Meat and fish Free Diet

[john.d]

About a year ago i really changed my diet for health and spiritual reasons . I give up meat , caffeen , white bread , sugar and alchahol .
Recently ive added fish to the list and eggs will be next so im struggling with a variety of dishes . Can anyone point me in the right direction for good meat and fish free recipes ?
I would like to go vegan eventually but im taking small steps .
Cheers

John

[truthseekerdan]

About a year ago i really changed my diet for health and spiritual reasons . I give up meat , caffeen , white bread , sugar and alchahol .
Recently ive added fish to the list and eggs will be next so im struggling with a variety of dishes . Can anyone point me in the right direction for good meat and fish free recipes ?
I would like to go vegan eventually but im taking small steps .
Cheers

John

IMO, don't give up on fish, but eliminate the eggs if you can. Food wont help you that much with your spiritual growth. Health is a different story, as long as you eat a healthy and balanced diet.

With love and respect,

D.

[HORIZONS]

Go all out with this un-cook book .. http://healthforce.com/shop?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=32&category_id=7

[stardustaquarion]

john.d, I use a lot of nuts instead of animal protein because soya is not very good on a regular basis. It is kind of replace the meat in stews and other dishes with almonds, chesnuts, brazils, etc provided you are not allergic to them

:wave:

[Gita]

I am a vegan and there are loads that you can find to replace meat. Some recipes here (http://www.quorn.co.uk/Our-Recipes/)to start you off. Good luck. :thumb:

[Solphilos]

If you like indian food, or are feeling adventurous, I'd advise looking up indian recipes.
Much of indian cuisine is vegan or vegetarian, and is not lacking in the flavor department.

A key to not growing bored with such a diet is to be adventurous, and don't set your mind on trying to go for traditional dishes with a meat-alternative. You can easily substitute traditional meals with alternatives, but it will not be the same and may be boring.

I'd recommend spending some time getting to know tofu; once it's preparation is mastered it can become your best friend and can lead to some very tasty meals :thumb:

[Solphilos]

IMO, don't give up on fish, but eliminate the eggs if you can. Food wont help you that much with your spiritual growth. Health is a different story, as long as you eat a healthy and balanced diet.

With love and respect,

D.

I would disagree with this to some extent, as a meat-free diet can contribute in many ways to spiritual growth. It is not required of course, but it can help as part of ones spiritual path.
For a lot of people fish are cut out of diet no only because of health reasons, but because many choose to no longer consume flesh.
When I first decided to cut most meat out of my diet, I planned on continuing to eat fish because I had such a love for it, but over time I naturally became repelled to all animal products and became vegan quite by accident.

[truthseekerdan]

I would disagree with this to some extent, as a meat-free diet can contribute in many ways to spiritual growth. It is not required of course, but it can help as part of ones spiritual path.
For a lot of people fish are cut out of diet no only because of health reasons, but because many choose to no longer consume flesh.
When I first decided to cut most meat out of my diet, I planned on continuing to eat fish because I had such a love for it, but over time I naturally became repelled to all animal products and became vegan quite by accident.

Thank you for your response Solphilos. I only get to eat fish once or twice a week the most, and am not considering it as meat just yet... Who knows maybe later :)

Namaste

[morguana]

hi john, i have been veggi all of my life, but have never gone vegan, one of the things to look out for is making sure you get you vit b complex.....yeast extract is good to use instead of salt in cooking. with vit b's you need all of them and not just one type eg b12 so nuts and seeds are generally a good source http://www.vegsoc.org/info/vitmineral.html , eat plenty of iron, eg nettles are one of the best plants for this, also contains silica (essential for health) amino acids and high levels of plant protiens

As an edible plant, nettles can be considered very high in nutrition value, and the species also have high content of many important vitamins and essential minerals, especially important ones such as iron, essential minerals such as silica and the essential mineral potassium. This high mineral and vitamin content may be one reason for the traditional use of the nettle for centuries to make very nourishing tonics for the treatment of physical weakness and debilitation, as an aid to the process of convalescence and in the treatment of symptoms connected with anemia. The detoxification of the body is another important property of the nettles and through their stimulating action on the functioning of the bladder and the kidneys, the nettles helps in cleansing the body of all accumulated toxins and in the rapid removal of metabolic waste. Fluid retention is also alleviated by using the herbal remedies made from the nettles; it is also used in the treatment of various bladder infections, and in the destruction of stones and gravel in the body. The herbal remedies made from the nettles are also effective in aiding in the excretion of accumulated uric acid, for this reason the herb is an excellent remedy for the treatment of gout and severe arthritis as well as in the treatment of various skin problems affecting patients. http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_nettle.htm
so the humble nettle is a veggi/vegans friend and it tastes really yummy

[john.d]

Thanks everyone for the advice , much appreciated . I am trying to be adventurous , just got into sprouting seeds in a big way ..... enjoying raw food too . One thing i know im lacking in (purely from lack of knowledge) is grains . Im getting there though :)
Most of my old friends think ive lost it because ive changed so much . Its strange how things turn out , my main passion was cagefighting up until a year and a half ago when i read the 'Ra Material' . Now its health , free energy and spiritual evolution . Im thinking diet and spirituality go hand in hand , especially when it comes to eating another entity . After all , what gives me the right ? I wouldnt like to be eaten .
Anyway , thanks again for the advice .

John

[Swanny]

I've stopped eating cows :hippie:
I gave up eating fish for a few years simply because all the so called veggies were eating so many of them

"I'm a vegetarian but I eat fish" :noidea:
How does that work????? :confused:

[K626]

I've stopped eating cows :hippie:
I gave up eating fish for a few years simply because all the so called veggies were eating so many of them

"I'm a vegetarian but I eat fish" :noidea:
How does that work????? :confused:

I stop meat for a week or two now and again, gives the body time to cleanse a bit. On the other hand if we don't eat it ET loves steak apparently the sneaky critters.

[justpeter]

I gave up meat, fish, cigarettes and alcohol all at the same time about 3 years ago. Made no difference to my health - I was perfectly healthy before and just the same now. I think getting the mind in good shape is more important than what vitamins a person takes (in my humble opinion).

As for food options, I buy the veggie stuff from Asda - frozen veg, nut cutlets, spicy beanburgers etc. I use soya milk every day instead of cow's milk. Never use sugar unless it's in chocolate or whatever. Still drink coffee but have herbal tea. Like I said, healthwise it's made no difference but I seem to have learned a lot spiritually in the last 3 years. May be a connection or maybe not.

[K626]

I gave up meat, fish, cigarettes and alcohol all at the same time about 3 years ago. Made no difference to my health - I was perfectly healthy before and just the same now. I think getting the mind in good shape is more important than what vitamins a person takes (in my humble opinion).

As for food options, I buy the veggie stuff from Asda - frozen veg, nut cutlets, spicy beanburgers etc. I use soya milk every day instead of cow's milk. Never use sugar unless it's in chocolate or whatever. Still drink coffee but have herbal tea. Like I said, healthwise it's made no difference but I seem to have learned a lot spiritually in the last 3 years. May be a connection or maybe not.

I eat, drink and think whatever I like basically. :p

[Jacqui D]

I won't eat meat been veggie for years now however i do have fish now and then, i know it's against all that the veggies believe in still flesh, but i do feel sometimes i need it, i do all the necessary things you need for proteins etc and nuts is a good alternative, but apart from nut allergies it can get very expensive. i try to balance the diet but it is hard sometimes.
I am allergic to dairy so i have a hard time with my meals i do repeat dishes a lot because i seem stuck with what i can have and not have, it's a hard one i do actually hate shopping for food now lol!

[Snowbird]

I have been vegetarian for quite a number of years. I border on being vegan, because I eat a little cheese. I do not eat meat or fish but I have to say that I dearly miss the tuna salad and egg salad sandwiches. They were my favs.

I don't use a cookbook when I cook unless I am attempting a brand new recipe. It is really amazing the variations of dishes that one can create simply from the ingredients that you have on hand. I always keep Quorn brand frozen meatless patties on hand and there are many different varieties of frozen meatless items to choose from.

Just a word of caution: go easy on the soy products at first until you have researched the pros and cons of soy. Not all soys are alike. :pizza:

[Carmody]

I would disagree with this to some extent, as a meat-free diet can contribute in many ways to spiritual growth. It is not required of course, but it can help as part of ones spiritual path.
For a lot of people fish are cut out of diet no only because of health reasons, but because many choose to no longer consume flesh.
When I first decided to cut most meat out of my diet, I planned on continuing to eat fish because I had such a love for it, but over time I naturally became repelled to all animal products and became vegan quite by accident.

I did the same for about 1.5 years. Pure vegan. It's good for the soul. However, when I ate meat again my body rebelled pretty hard. the change in chemical gears really does change the mindset. I find it personally took about 6 months to really settle into an actual full vegan diet with regard to the mental changes from the change in chemical balance in the body.

However, my body does chemically like meats, for it's particular balance to work out. I'm my overall most healthy with a high meat protein diet. Bummer. (there are interesting circumstantial bits to support such a viewpoint in this one's case)

[Arpheus]

No meats anymore been doing that for 5 or 6 months and feels great,i do however still do my cheese now and then along with eggs and one or twice a month i may have some fish,i have a strict budget and since fish is expensive i only eat when i go out or i get tuna wich is cheap,but its a once or twice a month thing for me,changing diet habits does change you a lot on a spiritual level and its VERY noticeable,there was a time when i was purely on fruits and nuts and lemme tell oh boy,it was like lucid dreams paradise when i was doing that,but i cant do that anymore because it adds up to the budget so i just try to balance as much as i can due to financial restraints heh.

[Solphilos]

However, my body does chemically like meats, for it's particular balance to work out. I'm my overall most healthy with a high meat protein diet. Bummer. (there are interesting circumstantial bits to support such a viewpoint in this one's case)

Same here. I've recently come to find out that I'm at my healthiest when my diet is as varied and erratic as possible, go figure :P
I first when vegetarian years ago, then full vegan, then back to vegetarian, now I'm eating meat again as I could no longer keep such variety in my diet.
Now I just eat in small amounts, every other day or so. A huge variety of fruits and veggies, no dairy, no gluten containing grains, and no refined sugar.


Finding a diet that fits each of our individual needs can be very frustrating and confusing; I've went through so many diets and tried so many different foods it's unreal. Lot's of fun though, now I have experience with so many different foods it's not as complicated coming up with healthy, wholesome recipes.

[Solphilos]

Just a word of caution: go easy on the soy products at first until you have researched the pros and cons of soy. Not all soys are alike. :pizza:

The only soy products I use now are tofu and Braggs Liquid Aminos. Even then, I use in moderation.
I fell in love with soy milk after cutting out dairy, and after drinking more than one glass a day I ended up in the hospital from extreme gastrointestinal issues and other problems related to my thyroid. I never had any problems with tofu, which I ate in large quantities, but the soy milk wrecked my health in a relatively short period of time.

[Ki's]

When considering your protein needs, you’ll want to keep in mind that it takes a legume & a grain (consumed together) to make a complete protein.
ie: peanut butter on whole wheat, beans & tortilla,
I’ve noticed that most indigenous type people seem to naturally combine and eat legume/grain combinations in their regional diets.

I’ve also been using a lot of Quinoa. It’s very versatile and a good protein. I’ve used it as a breakfast porridge and for a main meal; when it’s cooking I’ll throw in some mushrooms, a handful of nuts, some greens and whatever veg I have on hand (chopped broccoli is good) 15 minutes and it’s dinner.
AND…the kids like it! :^)

I’m kind of ‘iffy’ on the soy products too, especially since so much of it is tainted with the GMO’s.

Ki

[FrankoL]

I've been vegetarian for more than 10 years. Now I have a lot of experience with it. When I stopped eating meat I lost weight rapidly. Here and there, I ate fish and eggs too. I'm not an expert but I think that vegetarian food does not digest the same way as meat. Meat gives a feeling of satiety. Unfortunately vegetables do not. You are constantly hungry. Therefore, over time you gain in weight and after you have difficulty to get rid of it. I felt that something was not okay. Problem was that I was ingesting too much dairy products as a meat substitute. Just two months ago I stopped with all dairy products. Up to now I feel just fine. I have a normal weight again. Only side effect is that I am always too hungry.

[John Parslow]

Hello john.d

I have been a veggie for over thirty years but I do occasionally eat fish (my daughter calls me a fishtarian) becasue she is a 'proper' veggie!

You could try this link I use quite often: http://www.food.com/recipes/vegetarian you can just type in what veggies you currently have and I usually find many recipes.

Love and peace to you friend. JP :cool: