Vegetarian/Vegan and DH's Who Aren't

D

dogs2birds

Cathlete
When I met DH, I had been a vegan for over 2 years. Slowly but surely I started eating animal products again (moving from Los Angeles to Wyoming right after we married probably didn't help!). We've been married 13.5 years and I'm considering at least going vegetarian again. I get migraines and seem to have a pretty sensitive stomach anymore so figured this might help. Plus there's the whole animal-lover part of it - which is why I did it in the first place (after reading Diet for a New America - SO SAD).

My question is if you are a vegetarian or vegan and your DH is not, how does this work out for you? Is it really difficult? I just ordered the Vegan Planet cookbook and Everyday Cooking with Dr. Dean Ornish after doing a search here for vegetarian cookbooks. :) I'm hoping that there will be some awesome recipes that DH will eat. I'm not a super great cook anyway, so it's not like he'll be missing any great meals we have now. :p I do know that he'll still want meat, so I'll have to figure something out IF I decide to change.

Thanks!

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
Hi Suz! My DH was Vegan when we started, but not now. I love Vegan Planet!!! I am still Vegan and he is when we cook my dinners....He kinda does his own thing and I do Vegan most of the time. Vegetarian when I might not know what I am eating. It is ethics for me, I hate the way animals are killed and injected with growth hormones & antibiotics. I think the whole population is suffering from this...So, let him eat meat, and you eat what you want....trust me..it will work..:)
 
Hi there,

I have been married 20yrs. and have 2 kids living at home (14&18 yrs of age). I have always loved eating and cooking whole foods, but didn't consider going vegetarian until about 4yrs ago. The vegetarian lifestyle was not difficult for me to maintain because I still ate cheese and eggs. It became apparent over time that my stomach could not handle dairy any longer and a couple of months ago went vegan.

It's funny, I don't really find it difficult to maintain my diet while DH and the kids eat meat. The bottome line: We all enjoy meatless meals and soy products...so over time my family has become open to vegetarian/vegan meals. My kids and hubby like good whole food. They also love a good burger and cheese pizza here and there. I make sure that the animal foods I buy are the highest quality I can afford. For the most part as a family we eat meatless together 4-5 times a week. The vegan meals I prepare for myself often become side dishes for their meat meals. My veganism is not an issue for them and their meat eating is not an issue for me.

I would say simply cook the foods you enjoy along with foods he enjoys and you might find that over time he doesn't mind eating meatless meals.
Good Luck~deb
 
Hey There Carole!

I want to thank you again for your help and encouragent concerning my vegan diet. BOY, do I feel allot better. I dropped 7 pounds without even trying and my stomach problems have dissapeared. I just received Vegan planet from amazon the other day and have yet to try any of the recipes...and can't wait.

deb
 
>Hey There Carole!
>
>I want to thank you again for your help and encouragent
>concerning my vegan diet. BOY, do I feel allot better. I
>dropped 7 pounds without even trying and my stomach problems
>have dissapeared. I just received Vegan planet from amazon the
>other day and have yet to try any of the recipes...and can't
>wait.
>
> deb
Thanks Deb....you are a sweetie....I really like the Vegan Planet....I'f be happy to help with any recipes...:)
 
Suz--
I starting eating Vegan after dropping dairy to address migraines -- it was a big help.

I am now Vegan-- my DH isn't, but it works. As a family, we eat less animal products overall, since I do most of the cooking. But it isn't a source of tension.

I have Vegan Planet and love it. (Carole inspired me to go from dairy-free to total Vegan)
I also like Vegan with a Vengeance..

Strategy-wise: if your DH wants meet, you can do something simple like grill chicken and store it in a container and add it to the carb portion of your vegan entree. I did that last weekend when we had guests: a big salad bar with a lot of options from vegan and non vegans.

Good luck!
-Barb:) :) :)
 
My family is mixed. I'm vegetarian along with two of my kids. My DH and the other two kids are not (I think my youngest will end up being a vegetarian). We have meatless meals most nights and on other nights I prepare two entrees. It's a hassle, but our family has been like this forever so I'm used to it.

Erica
 
Hi-
I just wanted to add to the replies above. Like Barb, mu family eats anything. My only animal products are seafood and occaisionally dessert of unknown origins.

Often I will make my family a simple animal proten like a roast chicken or pork tenderloin. They will eat my main dish as a side too, like whole wheat pasta with veggies. I have done stir frys with many veggies, pork or chickn for them and tofu for me.

The vegan Planet book is one I use too. The black beans and rice are really good. My cuban in-laws really lik them. When they visit, I make them por roast, and the beans and rice on the side.

Judy "Likes2bfit"


If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.



http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce27b3127cce94279e1404fa00000016108AatHLZo3buN

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=9978144&uid=4817615&members=1
 
So really it sounds pretty doable. I'm sure if the meals were good, DH would eat that way most of the time. But I certainly wouldn't try to keep him from eating what he wants. But for simplicity, he would probably be willing to eat what I make most of the time - as long as it tastes good.

I was thinking more vegetarian for now, but it just hit me that I don't do dairy anyway b/c I was trying to figure out if the lactose was making me sick. So I guess I've already got that part figured out. I just have a really hard time with what to do for protein (when I was vegan in my 20's I didn't worry as much about it). I used to have cottage cheese and yogurt almost every morning for a mid-morning meal. I've had a terrible time trying to figure out what to do instead. I'm not that creative. And I'm trying not to eat too many nuts b/c of migraines. Sheeesh - I sound like a mess. I'm really not. I'm really a pretty healthy person. :) I also do cut up chicken breasts in my salads at lunch. What kind of protein replacement can I do there? I'm not against tofu. Ultimately I would LOVE to go vegan again if I can figure it all out.

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
>I just have a really hard time with
>what to do for protein (when I was vegan in my 20's I didn't
>worry as much about it).


I'm a lazy breakfaster, so I just go with a smoothie made with hemp protein powder (or "Vega" meal replacement), frozen fruit, maca (unless I use the "Vega,' which contains it), flax meal (already in Vega).

Beans, seitan, tempeh and tofu are easy protein fixes. Nuts are fair sources of protein, but a better source of fat (good fats, if they are consumed raw, preferably soaked, rinsed and redried).

YOu can also go with meat analogs, which are usually high in protein. I personally don't eat them much anymore, because I feel our bodies don't absorb the nutrients from unrecognizable, processed foods as well as from foods in their natural state.

Spreads/patés/dips made with garbanzos or lentils or black beans make good wraps.

I would find it impossible to prepare non-vegan foods for others, especially dealing with meat and other dead animal carcasses (my cats are the exception, but even there, I can't do wet food).

I know some couples where the vegan/veggie will fix meals according to his/her preferences, and anyone who wants to eat meat, etc. either fixes their own dish, or fixes some to add to what is prepared by the other person (something like a stirfry would work well here: add seitan/tofu/tempeh to the vegan's portion, and whatever meat to the non-vegan portion).
 
Hmmm. For your salads you might try beans (chickpeas or black beans are my favorites) or "baked tofu"... which already has a marinade flavor baked into it when you buy it.

I am vegetarian, and my husband is not. It's never been a problem. If I am cooking, he eats what I cook, and sometimes adds a little chicken. If he cooks, we have lots of vegetarian "substitutes" around: tempeh (he will treat it the same way he treats a chicken breast or steak, and it comes out great), beans, tofu, portabella mushrooms (to replace burgers), soy sausages, etc.

From the rave reviews here, I think I will look into Vegan Planet!

I love to cook with seasonal ingrediants (peaches in summer, apples in fall, etc.), and have also enjoyed Nava Atlas' Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons, and a subscription to Vegetarian Times.
 
>Does being vegan mean no chocolate - no real chocolate?
>
No dairy chocolate (milk chocolate), but there are a lot of dark chocolates, and light chocolates that use soy or another 'milk' instead of dairy milk.

Check out the chocolate collection here: www.veganessentials.com or here : www.veganstore.com .
 
I have the Nava Atlas Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons and like it a lot, too. Ditto on the subscription to Veg. Times.

Good luck figuring this out, Suz.
It think using legumes for protein is a great, simple way to start.

I avoided nuts for awhile due to migraines, but have added them back -- as I got a great results in terms of headaches from dropping dairy. However, I do better with almonds than walnuts -- so who knows? I relate to your feeling of "i'm really healthy..but these headaches.."

i have experimented a lot with eliminating food and adding it back, so I have a good idea of what things trigger headaches (and fatigue) for me.

I am nowhere near as knowledgeable on how to do this as Kathryn, Carole & others.

Ideas for Simple dishes you can make for a whole family to accommodate some members who are veg/vegan or no
1. All vegan-chili as main dish -- you can cook an animal protein on side to add to it for DH
2. Whole wheat pasta -- ditto on toppings -- a mixture of vegan and option for animal protein
3. Whole-wheat pizza or focaccia -- ditto on toppings/Same idea with whole grain or sprouted grain lavash or wraps/
4. Rice-stir fry (like Judy said) a great family meal option..
5. Burger night: homemade veggie burger for vegans/animal-protein-type burger for DH -- and toppings for all to share...

Good luck!
-Barb
:) :) :)
 
Thanks you guys for all of the great ideas! I'm liking the already-flavored tofu idea. Things have come a long way since I was a vegan 15 years ago. :)

Have any of you tried the Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker cookbook? It's by the same author as Vegan Planet. I also think I'll see if my library has a copy of Mad Cowboy. If a rancher from Montana can do it, certainly a city gal in Wyoming can do it!

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
What a great topic Suz!!!! I will definately check out Vegan Planet.
Also, I think it's time for an update on your Gizmo, I haven't seen anything lately!!!

I'm a veg head but I eat seafood and dairy, no chix or meat perse for 21 years now. But, I can't go without my dairy.

I just married last year and became stepmom to 2 boys...14 and 16, between the three boys (DH as well) I had to learn to cook meat.

So far so good...no complaints as long as you don't mind touching it. That is my biggest problem...I feel like a freak having to wash everything that comes in contact with meat!!! Once I touch it I am fanatical down to the pump I pump the handsoap out of.

WE have adapted quite well, In fact it's fun now to make chile, or pasta and when the meal is over telling everyone they just ate soy or tofu or tempeh. They would have never known and for boys that snub everything they now don't.

For me dinner usually consists of salad with protein, salmon, cheese, tuna or soy. So my dinner takes about 5 minutes while their's takes about 30-40 minutes to make, that is the biggest difference for me.
I've also tried that tofu that Kathryn speaks of and it's great. Tofu can absorb just about any taste.

Good luck and give us an update on Gizmo!!

Amber
 
Thanks Amber. Yup, I'm pretty excited to get my copy of Vegan Planet - hopefully this week! Wow, you really have a challenge with all that testosterone in the house. :) But it sounds like it's working. I'm thinking that DH will like more of the stuff I make than he thinks, as long as I don't tell him what it is until after. He obviously wants me to do whatever I feel I need to do for my health, so that's good. At least he's not fighting me. I have noticed lately that I don't particularly like the smell of meat when I'm cooking it. Maybe my body is just ready.

As a side benefit, I was SKINNY when I was a vegan. Of course I was quite younger too. :p But I do know that as a vegetarian you can still pig out quite easily, so I'm sure it was more an age thing with me.

I need to get some updated pictures of Gizmo, although he looks the same. He is SUCH a great dog! He's just adorable and he listens so well. I don't think they make 'em much cuter than Gizmo. His jaw is all better and now he just has that tongue that hangs out all the time. I guess that's because there are no teeth over there to hold it in. His tongue never comes straight out but comes out sideways. He's so cute. :) Thanks for asking about him. As soon as I get pics I'll do an update.

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
Okay - another question. My this is more difficult as someone in their mid-40's than when I was in my mid-20's!

What do you say to the naysayers about being a vegetarian or *gasp* a vegan? I was talking with a friend/co-worker and her immediate response was "Don't become a vegetarian. People need to eat meat. It's not healthy. I crave meat. And if you're doing it to lose weight, you're already thin enough and if you lose any more you'll be too skinny." I told her that it had nothing to do with weight loss but it was for my health and my migraines and stomach issues and that I would definitely not be too skinny if I lost more weight (as if!). She said it wouldn't make a difference with migraines or stomach issues and she just couldn't live without meat. I told her she didn't have to become a vegetarian but she also didn't need to tell me not to do it. We agreed to disagree. : )

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
I liked your response to her... basically, "Don't try to convert me and I won't try to convert you!" Perfect!
 
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