The time has come! Day one.

So, today I went on my first fully vegetarian shopping trip. Let me tell you, it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be! It was also expensive. Luckily I am an outstanding coupon clipper!

I think the reason the shopping trip was a little more difficult than expected was because I just didn't realize how many items have meat in them! I mean, don't get me wrong, I have been doing my research, but I was still surprised! Take pasta sauce, for instance. You have to check the label, even if it says 3 cheese or veggie, etc, because those sneaky companies will throw in some form of beef! Now, I'm trying to get away from using processed and preserved foods, but it's so nice having some pasta sauce on hand for last minute meals. Plus, we had a HORRIBLE season for tomatoes last year here in Minnesota, so I didn't get a chance to do any canning. Anyways, back to the subject at hand. The supermarket experience. You also need to be careful with soups, because quite a few are made with chicken broth or beef stock, even if they are vegetable soups. Refried beans can also contain lard, so make sure you're checking all of your labels!

My label checking and surprises aside, I was preparing my basic vegetarian pantry. I was picking up essential ingredients that a vegetarian should always have on hand. My list included:

• Pasta
• Beans, lentils (canned or dry, I prefer dry. More economical and are lacking preservatives)
• Whole grains like rice, quinoa, millet, or barley
• TVP (aka textured vegetable protein)
• Canned tomatoes
• Flour
• Sugar (I went with stevia and brown sugar)
• Some form of liquid sweetner such as agave nectar, maple syrup, or honey
• Baking powder and baking soda
• Vanilla extract (this is worth investing in! You really get what you pay for)
• Cocoa powder
• Soy sauce
• Miso
• Tahini
• A few favorite cooking sauces 
• Vegetable broth
• Milk alternative (I prefer almond milk)
• Oil (I like canola)
• Vinegar
• Peanut butter
• Nutritional yeast
• Favorite spices

Now this is a list I found online and modified slightly for myself. Hopefully my next shopping trip will be a little easier for me now that I'm a little better stocked and a little better prepared.

I'm still trying to get the hang of this whole blog thing, as you can probably tell by my 2 posts in 2 weeks. I'll get there, and I'll post more. My next post will be about cooking at home, I believe, and trying to incorporate freshly prepared meals at home with a vegetarian lifestyle. Because as I've read, lots of food can be vegetarian, but that doesn't make them healthy. Plus, a part of the reason I made this lifestyle change is for health, and avoiding chemicals, hormones, and preservatives in my foods is beneficial to my health.

Until next time!
K

First Post: 11 Days to Go

So... First post. How Exciting!

As it says in the title, I am just a twenty-something woman embarking on a journey into vegetarianism. Now let me tell you, this is a big decision. First off, I am HORRIBLE at cooking. I rock at baking (try my pies, you'll be hooked for life), but can not cook to save my life. So there is one thing against my decision. Second, I live in a house full of carnivores. Yes, carnivores. So, you may be wondering, why the hell am I doing this? Ultimately, it is for the animals. This is also why I eventually tend on going vegan. But, baby steps. I'm also doing this for health. I want to be healthy and feel good. I want to have lots and lots of energy. I want to start a family, and how can I raise a healthy family when I'm not healthy myself? I am also lactose intolerant, and I end up feeling shitty after eating, because so many of our foods these days contain dairy.

I have been playing with the idea of becoming a vegetarian for a long time, and I think I am finally in a place in my life that can support my decision. I have been preparing for the past month or so, and have found a few really great resources. It may sound dumb, but I have really enjoyed Being Vegetarian for Dummies by Suzanne Havala. I have also really, REALLY enjoyed Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero. It is a cookbook for Vegans, but it is a vital kitchen companion. The authors have put together recipes that are to die for, and the beginning is dedicated to essential kitchen staples and proper preparation techniques. I have actually enjoyed a lot of Isa Chandra Moskowitz's books. I own Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World and have made some amazing cupcakes using her recipes. You can also find her Blog in my favorite links section. Even though I still plan on eating foods containing eggs and other dairy products (sparingly, for now), Vegan and Vegetarian foods and preparation are very similar. So it's a good idea to expand your knowledge by researching both, and owning a few cookbooks dedicated to each. You can always have some substitutions!

Ok, I think that may be enough for now. A pretty good jumping off point, I believe!

K