in our job search so we are also going to do this on the cheap!  That's good news, right?  Fun and cheap!  Let's go!

There is quite a bit of evidence to support that a vegetarian diet promotes a healthier lifestyle.  It claims to help reduce obesity, hypertension, blood pressure, chances of diabetes, and things like that.  That's all good.  But a really good reason to give it a shot for the next 28 days is you will give yourself a chance to have a color pallet on your plate you would not have otherwise--unless that plate were covered in M&M's, and you might just find out you like the flavors of all these colorful things.

So, in your post-Superbowl (go sports!) tummy grumblings tomorrow morning, might I suggest some lovely smashed avocado on toast, or oatmeal with an egg, and join Julie and I for lunch for some amazing looking spaghetti squash quiche--or join us for a well-photographed disaster!  

Either way, should be fun!