I want to know how to ease into a vegetarian/vegan diet.... Any tips/recipes?

I recently found out that I have an allergy to most meat and dairy products (possibly the hormones that are used) and have been told by friends to either by organic meat or choose a vegetarian/vegan diet. I would I go about starting a strict diet like that? Tips? Recipes? Anything would help thanx = )I want to know how to ease into a vegetarian/vegan diet.... Any tips/recipes?
Portabello mushrooms with a bit of soy cheese melted on top. You can also stuff them with other veggies. But their consistency is like meat and they are quick to do in the oven. Also humus and pita or rice crackers.



Start by cutting out red meat, use soy milk (still very good) and start shopping in the ethnic food isles...lots of interesting ideas, especially east Indian food.I want to know how to ease into a vegetarian/vegan diet.... Any tips/recipes?
I myself been thinking about becoming a vegatarian,, the funny thing is I work in the "meat dept" at my work ha ha. perhapse start off my eating salads fish, talipia is deleceious and make sure you take a multi vitamin every morning, peanut butter is a good scorce of protein
Easy-To-Get-Your-5-A-Day Vegetarian Chilli

6-8 servings 1 hour 20 min prep

1 tablespoon olive oil (just to coat bottom of pan)

2 small onions, chopped

2 fat garlic cloves, minced

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped

2 carrots, grated

1 small zucchini, chopped

1 (12 ounce) can corn

2 tablespoons cumin

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1 pinch cinnamon

salt

pepper

red pepper flakes (optional)

1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can whole tomatoes with juice

2 (14 ounce) cans red kidney beans



coat bottom of stockpot with oil.

add oinions, garlic, pepers, carrots, zuchini, and corn to the oil and stir to coat.

Sautee veggis till soft, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes on medium high.

add spices to the veggis and stir to coat. Let cook for a minute.

Add both kinds of tomatoes and the beans to the pot. Fill one of the cans with water and add that to the pot.

give it a good stir. Check the seasonings and adjust if needed.

Leave it alone for at least 30 minutes to cook; longer is better. If cooking longer, reduce heat to low and let it simmer the day away on the stove.

Tastes even better the next day! This could probably be adapted for crock pot cooking or OAMC also.

Serve with sour cream, cheese, bread, whatever you like.



Easy Bistro Artichoke Sandwich --- Vegetarian Too!

4 servings 25 min 15 min prep

4 large French rolls

8 mushrooms

1/2 onion

1 tomato

1 (6 ounce) jar marinated artichokes

8 slices provolone cheese

crushed red pepper flakes



Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Thinly slice mushrooms, onion, tomato and set aside in separate piles.

Drain artichoke hearts, but reserve liquid.

Coarsely chop artichoke hearts.

Split french rolls.

Take artichoke liquid and brush the sides of the bread.

On the bottom piece of bread put one quarter of the artichokes.

Next add 1/4 of the mushrooms, onions, and then tomato to each sandwich.

Top the veggies with 2 slices of provolone per sandwich.

Sprinkle desired amount of crushed red pepper on top of the cheese and then place top on sandwich. Press down on sandwich slightly so that it does not fall over.

Place on baking pan to bake. This generally takes 10 minutes. Watch closely!



Easy Vegetarian BBQ/Sloppy Joe

Delicious! If you can't find the frozen vegies, substitute chopped onion, celery, %26amp; bell pepper.

4 servings 25 min 5 min prep

1 (10 ounce) bag frozen mixed vegetables (BirdsEye peppers and onions)

4 cloves minced garlic

1 can tomato paste

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup ketchup

1 cup textured vegetable protein

vegetable bouillon cubes

hot sauce (optional)

1 tablespoon Braggs liquid aminos (use soy sauce if you don't have it)

oil (for frying)



Cook vegies%26amp; garlic in a little oil till tender.

Add paste, ketchup, sugar, Braggs, hot sauce and enough water to thin sauce a little.

Cook a few minutes, then set aside.

Cook TVP and bullion in enough water to cover a few minutes.

Drain, then fry TVP in a little oil for 5-10 minutes.

Mix with sauce and cook about 3-5 minutes.

Adjust seasonings to your taste.

Serve on rolls, tortillas, etc.



Easy Vegetarian Fried Rice!!!

6 servings 25 min 15 min prep

4 cups cooked white rice

1 tablespoon sesame oil (you can use something else)

2 carrots, diced

1/2 medium yellow sweet onion, chopped

1/2 cup sweet corn, canned, frozen or fresh

1/4 cup green peppers, diced

1/4 cup soy sauce

1-2 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 eggs (optional)



In a large wok or saute' pan, stir fry the carrots, onion, corn, and green peppers for about 2 minutes.

Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, black pepper, ginger, garlic powder, and rice.

Toss to combine.

Make a well in the center of the rice and scramble the eggs.

Toss to combine and remove from heat.



Easy Vegetarian Stroganoff

4-6 servings 20 min 10 min prep

2 (1 ounce) packages roads end organics shiitake mushroom gravy mix

2 cups water

1 tablespoon margarine

1 lb sliced portabello mushrooms

1/2 cup sliced white onions

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sour cream



prepare gravy mixes by stirring constantly with water in a small saucepan over low heat til it starts to bubble. reduce heat and set aside.

Sautee mushrooms and onion in margerine over medium high heat til tender.

Stir in gavy and reduce heat. Let simmer 5 minutes.

Stir in Sour Cream, and let cook through, only a few minutes.

Serve over cooked noodles.I want to know how to ease into a vegetarian/vegan diet.... Any tips/recipes?
Why ease in? Jump right in, the water is warm! I, too, have multiple allergies, and had to go cold turkey. I suspect you have allergies to wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, etc, and you are reacting to meat because its LOADED with all that stuff, and then some. I invite you to join my yahoo group, where you can find boatloads of info on how to become (and enjoy) being a veggie. There are many things in the file section that are helpful and useful. We are a creative bunch, with lots of nice, interesting recipes. If you choose not to join, but want more info, feel free to email me. I sell nothing, by the way, just like sharing my recovery...read about it in "myrecoverystory" in the files. Since posting that, I have aqcuired my own cow, and enjoy fresh, raw, milk, cream and butter, and homemade cheese-I was highly allergic to commercial dairy, do just fine on raw. Good luck, hope you join. Here is the link



http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/foo鈥?/a>
i am trying to become a vegetarian. I would stop eating meat and do some research about being a vegetarian. Good luck!I want to know how to ease into a vegetarian/vegan diet.... Any tips/recipes?
We gradually begain eating more breads and grains, tofu, bought veggie burgers, read vegetarian cookbooks and magazines on the news stands or on-line. I love Indian cuisine. All cuisines have their vegetarian dishes -- you'll end up eating all types of foods.



Good luck.
I was a vegetarian for a year and then quit eggs and dairy as well. I did it because meat and animal products just plain gross me out, not because I'm an animal rights activist.

When I first stopped eating meat it took about 5 months for the cheeseburger cravings to stop. Every time they hit I ate something fattening and they went away, other than that it wasn't that hard at all.

After a few weeks you start realizing how great you feel and that makes it easier. Food will begin to taste better and your sense of smell will even improve...mine did, anyway.

I recommend The Complete Idiot's Guide to Veganism for knowledge to defend yourself against the "how can you get enough protein" group and The Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home for great recipes that help you teach yourself how to cook all over again.

Oh, and if you don't already, start reading labels on all food packages.



Good luck!!!