How I became a VEGETARIAN

I have been a vegetarian since I was 9 years old. I simply stopped liking meat, chicken and fish. I do eat dairy products, however I rarely eat eggs and they have to be camouflaged and burnt to a crisp.

I have never been a good cook and my poor children had to suffer through the less than desirable meals that I would serve to them. To this day they joke about memorable disaster dishes that I put in front of them. Burnt steak still frozen in the middle was probably one of the most embarrassing moments. I did make tasty birthday cakes for them, except for one year when the center was raw! I have to laugh, cooking is just not my thing.

A few years ago my friend Sue made me this sinfully delicious dinner as a house warming meal. She knew it would be the only time that my stove would get any use, and it was! 

 Susan's Kitchen: Boiled fiddleheads made with butter, lemon salt and pepper. Pasta with garlic, butter & parmesan. Ciabbata rolls with fresh mozzarella, tomato, cucumbers, fresh basil leaves.  

Now that I am living alone and my children have all moved out on their own, I do not cook for myself at all, ever! I am always getting asked, "what the heck do you eat." To answer this question I have listed literally all of the food that I have in my house at all times. I eat tiny portions all day long from the second I wake up until right before bed. Basically I snack all day with no large meals. This keeps my metabolism fueled and I never feel hungry. *Please note I am not promoting that my food choices are considered healthy or nutritionally balanced. This is just how I eat and what works for my body. 

Another question that I get asked a lot is, "what do you eat when you go out to dinner?" I never restrict myself from enjoying food. It's all about portion control. I usually order side dishes or I will take a doggie bag home and eat leftovers the next day. I have started taking pictures of every meal that I order when I go out. I have an extremely bland taste pallet and I am doing my best to try new things.  

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Veggie Burgers

These are my favorite Veggie Burgers. I like the ones that taste like vegetables instead of trying to mimic the taste of meat. If I liked the taste of meat I would eat a meat burger :)

Lemon Water

I do tend to eat foods with artificial sweeteners to keep my calorie intake to a minimum. So I drink tons of water with lemon instead of drinking more artificial sweeteners.

Triscuts & Cottage Cheese

1/2 cup Fat Free Cottage Cheese = 80 calories, 0 fat, 14g protein / 7 Low Fat Triscut Crackers = 120 calories

I eat Hood Fat Free Cottage Cheese every day. It is my main source of protein and by far tastes better than any other brand I have ever tried. I usually eat it plain right out of the 

container with low fat crackers.

Cottage Cheese w/ Spices

1/2 cup Fat Free Cottage Cheese = 80 calories, 0 fat, 14g protein /
5 Fat Free Saltine Crackers = 60 calories.

A spice that I sometimes use on my cottage cheese is 

McCormick Salad Supreme. I personally don't like anything 

sweet on my cottage cheese although there are 

countless options that you can add.

Hot Chocolate

This is my favorite "comfort drink" when it's chilly out of I am craving something sweet. It's only 25 calories 

and I add a packet of Truvia.

Cereal & Honey

1 tbsp Honey = 60 calories / 1 cup Almond Milk = 30 calories / 1 cup Chex Cereal = 100calories

I usually eat this at night: Chex Cereal, Vanilla Almond Milk Unsweetened. I love to eat honey, it has so many health benefits. I also mix it in my tea especially if I have an upset stomach or a cold. I will eat it straight if I have a sore throat.

  Read More About The Health Benefits of HONEY

Cheese & Crackers

1 slice Fat Free Sharp Cheddar Cheese = 30 calories, 5g protein / 5 Fat Free Saltine Crackers = 60 calories.

I eat Fat Free Saltines and Fat Free Cheese just about every day. I like the Cheddar slices the best.

Almonds

1oz. (23 Almonds) 160 CALORIES

I eat a handful of almonds almost every day. Whole, natural, unsalted. Sometimes I put them in my yogurt. Delicious...

Baby Carrots

One of my favorite veggies usually always in my refrigerator.

Pretzels

20 Fat Free Pretzels: 110 calories

Great for snacking on the go. I grab a handful of pretzels and a handful of almonds and put them in a zip-lock baggie to bring with me. Sometimes I dip them in a tablespoon of Fat Free 

Peanut Butter, or just eat them plain.

Popcorn

I love snacking on this at the end of the day while I'm relaxing. You can dig in and finish the whole bag and it's only 100 calories. It has a great buttery taste, perfect.

Instant Oatmeal

1 packet = 120 calories

This is my favorite quick and easy oatmeal. You cook it in the microwave for 1 minute and I add Vanilla Almond Milk. Sometimes I will add applesauce, fruit, or raisins.

PBJ Rice Cakes

1 Cheddar Rice Cake = 45 calories /

2tbsp, Low Fat Peanut Butter = 200 calories / 

1tbsp, Low Sugar Jelly = 25 calories

Peanut Butter & Jelly with a Cheddar Rice Cake gives it a nice salty, cheesy taste.

PBJ Crackers

5 Fat Free Saltine Crackers = 60 calories / 

Low Fat Peanut Butter = 2tbsp, 200 calories / 

Low Sugar Jelly = 1tbsp, 25 calories

Protein Shakes

1 can - 23g Protein / Vanilla = 110 calories / Chocolate - 120 calories

Great for a boost of protein. I like the Chocolate better than Vanilla. I have not tried the Oreo.
Find Out Where to Buy PURE PROTEIN  

Greek Yogurt

Most Brands = 130 calories per container of Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Besides Cottage Cheese, Yogurt is a main source of protein for me. I get the Fat Free Greek Yogurt and eat 1-3 per day.

Trail Mix

1oz Trail Mix = 150 calories

This is a great sweet and salty food that I eat plain or add to my yogurt (1oz per day). This is the extent of sweets that I keep in my house. If I am out and forgot to bring a snack I will grab a small package of Peanut M&M's. Both combinations of peanuts and chocolate balance out your blood sugar and don't trigger wanting more sweets.

You can purchase the single serving packets or the large bags of trail mix. If you purchase the family size bag I would recommend measuring out one ounce servings and putting it into baggies. If I sit down and start digging into a giant bag I will eat way too much. You may have more willpower than me!