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.