Going more vegetarian and keeping it interesting

This post was inspired by my friend Trudy who messaged me a few weeks ago (sorry so late Truds) saying that meat is being eliminated from her diet and she wants to know how to keep it interesting. I applaud her for taking this initiative for her and her family. So I have given it some thought and here is what I put together.

*Don't be afraid to experiment (my friend told me she tried currying chick peas also known as garbanzo beans) and this is exactly what I mean. Like curry+like chick peas experiment! Bring together a medley of vegetables and legumes (beans, beans, lentils) season to taste and dinner is served.
*If you are weaning yourself off of meat then you can always reduce the amount of meat used in the recipe and add some of your favorite legumes. Lentils and peas e.g. gungo are great for this. Lentils will maintain the meatiness and add its own unique depth to the flavors.
*Herbs&Spices are now your best friend thyme, cloves, pimento, scotch bonnet, garlic, allspice, nutmeg, are just a few sure to make any vegetarian or vegan dish leave you wanting more. Back to the experimenting jerk seasoning maybe added to your baked in the oven veggies too.
*Turn some of your fave meat dishes vegetarian some ones that come to mind are stewpeas, brownstew, escovitch and rundown substitute the meat, poultry or fish with broad bean, red peas,gungo are just some ideas. Whatever dishes you enjoy substitute legumes, peas, beans or lentils for the meat and you will be 'good to go'
*Make grocery shopping however often you go an adventure. Pick one new fruit or veggie to add to your menu. A new spice or herb may also be something you want to try.

Websites are also there to help you if you need some inspiration- allrecipes.com, eatingwell.com and foodbuzz.com are some I utilize. The meatless Monday website is also chock full of meatless meal ideas. I hope these tips are helpful and feel free to send your questions and or concerns at anytime! This was a great question. Thank you.

I will do another posts focusing more on fruits and another on combinations of grains and peas and bean that can be used to meet nutrient needs for the the next installment of going vegetarian or vegan.

di june plum

A little acid

Hello Today,

Lemons and Limes add flavor and they are also great for slowing down the browning that results from the oxidation on fruit and vegetables, during preparation. Add a little of the juice from these bright citrus fruits to apples, bananas, avocados to keep them looking fresh and appealing to the eye. So add a little citrus when you need a quick color keeper with a pop of flavor and enjoy. Check out this really great chunky guacamole it really is easy and delicious .

di june plum

Fibre/Fiber

No matter how we spell it we should be eating more of it. Yesterday I had a look at what happens to a colon when the fibre/fiber intake is not what it should be and it motivated me to write this post. Here are some ways we can increase our consumption of this essential nutrient. Fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains are a great place to start. Let's eat the fruit instead of drinking the juice, keep it interesting many of the vegetables we eat cooked can be eaten raw (broccoli, green beans/string beans, cauliflower, zucchini). Mix it up more color is great reds, purples, greens, yellows, whites, oranges your imagination is the limit. Get out of the 'rut' maybe it has always been lettuce, tomatoes, sweet peas and carrots there is so much more to chose from make an effort to look for one new fruit or a new vegetable every grocery day it may surprise you what you find). Legumes are also a group of foods that can add character to some dishes you may have been cooking for years. I just recently tasted and fell in love with black eye peas now I even cook them. You can eliminate meat/reduce the amount of meat used in some dishes and add peas and or beans there is also a wonderful variety there to chose form as well. So lets start today your colon will thank you later!

A great tool to check out is Meatless Mondays a Worldwide movement started to encourage us to eliminate meat form out diets one day per week. Check out the website here.

What happens when the environment changes?

So for a few weeks I am out of town. And away for my exercise crew, so what does that mean? I have been trying for a few days to get up and go out and run but I have not and I blame it on the heat! So instead f going in the evening it was suggested that I do a morning workout because it would be cooler. So in the morning I am going to have another go. Really cannot make too much time pass between so I will come back tomorrow and let you know how long of a distance I walked/ran because it is going to happen! On the nutrition front I am drinking lots of water and eating plenty of summer fruit mangoes, plums and such keeping hydrated!!!! Have some more info but I m going to do it in another post! Talk to you in a bit!

fruit & juices
di june plum!

A SPriTz of LeMon!

A friend prepared a wonderful meal of stir fried veggies, garbanzo beans and cous cous yesterday and to top it all off before serving she added a spritz of fresh lemon juice and I thought it added a nice tartness with a pop of flavor! If added salt is not your friend when cooking try a little sqeeze of fresh lemon juice and then let me know hat you think.

di june plum

My Thoughts

Hello my family in blogosphere!

I was thinking this am as I did what has become some what of a morning exercise routine it is important to have a exercise support system and by extension of that a person or persons we are accountable to. Why do I say this? Well we have a group of four ladies who have been exercising every morning, at least most mornings. When one of us is unable to make it we have to call and check in and the onus is on us to get back soon no slacking allowed unless there is a good reason! And it just dawned on me recently that this really has kept me on a regular schedule to keeping my heart healthy and my muscles strong! So I encourage you unless you are great on going solo I say get one or two friends and make this your support;

1. keep each other accountable
2. check in for the plan for the am is exercise on or off ?
3. keep the schedule fresh each member of the group may have different exercise routine interests (you never know what you will learn and what muscles will get a work out)
4. Remember exercise is important for everything from keeping you regular to making your mind and body strong

One love,

The june plum!