Mexican Yum Yum

Alright, I need to work on my recipe titles - understood. I'll take suggestions for a name...and we'll split the proceeds.

Here's the ingredient list: 

• organic short-grain brown rice, 
• 2 cans of organic diced tomatoes with garlic and oregano, 
• lettuce (sliced in really thin slivers), 
• any fake cheese (if you're vegan), 
• chili powder, 
• thyme, 
• salt, 
• cayenne pepper, 
• cumin, 
• coriander (if you have it).

Easy Peasy...

Pour the two cans of tomatoes (with juice) into a pot on HI heat. Then use the same two cans and fill them up with the brown rice (We are a family of five and I don't do measurements so you'll have to use some gestimations if you want to alter the servings). Pour the brown rice into the pot.

Fill the cans up with water...into the pot. Then add a tablespoon of chili powder (there abouts). A solid pinch of thyme, cayenne pepper, cumin, and a touch of coriander. Salt and pepper. Stir. Turn the heat down to just below medium (once the water starts boiling). Put on the lid and simmer for 50 minutes.

It should be a little more juicy than normal rice when it's done cooking. Spoon it to a bowl, sprinkle the fake cheese on top and then a little lettuce slivers - OH, YUM!

I made it up! Very good,  if I do say so myself.

I'm working up the courage for my next post...


    

WWSFD?

My first job - that required a tax form - was with Jerry's Subs and Pizza. I was fifteen and my parents filled out a work permit for me. My station was the pizza prep area - though other duties included washing dishes, wiping tables, sweeping, taking out the trash, refilling the drink station with ice...I preferred to be in the back because I didn't like to be seen wearing my Jerry's hat. After I was there a while I got to fill in on the grill. That was fun, I liked to use the two long spatulas to slice and dice the steak strips on the grill and mix them with the onions and green peppers for Philly cheese steak subs. The whole process seemed faster - more impressive - and somewhat theatrical...compared to docking the pizza dough and sprinkling on toppings. 

I met my first real-life vegetarian at Jerry's. Now that I think of it, yuck. What a job for a vegetarian. Pepperoni - everywhere, sausage crumbles, bacon bits, meat subs....She was several years older and therefore an object of - I confess - admiration and a bit of infatuation. I forget her name though. Really, I promise. She was a little bit of what became my stereotypical view of vegetarians. (The term vegan really hadn't hit the popular culture scene yet) She was an animal rights activist - I"m not sure how active she was, but that was how she described herself. I only remember two moments with the girl. One was when we were robbed by gun point after coming in the back door from taking out the trash (that's not really applicable at the moment so I'll leave the rest of the story for another time), and the other was when she was telling me about her thoughts on animal rights.

Even this second moment is very foggy as I try to pull it from my memory banks. The main thing I remember was my impression that the girl's position was illogical. I couldn't understand how she could compare the life of an animal with the life of a human. That's where she lost me and that's where I dug the ditch that separated me from vegetarians. I began associating all animal rights proponents and vegetarians with a belief system that I found to be illogical. I mean, just the thought that a dead dog on the side of the road - hit by a car or a dead human on the side of the road would generate similar emotions and reactions is up-surd, mystifying, and a tad bit disturbing, to say the least. Suffice it to say, my thought process (at the age of fifteen - and subsequently, I never revisited the issue) went...vegetarians are animal rights people, and animal rights people are fruit loops.

There are all sorts of other influences that have either deepened this stereotype or added another layer of nuance. I share the Church's teaching regarding the sanctity of human life and when I see our nation fund and support the degradation of human life while campaigns are in full swing to protect endangered species or rally my emotions for the cute and cuddly - it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. What ends up happening is I react in opposition... This is a flaw. It's just as illogical. 

So, I'm reading one of the several "Vegetarian Starter Kits" I received in the mail/ online. This one was put out by Mercy for Animals. It's got thirty-one pages of "recipes, tips, and info". Half of it covers cruelty to animals and how "factory farming" is bad for the planet and fosters unethical treatment of animals. Two pages tell about the health benefits of vegan eating and the rest are recipes. 

As I read the first fifteen pages - which are filled with some gruesome photos and tons of referenced sources - two things happen. First, I can't help but make note of the humanizing terminology meant to muster up deep pity and guilt over the mistreatment of animals - I've eaten and therefore condoned their abuse and suffering. I also can't help but notice quotes like: "According to animal behaviorist, Dr. Chris Evans, chickens are as smart as mammals, including some primates. He explains that chickens are able to understand that recently hidden objects still exist, which is beyond the capacity of small children." or this one, "Pigs have the cognitive ability to be quite sophisticated. Even more so than dogs and certainly [more so than] three-year-olds, says Dr. Donald Broom, Cambridge University". My alert goes up. What are they saying? I ask. Here they go again. A chicken deserves the same level of care and devotion and love....as my two-year-old child? They are out of their mind. Are they raising pigs up to the level of humans or are they lowering humans to the level of pigs?...on and on it goes. Then, I pause. 

Ok, I don't have any idea if those two doctors meant to imply these things or if there are animal rights activists or vegetarians out there with such a perverse trail of logic...but what I do know is that if buying meat in the grocery store required me to walk through the front door of a factory farm down it's aisles to the conveyor belt past the tanks and the hooks through to the packaging area to select my purchase...I'd walk out empty handed and feeling more than a bit nauseous. I can't think of anyone I know who would condone hurting an animal on purpose and without some cause - like protection or something. And in my little bit of time as a vegetarian and looking up information I can't see any examples of factory farming being humane to their product line - in their defense, they wouldn't be able to stay in business if they were. So, I've been faced with a conundrum recently. I've begun to question my preconceived ideas and conclusions...I certainly started this process with no moral or ethical reasonings...it was more of a lark really - a few health reasons maybe....but...I haven't fully ruminated - digested - processed...but I am fairly certain what St. Francis would do.   

      

John Keats was a Vegetarian...

5 days down...in three and a half hours. Today, I saw an Arby's. I pulled in and parked. I even entered and used the restroom. But, I'll have you know - I did not partake. It was a success for me - both because I am a long-time lover of their roast beef sandwiches and also because, on day 5, I did get a hunkerin' for something meaty.

Day three and four was easy peasy - as my kids say. I had no desire for meat. It wasn't that I was eating the cover shots of vegetarian magazines or books. Let's see...I've been eating almonds, raw carrots, kale, whole grain brown Basmati rice and a vegetarian chilli out of a box...Whoa, buddy...make your own. Tonight, in the face of my mental image of stacked roast beef slices layered between a bun...Thanks, Arby's...I had a tomato, avocado, and kale sandwich on 12 grain whole bread.

So the cycle is going thusly:
Day 1 - Shock or adrenalin filled Grrr...
Day 2 - Headache
Day 3 - Awesome - this is the best thing ever
Day 4 - I'm so sorry for all those ignorant meat-eaters - when will they see the truth...I'm so glad...then
Day 5 - I want me some bacon!

Have you ever seen the movie Multiplicity with Micheal Keaton? -----  Look down there, at the bottom of these posts...I think I put a clip. I like bacon like 4 likes pizza.

I know Keats (not Keaton, the actor - total coincidence - Keats, the poet) was a vegetarian because he would have used a perfectly crispy piece of bacon as a muse for an ode instead of some dusty Grecian urn.

Just think bacon. It's not bad to think it - is it? ...oh, I just thought about bacon on my avocado, tomato, and kale sandwich...low and deep ohhh mmmm

A Grecian Urn (full of Bacon...)
Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,
    Thou foster-child of silence and slow time, 
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
    A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:
What leaf-fring'd legend haunt about thy shape
    Of deities or mortals, or of both,
        In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?
    What men or gods are these?  What maidens loth?
What mad pursuit?  What struggle to escape?
        What pipes and timbrels?  What wild ecstasy?
Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
    Are sweeter: therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd,
    Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:
Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
    Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
        Bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal - yet, do not grieve;
        She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
    For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!
Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed
    Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu;
And, happy melodist, unwearied,
    For ever piping songs for ever new;                                   
More happy love! more happy, happy love!
    For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,
        For ever panting, and for ever young;
All breathing human passion far above,
    That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy'd,
        A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.
Who are these coming to the sacrifice?
    To what green altar, O mysterious priest,
Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,
    And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?
What little town by river or sea shore,
    Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,
        Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?
And, little town, thy streets for evermore
    Will silent be; and not a soul to tell
        Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.
O Attic shape!  Fair attitude! with brede
    Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
    Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!
    When old age shall this generation waste,
        Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe                      
    Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," - that is all
        Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

- John Keats, vegetarian - an obvious conclusion

       

...eh'...I'm not the poster child

It's been three days. Day two I had a headache. It felt like an iron rod was slowly pushed straight through my skull between my eyebrows. Hopefully, Tylenol has no animal by-products - because I had two...or three? As I mentioned earlier - I was unable to do that grand visit to a farmer's market, maybe a gourmet natural market, and a Whole Foods that I imagined every day preceding day one. So, instead of trying out exotic vegetarian recipes and finding rare fare in out of the way places...I ate a large bag of carrots and a container of almonds during the past three days. It was more filling than it sounds, but pretty much tasted like carrots and almonds. Last night I got up around 2 AM and made that pre-mixed box of chili I bought on Sunday. I ate leftovers tonight. It wasn't bad considering.

I also tried to make those Kale chips. I'm not sure...they weren't as crunchy as I would have hoped and they were WAY TOO salty. I also found it very difficult to determine when a green leaf was done baking. What does a crunchy baked kale leaf look like? I was a bit disappointed. I had had high hopes. Jamie shared my meatless chili leftovers with me tonight in an effort to to keep us from growing apart - now that we lead two entirely separate lives.

I'm not drawn to coffee nearly as much. It's only been three days, isn't this a little soon to be having such a response?

So, as you can see, I'm pretty sure I won't be gracing the front page of Vegetarian Times any time soon.

Just keeping it steady. One foot in front of the other.Heading into day four.

I am a vegetarian! I can’t believe it! This is the most exciting…well, I’ve been looking forward to it for over a week. I had such high hopes for both my Eve induction into my new life and for my first day celebration. As the day approached, my imagination went wild. A thick steak – perfectly cut and cooked – dripping with flavor….on and on…Well, I’m broke and blah, blah, blah…I fried some chicken – which usually turns out scrumptious – not so much last night – it was gross. And my first vegetarian meal: Mac and Cheese – Lucian dumped most of the milk on the floor so it was mostly cheese powdered noodles and a few asparagus with butter. I thought better than writing out the recipe and posting it – though, it’s pretty much as stated.

I was able to get a big bag of Kale – I saw a recipe for Kale chips that looks good. You toss the leafy parts (trim the stems) around in a bowl with a little olive oil and bake them in the oven and then sprinkle them up with some seasalt. Can’t wait to try it. I got a bag of brown basmati rice – takes an hour to cook! Waiting 20 minutes for rice was always a chore for me…a whole hour? – That’s going to take planning.  And I got a pre-boxed chili mix. You add a can of beans and a can of diced tomatoes.  – I know, this whole thing sound completely pathetic. But it’s my first day! I have 363 days left. When I was checking out – you know how the cash register spits out coupons for you (I hate those – I’ve NEVER used a coupon the register spits out) – anyway, today it spit out 1.00 off coupons for Lean Cuisine…things are moving up. I’ve never had the register suggest “Healthy” choices for me! I guess it really is a new day.

My belt broke. It just snapped in two while I was dressing for church. I’m deciding it was because it was old and not for any other reason. I do feel, however, there’s some significance in the incident. Preferably something like: Don’t hold me back from achieving my potential…rather than referring to…something else.

I’m reading a vegetarian starter kit I got online from Vegetarian Times magazine. It’s a great source for inspiration for newbie’s. Dried figs. I love figs!

Vegetarian Starters:

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/

http://www.vegsochk.org/vsk.pdf

Tids and Bits on the Penultimate Day

Lucian has his first soccer game tomorrow morning. He's in the 'under 5' division - so they really don't have games - but he can't wait. I'm going to have to pull out the camcorder for this one. I can't believe I have a daughter taking ballet and a son playing soccer...


I'm not nervous at all about Sunday. The first day. In fact, I've been wanting it to hurry up and get here all week. I'm psyched about trying recipes and visiting farmer's markets and all that. Francesca says all this is boring - but I'll have to gently disagree. I'm not bored at all - yet.

I read a tagline to an article in a vegetarian magazine today, “Searching for a savory snack that’ll help get more veggies into your day?...” it continues with instructions on how to turn pureed vegetables into toppers and spreads. I was surprised at the teaser. I would have never guessed vegetarians needed help to get vegetables into their diets.

Interview with my daughter...

In the spirit of “chillin’” and “takin’ it easy” I had a heart to heart with my nearly seven-year-old daughter. I wanted her take on my upcoming venture. She was in rare form and very open with her thoughts and strong opinions. This year will not only have an impact on me, but in one way or another the rest of my family.

What do you think a vegetarian is?

                    Somebody that mostly eats plants. Sometimes they may eat dairy – milk and creamer.

Do you think being a vegetarian sounds like a good idea?

                    No. It just sounds boring. I think it’s horrible. It’s horrible because you don’t get to do fun stuff. Like eat yummy food like meat. Vegetarians can’t eat everything they’re given. If someone gives you something you can’t eat, you have to say no. That’s rude. Why are you doing a blog anyway? Is it a vegetarian blog? Then it must be boring. I don’t think I’d want to read a boring vegetarian blog.

Do you think vegetarian eating is healthy?

                    A little. Well, I think it’s very healthy but not very yummy.

Do you think you would like any vegetarian food?

                    Well, yeah, tons of things I like that aren’t meat – but I like meat.

Do you think daddy will change?

                    No. Dr. Dolittle didn’t.

Do you think anything around the house will change?

                    A little. Different food around the house. You’ll be buying a lot more vegetables. Maybe I’ll try a few. I’ll just give it a taste, and if I like it, I’ll eat it.

What is meat, anyway?

                    Um, Chicken. Hmm. Beef, Lamb. Hamburger Meat. Pig is my favorite farm animal. To look at and to eat. I don’t like that people have to kill them, but they taste yummy.

Why do you think daddy wants to be a vegetarian?

                    Because you don’t like eating meat.

What do you think about daddy keep a blog?

                    Blogs are for people that have a store or something. Like toys.

You don’t have to have a store to have a blog.

Ok, I just think your blog is different and weird that you have it.

And her final comments:

                    I don’t like vegetarian food. And I don’t like interviews. I don’t think you’ll be able to do it because you can’t keep your hands off yummy food. 

Touching, I know. 

     

"Simplicity is the nature of great souls"

We took a family walk last night and sort of walked around outside tonight. It was a little more activity than normal so I’m going to give myself a thumb up. My meat eating is dwindling already. With only four days left, I thought I’d be binging in these last few days – but I’m really not craving anything.

                    I got some good advice from a new friend I met on vegpeople.com. I’ll paraphrase, “Chill” - I was bugging out over whether I have what it takes to maintain the regimen of a daily vegetarian. I pictured myself waking up before Donald (our Rooster) and spending an extra hour or so in the kitchen preparing an assortment of vegetarian munchies to snack on throughout the day. I’d also prepare my main lunch entrée which may or may not need cooked. There I was, in my mind’s eye chopping and slicing; cutting and spreading; pureeing and sautéing…might be fun for a ...week? I panicked. Fringy, came to the rescue. “Don’t worry. Keep it simple. You know, if you don’t want to spend an hour each morning…you don’t have to.” Huh, I said to myself. That’s a thought.

                    I do this all the time. Jamie’s always telling me (after we get some sort of good news) “Can’t you just be happy for a minute?” Instead, I’m thinking what needs to be done for us to deserve the ‘good news’ and maintain the ‘good news’ – whatever it might be. “Chill. Don’t worry. Keep it simple.” Hmm. This may not sound like much to most people out there, (all my five followers) but it strikes a cord with me. And it also seems a natural slogan for those living the vegetarian lifestyle. There’s a certain vibe when you pursue vegetarian websites, blogs, periodicals, books…Maybe I’ll use it like a mantra for a while.

Chill. Don’t worry. Keep it simple.

                    Even more important than the advice…my perception of humanity has improved. I have met many thoughtful, passionate, and helpful people in my recent experience with online communities. All of these strangers have offered me encouragement, advice, and stories of their own experiences. Strangers. I always was told to stay away from strangers – they’re strange, after all – and up to no good. Most strangers could be your friend. Probably not what I’ll teach my kids…

                                                                                                                                                                            


      

Toucan Sam – My Proud Mascot

Five more days

There is more to be addressed than what I’m going to remove from my diet. I have very poor eating habits that must be changed. I routinely go all day with only multiple cups of coffee (cream & sugar) interspersed with glasses of water (I’ll take kudos points for that). I’ll end the day with whatever I lay hold of and a bowl of ice cream. Several years ago I was smacked across the head with a weight count of 200 pounds. Before stepping on the scale I had dreams of my marriage weigh of 176. I had gained 25 pounds of fat. I quickly changed my eating habits. I didn’t count calories and I really didn’t try to eliminate anything. In fact, I ate much more.

I got a lunchbox – something I hadn’t had since I was in grade school. I spent a great deal of time in the morning preparing small plastic containers and zip-lock baggies with small handfuls and scoops of a variety of things: nuts, fruit, carrots, rice, ham sandwich, celery, raisins, grapes, peanut butter crackers, baked sweet potato…whatever. I would stuff my lunchbox to capacity. Then, I’d eat…all day long. It seemed like I never stopped eating. I didn’t apply any extra effort to exercise or do anything else. I just ate. In two months I had lost 20 pounds.

If you are what you eat, I am amazed I get up in the morning and accomplish anything considering how I’m starving my body. I think this behavioral change is going to pack the most whop to my system – at least initially.

What’s included in such a change? That’s the question. Is it simply fortitude? My downfall the last time was laziness. I just got tired of spending that extra time in the morning in the kitchen making a boatload of food and washing out all the little containers when I got home to reuse the next day. Before I knew it…I had reverted back. And now? The stats are in. I weighed in last night. I have put on those 20 pounds I lost and just for kicks and giggles added an additional 10. Writing it down makes me nauseous.

Jamie took some before shots for the blog but has not sent them to me yet. This can’t be a good sign. She must be protecting me from myself.

While I’m not setting about this challenge as an effort to lose weight – I want to document and journal all aspects that occur along the way. So…my fatness is what it is – can’t ignore it any longer.

My daughter suggested last night we take a family walk each day. This is the same daughter who once thought my rear was peaking out of my shorts and laughed uncontrollably while I tried to convince her (she was five at the time) that it was my back and it only had to do with my posture at the time. While she’s not totally on board with my plan – I think mainly because she fears it’s going to affect her meal choices – her suggestion is a good one.

Pattern. Routine. Habit. Consistency. This is my hurdle, my nemesis, my ultimate challenge. Changing my food intake is simply an outward sign of a vast change in perception. To be vegetarian I must embrace by physical body as a being I care about and want the best for. It all sounds so…strange to me. Yet, it makes sense. I’ve been given this gift of life; I should want to treat it right. To participate actively in what goes in it to nourish it.

I used to think vegetarians were fruit loops. Funny, how things happen.

   

“An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality…”

Vegetarian living is more than the elimination of food types. I spent some time today looking at vegetarian magazines, books, and websites. One thing that immediately jumps out is the lifestyle that seems to permeate this sort of eating choice. When I read the “Letters” section of many of the magazines, the readers write about how they grow much of what they eat and how much of what they grow make it into their daily meals – if not becoming the sole source of their daily intake.

In addition, there’s also an extensive vocabulary that is imbedded in this meat-free lifestyle. Words and phrases like: environmentally responsible, sustainable, tofu, garden, snip, dehydrator, homegrown, herbs, scent, homemade, grape leaves, tabbouleh, aioli, chutney, farmer’s market, certified organic, unfiltered, gluten free, no preservatives, raw, and many more are repeatedly passing throughout information concerning vegetarianism.

Beyond the fact that the vocabulary and lifestyle seems so foreign to me, it also overwhelms me. It seems like it requires an enormous amount of time, effort, and responsibility. How does one accomplish it? There’s so much that already has to get done and rarely does a day go by when everything on the checklist has gotten crossed off. If you add chores like: till the soil, weed the garden, pick the tomatoes, clean up the dirt that was tracked in after weeding the garden, compost the bad produce, churn the compost pile, get rid of the critters (naturally, of course) that are attracted to the compost pile, snip the herbs, dehydrate your excess, visit that farmer’s market after you found that this one didn’t have what you were looking for…I need a nap before I even start my first day.

Which brings me to my next topic. Other than being hungry and too busy each day to sustain this decision…I have very vague anticipations as to what to expect from the results of this process. In my limited research today I found a number of benefits touted for the vegetarian diet:

1. Weight Loss
2. Longer Life
3. Increased Energy
4. Cured Sleep Apnea
5. It’s Easy

The weight loss referred to vegetarians who follow a low-fat variation. Not to mention the fact that vegetarians consume no animal fat (does this only include vegetarians who also eliminate dairy from their diet?) and less cholesterol.  – Joel Fuhrman, MD and Dean Ornish, MD.

For the longer life claim, among other examples and medical reasons including high fiber intake and a more antioxidant fortified diet, the Okinawans from Japan were cited.

Increased energy reportedly comes from the reduction of fat in a vegetarian’s bloodstream. Too much fat causes less blood to flow which results in less oxygen to the muscles.

The assertion concerning sleep apnea – I’m still looking into this one! Jamie will do a double back flip if this one turns out as stated.

The easy-breezy…I’m not buying yet. I’ll have to see it to believe it. The claim is based on the fact that products are readily available and restaurants have become vegetarian friendly. I still imagine difficulty in finding the ingredients, storing perishables and using them before they rot, and preparing meals throughout the day to be problematic.

I found a couple of online communities today that I joined for my continued education and personal encouragement.

http://www.vegpeople.com/

http://veghaven.org/

  

  

Easter - Three Hams and A Leg of Lamb

I've gotten a mixed batch of feedback. Some share their own decision to remove meat from their diet and their success. Others - largely members of my extended family think I'm nuts and won't last the week. Luckily, I"m a bit obstinate and their words of doubt only serve to motivate me further. My family tends to encourage by using this unusual approach. I guess they don't want me to suffer "the big head".

I turned to my wife, Jamie, regarding my concern of weight. "Do you think I'll lose some weight?" I asked - in typical fashion - not with a trace of suggestion to indicate my real worry. "I"m sure," she responded with a complete guarantee. "But, you know, I can still eat sugar and butter and cake and cheese and ice cream..." my voice stretched over several octaves as I attempted to convince her that I was about to embark on a journey that was sure to expand my weight to extremes I have not yet dreamed possible. I have seven days until the big elimination and I suppose these are the games meat demons play when they face dethronement. Jamie reminded me that most vegetarians do not choose this diet simply to become unhealthy eaters. In fact, she emphasized, they actually want to eat well and focus somewhat on their overall health. This lightbulb moment helped me keep the demons at bay. I'm still on board. I won't give in. I have a mission.

I'm going to be a basic vegetarian this year. For me, that means I will be allowed to eat dairy products and occasional fish. Pretty simple rules. So far, that's about all I know. I have a week to educate myself. My number one concern at the moment is having a game plan. I'm afraid of how often I'm going to have to shop for food. Vegetarians eat vegetables...so, vegetables rot and wilt and stink when they do rot and wilt. So it will be necessary for me to shop for groceries more often. I'm also nervous about finding the products I need in my rural community. Our local grocery store has tomatoes, ice berg lettuce, onions, cucumbers...I'm going off the top of my head so I don't want to totally sell them short...but I really cannot think of many more choices than these. Then finally, the cost. Being healthy costs more than not. This is society's way to exercise Survival of the Fittest or ridding the world of excess baggage - I'm sure of it.

I would like to feel a little more confident about these preliminary issues by the end of the week. I certainly would rather hit the starting gate with a strong footing and a positive attitude.

All that said, the ham and lamb was GREAT! The lamb - I could cut with a spoon. Now, that's a true test for tender. I'll be enjoying the leftovers while I mull over these notions.
   

The Decision

So, this is my first blog. I've had an account opened for several months. And I haven't had anything to say. More accurately, I was uneasy about what to write. It's a bit intimidating to think that my blog is going to be posted for all to see...I want to make sure what I have to say is of great consequence - vital - important - at least a little interesting. And then I just figured...eh, well...

This evening - I was picking up some Easter basket stuff at Walmart and I got an idea. Well, you read the title of my blog, but, as if you still didn't know...while hunting for cheap Easter basket items (anything below a dollar) I was conjuring up images about getting together with my extended family tomorrow for Easter dinner. We'll be gorging on ham (I think we'll have three all together), my father is marinating leg of lamb even as I type, my wife is making several chocolate cream pies, and that's just what I know about. I'm sure there will be stuffed mushrooms and casseroles, and bacon bits flavoring all sorts of side dishes. For the past two weeks I've been abstaining from meat...for Passiontide...I'm Catholic. And after  two weeks I'm ready to break fast.

And then, just while I was imagining what sort of ham might be served - glazed, baked, roasted...I just thought - "What if.."

No more meat.

Would it be a big deal? Would it be hard? Would it be significant? Would I change over time? Would this be one of those "life" journeys that movies are made out of or that inspire a show on Oprah? Or would I just be miserable and crabby.

So, here's how it'll work. No meat for a year. That seems too simple. I was just gearing up to break it down - but I guess, that about does it. No meat. There.

I'm not giving up tomorrow. Sorry, but, no. I'm eating pig and baa baa sheep tomorrow. Not to mention, I don't know a thing about abstaining from meat for any extended period of time. I mean, I've probably been malnourished during the past two weeks. I've eaten a whole lot of fish-fillet sandwiches at McDonalds and frozen fish products from aisle 12 in the grocery store. I've fed myself boxes of Mac & Cheese, frozen vegetarian dinners from the organic section (which, by the way are outrageously priced).

It's settled. I'm going to do this thing. But I have many unanswered questions. What sort of vegetarian will I be? According to a quick Google, there are several. What am I going to eat? Where am I going to shop? I live in rural Virginia - we don't have seaweed around here. Am I going to have to eat seaweed? I'm going to need a cookbook, too. Ok, there's a bunch of stuff I have to work out. I'll give myself a week. A week to educate myself and a week to gluttonize myself on meat. Oh, don't worry, I probably won't - it's a bad idea anyway...I probably should try to wean myself off like people do when they quit smoking.

It will all begin on April 11, 2010 and that doesn't give me much time to educate myself and develop a plan.

Wish me luck!