I've been toying with the idea of going vegetarian. Not for the normal reasons of animal cruelty, but because of the price of organic meat and my own health. But I had a couple of questions about vegetarianism and how it would fit in my life... First of all, I was diagnosed anemic. What foods can I eat to help me maintain a good iron level? And second of all, is there any way on earth to make tofu less mushy and more crunchy? I love crunchy things. And....What restaurants do you think serve vegetarians the best? As I love eating out....
Im not to sure about the anemic thing sorry. But beans are usually the best route if your not into tofu. Im not a fan of tofu but I have picked up a few tricks being a vegan ...you can make tofu "cream chesse" and its really good. You kind of just have to live and learn. I went to a food court where their was this japanies style food and ordered the tofu rice thing. They made the tofu pretty crunchy by frying it and putting water around it to help the process. (it was like a large grill) But buying a vegitarian cook book would probley help you best. Go to your local bookstore and look through the books....don't try books that seem tricky and the dishes are hard to make ...its really frusterating. Moose Jaw cook book is a good one I am told. The dishes are easy and they taste great. Oh and as far as resturants....Thia food is the best for vegitarian/vegan. Good luck.
read the faq for the basics and a selectuion of good Web sites, and also the good sites thread. they are stickied for easy finding. And look into the MooseWOOD cookbook series. Iron is one of the elements you kind of have to have a list in your head for, esp if female. lentils (dhal at Indian restaurants is a good way to start eating them) are high in iron. as for restaurants whereabouts is YOUR emerald city?
i am anemic but i get shots for it, if you can i'd get some you have to get em like once a month they are a bitch but help, or there are pills that you can take regularly.. nuts seeds are high in protein and eggs as well, and dark green vegetables are high in iron, but getting iron from plants is rather difficult that's why looking into shots would be a good idea... and there are different kinds of tofu, look for a firmer one but it's not gonna be crunchy... and i have no idea about eating out, taco bell has some good veggie stuff and you can ask then to replace the meat with beans and alot of buger places have veggie burgers.. but if your main reason for becoming veggie is to save money making your own stuff is definitely cheaper...
I make my own food...But I prefer to eat only organic foods, and organic veggies and veggie products are much cheaper than veggie meat, in comparison to non-organic.
That's not a problem at all. I am a vegan with anaemia and I get by fine with spinach, watercress etc. You don't need meat to be healthy! Good luck. <3
Seattle should have some good places to give you a night out here and there. http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/washington/seattle/ start there.
Hey HippieFreak, you and I are certainly thinking in the same lines these days. I am also thinking about going veggie again. I was many years ago for a few years and then gradually started eating meat again. We're about the same size and have many similar health issues. Although you are a lot younger than I am. Making the switch now will probably save you a lot of the problems I have now. My life and health problems is what you have to look forward to in 30 years if you don't take charge now. (Please don't take offense. I just want to save someone else from what I'm dealing with.) I really want to get off the meds and lose some weight so I'll be around for Dakota for a long time. For some really good vegan food check out Beyond the Edge. I think that's the right name. It's a tiny place next door to Over the Edge Bookstore. At least it was there when I left Seattle nine years ago. They make the best vegan chili. I still make that chili all the time. I love it. Anyway, back then it was owned by a lesbian couple who were very much into S& M and vegan eating. I know, the two don't seem to go along with each other. But they were great women. They used to cater a lot of gay and pagan events in the area. I can't remember where exactly but it was up the hill from the Market. Old Town Market or something like that. You know what I mean, it's the big outdoor market that Seattle is famous for. Like I said it's been a long time. Anyway, take care on your new journey. I hope we both find that it answers a lot of our health needs. Give Moire a big hug for me. Kathi
Hi, Plant foods contain non-heme iron which is supposed to be harder to absorb than heme iron from animal sources. However, this being said, when I was an omni last year my blood test showed I was anemic, even though I had been eating red meat 3-4 times a week, so I don't know how sound this theory is. I went on supplements for about 3 months so I could build up my iron quickly, and I became veggie and started eating waay better. My next blood test my doc said my iron levels were great. Iron-rich foods include beans, lentils, blackstrap molasses (good on porridge), dried fruit, whole grains, and fortified foods like cereal, marmite (yum), and some soymilks. Combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C is said to increase iron absorbtion, and things like peppers, kiwis, and broccoli have lots. As for tofu, make sure you get extra firm, press it to make sure you get all the moisture out of it (wrap it in a clean tea towel and put it under something heavy, like some plates, for an hour hour so), then cut it into cubes, and fry it in soy sauce till it gets nice and brown and crispy.
