Although my diet has not been that bad the past few months, I would like to improve it further. I decided to switch to a vegetarian diet during the week. Whole grains, rice, oats, fresh fruit, more mixed green salads, veggy burgers (I love them!) and better morning cereals (less sugar, more whole grains). I already use coconut milk, which I really enjoy... Eliminating dairy as most I can as well. I generally buy organic/natural the most I can. Honey and natural sweeteners and avoiding synthetic ones, as well.
The transition should not be too bad, but I really want to improve my blood pressure (around 135/80). Family has a sketchy history of high BP and heart issues, and I want to improve myself with food.
On weekends I will allow myself to eat meat (sensible), as I don't think I can fully convert myself. At least at this point! I love my meat more then anybody, but it is getting to the point I think it may be better to start balancing myself better. I don't plan to eliminate cheese/eggs, just meat. My 4 hens would be upset if I didn't eat their delicious eggs!
I "officially" started last night... We had rice and (black) beans, spiced with cumin, garlic, onion, lime juice, chipotle sauce... Topped with wok flash-cooked red bell peppers and red onions spiced lightly with cumin, garlic and salt. Finish with a bit of lime juice and hot sauce. Amazing! So much flavor, I did not miss meat one bit. Today I had a great mixed green organic salad, brown rice pasta with organic pasta sauce and a PB&J (all natural, just salt and peanuts!). The rice pasta was really good! Texture was great... Will be a great substitute to flour based pastas.
I feel really good about this though. I hope to lose some weight along with improving my B.P and other stuff. I am 23, 6'6" and currently weigh 262 (Down from 268 a few months ago)... I hope to drop down to 245, my ultimate goal by spring.
Has anybody else done this? Switching over to a "part-time" vegetarian or something similar? And how has it gone for you? Health changes, improvements, etc...?
I hope to share any progress in the next few months!
The transition should not be too bad, but I really want to improve my blood pressure (around 135/80). Family has a sketchy history of high BP and heart issues, and I want to improve myself with food.
On weekends I will allow myself to eat meat (sensible), as I don't think I can fully convert myself. At least at this point! I love my meat more then anybody, but it is getting to the point I think it may be better to start balancing myself better. I don't plan to eliminate cheese/eggs, just meat. My 4 hens would be upset if I didn't eat their delicious eggs!
I "officially" started last night... We had rice and (black) beans, spiced with cumin, garlic, onion, lime juice, chipotle sauce... Topped with wok flash-cooked red bell peppers and red onions spiced lightly with cumin, garlic and salt. Finish with a bit of lime juice and hot sauce. Amazing! So much flavor, I did not miss meat one bit. Today I had a great mixed green organic salad, brown rice pasta with organic pasta sauce and a PB&J (all natural, just salt and peanuts!). The rice pasta was really good! Texture was great... Will be a great substitute to flour based pastas.
I feel really good about this though. I hope to lose some weight along with improving my B.P and other stuff. I am 23, 6'6" and currently weigh 262 (Down from 268 a few months ago)... I hope to drop down to 245, my ultimate goal by spring.
Has anybody else done this? Switching over to a "part-time" vegetarian or something similar? And how has it gone for you? Health changes, improvements, etc...?
I hope to share any progress in the next few months!