Veggie Lover 4 Lyfe
Interested in becoming a vegetarian? Well guess who was doing it before it became cool! Vegetarianism is not a new concept but, it is easier than ever in today’s society to totally commit to that veggie lifestyle.
As someone whom has been a vegetarian for 7 years (except for that one time junior year college, I may have had a chicken sandwich from Kwik Star… only possibly though, after a classy drunken bar crawl) meat replacements have come a long way since 2014. Here is a look at my daily eating habits and my favorite brands!
I just want to preface this with I am VERY bad at cooking, aside from following the Hello Fresh flash cards. Which in my experience, are on point. That aside, I never really cared about making meals until I got married a couple years ago. I was very happy eating popcorn or bagels for dinner every night. I am an extremely inexperienced chef. My New Year’s resolution was to cook more meals for my family, and to help hit that goal, this is where that Hello Fresh comes in. It has really helped to diversify what we eat each week. The step by step instructions, seriously, really have helped me to become more comfortable with juggling multiple pots and pans at the same time. They also have AMAZING vegetarian options, and I am not talking rabbit food.
Being in the flyover states, the number one question I always get asked is, “Why don’t you eat meat?” I almost always start with, “I am not morally opposed to meat eaters.” I don’t judge you for eating meat, and I expect you to not to judge me for not eating meat. Its very similar to that I don’t drink question (I mean i totally do) but if someone says they dont drink… Or eat meat, end of that convo, but hey, to each there own. Though being in this region of the country you do get those judgy BS, “I know best people.” Especially 5 or so years ago, before the idea was broader and more main stream. I don’t eat meat for several reasons. One, I don’t like it. Two, it very much makes me squeamish to see a cow on a nice trailer ride just to become that next Big Mac with a side of fries. It’s kind of a phobia of sorts, plus there’s health reasons, blah blah blah….. This being said it is honestly not why I started my personal journey into vegetarianism.
There are many different, “types” of vegetarianism. Those that eat chicken (pollotarian), those that eat fish(pescatarian), no meat at all (your standard vegitarian), and no animal products at all (vegan). I am just your standard regular vegetarian, that eats no meat at all. To me it makes no sense to eat chicken or fish if you are a vegetarian and I certainly could never give up cheese or ice cream, but like I said, to each there own.
My Go To Brands
Gardein - This brand has a TON of different faux meat products. Granted it’s been many years since I have actually had a piece of meat. The coolest thing is with some of these substitutions, even my husband has trouble telling them a part from the real thing.
My favorites:
Meatballs
Ground Beef
Mandarin Chicken
Morning Star - again they have a lot of different faux meat products
My favorites:
Hot Dogs
Spicy Popcorn Chicken
Bacon - The thing about this bacon…looks like it came out of a playdoh push machine, and it doesn’t crisp up. For those lovers of your standard pig bacon, this will definitely NOT do it for you, I repeat not. but I love it, though unfortunately I don’t think many of you will. Maybe don’t waste your money on this one quite yet, needs a little more time in R&D.
Amy’s - When you are just craving something quick. They have a lot of frozen individual meals that I always keep on hand in our house.
My favorites:
Chicken Pot Pie
Mexican Casserole
Pepperoni Pizza Snacks
Tamale Verde
Where Do I Shop?
Hello Fresh - Comes with everything you need except for water, butter, and oil so they are fairly self sufficient.
Trader Joes - Serving up those vegetarian, organic products since forever! They just know how to do it right! Plus their floral selection is amazing! They have a variety of meatless products that are amazing as well! (Especially Orange Chicken..YUM). I will stop there if I know we are going have more then 4 dinners at home during the week and my Hello Fresh meals won’t cover it.
Aldi’s - What can I say, Aldi’s is amazing. Great eclectic selection, high quality products, low prices and no plastic bags!! Produce, lunch and breakfast staples, salad and sandwich makings, eggs, almond milk, frozen veggies, pasta, butter, oil…ohh and wine, that sweet sweet wine.
Hy-Vee - I know this is a really Midwestern store but any of your Walmart’s will have these products as well. Lots of name brand items, coffee, and any and all of my go to favorites.
