Kathryn- Vegan info please...

S

smoogy

Cathlete
I would like to know if you recommend any good starter cookbooks for vegetarians or vegans. I would really like to eliminate animal products from my diet but I need more info on how to do it. Not WHY but HOW. I would like recipes that would not make me feel guilty because they are full of fat or sugar to taste better. However, I am not picky. I love all kinds of veggies & grains. I just feel guilty that the only reason I still eat meat is for protein/muscle building/selfish reasons.

If this is not too much to ask, I'd appreciate it when you have the time. Also, what would be a sample day's diet for you?

Thanks,
Marla
 
Hi Marla,
I'm not Kathryn, but I've been a vegetarian my entire life, so I'll just suggest a few things. The Vegetarian Times (there are bigger and much smaller versions of this, so make sure you get the lonest ones) is very good. It has a huge variety and tells you soups, baked goods, desserts, vegetable main dishes, vegetable sides, salads, you name it. It also has helpful definitions in the front, diet tips, and interesting tips throughout to get you familiar with some products you might not be familiar with. It is also constructed with an eye towards keeping down too much sugar, fat, sodium, etc. A more gourmet vegetarin cookbook are those by Mollie Katzen, Vegetable Heaven is the one I have. You might also want to read some reviews on Amazon.com and pick up some used copies from there on on half.com
Hope this helps, and happy cooking
Mattea:9
I forgot to add that both of these websites are great resources
www.veganfusion.com
www.thekrishnastore.com
along with: The Everything Vegetarian Cookbook: 300 Healthy Recipes Everyone Will Enjoy (Everything Series) by Jay Weinstein
which my brother has really like b/c his family aren't all vegetarians
 
Two fun favorites are:

How it All Vegan and The Garden of Vegan cookbooks by Sarah Kramer, Tanya Barnard. Available at Amazon.com. Really easy and delicious recipes. I think they are very good to get started.
 
Hi Marla,

I've been a vegetarian for 10 years, and I've dabbled in veganism a few times (I just can't help my infatuation with cheese and ice cream). Anyways, I agree with what was already mentioned. There's a great book by Vegetarian Times called "The Beginners Guide to Vegetrianism". Not only does it explain a lot about the veggie diet and lifestyle, but has recipes too. I have Mollie Katzen's "The Moosewood Cookbook". I wouldn't give that up FOR THE WORLD! It has the best pizza dough in it. Also, she has sandwich fillers and pastas that are out of this world! Also, search the web. There are a ton of bulletin boards and websites devoted to veggie-ism. PETA's website has a lot of good links.

I'd just like to point out that a common misconception is that you need serious amounts of protein daily. Honestly, you only need about a handful a day. Most of the time the amount of cheese and other dairy products eaten in one day by a veggie is about enough of your recommended daily protein intake. You should definitely supplement your diet, though, with lots of dark greens, beans, and tofu. Also, excessive protein intake has been linked to rapid bone density loss (i.e. osteoporosis) in women.

I hope I've helped a little bit. Welcome to the family! Going veggie was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I'm a big Cathe and weight lifting fan. My protein intake must be okay because my muscles don't seem to be suffering any!

Good luck!

D.B.
 
Hi, Marla!
Here's a link to a recent thread where I and others have given examples of daily vegan/vegetarian diets: http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?..._id=103745&mesg_id=103745&listing_type=search

As for cookbooks, there are a lot of good ones. I'll look through my collection (I don't use cookbooks much anymore, except when making cakes, etc.: an EXCELLENT cookbook for vegan cakes and pastries, etc, is "Simple Treats", available at www.veganessentials.com ) and come back with some titles later.
 
Here are some more recipe suggestions:
The Everyday Vegan (fast recipes)
THe Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook (lots of recipes for imitation cheeses that taste really good--most store-bought versions are pretty yucky, IMO).
A classic, that is rather 70's flavored (some recipes higher in fat and very "solid") but with good info on tempeh and seitan (with recipes on how to make) and some good basic recipes: The Farm Vegetarian Cookbook.

You can also find free recipes at www.vegetariantimes.com and www.vegsource.com .

On-line resources for vegan cookbooks and supplies: www.veganessentials.com , www.veganstore.com .
 
Kathryn- thanks so much for your input along with everyone else. I am going to the book store tomorrow & then shopping Monday for groceries since I'm off. Tonight, I ate rice & bean burritos, probably not the healthiest, but, what the heck.

I forgot there had been a thread not too long ago about this topic. I guess I forgot to suscribe to it & never followed up on it. I do appreciate all of you for your replies & plan to experiment with new recipes this weekend.

Marla
 
Tonight, I ate rice & bean
>burritos, probably not the healthiest, but, what the heck.
>

On the contrary, they can be very healthy if prepared the right way. Black beans are very nutritious; brown rice is a good carb source, whole wheat tortillas (or those that have added soy flour for more protein)aren't bad. And you can add some nutient-dense veggies.
 
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