PEEL ME A STEAK
05 Sep 2011
As you know from a previous post Craig and I became vegetarians about 5 months ago. It was always just a test but the more that time went by the more committed we became. We both had health benefits in the beginning and Craig started losing weight like crazy. I found fun recipes and started taking multivitamins in hopes of feeling even that much better. After four months the squirrels at work started looking delicious, especially the plump ones. I started looking at animals a little differently.
I think in our fifth month we were both feeling the same way but were continuing on for the other. One day last week as we were putting groceries away Craig was showing me the lovely protein he had purchased for that nights meal. It was a large gelatinous anemic tofu clump that slightly resembled chicken. It was in a plastic bag and was marinating in “teriyaki sauce”. The sauce was see through and kind of a medium yellow color. I said ”that looks good”. With that we settled down on the couch to unwind for the day and Craig said “what kind of health benefits are you getting from this”? I said “aside from having to increase my blood pressure meds and having early in the day dizzy spells not much”. He said” let’s order a Pizza”. I said “what about your weight loss”? I then found out that the day we became meatless eaters was also the day Craig quit stopping at McDonalds for a sausage McMuffin and also the day he gave up sugar. I said how does a Canadian bacon Hawiian sound. It was delicious. Besides, all the vegetables and fruit I was murdering started to rebel. It made me really nervous.
12 Responses
2011 Sep 05
Other than great sex, it’s hard for me to come up with a more satisfying moment in the last decade than when I threw away that “tofu clump” and dialed for delivery of our favorite Maui Pizza. Just a touch of canadian bacon was heavenly! The big moment was when we both realized we weren’t enjoying food or the anticipation of it anymore. We’re both foodies! We love talking about it, planning it, creating it, AND devouring it!
Of course, I always have to watch calories and fat, but I’m even more committed to keep the 25 lbs off (and more!) while enjoying food again…and yes Allison… our Labor Day Weekend fair included the BBQ ribs!
2011 Sep 05
Paul and Craig, It really does take a horrendous amount of will power to commit to a meatless diet. I have tried to adopt the philosophy of using meat as more of a seasoning rather than a main course.
A friend from work wants me to go total vegan. ie; nothing in cardboard, plastic, metal or prepared/cooked above 112 degrees as not to destroy the macro nutrients of the food. Juicing all the way for 10 to 60 days. For reference to this, watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead on Netflix streaming (if possible)
I tried it for a week and nearly died from it. But it did make me re think how food is consumed and what I juice. (By the way, Kale is best for you but the most Godawful flavor of all) I usually use Spinach made into a smoothie with some ginger and carrots. Putting it in a covered cup with a straw to drink from helps. It is definitely an acquired taste but man it will…well…we won’t go there.
Keep up supporting each other and making, talking, eating and cooking food FUN. Definitely make it a dining out experience, even at home. Good luck.
2011 Sep 06
LOLOL… I wondered how long that would last. As I’ve mentioned before, I’d love to be vegetarian…. but after awhile I just crave me a good filet mignon – or hamburger, or grilled piece of chicken.
BUT… in the meantime you’ve learned how to fix some great vegetarian foods. I still love those black bean tacos…
Giving up sugar is the hardest for me – yet I think yields the best results of anything…
Love the photo…
2011 Sep 06
Craig – I want some of that BBQ!
2011 Sep 06
Sorry Paul I should have said micro nutrients not macro. Macro is cooked easy and delicious fried food.
My heart doctor told me last time, “if it tastes good, spit it out”
2011 Sep 06
Nothing like giving in to a good craving.
Ahhh… I’m having to cut back on a few foods right now because my stomach isn’t agreeing with everything I’m eating, and I’m trying to figure out what the problem is. This is the first time I’ve ever tried any kind of “diet”, and it’s not all that fun. Glad you can enjoy the pleasures of meat again.
2011 Sep 06
Mmmmm. Yeah, I honestly don’t think I’d be able to be a vegetarian for very long. I love red meat. And I love pizza. Pepperoni pizza. It’s manna from heaven.
2011 Sep 07
OMG just reading about the pizza makes me want to order one. I’ve lost a ton of weight by eating primarily meat. For me, cutting out all the bread, pasta, potatoes and grains has done it. And unlike ten years ago, there are really good alternatives that fill the need for these things.
I make a roll, for example, that is a cross between a croissant and an english muffin that only has 7 carbs. Slap some meatloaf and cheese on it and it’s quite good. Or, some ham and pepperoni with tomatoe for a pizza-like sandwich.
And pureed cauliflower with a little parmesean cheese and butter tastes exactly like mashed potatoes and about 1/15th the carbs.
Can make pancakes, muffins and cookies with coconut flour which is primarily protein and very little carb..
Dreamfields Pasta is 5g of carb per serving, so mac and cheese are in order again. That pasta has been a big help to those of us adopting this way of eating.
I am very happy because in the early days literally none of the low carb stuff tasted good. And I kept falling off the wagon because of it. Coconuts, cauliflower, almonds (flour and milk), pumpkin are godsends to me.
Anyway, congratulations on the weight loss and going for the pizza… : )
2011 Sep 07
We learned a lot by trying this. We learned about portioning and that there are many very good meat substitutes. We will continue to use them. We also learned that we don’t need to eat meat every day. I think giving up carbs at least for me would be terribly hard. I need to start paying attention to that because of high blood sugar. For now I need to rest in between quests.
2011 Sep 08
Yeah lately I’ve come to believe that there is no one way for everyone. Well… the ONLY way to lose weight is to reduce calories. If you do that by going vegetarian then that is great if it works. And if you do it by going on a fat restricted diet then that is fine too. Low carbing will work because it also reduces calories, but has the added benefit of reducing the stress on the pancreas which shoots out the insulin to clear the blood of sugar. And carb overload is why so many people turn diabetic. I suppose I latched onto it more in the last year since they told me I am now diabetic.
But whichever way you go (or if you do a combo) then I’m just glad you are losing it (the weight that is)… : )
2011 Sep 13
Happy Anniversary (I think I’m a few days late… but I am thinking of you : )
May you have many, many more years of laughter and love together.
2011 Sep 20
I’m glad you guys can enjoy eating again. Good food is one of my favorite things about life in general.
Lately, I don’t know what to eat. It seems like the really healthy food is getting harder to come by these days. I also tried going without sugar for a while, a few months back. I certainly didn’t last very long. It surprised me quite a bit too, because I didn’t realize how difficult it would be living without it. Although, I still don’t eat as much sugar as before. Just feels better that way.