A few reflections

So, I'm done. 40 days of no meat. Over. Done. Phew.

I learned lots of stuff, like how to make lasagna and press tofu. I learned that the best way to beat my meat cravings was to simply avoid the places where I would have gotten meat-based items in the past.

My diet was far from perfect. For instance, while I was pretty good about getting in some protein, I know I wasn't getting the right protein. A simple rule of thumb for a veggie diet is that a legume (beans, peas, etc) and a grain make a whole protein. I usually got one or the other, but not both, and when I did, the results weren't exactly the most edible. So, if I had to do it again, I would work on that.

I credit eggs and protein powder for saving me this time around. If I had to go fully vegan, I'm not sure I could make it. Not for 40 days, anyway.

I can also eat really unhealthy on a vegetarian diet. Veggie pizzas, pastas, and breads do not paint a healthy picture. I was hoping to lose some weight, but that didn't happen, though I did manage to lose about half an inch around my waist. Still, I could have done so much better.

I surprised myself in a lot of ways, too. Last time I went vegetarian, I subsisted on a lot of mac & cheese, and Boca burgers. This time around, I think I had mac & cheese as a side dish once, and...that's it. I mean, I had mac & cheese to make if I wanted to, but I never did. And while there were Boca burgers, they were not a regular thing. Peanut noodles with tofu and spinach lasagna were regular things.

It was also easier this time around. Last time, I barely managed 30 days. Last time, however, I was in high school and living with my family. Now that I'm on my own (well, me and Hubs), I think having more control over the groceries and menu really helped. Hubby helped a lot, too, finding recipes and cooking and generally avoiding meat when I was around.

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with how Lent went. I got to try lots of new and tasty recipes, and at a few times forgot it was supposed to be a fasting holiday. However, then I'd pass by a drive-thru, or watch my husband eat crab rangoon, and realize how hard it was to not break down and give in. Believe me, some days were incredibly difficult, and I was probably grumpy on those days.

I'm just thankful that I made it, and now I can relax and eat this turkey sandwich.

I won't stop looking up vegetarian recipes. I actually normally don't eat that much meat, which is why this year, I decided to go vegetarian, as going merely pescatarian in previous years seemed too easy. I usually have at least one vegetarian day a week, even if I don't plan it that way. I have no desire to fully give up meat, though. Once animals stop tasting so good, then I'll stop eating them. Until then, I have a turkey sandwich to devour.

EASTER!

It's finally Easter! Which means I can have meat!

Hubby made me breakfast. Bacon and pancakes. Yum!

At work, I got to sample a couple pieces of barbecue from some of our guests, who are from Texas. Texans serving up barbecue?

It was like a little taste of heaven!

For lunch, I went to Wendy's and had some chicken nuggets. They...they were less than satisfying.

They were just really bland. Ick.

For dinner, we went to Billy McHale's. We started with their seafood chowder, since you can't go there without a cup of it.

We had a chicken fajita quesadilla as an appetizer.

For dinner, I had their steak & prawns, with steamed veggies and a baked potato. I already had started eating the steak before I took the photo.

I survived going vegetarian. I actually am surprised at myself at how well I fared. But...meat is still so tasty!

Day 46 - Final day of fasting

It's the last day of Lent! I can just about taste the bacon. Mmmm....bacon..... I opened the fridge and looked at the bacon waiting for Easter, and thought yeah, I'm eating that tomorrow!

I had a Mediterranean wrap from Woods Coffee for breakfast. Lunch was a vegan hummus wrap, the pic of which for some reason came out really small.

For dinner, I attempted to make some quinoa-black bean casserole. It was...interesting? The recipe called for shredded sweet potatoes. I didn't have any, so I used regular mashed potatoes.

It wasn't completely inedible but...I'm not sure those leftovers will be consumed. We were starved, though, so we took what we could get. I may try it again with the proper ingredients someday.

Tomorrow....I eat MEAT!

Day 45 - Almost there...

It's so close to Easter right now, I can almost taste the bacon....

We went grocery shopping, and we bought meat! I'm going to have bacon for breakfast on Easter! We bought some burgers, some turkey breast meat for sandwiches, and I think we got chicken as well. I can't wait. I miss meat.

I started off with an apple, then after the gym, I made a "Caribbean Passion" smoothie, with mangoes, strawberries, and peaches.

Lunch was simply a Lean Cuisine cheese French bread pizza, along with more apples. Also, candy. I had to make some little gift boxes for prospective clients, and I may have been snacking a bit whilst doing so.

Dinner was peanut noodles with tofu, broccoli, and carrots.

We also had a chocolate bunny cake for dinner. Hubby saw it in the store, and said we had to get one.

Hubby wanted the bunny's butt, which I think had more frosting than cake..

I think he may be disturbed...

Day 44 - Noodly

Yesterday was breakfast at Woods. I knew it was a pizza night, and I needed something low cal for lunch.

Fortunately, one of my coworkers came to the rescue with some spiral noodles and veggies.

I'm not sure how she prepared these noodles, but I know they were fantastic! You can't see from the pic, but there were bits of cabbage and stuff in there as well. It was enough to get me through the day (with the help of some carrots and apples on the side). I scarfed them during a conference call, and I think I had them done before my boss had even finished his introduction. (Why do they always schedule conference calls at lunchtime, anyway?)

My coworker actually made meatballs to go with the noodles, and my other coworker who was sitting in on the conference call with me had some. I just paid attention to the call and to my own food so I wouldn't be thinking about the meatballs, and it worked. I just didn't look over there.

For dinner, we actually went to Tino's Pizza in Sudden Valley, since we were working out there doing some yard work at a house. (Anyone looking to buy a house? I know of one for sale in Sudden Valley that I'm sure you'd love!) The crust was a bit thinner than the pizza we normally get in town, but also tastier. Also, they put on the diced tomatoes after baking, so they don't have a sour taste. The price was actually about the same as we'd get at Little Caesars, just with a few extra dollars for a tip. I love Tino's, and it's one of the things I miss about living out there.

But if you want to live out there, about that house...

Days 41, 42, & 43 - Yeah, I'm lazy

Three days in one here, because I've been lazy.

For breakfast on Monday, it was another Mediterranean breakfast sandwich at Woods. Yeah, I eat a lot of those. Soon, I'll be able to try their other breakfast sandwiches! But for now, I'm stuck with their lone vegetarian option. 

For lunch, we were still out of food at home, so we went to Boomer's drive-in for lunch. I had their veggie burger and waffle fries.

They have excellent burgers, though I don't really love their veggie burger.

Dinner was Amy's Cheese Tamale Verde meal.

Tuesday, I had a gourmet veggie club from Jimmy John's. Afterward, we finally went grocery shopping. How many meals in a row have I been eating out/heating up from a box? Anyways, spinach lasagna was on the menu for dinner!

I crumbled mushrooms in with the cheese layers to beef it up a bit. (Mmmm....beef...want beef...) It came out well.

Wednesday was another chili and nachos day, with veggie chili for lunch, and veggie chili nachos for dinner.

Days 39 & 40 - Getting fat off sushi and doughnuts

Ungh. I went to a buffet for dinner tonight, and I am stuffed.

Before I get into that, though, I'd like to point something out. Yes, today is day 40, but Easter is still a week away! What gives? Well, there are 40 days in Lent, but Sundays are outside of Lent, and I've been including Sundays in my day counts. It just makes it easier when I'm on my post list and I can count day 1, 2, 3, etc., since sometimes I get busy/tired/lazy and miss a day (like yesterday), and the next morning can't remember if I posted or not. (Or, I'll actually write the post early the day after, and can't remember if I already did it.) So in short, we have 40 days in Lent, but 46 days during Lent. If your brain still hurts, it's okay. Just accept it.

Yesterday, I sort of wanted a Mediterranean breakfast sandwich from Woods, but was too cheap to get one. I mean, I've had two in the week already. I don't have the money to eat out all the time! So I made my own version, sort of.

It's an omelet with spinach, marinara, and cheese. Also, I had two slices of whole-grain toast.

For lunch and dinner, I ended up procuring food from restaurants anyway. Lunch was a gourmet veggie club from Jimmy John's, and dinner was a gourmet veggie pizza from Papa Murphy's. They're both gourmet veggie items!

Does Papa Murphy's actually still count as a restaurant? You don't actually eat the food there. I guess they're more of a pizza shoppe than a full-fledged restaurant. (I always think "shoppe" should be spelled that way instead of "shop". It looks so much more...gourmet?)

Breakfast today was leftover pizza. Oh yeah, I'm on a roll, aren't I?

Lunch was a Thai tofu wrap and a bottle of Cheerwine.

Hubby has been bugging me about going to Wonderful Buffet here in town for a while. They're a Chinese buffet, with lots of fried food, especially beef and chicken. I pointed out to him that they also have a lot of seafood, so we went and I had a Sushi Sunday!

Okay, let's add up my buffet sins...

Not too bad. Rice, mushrooms, and...something green? Broccoli stalks, maybe? I just got home and I've already forgotten. Oh well. I also loaded up on sushi. For a Chinese buffet, they have pretty decent sushi there. I had a few pieces of Cali roll, and something similar made with what looked to be that fake-crab stuff. I'm no sushi connoisseur; I can recognize a Cali roll and that's about it.

Plate number two...

I meant to get more veggies, but the potatoes looked really good. I finally was able to have some crab rangoon, after Hubby ate several pieces in front of me a few days ago. I also had one of their little fried doughnuts, which are one of my greatest weaknesses at any decent Chinese buffet. Also, plenty more sushi. Lots and lots of sushi!

Plate 3 was dessert...

Moar doughnuts! I swear, they lace these things with crack or something; they're so addictive! I had a little cream puff, and loaded the rest of my plate with some fresh fruit.

That's it. Three plates doesn't make me the worst offender, I'm sure, but still, that's way more food than I normally eat! Oh well.

I need to go grocery shopping soon so I can stop eating out...seriously, my fridge is barren!