I may call myself an ‘ExSloth’ but I still have a whole lot of sloth-like tendencies. Case in point: my recent foray into meat free eating. It all started a couple Fridays ago when I ran out of meat. I planned to hit the grocery store that day, but by the time evening rolled around I was way too lazy to leave my house. So, I decided to see if I could last a couple days on the produce I had left, as well as whatever dry and canned foods I had in my pantry.
At first, it was a little disconcerting because I’m so used to eating meat. But after a couple days of, not just surviving, but actually enjoying my meat free meals, I realised something. As a meat eater, I’ve conditioned myself to see a lack of meat as a lack of food. I was able to prep filling, delicious meals out of the fruits, veggies, beans, nuts and grains I had on hand, when just days before I was positive I had ‘no more food’.
Like I mentioned in my last post, I’m almost positive that this won’t be a permanent change, especially since I bought canned salmon and tuna this weekend. But I’ll definitely be enjoying this unexpected journey for a while yet. Anyway, today I thought I’d link up with Jenn and friends to share what a typical day of my temporary meat free existence looks like.
Note: There are no salads here since, more often than not, I avoid them like the plague.
Breakfast
Even before I embarked on this mini journey, my breakfasts were usually meat free aside from the occasional turkey bacon or chicken sausage with my eggs or pancakes. So, over the last week, I’ve just been sticking with either oatmeal, smoothie bowls or granola, if I remembered to make it the night before. But, on this particular day, I switched it up and had a slice of avocado toast and another slice of toast with peanut butter and bananas. Perf.
Lunch
If you follow me on snacpchat, you’d know that I made hummus for the first time last week. I always buy canned chickpeas with the intention of making hummus and end up roasting them instead. But since honey roasted chickpeas don’t exactly scream lunch, I finally decided to give the hummus a try. I made a variation of Lee’s Lemon Garlic Hummus, using lime and a couple extra seasonings. So ridiculously easy, and extremely tasty. I had it in sandwiches for the first few days and in modified buddha bowls after that. But, on Monday I was really craving lentils so I ended up having this for lunch:
Quinoa and lentils with roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini and a random piece of leftover avocado
Snacks
Of course, I forgot to photograph the snacks. Well, I actually posted pictures of them to snapchat, but that was more than 24 hours ago, so they’re in the dust. But, I remember what they were, so I’ll just list them out for ya. Snack 1 was a random but satisfying bowl of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried mulberries. Snack 2 was some diced watermelon, strawberries and blueberries topped with Hemp Hearts while I waited for the lentils to boil for lunch. And snack 3 came after dinner in the form of super sweet candies my friend Deanna brought back from England.
Dinner
I’ve been meaning to make veggie burgers again for the longest time so I decided to give those a go on Monday. I honestly have no idea what quantities of everything I put into them but I do remember most of the actual ingredients. First, I mashed some black beans, sauteed some mushrooms in Worcestershire sauce then mixed the two together along with zucchini, carrots, flax, cilantro and other seasonings. I formed it into patties and pan fried them for a couple minutes on each side until warm. I served with some Ezekiel bread since I didn’t have hamburger buns and topped with tomatoes and avocados. It was completely random but ended up being so good.
Disclaimer: I also forgot to take a pic of dinner on Monday, but I had a variation of the veggie burgers for lunch yesterday so I’m sharing a shot of that instead.
And that’s it. My take on a day of vegetarian eating.
What about you?
- Do you eat meat?
- Do you have the same no meat/no food mentality?
- Have you ever gone meat free for an extended period of time? What did you think?
Share in the comments below!
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I do eat meat (mostly chicken) but I’m not a huge meat eater. I usually find myself going a couple days a week without eating any meat. I think it sometimes gets you out of your cooking comfort zone if you go meatless when you’re used to eating meat.
Ok so that makes it look so good! I’ve been trying to eat more meat-free meals recently (environmental issues) and it isn’t always easy – especially when trying to get enough protein in.
Cat recently posted…No-Poo Not For You? 5 Alternatives
That’s so funny–I think I may be the same way “no meat/no food”, which is obviously not true! I definitely enjoy having a meat protein with dinner (typically) but can easily go meat-free for breakfast/lunch most days. Either way, your eats look really good!
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Cantaloupe and Raspberry Yogurt Parfait
I’ve been meat free for almost 3 years now & it is great as long as you pay attention & are sure to get a good variety of plants! 🙂 I’ve never had a problem getting enough protein…but crazy thing is now the smell of cooking meat repulses me! A side effect I never expected but one that does make it easier to continue! 🙂 your day looks yummy & filling.
Oh yum, that all looks so good! I can easily go without meat, and would be vegetarian if it weren’t for my boyfriend. I eat vegan when I’m at home but he HAS to have meat for dinner, so I’ll have chicken or fish 2-3 times a week when we eat together.
Bri recently posted…#WorkoutWednesday: 20-minute HIIT workout to build strength and power
I’m a vegetarian (so I guess every meal is meatless, haha) but my husband is more of a flexitarian. I think when we first started dating he had to adjust to meatless meals but now he knows that a meat free meal can be just as filling! All of your meals look awesome! Thanks for reminding people that vegetarian food doesn’t just mean salads 😉
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted…What I Ate Tuesday
This is such an inspiring little moment you’ve shared, Giselle ! My mouth is watering over these beautiful pics ! I’m always fascinated by new ways of harmonizing between nourishing our bodies with wonderful nutritious foods, and nourishing our spirits with delightfully tasty ways of preparing them!
Wow all of those meals look amazing. I am definitely a meat eater! Although I never have, I think I could do meat-free for a little while. I tend to order no meat at places like Chipotle (I’ve just heard too many food poisoning stories and I’m a worry wart), and I enjoy those meals sans meat!
Christina recently posted…Kale + Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Zoodles & Ground Turkey
Recently I’ve started going meatless when I travel on the weekends. I’ve found that it helps me not feel so sluggish, nor like I have a brick sitting in my stomach as I fly. I’ve also noticed that when I don’t eat meat I wake up earlier and I’m ready to go for the day. Have you felt like you had more energy on the days you didn’t eat meat?
AmberLynn Pappas recently posted…High Five a Stranger!
Looks like some pretty healthy and tasty meals– I made hummus for the first time last week too! I am actually allergic to chickpeas, so I have never even had hummus before– I made it with whitebeans, and I am hooked.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Gluten Free Snickerdoodles
I am a big time meat eater and worry I will go hungry if I do not eat it, I try to be grain free so no pasta or gluten-free bread for me. I need protein!
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes: Yoga in Times Square, BFF Playlist, Top NYC Bike Rides & More
What an interesting experiment! There are days, especially during Lent, when I go without eating meat for 24 hours, but I’m not sure I could do it for a week, or longer.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…I’m a For Two Fitness Ambassador!
“As a meat eater, I’ve conditioned myself to see a lack of meat as a lack of food. ” I think my husband has the same problem! And I like my meat as well, but when I try to do a couple “meatless meals” a week, he gets so angry like I am depriving him of his man-hood! But then he always is so surprised when my meatleass meal actually taste good. Silly, men. 🙂 I definitely find myself eating a little less meat when my husband is traveling for work though… but then I want to make sure I get an adequate amount of protein, without hammering down the carbs. The balance is tough!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…HIIT Tuesday- No Weights Circuit
YES! It’s hard to balance those macros on a vegetarian diet when you’re used to getting protein from meat. Also, LOL at your husband
Your meatless meals look relish! I was a vegetarian for two years and never really missed meat. I always found good, filling alternatives. Now, though, I usually have fish with lunch and poultry for dinner – but I’m not opposed to meatless meals 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Queens 10K Recap
I didn’t really miss the meat itself either, but I definitely missed how easy it was to just whip up something when meat took care of the protein. It was definitely a fun experience though, and now I’m more open to meatless meals as well 🙂
When my husband isn’t around I eat mostly vegetarian but I don’t commit to a vegetarian lifestyle because honestly sometimes thinking of a meat dish is easier. But your meals do look tasty!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Why I’ll never be a yogi
I know exactly what you mean about meat dishes being easier to come up with in a crunch. But I also love how creative I had to be when I cut out the meat for that week!
I am definitely a meat eater, for my weight training I need a lot of protein so I eat a lot of chicken and turkey. I know I can get protein from non meat items, but it would be a lot of those non meat items 🙂 I would like to try it though, maybe for a week like you have and the food looks and sounds delicious!
Stephanie recently posted…Tire Flips, Chicago and Volleyball
You should give it a go Stephanie! I only did it for about 8 days and it was definitely an eye opener. And now that I’ve started back eating meat, I’ve found myself eating more fruits and veggies than I used to, which is always good 🙂
Ironically, I am vegan, but I haven’t made my own veggie burgers in a while. Now that my mouth is watering though, I might just have to. And avocado toast!!! Why haven’t I had that before?
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs recently posted…Baseball, Father’s Day, and a New Surfing Record
You NEED to try avocado toast. It is soooo good!!!
I do eat meat but lately I’ve seen myself making very hearty salads sans meat or some combo of lentils and vegetables. Most of the meat I eat is chicken or fish. I just let a pound of ground turkey go bad… grr! and only eat red meat on occasion.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Beach to Beacon 10K Training Week 1
I let some chicken go bad last week. Not my finest moment lol
Yes to all of this! I totally make that excuse of I don’t have any food, when I have a full cupboard! I love going meatless I feel so much better when I eat less meat!
Glad I’m not alone with this one, Kate!
I don’t think I could go meatless. I eat a ton of chicken and turkey. Not much beef (it doesn’t agree with me). I think I need the protein that meat gives me, with all the endurance workouts and heavy lifting I do. There are athletes who disagree with me (ultramarathoner Scott Jurek, for one) but we all have to listen to our bodies, right?
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Product review and a giveaway: SLS3 compression socks
Definitely! Listening to our bodies is key.
YOur meals look delicious! I could totally be a vegetarian 😉 Too bad I live with 4 TOTALLY carnivorious boys. 🙂
rachel recently posted…Shifting Gears and Slowing Down
Wow all that food looks delicious! Healthy vegetarian, awesome!
Toni @runninglovingliving recently posted…Weekly Workout Wrap-Up, K-Fit Challenge Week 5
So much yum! I crave meat after long runs and eat chicken but love other protein sources like quinoa and nuts.
ElenA recently posted…10 Reasons to Escape to Salamander Resort and Spa
I don’t know where you are on your meatless journey but I hope you still take moments to skip the meat and enjoy something else… It’s a way of life for me. 🙂