Life Without Meat

May 2, 2013 By Amy Leave a Comment

Becoming a vegetarian is about a lot more than just a change to your diet. It is a lifestyle choice that influences many aspects of your life separate from just what you put into your body for food. This is why the path from when you first considered taking on the life of a vegetarian to when you are finally ready to make that transition may be several weeks or months. The journey to that moment when you are ready must not be rushed. Because not only is it a physical journey toward a physical change of diet, it is a spiritual, ethical and emotional journey as well.

Life without meat will mean a new approach to meal preparation that means new recipes and new ways to shop for the foods you need. This becomes additionally complex if you are living with those who have not made the choice to become vegetarians. If you are charged with meal preparation, that means two menus per night. If someone else is the primary cook of the house, that means you will need some accommodation so you can have a vegetarian meal while others are eating meat. That is going to take some relationship building and some tolerance by you and by the meat lovers in your home so everybody can dine in peace.

Being a vegetarian in a world of meat eaters may be one of the biggest adjustments you may have to make. But be prepared for some cravings for meat as well. At first, it might be wise to ease into vegetarianism so you still get some protein from meat while your body gets used to a lowered intake of that food group. This is also important because it will take a few weeks or longer to find a diet that has adequate substitutes for the nutrients and vitamins you are taking out of your body because of your new diet. By leaving meat in your eating schedule for a short time, you are less prone to feel run down or endure vitamin deficiencies during the transition to a full vegetarian eating regimen.

Many times a vegetarian lifestyle is part of a larger change of life which may also incorporate yoga, meditation or other spiritual activities. If your sole reason for becoming a vegetarian is related to health, this may not be as much of an issue. But if you are feeling drawn to a vegetarian life without meat because of ethical, moral or spiritual reasons, your desire to embrace vegetarianism is no doubt part of a larger spiritual quest or renewal that you are going though. This is healthy and the more you fully embrace your new interest in this side of your personality and soul, the more your desire to be a vegetarian will fit a total change of life.

But one of the most delightful surprises you will enjoy when you embrace the lifestyle of a vegetarian will be the number of others who will join you in your quest for a cleaner and more spiritual way to treat your body. The vegetarian community is a large one and it will welcome you warmly with community, support and all the help they can provide. But even from the community of those who are not vegetarians, you will often find friends and loved ones very supportive of the change of life you are going through and they will seek to help you all they can.

Filed Under Vegetarian Tips Tagged With Adequate Substitutes, Cravings, Eating Meat, Emotional Journey, Food Group, Lifestyle Choice, Meal Preparation, Meat Eaters, Meat Lovers, New Approach, New Ways, Nutrients, Physical Journey, Regimen, Vegetarian Lifestyle, Vegetarian Meal, Vegetarianism, Vegetarians, Vitamin Deficiencies, Yoga Meditation

It’s a Diet AND a Community

April 30, 2013 By Amy Leave a Comment

Becoming a vegetarian is about a lot more than just changing what you eat. That said, there is no question that making the transition to vegetarian eating is one of the most positive things you can do for your body from a diet perspective. It will take some adjustments to make sure your vegetarian diet includes items that provide replacements for the proteins and vitamins that will no longer be part of your food intake when you stop eating meat. But there is an abundance of help in the vegetarian community that can help you tailor your diet to meet all your vitamin and nutritional needs and taste good too.

The community aspect of the vegetarian lifestyle is one of the things that sets your decision to become a vegetarian apart from any other “diet” decision you could have made. That is because vegetarianism is about more than just diet, it is about community and it is about lifestyle. Its good for you to be aware that as you begin to explore your new life as a vegetarian, you are by far not alone and there is an entire subculture all around you that can be of help in what you are trying to do.

It is appropriate to call the community of vegetarians a subculture because, like any culture, there are various levels and “tribes” of vegetarians usually organized around the motivation for being a vegetarian in the first place. Naturally, we know that many people start living a vegetarian lifestyle because of the health benefits. But even without a lot of teaching or group activities to reinforce it, this one change to your diet is very likely going to change lots of aspects of your life that you might not ordinarily associate with diet.

There is a purity and a naturalness to the vegetarian way of life that generates health from the inside out. Not long after you have gone completely vegetarian and you no longer are eating meat of any kind you will notice your sleep is deeper, you are more alert during the day and your digestion and elimination systems are far more effective and untroublesome. It is well known that the physical body and that side of you known as the soul are linking so as you purify your body, you will find your ability to focus on spiritual or intellectual things more powerful as well.

When you find your life changing for the better in such unexpected ways, you will have joined millions who have discovered the “hidden benefits” of a vegetarian life. And that huge subculture is one of the most encouraging and nurturing cultures in the world. As you strive to perfect your vegetarian program, you don’t have to work on it alone. By simply reaching out to the large vegetarian population locally, you will find encouragement, help, advice and support to help you “make it” through the transition from a life of eating meat to the purer approach to diet that is what being a vegetarian is all about.

The vegetarian community and culture is a rich one where you can enhance your new lifestyle with an amazing library of reading material, with an constantly expanding supply or recipes and with a address book full of phone numbers of new friends and groups who meet regularly to be together in their quest for a better physical, mental and spiritual life through vegetarianism. It will be a natural thing to seek out new friendships in these communities. And you should feel free to explore and enjoy them fully. These cultures will help you, encourage you and make your commitment to a vegetarian diet a lifelong one.

Filed Under Vegetarian Tips Tagged With Abundance, Community Aspect, Digestion, Eating Meat, Elimination Systems, Food Intake, Group Activities, Health Benefits, Motivation, Naturalness, Proteins, Purity, Replacements, Subculture, Tribes, Vegetarian Community, Vegetarian Diet, Vegetarian Lifestyle, Vegetarians, Way Of Life

Is It Time for an Intervention?

April 25, 2013 By Amy Leave a Comment

“Guess what mom and dad, I’m a vegetarian!”

If those words would strike terror in your heart if it came from your child, this article is for you. While we all are aware that vegetarians walk amongst us, when someone we love becomes a vegetarian, its easy to fear they have fallen in with some strange eastern cult and that we should start looking into organizing an intervention before they go off the deep end and go to South America to disappear forever into a commune or follow some cult leader to doom because.

But before mom goes into hysterics or dad puts the kid in a padded room, lets have a reasonable discussion about what it means when your loved one becomes a vegetarian and what you can do to make sure they are safe and still the same person you always have known and loved. And the heart of being able to cope with the conversion of a child or a loved one to vegetarianism is knowledge and understanding.

The truth is you have not lost your child to a cult or to another religion if they become a vegetarian. In fact, you can still take them to church and they can be the same religion they always were and also be a devout vegetarian at the same time. That is because their decision to not eat meat is primarily a dietary decision and it doesn’t have to mean anything severe or odd about the one you love.

More and more normal and healthy people you already know have made the move to a vegetarian lifestyle and it doesn’t change who they are. There are primarily three reasons the one you love may have decided to become a vegetarian or a vegan.

1. For health reasons. Eliminating meat from your diet is good for you and it is an outstanding way to diet. If your loved one just wants to eat more healthy, there is no reason to organize an intervention to put a stop to that.
2. For ethical reasons because your loved one is upset about the cruel and unethical treatment of animals who are raised for slaughter to provide the meat industry with food to feed us. Even if you disagree with this ethical position, eliminating meat from the diet is not a radical thing to do. It is just a different lifestyle and a healthy one at that.
3. for spiritual reasons. Most religions encourage some form of fasting or limitation of excess in eating. Perhaps your loved one is going through a time of greater religious devotion and not eating meat helps with times of contemplation and prayer. Anyone would see that as a good thing to be encouraged and supported.

Notice before the list we used the word “vegan”. Don’t be afraid of that word. If your child calls from college to say, “Guess what mom and dad, I’m a vegan”, that just means your child has become a vegetarian but is following a culture of vegetarianism that is more extreme than others.

Instead of overreacting and putting your loved one into an intervention, the best response to learning he or she has become a vegetarian is to learn more about it and encourage the move. Your loved one can be a life long vegetarian and have nothing bad come of it. If fact, he or she will live better and longer because of the decision. Do some reading about what it means to live a vegetarian lifestyle and be supportive in how you prepare meals or in what restaurants you chose when spending time with your loved one.

Then be open to hear why your friend or family member made this change in their life. Will they try to “convert” you to become a vegetarian also. Perhaps. But by engaging in an open discussion of what it means to be a vegetarian, you can express support for your loved one without becoming a vegetarian yourself. And when you make their decision normal and approved of as part of your family life, it can enrich your loved ones life and yours too. Because becoming a vegetarian is a very healthy step for anyone.

Filed Under Vegetarian Tips Tagged With Conversion, Cult Leader, Diet, Health Diet, Health Reasons, Heart, Hysterics, Lifestyle Change, Love, Meat Diet, Meat Industry, Mom And Dad, Religion, Slaughter, South America, Terror, Treatment Of Animals, Truth, Unethical Treatment, Vegan, Vegetarian Lifestyle, Vegetarianism, Vegetarians

Getting Restaurants in on the Act

April 19, 2013 By Amy Leave a Comment

Its one thing to move into a vegetarian discipline when it comes to preparing your meals at home. But things get more complicated when you go out to eat because you must be prepared to order appropriately at a restaurant so you get good foods but foods that are in line with your vegetarian way of life.

The first order of business that should rank high on your priorities early in your vegetarian career is to find and try all of the vegetarian restaurants in town. This list will come in handy when enjoying some social time with like minded vegetarians or to eat on the run or from work. Also these will be the kinds of restaurants where you can learn what kinds of recipes to look for and what you like in a vegetarian order.

But you won’t take all your meals with other vegetarians. If you are like most of us, you share your life with friends, loved ones and coworkers who are not part of the vegetarian lifestyle. So learning to find good vegetarian alternatives in all of the restaurants is one of the skills you will become adept at the longer you remain a vegetarian which is hopefully for life. One trick is that if you have a vote in the kind of restaurant to choose, go for Chinese or Italian. Chinese restaurants often have some great meatless offerings already on their menu so you can order vegetarian and not even raise anyone suspicions.

Similarly because you find so many dishes in an Italian restaurant that are pasta only, you can order a veggie pizza or just pasta with a nice sauce or maybe some broccoli and enjoy a fine dinner that is totally in step with your vegetarian rules. Any restaurant that already has a good selection of meatless dishes that are not set apart as vegetarian are a good choice because you can dine with your non-vegetarian friends and family members and not call attention to the differences between you and them. And since most restaurants have a good salad menu, that is always a fall back in any restaurant situation.

If your vegetarian regimen is vegan so you must also avoid milk, eggs, cheese or anything cooked in chicken or meat stock, you will have to kick your vigilance up a notch. The good news is that the vegetarian movement has become so large and wide spread that many restaurants want to accommodate their vegetarian customers.

By letting your waiter know of your diet restrictions, he or she can guide you to the items on the menu that fit your requirements. It is not uncommon to see the manager or chef of the restaurant come to the table to help you make a choice. Restaurants are in the business of satisfying customers so they want to make sure you are happy with their menu offerings. And by enlisting the aid of your restaurant staff in a cooperative and friendly way, you send a positive message to your dining companions that you can live a vegetarian lifestyle and still be a happy member of the community in which you live.

Most of us have a short list of restaurants that we frequent often. But every restaurant you go to wants to be on that short list and make you a valued customer. So network with your vegetarian friends and do your homework up front to find out which restaurants do well at accommodating the lifestyle of their vegetarian or vegan customers. Then develop your strategy for handling any situation where you find yourself eating out so you can come out of that experience with a good meal that fits your lifestyle and not miss out on the great social times that we associate with the eating out experience.

Filed Under Vegetarian Tips Tagged With Broccoli, Chinese Restaurants, Coworkers, Family Members, Fine Dinner, Italian Pasta, Italian Restaurant, Meatless Dishes, Offerings, Order Of Business, Pasta, Priorities, Social Time, Suspicions, Vegetarian Alternatives, Vegetarian Friends, Vegetarian Lifestyle, Vegetarian Restaurants, Vegetarians, Veggie Pizza, Way Of Life

Vegetarianism – Keep an eye on what you eat

March 27, 2013 By Amy Leave a Comment

The vegetarian diet can be tough to adapt to, but the numerous positive effects the diet has on your body and the environment can be well worth your efforts. In this article, we’ll attempt to fill you in on a little information regarding vegetarianism that you may not be familiar with in order to increase your knowledge of how the diet can be beneficial.Vegetarians need to be particularly careful with their diet in order to ensure that they are getting all of the iron that they need. Iron is an important mineral that is often found in meat, and so in order to meet their body’s needs, vegetarians can eat dried beans, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits. Female vegetarians in particular need to regulate their levels of iron because much of the body’s iron supply is depleted during menstruation. If iron intake is not as high as it should be, you could be at risk for an iron deficiency or anemia. If you’re unsure on how much iron you should be getting in order to be in good health, you should speak to a dietitian who can help you to identify exactly how much you need.

While most vegetarians do their best to avoid eating any meat or animal products whatsoever, it is important to note that even simply reducing the quantity of meat and dairy products that you eat can be a significant towards keeping better health. Vegetarians have been shown to be at a lower risk for developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity, clearly illustrating how superior the diet can be for one’s health, and decreasing meat consumption can offer similar effects albeit to a lesser degree.

Many vegetarians think that just by not eating meat, they can maintain proper health. However, it is important to realize that there is plenty of fat that can enter your diet through processed or fried foods. Also, nuts are very high in both protein and fat, so one is encouraged to watch their intakes in order to ensure that they take in only a small amount of fat.

Of all of the vitamins that are deemed important to the body by nutritionists, only one vitamin can not be found in a vegetarian diet vitamin B12. Luckily, individuals who are worried about their bodies getting all of the nutrition that they need can take supplements in order to fulfill their daily requirement of B12. Other vitamins can be found in fruits, vegetables, and grains in abundance.

With the advice and support of a physician, a vegetarian diet can be beneficial to the elderly. Depending on what your physician tells you, offer the option to the person you prepare meals for. If the loved person in your care is interested in trying something different for their health and comfort, try gradually eliminating meats and replacing them with other plant based proteins. A vegetarian diet can be pleasing to the eyes, the taste and the digestion.

Filed Under Vegetarian Food Tagged With Anemia, Animal Products, Better Health, Dairy Products, Dietitian, Dried Fruits, Eating Meat, Fried Foods, Good Health, Green Leafy Vegetables, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Intakes, Iron Anemia, Iron Deficiency, Iron Intake, Iron Supply, Meat Consumption, Proper Health, Vegetarian Diet, Vegetarians

Vegetarian Diet Benefits

March 19, 2013 By Amy Leave a Comment

If your long term plan is to stay healthy and keep safe from various diseases, then a vegetarian diet is a great option. Vegetarian diet enables you to have the following advantages as compared to non-vegetarian diet:

1. Long-term weight loss:

Vegetarian diet consists of rich sources of protein and is less fattening. Such a diet helps in balancing the body weight and is also a good solution for losing extra weight. The benefit of losing weight through vegetarian diet is long-lasting. In addition, weight-related disorders like heart disease, stroke and diabetes is kept under check in case of vegetarians.

2. You’ll lie a lot longer:

Studies indicate that vegetarians tend to live longer than non-vegetarians. Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity can be reduced considerably by following a vegetarian diet.

3. You’ll save your heart:

A vegetarian diet considerably decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the number one killer in the United States. The risk of heart strokes is also reduced because of the fact that fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants that protect the heart and its arteries. Incidentally, cholesterol levels in vegetarian dieters are 14 percent lower than in non vegetarians.

4. You’ll reduce your risk of cancer:

Studies indicate that regular consumption of meat by women makes them nearly four times more prone to getting breast cancer compared to other women. Moreover, women who consume at least one serving of vegetables a day reduce their risk of breast cancer by 20 to 30 percent. This is because a vegetarian diet makes the immune system more effective to get rid of tumor cells. In addition, plant-based diet helps protect against prostate, colon, and skin cancers.

5. You may get rid of your back problems:

The problem of back pain is supposed to originate in the arteries and not the back according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The problem starts when the nerves get pinched due to the degeneration of disks, starting from the arteries and leading to the back. Vegetarian diet helps maintaining a healthy back by keeping these arteries clear of cholesterol-causing blockages.

Vegetarian diet gives your body a regular detoxification program:

Giving up meat helps the body to wash out toxins that overload our systems and cause illness. In a formal detoxification program, the first step is to replace meats and dairy products with fruits, vegetables, and juices that contain phytochemicals that help a natural detox process. Animal proteins make the blood acidic and the body pulls calcium from bones to strike a balance. A vegetarian diet consisting of dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and legumes are rich sources of calcium.

6. You’ll have a cleaner body:

Vegetables are rich in fiber and essential to wash away the waste out of the body. Studies conducted by Harvard and Brigham Women’s Hospital have found that people who consume high-fiber vegetarian diet had a 42 percent lower risk of diverticulitis. Incidences of constipation, hemorrhoids, and spastic colon are lower in people who eat fiber rich diet.

7. Benefits for women:

Women going through menopause are benefited when on vegetarian diet that help in balancing fluctuating hormones. This is because plants, grains and legumes like soy contain phytoestrogens which is good to balance the hormones. Vegetarian diet is also good to have health pregnancies as well as appropriate for breast-feeding mothers.

Besides the above benefits of vegetarian diets, packaged convenience foods like tofu hot dogs, veggie burgers and soy yogurt, milk and cheese are available easily in many food outlets and restaurants. Hence, you do not have to restrict your lifestyle in order to be on a vegetarian diet. You would also find many traditional fast food restaurants offering healthy vegetarian options like salads, veggie burritos, and vegetarian pizza.

Filed Under Vegetarian Cooking Tagged With Antioxidants, Arteries, Back Pain, Breast Cancer, Cancer Studies, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cholesterol Levels, Dieters, Fruits And Vegetables, Good Solution, Heart Diet, Heart Disease, Immune System, Losing Weight, Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine, Rich Sources, Skin Cancers, Sources Of Protein, Tumor Cells, Vegetarian Diet, Vegetarians

Become a Vegetarian

March 4, 2013 By Amy Leave a Comment

If you think becoming a vegetarian is hard, think again. The steps to becoming a vegetarian are simple, only that you need to have the motivation and perseverance to keep you going. When you do this, you can be on your road towards a healthier and happier you.

Before getting into a vegetarian diet, you should first seek medical advice before getting into a vegetarian diet so you can be evaluated for possible nutritional deficiencies or health problems that you may have.

It is helpful for you to do your own research about vegetarian diet and its other aspects. Read on nutritional information, the type of food to avoid as well as other factors that make up the vegetarian lifestyle. Getting a detailed information on vegetarianism can help you devise a diet plan that will suit you best. Also, an understanding of vegetarianism can prepare you for the new lifestyle that you will be taking.

You also need to observe the type of food that is usually available in your area. Look around local food stores and supermarkets and see the range of food that they have. Know the food that you like, what you do not and also be familiar with those that you have not tasted before. This way, you can be able to determine if a vegetarian diet really is for you and know how much type of veggie food you find appealing.

If you are unsure how to whip up vegetarian recipes, getting a vegetarian cookbook can help. There are a lot of vegetarian cookbooks that feature new and exciting vegetarian dishes that are not only nutritious, but also delicious and mouthwatering all the same. You may want to try Rose Elliot’s ‘The New Sijmoly6 Delicious’, a vegetarian cookbook that is excellent for new vegetarians and those who want to try vegetarian cooking. You can also get Claire Criscuolo’s ‘Claire’s Corner Copia Cookbook’ or ‘Claire’s Classic American Vegetarian Cooking’. Read and try out the recipes that you like.

Especially for new vegetarians, your body may have to adjust with your shift to vegetarianism. It is recommended that you take your vegetarian meals gradually. You can start doing so once a week and then build it up twice, thrice until your body will have adjusted to it, depending on your preference.

Just be sure though, that the food that you are eating are classified as vegetarian. Make sure that you check food labels and ingredients so you will know that you are eating the right stuff. You can also check for the Vegetarian Society of UK’s approval seal to guarantee that the food is vegetarian.

Filed Under Beginner Vegetarian Tagged With Claire Criscuolo, Corner Copia, Diet Plan, Food Stores, Health Problems, Local Food, Medical Advice, Nutritional Deficiencies, Nutritional Information, Perseverance, Shif, Type Of Food, Vegetarian Cookbook, Vegetarian Cookbooks, Vegetarian Cooking, Vegetarian Diet, Vegetarian Dishes, Vegetarian Lifestyle, Vegetarian Recipes, Vegetarians

Health Benefits of Freshly Squeezed Juices

September 16, 2012 By Amy Leave a Comment

Juicing has become a national phenomenon. It is not just nature lovers and vegetarians who are into juicing, but everyone from the executive to the soccer mom. Why is it so popular? Keep reading to find out.

Fruits and vegetables are part of the food pyramid endorsed by the Department of Agriculture. Eating them provides tons of vitamins and minerals that the human body needs on a daily basis to function. We try to get as many as possible naturally from foods instead of depending on a different form that comes from supplements.

The world contains such a large variety of these two foods that you could eat something different every day. It is recommended that we get at least five or more servings each day. Unfortunately, most people don’t get even one serving. Their vegetables come as condiments on top of burgers or hot dogs.

An easy way to get your five a day instead of eating the fruit and vegetables is to juice them. Most vegetables can be juiced. It’s not just typical fruits that you find in smoothies (strawberries, pineapple, peaches, blueberries, oranges) but also more exotic fruits like mangos and papaya.

Most people don’t think about juicing vegetables, but many contain natural sugars that give them a sweet taste. You can juice carrots, greens, celery, beets and a host of others. Walk into any juicing shop and there’ll be a long list of the fruits and veggies that you can put together. Now, all of these won’t taste very palatable together so you’ll have to experiment.

Juicing is an acquired taste and you’ll need a juicer. They do cost a pretty penny but they pay for themselves in no time – not only in the amount of fruits and vegetables that you and your family will start to consume, but also in health benefits. Begin with fruits and vegetables that you enjoy eating. Sample each one in juice form and add others until you get a taste you like. You can mix fruits and vegetables. The result, no matter what, is a pure juice that will invigorate your body.

Many get their fruits and vegetables in cooked form. There is nutritional value there, but many nutrients have been processed out through cooking. It is good, but not as good as it can be for your body.

They say that eating an apple is better than drinking fruit juice. That is partially true. You get more fiber and a more full feeling with the whole fruit than processed fruit juice, even if it is 100% juice. With the juicing of raw fruits, you get not only some fiber but also other healthy substances within the fruit. And it is more convenient, especially if you don’t want to munch for fifteen minutes on an apple.

What are you waiting for? Get juicing and see what you can come up with.

A juicer to check out: Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite 1000-Watt Juice Extractor

Filed Under Vegetarian Tips Tagged With Beets, Blueberries, Daily Basis, Department Of Agriculture, Exotic Fruits, Food Pyramid, Fruit And Vegetables, Fruits And Vegetables, Fruits And Veggies, Fruits Vegetables, Hot Dogs, Juicer, Mangos, National Phenomenon, Natural Sugars, Nature Lovers, Pretty Penny, Soccer Mom, Sweet Taste, Vegetarians, Vitamins And Minerals, Vitamins Minerals

Healthy Foods for Pregnant Women

September 10, 2012 By Amy Leave a Comment

Most expectant mothers are naturally cautious of their actions during pregnancy. In addition to the activities that they carry out, they are also more concerned about the foods and beverages that they consume. Because many doctors and new mother magazines discuss the importance of protein (which is necessary for healthy brain and nervous system development), vegetarians often worry about their eating habits and how they affect the growing fetus. However with a little research, vegetarians will find that their essential list of foods to eat when pregnant will adequately meet their baby’s nutrient requirements.

What many people do not realize is that protein does not have to come from meat. The daily requirement of 71 mg of protein needed by pregnant women can be gained from milk, soy milk, yogurt, tofu and brown rice. These foods to eat when pregnant all provide safe alternatives to meat products. Many vegetarians also enjoy soy burger, peanut butter and eggs as protein options. Imitation meat items are now becoming more and more similar to meat in their nutrients and values.

Many pregnant vegetarians struggle to get enough iron and zinc in their diet. However iron can be found in food sources other than meat. Try dried fruits, spinach, wheat germ, oatmeal and grains fortified with iron to get your daily requirements and reduce the possibility of anaemia for you and your baby. Zinc, which helps boost immunity and fetal brain development can be found in ginger, soaked nuts, egg yolk, hard cheese and beans.

You will also need approximately four servings of vitamin D and calcium. Calcium is essential for healthy teeth and bone development, while vitamin D is necessary to assist in nutrient absorption from foods into the body. Both nutrients can be found in dairy products such as milk, pasteurised cheeses and eggs, while calcium can also be found in dark green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified foods like soy milk, juices, breads and cereals. Add in up to nine servings of fruits and vegetables to your list of foods to eat when pregnant and the perfect vegetarian pregnancy diet can be accomplished.

Carbohydrates are essential for energy and strength and can be found in rice, fruit, beans, milk, yogurt and starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn.

High quality fats such as saturated fats assist in fetal development. These fats can be sourced from coconut milk and coconut oil.

While most mothers worry about their eating habits while pregnant, it is often found that vegetarians tend to be more cautious about their diet than those who are not. This can be attributed to the fact that even prior to pregnancy, vegetarians are aware of their diet and what they eat. Hence, many pregnant vegetarians find it quite easy to establish a list of essential foods to eat when pregnant that provide all the necessary nutrients for their developing baby.

Filed Under Vegetarian Tips Tagged With Anaemia, Bone Development, Brain Development, Calcium Fortified Foods, Dark Green Leafy Vegetables, Egg Yolk, Fetal Brain, Food Sources, Foods And Beverages, Green Leafy Vegetables, Healthy Teeth, Milk Yogurt, Nervous System Development, New Mother, Nutrient Absorption, Nutrient Requirements, Pregnant Women, Safe Alternatives, Vegetarians, Wheat Germ

Gift Ideas for Vegetarians

September 2, 2012 By Amy Leave a Comment

Have any veggie lovers that you need to buy gifts for? Awesome! Being a vegetarian is not what defines of course but being a veggie lover amidst a sea of carnivores does make us different. We have to plan our social outings much more carefully and also hone our cooking skills and repertoire to keep things fresh and interesting in the kitchen. We love new cooking gadgets that make meal preparation faster and new cookbooks are always welcome to. Here are some ideas:

A Sprouting System – If your veggie lover is not sprouting yet, they should be! It can be really pricey to buy sprouts at the store and they are very nourishing component of a traditional veggie based diet. This Sprouting Kit has 3 three sprouting jars with lids and lots of seeds… Alfalfa, Brocolli, Radish, Clover, Lentil, Mung Bean, Buckwheat, and Bean Salad Mix.

Spice Box – Spices are like the right hand of any good vegetarian cook. Ideally spices (and herbs) are bought in bulk or loose from natural/organic grocers but where to store them? This beautiful Indian, stainless steel spice box (above) is perfect! It has seven individual spice containers and a spoon. Another idea? Gift the spice box with a copy of Classic Indian Vegetarian and Grain Cooking.

A Vegetarian Magazine Subscription – Many people love magazines but unless you go the subscription route you can go broke! Giving the gift of a magazine subscription is practical and enjoyable. Try Vegetarian Times and Vegnews.

Vegetable Cookie Cutters – Cute! This set of Vegetables Dough Cutters are perfect for veggie lovers. Now they can spread the veggie love to their desserts and rock the next vegetarian or vegan potluck with adorable cookies. Set of 12 assorted vegetable shapes, including carrot, celery, tomato, pepper, and asparagus.

A Veggie Inspired Tee – Its not just a lifestyle, it is a statement. Vegetarians usually love apparel that reflects their values so you can’t go wrong with vegetarian themed clothing. Try the Go Veg! Organic Cotton T-Shirt.

A Vegetarian Cookbook – Chances are your veggie lover has lots of cookbooks so your best bet is likely going to be a broad cookbook such as World Vegetarian: More Than 650 Meatless Recipes from Around the World or a specific cuisine such as The Greek Vegetarian.

A Vegetarian Gift Basket – These actually aren’t that hard to find. Your giftee will get products they know they can use and many of them may be ones they have not tried before. Try the Vegetarian Delight Healthy Gift Basket.

 

Filed Under Featured Category, Vegetarian Cooking Tagged With Bean Salad, Buckwheat, Carrot Celery, Cookie Cutters, Meal Preparation, Organic Cotton, Organic Grocers, Radish, Salad Mix, Social Outings, Spice Box, Sprouting Jars, Sprouting Kit, Vegan Potluck, Vegetarian Cook, Vegetarian Magazine, Vegetarian Times, Vegetarians, Veggie Lover, Veggie Lovers
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