I have gone an entire month without red meat

[motely36]

I wasn't really sure I could do it at first. I will probably go until at least the weekend. I'm not sure I feel any different.

[HopeHoops]

1. That's how I got started - just trying to go a few weeks.

That was in January of 1989. Haven't touched it since.

[motely36]

2. Do you eat chicken or other meat?

[HopeHoops]

6. No, but we did eat fish for a couple of years.

We didn't eat it often, but we had it. Then one day it just stopped being food and smelled more like cat food. We do eggs and dairy and that's it for animal products.

On a side note, I have three daughters (14, and coming up on 16 and 18) who are all solid muscle with very healthy BMI rankings. They're all also 2nd degree black belts. Don't buy any of this "you won't get enough protein" bullshit. If you eat a broad range of foods, you almost can't AVOID getting enough protein. Eggs and dairy aren't a very large part of our diet. I've gone weeks on a vegan diet, not out of intention but just out of chance based on what I decided to cook.

If you want some good nutrition information (and great recipes), try Laurel's Kitchen:

http://www.amazon.com/New-Laurels-Kitchen-Vegetarian-Nutrition/dp/089815166X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240932612&sr=1-1

My favorite cookbook series is by Molly Katzen:

Moosewood Cookbook:
http://www.amazon.com/Moosewood-Cookbook-Katzens-Classic-Cooking/dp/1580081304/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240932669&sr=1-1

Enchanged Broccoli Forest
http://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Broccoli-Katzens-Classic-Cooking/dp/1580081266/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240932669&sr=1-10

Still Life With Menu
http://www.amazon.com/Still-Life-Cookbook-Mollie-Katzen/dp/0898156696/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240932727&sr=1-14

There are a lot of others, including more by these authors, but these four were my base for learning. I haven't bothered looking in a cookbook for years (other than baking, which is science). I just see what I have available and work with that. It is amazing how much more diverse meals become when you make this transition.

[mike_c]

3. me too-- for health reasons-- and I don't miss it at all....

I'm enjoying a semi-vegetarian diet. Semi because I still use things like meat stocks for flavor. But no slabs o' flesh on the plate anymore!

[flvegan]

4. Heh heh...that's how I started.

*wrings hands*

[motely36]

5. I know you drink lots of protien drinks

but where else do you get it?

[flvegan]

7. Most soy/wheat/etc based foods are loaded with protien.

I'm also of the school that the body absorbs veggie-based protien more efficiently.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. I've never gone totally meat-free, but I did a little research on it. If you

combine legumes and whole grains it makes a complete protein, the same as meat. You can find a lot of combinations and recipes online. You can add nuts and dairy for even more protein.

[BeachBaby]

8. Cheeses and nuts are your friends. Or at least, they're mine.

High protein, low carb. And no one has to die. :)