Looking for resources on becoming vegetarian

[Lone_Star_Dem]

I've decided to make the conversion, I've been easing myself into it for some time and it's time.

I'm looking for help finding resources on line or in print to guide me in my journey. I want to improve my health by doing this correctly. I was vegetarian once before and had a health issue (not related) where I had to have several pints of blood. My doctor at the time advised me to discontinue my vegetarian diet since I needed iron to counter my ongoing anemia.

Truth be told I wasn't a healthy vegetarian before anyway. I had no real concern for balance in my diet and just ate anything that wasn't meat. Since I've never liked eggs and don't do very much dairy (only the occasional goat cheese) I wasn't taking very good care of myself.

This time I want to do it right. It's not that I expect it to be difficult, I've never really liked meat except for the occasional piece of fish. I do, however, still eat it because I've been programed that it's "good" for me.

One slight problem is that I live in a rural area. I don't get into a Whole Foods market more that once every couple of months or less. The good thing is I grow 95% of my fresh veggies already and they are 100% organic!

Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated. :)

[smbolisnch]

1. That is wonderful!!

I am so glad you decided to make the switch!!

Unfortunately, I lost all of my bookmarks so I am going to leave it up to the others to give you links, which I know they have! Then, I can re-bookmark them too! ;) As for the rural area, I do not have any health food stores in my town either. It is great that you grow your own produce, though! That's a great start!

Okay, I will quit talkng and kick this so you can get some links! Stick around the group, too!! :D

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. Thanks for the welcome

I plan to stick around, I'm going to need guidance not to mention recipes. :)

[RebelOne]

3. If you go to peta.com,

you can get a free vegetarian starter kit. I've got some links, but they are on my computer at work. So I'll post them later on.

[RebelOne]

4. Here are a few links to get you started.

http://www.veggietable.allinfo-about.com/
http://www.veggiegirl.com/
http://www.vegkitchen.com/
http://www.veganstore.com/
I love eggplant. Lots of great recipes here.
http://www.aubergines.org/

[livinginphotographs]

5. Another link to add...

http://www.vegsource.com/veg_faq/contents.htm

This is a great place to start, and addresses a lot of the concerns people have about vegetarianism and veganism, like iron consumption, protein, vitamin B-12, etc.

[Hun Joro]

6. Texas, believe it or not, is a great state to be vegetarian in

The Lone Star Vegetarian Network (LSVN) is a network of local vegetarian groups scattered throughout Texas and has been in existence since 1989. If you visit their website, www.lsvn.org, you can find a listing of these societies and hopefully one will be near you. The network sponsors an annual vegan chili cookoff which will be held in Houston this year.

Texas - specifically Houston - also has an all-veg radio program, Go Vegan Texas, which is broadcast on Houston's Pacifica station KPFT. You can find out more about that at www.govegantexas.org.

Leaving Texas behind, Vegetarians in Paradise at www.vegparadise.com, is an online veggie magazine where you can find vegetarian basics, advice, and recipes.

Congratulations on your decision, and I wish you the best of luck!

[livetohike]

7. Diet for a Small Planet and Recipes for a Small Planet

were the two books that got me started back in the early 70's. Since then, I have a huge cookbook collection of vegetarian cookbooks. I recommend any of the Moosewood Restaurant cookbooks, starting with Mollie Katzen's "The Moosewood Cookbook".

You can buy and store grains,legumes, nuts,dried fruits and seeds and since you are growing your own veggies, you are set :-).

[Warpy]

8. I'd suggest a few other transition cookbooks

"Laurel's Kitchen" is a great basic cookbook (although those of us in the southwest have to spice the recipes up considerably) with stellar nutritional information at the end.

"Hot, Spicy and Meatless" is another great book for those of us who are used to Tex-Mex and other spicy cuisines. Both volumes are good.

"The Vegetarian Epicure" fondly known as "the cholesterol cookbook" by those of us who use it is a basic party and company recipe cookbook. Nobody will miss the meat if you use these recipes. Volume I is the best, although there are 3 volumes. Anna Thomas got a little sun dried tomato and goat cheesy towards the third book.

"American Wholefoods Cuisine" is another one I'd recommend as a good basic cookbook with a tremendous amount of recipes, and I haven't found a nasty one in there yet.

Finally, for people going completely vegan, I'd suggest "Ten Talents," a rather preachy but good vegan cookbook by Rosalie Hurd. She puts forth solid recipes and doesn't use the chemical laden Worthington fake meat products that a lot of other Seventh Day Adventist cookbooks rely on.

[livetohike]

9. Those are all good ones, too.

When I first became vegetarian, I made the huge mistake of eating a lot of cheese and eggs. Looking back at the "Vegetarian Epicure", now I just shake my head at the amount of cholesterol in those recipes. Those are some great tasting recipes, though :-).

[Trailrider1951]

10. Hi Lone-Star-Dem!!

I'm here in Houston, but I visit the Austin area frequently, and plan to move there later this year. :hi:

My favorite cookbook is Marie Oser's "Soy of Cooking". Great recipes and information on tofu, tvp (textured vegetable protein) and other totally vegan products. try: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-7853771-9759907

Her hint about freezing tofu to give it a chewier, sponge-like consistency is right on! And since you visit Whole Foods infrequently, you might buy your tofu in quantity and freeze it until you need it.

Since you live in a rural location, you might consider growing your own lettuce, spinach, cukes, zuchini, peppers, tomatoes, etc. if you have room. Fresh is ALWAYS best.

Good luck! I consider my decision to become vegetarian one of the best decisions I've ever made, and do not regret it at all.

[livinginphotographs]

11. Another good link

It's not vegetarian-specific, but has a lot of good nutritional info that I've used in the past.

http://www.whfoods.com/index.html