[Martina1120]

Originally Posted by bethin

I'm kinda hung up on how to cook spaghetti without meat. What do you use instead?

I have been kind of a flexitarian for about 2 years, I do the cooking for my mom and brother at home, so I'm trying to nudge them into it as well....For spaghetti, I have found "protein crumbles" they look like ground beef that has already been browned. I am not sure of the brand name, but I got them at Giant foodstore. They are also great for making tacos without actually using ground beef, which I have always hated!...

[herring_RN]

Years ago i used something called granburger, like the protein crumbles. They soak up the flavor of the sauce. I used them for pasta and chili.
Now as soon as I'm eating whole grain pasta and beans I'll go back to the delicious sauce without meat or meat substitute.

I like texture in pasta sauce. The lazy way is to brown onions, peppers, and garlic diced thick. Then add basil, oregano, and canned or bottled sauce. Diced eggplant and zucchini are good in it with Romano or parmesan cheese grated on top.

[Jaguar Boy]

Originally Posted by herring_RN

Jaguar and Stanley:

Actually when really busy I don't feel tired now but do when I don't have to do anything.

And at work I started eating a donut or such. NO GOOD!

I just bought stevia at Trader Joes.
Thank you so much!

No prob...let me know what you think about the stevia. I know what you mean about being tired when you're not busy...I work sitting down at an office right now and get so tired...then when I leave work and walk around, it's like i just woke up! Ah, yes, donuts, cakes etc...I know...

[herring_RN]

Well:
I only have until Saturday with the low carb eating. Right now I don't crave sweets at all.
I've got a loaf of sprouted grain bread in the freezer for breakfast.

Then go back to my oatmeal.
No more dried fruit, only fresh.
Cantelope or a tiny bit of watermelon.
I've craved sweets all my life and hope that is over.
I feel like even a bit of jam or a bagel with white flour could blow it.

The five pounds are gone, plus one as of last Saturday. Probably mostly water that will return soon.
this is not a good way to eat every day. Just two more days and the rest of this one.

Thank you both.

[Tweety]

herring, good luck with everyting and congrats on the weight loss. I've noticed a lot of people that do the low carb thing do loose a lot of weight that first week. But I do think sometimes for some people that it's a good way to knock out those sweet cravings, but for a long term way of eating I have an opinion and I don't like that diet. But I know it works for a lot of people and I just leave it at that.

Vegan Dr. Neal Bernard takes about sweet addiction in his book "Breaking the Food Seduction". He advocates a lower glycemic index way of eating for those of us with sweet addictions....complex carbs (like that good bread you have....I love that kind of bread)......i.e. no jam and bagel.

[mercyteapot]

I love mushrooms in my pasta sauce. Better than meat, even. I am still eating pasta, but only once a month now instead of once a week, like I used to do.

[Tweety]

Mercy, I just read an article in Vegetarian times touting the healthy benefits in mushrooms and it even has protein. Who knew?

Interesting article here in this blog. It prompted a couple hundred responses. The Adkins/Vegan/Low Fat debate has always been interesting. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-..._b_114464.html

[herring_RN]

The stevia is better than no sweetner.
What do you thing about Splenda?

Toast tomorrow! With nut butter!
Oatmeal Sunday!

No I couldn't eat low carb veggies and soy for long.

[Jaguar Boy]

Originally Posted by herring_RN

The stevia is better than no sweetner.
What do you thing about Splenda?

I had a discussion with a doctor friend about Splenda. Her thoughts were, that of the sweetener options, it is the closest chemically to regular sugar. I looked it up and it's true. I don't remember exactly, but I think one of the -OH groups was replaced with a Chlorine group. I have used Splenda when I don't have other options, but it's still artificial, so no one really knows, and I try not to use it too often.

What's your favourite nut butter? Mine, either cashew or macademia...but cha ching...they're expensive...so I usually get almond.

[Jaguar Boy]

Originally Posted by Tweety

Mercy, I just read an article in Vegetarian times touting the healthy benefits in mushrooms and it even has protein. Who knew?

I LOVE MUSHROOMS!!! A friend of mine passed this recipe on to me:

Saute sliced mushrooms in oil for about a minute, then add balsamic vinegar. simmer the mixture until the vinegar carmelizes... it is so delicious!

Once in a while I like to treat myself and I'll get fresh shitake or enoki mushrooms. I'll usually saute them with vinegar like I described above...

Did I say, I love mushrooms!!??