Closed to the meat.

[aca]

So, in an effort to do something about my cholesterol I'm thinking about how to reduce my meat, dairy and egg intake as much as I can. To this end:

Dear Lazyweb,

Where is a good place for a life-long carnivore to find a gentle introduction to meat-free/vegan cooking?

Thanks!

Adam.

Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be much appreciated.

Comments

[chiller]

Quite seriously, before you adjust the wrong thing in your diet, read this and then watch this. No gimmick. Proper science.

And you can (and ought to) carry on enjoying meat and eggs.

[aca]

My sugar intake is already pretty minimal, but I had seen that before. I'll still be eating some animal protein, just need to get a lot more plant matter into my diet instead of beefs, y'know. :)

[chiller]

Aha! Yeah, I hear you ... I read something the other day that said the WHO recommends something like ten-a-day and finds the UK's five-a-day laughable, but accepts that it's impossible to persuade Britain to eat that many veg. Dono about persuade us to eat them - I don't think I could afford ten a day!

[aca]

Heh, baby steps, you know. :) I promise I won't force anything too weird on you and Katie, at least without backup options on hand. :)

[aca]

Most of these things can be accompanied by good bread. Perhaps your swinging by a bakery on the way home could encourage better attrition of the frozen leftovers? :)

[alexmc]

I would start by trying to have more vegetable meals - rather than vegetarian meals.

Do you see what I mean?

[alexmc]

http://lord-caramac.livejournal.com/643562.html

seems appropriate but I couldn't get to the end...

[aca]

Hehe, I actually got the same video posted where I asked this on Facebook. :) Most awesome.

I think I'm interested in learning how to create a balanced meal without animal protein, and vegetarian / vegan recipes have a variety of ways of solving this problem beyond the "add beans" approach I take now. :)

Certainly more veg side dishes isn't a bad thing either, but I'd like to learn how I can adapt what I like eating now, too.

[cookwitch]

This lass is good for inspiration. http://www.kitchenist.com/

This has some rather good ideas and info: http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101/shopping_cooking_guides/guide_to_cooking_20_vegetables

This may also be useful: http://www.vegetarianchef.co.uk/

[aca]

Rah, thanks very much!

[cookwitch]

I find it easier to think of it as 'adding more tasty noms' than 'not eating the beefs'. If you see what I mean. :)

[aca]

I do, however I do tend to eat like a starved mountain lion when presented with somethings flesh. A habit which needs breaking.

[voofy]

looking at the all the comments :)
you know people that you I and I must have met thorough so different circles. always surprises me.

also
as well as the great recipe advice given

I'll say, try starting by having meat once a day. Just one meal, the same meals you eat now. After a while that feels really normal. Then reduce portion size per meal, and cut out a couple of days.

I did that mostly because I can't afford meat, just happened. But it's worked.

[aca]

What can I tell you it's all jhaelan and Livejournal's faults. :) Got to know him through almost going to college together and he introduced us to the London Gofficks and LJ and it all went downhill from there.

I just happened not to have gone to school with most of 'em. ;)

A gentle ramping down does sound like a top plan, especially since I tend to think it's all rather tasty. :)