Bento #1

This is a pre-vegetarian/vegan bento.  I made this before I went Vegan.

I thought it would be fun to try Bento lunch boxes.  I would have more variety in my meals, smaller portions, and hopefully more vegetables!  In the pictures below, I used the food on the left for lunch and snack, and I split the salad on the right over two days.

On the left:

• Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Cookbook meatloaf and chickpea sauce
• apple and cheddar chunks on toothpicks
• carrots

On the right:

• romaine lettuce and shredded cheddar
• deli turkey
• avocado
• (I planned to add ranch dressing when I ate the salad)

I used the lunch containers I already had at home, instead of Bento boxes.  I also used large silicone cups.  They’re washable and flexible.

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Vegetarian Dinner #1

As I delved into eating vegetarian/vegan meals, this was the first vegetarian dinner I cooked.  I started with a meal that I enjoyed (chicken fajita quesadillas), and removed the meat.

To make vegetarian quesadillas, I first sauteed some onions and red bell peppers with EVOO and fajita spice.

I took a burrito-sized tortilla out of the freezer and put it in the oven to defrost it and warm it up.

Next, I put shredded cheese on it, folded it in half, and microwaved it to melt the cheese.

After that, I added the onions and bell peppers.

I folded it over and stuck it back in the oven, probably for a minute or two.  Yum!

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Steamer Basket

I went ahead and used a gift card to purchase a silicone steamer basket that can be used in the microwave or on the stovetop.  It had really good reviews, so I look forward to using it to cook my baby bok choy, as well as veggies from my future fall garden.

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Fall Garden Plans: Vegan Style

As I get more into being a Vegan, and as I start to find out more about leafy greens, I figure my fall garden is going to be much different than in the past.

I expect I will have a larger variety of leafy greens. I’ll have to visit a local nursery and see what’s available for this time of year.  I don’t know if I’ll start with plants or seeds.

I might not plant as many potatoes as I originally planned.  I’m trying to move towards sweet potatoes instead of red potatoes.  Of course, when I tried to grow sweet potatoes last year, all I got were vines.

I might try some squash.  I’ve grown squash before, but I might be more inclined to try it.

I might try broccoli and cauliflower.  I think I like them best steamed with garlic, but they might just taste delicious raw if they’re from a garden and very fresh.

I hope to successfully grow some cucumbers.  They’ll be good for snacks.

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Baby Bok Choy Introduction

It’s so cute!  I only got one, because it was expensive (organic), but mainly because I didn’t know how it would taste.  I bought some ume plum vinegar to use as I cook it.  I smelled the vinegar and it seemed sweet and not harsh.  I plan to cook this in the next few days.

The recipe I plan to use calls for steaming this, but I don’t have a steamer basket.  I’ve got steamer zip bags, but I don’t think the results would be the same, so I’m going to look into buying a steamer basket.

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FlyLady Friday – September 24

Control Journal BabyStep 4 – For this step, you write out your After Work routine.  When I get home from work, I’m exhausted, very hungry for dinner, and my feet ache so much that it hurts to walk.  All I want to do is sit on the couch and watch TV or read a book…with dinner…for the rest of the evening.

For this step, you change clothes, including lace-up shoes, start dinner, fill the sink with soapy water to clean as you cook, sit down and drink water, and also set the table.  I have to say, once I sit down with that water (my favorite part), I do not want to get back up!

My lace-up shoes

Soapy water for cleaning as I go

The table set for dinner - including candles! (pre-vegan pic)

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Reflections after a few Vegetarian/Vegan Days

Every time that I think about how I feel after I eat a vegetarian or vegan meal, I’m surprised.  I just can’t believe it.

I’m surprised that I survived the meal.  Seriously.

I’ve always thought that it’s not possible to get full or feel satisfied unless I eat meat.  I’ve always thought that I won’t stay full unless I keep the meat protein coming.  I’ve always thought that I have to have dairy to get my calcium.

I feel full.  I feel content.  I feel okay.

After a vegetarian/vegan meal, I don’t have crazy cravings for sweets that can’t be helped out with chocolate soy milk, dairy-free ice cream (technically frozen dessert), or more veggie/vegan food.

So, what am I going to do the first time I go to a restaurant?

What am I going to do when I go to visit family?

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