[neneRN]

EVOO= extra virgin olive oil

[greenergrass]

Originally Posted by Tweety

What is "EVOO"????

Must not watch Rachel Ray - she coined the term EVOO about 2 years ago. Sorry:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

[badhat6]

i just can't stand the taste of meat anymore,i am not a vegangelical but i have swithched off meat because i can no longer tolerate it and i feel so much better ! off meat for almost 2 years now!

[Tweety]

Nice to meet you BADHAT6. I hope you continue to contribute to our little vegetarian corner of Allnurses.

Glad to hear what EVOO means. LOL Learn something every day here. I always have some EVOO on hand. Love that stuff.

[dianacs]

I have been a vegetarian for a few years now, but I sure do miss meat sometimes. Every once in a great while I will eat it and even though I "know" better, I don't feel particularly guilty about it afterwards. It was easier in the beginning. I think it's hard because even though my immediate family is vegetarian, most of the rest of my family/friends aren't and I feel like I miss out. You really start to notice how much a bonding experience food can be. And I don't always like being the different one in the group.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by dianacs

I have been a vegetarian for a few years now, but I sure do miss meat sometimes. Every once in a great while I will eat it and even though I "know" better, I don't feel particularly guilty about it afterwards. It was easier in the beginning. I think it's hard because even though my immediate family is vegetarian, most of the rest of my family/friends aren't and I feel like I miss out. You really start to notice how much a bonding experience food can be. And I don't always like being the different one in the group.

I know what you mean. I was at a dinner party last night and fretted the afternoon away as to what would I do....would I just go ahead and eat what was served?......would I pick around the meat and vegetarian side dishes?.....would I make a scene?

Turns out it was way more casual that that. I should have known since the host can't cook. He made a salad and we ordered pizza and watched a movie. Someone chimed in "don't forget to order a vegetarian one for Tweety". It had cheese, which I have issues with, but it was better than flesh. Gotta love it.

[greenergrass]

I find friends are really understanding - it's my in-laws that make me a bit crazy.

The "you really don't eat any meat" conversation EVERY time we go over to their house sometimes makes me want to SCREAM!!!

I offer to cook & bring my own food & everything.

I'm hoping they will eventually get over the SHOCK & HORROR of their son & I being vegetarians.

[Drey]

Hey guys. I'm a very new vegetarian myself. It's been 2 weeks now without meat and I feel good (would be better if it wasn't for all this nursing school stress). Anyway, I am a typical midwestern guy. I'm 250lbs., and I know that I am unhealthy. I just want to do this for myself and my future patients. I know that being healthy myself sets a good example. In all honesty, I did not start down this path for the welfare of the animals, but the more I learn about it, the happier I am in my decision. As I said, I'm new to this, so if anyone has any advice, please share. I'd really love to learn more about how to talk with my family and friends about this. They think I'm crazy. Thanks all!

[greenergrass]

Welcome Drey!

Just some inspiration:

My hubby started eating veg in January & was 225# & diabetic with sugars hovering around 280 regularly & taking 3 diabetic meds (2 insulins).

He's currently 172# & off all diabetic meds!

My best advice:

• Veg with whole foods as much as possible.
• Don't restrict yourself to the point of binging
• Use herbs & olive oil (also called EVOO)
• Seek a great cookbook
• Learn to cook with TVP (texturized vegetable protein - it tastes like hamburger in speghetti & chilli)
• Try not to preach at non-veg people (they think we're strange, we know they're just going to DIE!)
• Learn, Learn, Learn - the more you learn, the easier it will be to stick with it

And, the most important:

If you fall off the Veggie Wagon & eat meat: Cut yourself some slack & jump right back on!!! You're HUMAN!!!

Again, Kim

[ArmyWife1015]

Hello Drey...

Welcome to being a Vegetarian. It is great. I can't tell you how much better I feel when I don't eat meat. The first time that I choose to stop eating meat it was because I have a high yeast content after being subjected to tons of antibiotics. I noticed that the more meat that I ate the worse it got even though I wasn't on the antibiotics anymore. Once I stopped eating meat my issues cleared up. But I also just felt great not doing it and after a while didn't even miss it. I have just recently switched back to a veggie life style after a year of living at home. I am having a hard time only because eating meat has (over the past year) become such a habit.
Anyway... I was responding because of the question of family. I would just tell my family and friends that it is a healthier way of life. I often get questioned though because my family is southern and they put meat in EVERYTHING. However, because I am in the health field they are beginning to respect my feelings and change in life style. Just keep trying and keep at it. Soon, it will become such a good habit that you won't even like the smell of cooked meat. (at least that is what happened to me). Also definitely go and get cook books. When I first started I was worried I wouldn't know enough different ways to cook veggies to keep the life style and cook books helped a lot. Greenergrass gave great advice.

Congrats again!!!! And Welcome....