Jan. 25: Still vegging out!

Sorry - I missed the big weigh-in post on Sunday.  I'm now down to 189.  That is 3 pounds in the week and a bit that I have been a vegetarian.

This, of course, makes me ecstatically happy.  I've caved a few times and had some junk food, but none with meat.  I think just removing the meat and replacing it with other protein sources has been enough to allow me a little leeway on the salty-crunchies.

This week, I had a meal plan but it's shot to heck because my baked beans were gross.  So, I've recreated my meal plan and I'm including a recipe.

Tuesday: Baked mac and cheese
Wednesday: Bean burritos with green chilies and tomato salsa
Thursday: Leftover mac and cheese, steamed broccoli
Friday: Broccoli pizza

I had to work late tonight so we had leftover baked mac and cheese. Here is my high protein recipe for it:




1 bag of pasta, cooked (we used wide egg noodles)
1 can of cream of whatever soup (we used c of mushroom)
1 tub of low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese
1 handful of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 eggs (optional)
Seasoning salt to taste

~ Mix all ingredients except the pasta in an oven proof container. Preheat oven to 350*F
~ Gently stir in pasta and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
~ Let it sit for 10 minutes to thicken.

Makes 6 generous servings.

You can add meat and veggies to this if you'd like and turn it into more of a casserole - we usually just have it plain with a veggie on the side. My daughters absolutely LOVE this mac and cheese and go back for seconds and thirds. 

So, I'm loving the veggie thing and as I read more and more about it, I'm really glad I've made the change for so many reasons.

One thing I noticed that is sort of funny is this:

Sometimes my 10 year old comes home from school and says, "Mom, the kids made fun of my lunch because I had a blood orange - they said it was disgusting and called me a vampire" or "Mom, the boy sitting next to me said my stir-fry looked gross."

I work with a bunch of guys.  I didn't make a big deal out of going vegetarian but they've noticed.  You should hear all the stories they tell me about :
~ vegetarians they know who dropped dead of a heart attack
~ it's God's plan for us to eat meat
~ don't you want a big juicy steak?
~ did you know that plants die too, just like animals - your broccoli screamed when they picked it

The list could go on and on, but it makes me laugh to realize I work with a bunch of 40 year old 5th graders!

I hope you are all having a wonderful and productive week!