Vegetarian SOS

[Oddball 132]

So I'm a bit new to the program but I find myself falling short mainly cause being a vegetarian so far seems... well... COSTLY!

I need some recipes that are quick and easy or at least cheap... And I know people will say,"Dude! Google is your friend." But! I wanted to do it on here just for the fun of it and I already have used Google just so you know.

 

Note: I hate Tofu!

[The Awesome One 1,315]

I don't know. I am a horrible human being and I like to eat meat. Cower in fear chickens and cows!

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

I hear that spinach is a good source for protein and iron.

 

How many vegetables can you even name, though? What about cooking methods? I really like steamed vegetables. It makes them soft but they taste pretty darn good.

[The Awesome One 1,315]

Alright buddy listen, In India especially and among some people in Pakistan, being a vegetarian is a pretty normal thing. So I can't give you any by myself but I suggest you try some Indian vegetable dishes. They are not hard to make at all, that much I know. They are also very spicy usually.

 

Here is what they look like:

 

or you could try Daal.

[Oddball 132]

I hear that spinach is a good source for protein and iron.

 

How many vegetables can you even name, though? What about cooking methods? I really like steamed vegetables. It makes them soft but they taste pretty darn good.

Spinach, lettuce, tomato(WHO CARES IF IT'S A FRUIT), bell peppers, potato, garlic, and jalapeno...

 

Time for Google search!

Alright buddy listen, In India especially and among some people in Pakistan, being a vegetarian is a pretty normal thing. So I can't give you any by myself but I suggest you try some Indian vegetable dishes. They are not hard to make at all, that much I know. They are also very spicy usually.

 

Here is what they look like:

 

or you could try Daal.

Hmm... Is it hot in here or is it just me?

 

Thanks!

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

 

 

Spinach, lettuce, tomato(WHO CARES IF IT'S A FRUIT), bell peppers, potato, garlic, and jalapeno...

Eggplant, carrots, celery, rice, corn, all sorts of beans, sorghum, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, red onions, all sorts of peppers, (black) olives, sweet potato, cucumbers, yuca root... avocado (the main ingredient for Guacamole)... brussel sprouts... Beets. How did I almost forget about beets?

 

I'm sure there are plenty more I'm forgetting. You can see a list of common vegetables here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable#Some_common_vegetables

 

Oh yeah, forgot to mention mushrooms. They also count.

 

So... Looks like I managed to dig up quite a list. You have:

Root Vegetables

Leaf Vegetables

Edible Seeds

Edible Plant Stems

Edible Flowers

 

Options; you have them.

[Oddball 132]

Eggplant, carrots, celery, rice, corn, all sorts of beans, sorghum, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, red onions, all sorts of peppers, (black) olives, sweet potato, cucumbers, yuca root... avocado (the main ingredient for Guacamole)... brussel sprouts... Beets. How did I almost forget about beets?

 

I'm sure there are plenty more I'm forgetting. You can see a list of common vegetables here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable#Some_common_vegetables

 

Oh yeah, forgot to mention mushrooms. They also count.

 

So... Looks like I managed to dig up quite a list. You have:

Root Vegetables

Leaf Vegetables

Edible Seeds

Edible Plant Stems

Edible Flowers

 

Options; you have them.

Thanks! I'll look into them ASAP!

[Suukorak 354]

Hello there Oddball. I've been a vegetarian for 12 years, hopefully I can be of some assistance.

First of all, do you eat dairy/eggs? If you do, they can be good sources of some nutrients. Whether or not you do, though, there are plenty of choices, and I'm sure, some lower-cost ones.

1. Beans are your friends. Many nutrients, tasty, usually pretty cheap. Mexican food is particularly tasty and usually cheap, though it might get a little monotonous, depending on your tastes.

2. Indian food is full of delicious vegetarian stuff. I don't have the precise recipes, but here are a few dish names to google: Bhindi Masala, Dal (sometimes spelled Daal), Saag Paneer/Palak Paneer (though this has cheese), Aloo Gobi. Some of these might be a bit complicated, but there are often microwaveable packages available at grocery stores if you don't want to make them yourself.

3. Italian food can sometimes work, especially if you eat cheese.

4. For quick and easy, it doesn't get much better than a hummus sandwich. Also throw in some greens (arugula, lettuce, spinach, whatever) and a few tomatoes or olives if you want a more varied flavor.

5. If all else fails, there are many fake-meat soy foods. They might be a bit expensive, though, and I've heard tell they don't taste like real meat. In all honesty, by now I've forgotten what meat tastes like, so I can't be the judge of that.

 

Hopefully that helps somehow. Good luck!

[Oddball 132]

Hello there Oddball. I've been a vegetarian for 12 years, hopefully I can be of some assistance.

First of all, do you eat dairy/eggs? If you do, they can be good sources of some nutrients. Whether or not you do, though, there are plenty of choices, and I'm sure, some lower-cost ones.

1. Beans are your friends. Many nutrients, tasty, usually pretty cheap. Mexican food is particularly tasty and usually cheap, though it might get a little monotonous, depending on your tastes.

2. Indian food is full of delicious vegetarian stuff. I don't have the precise recipes, but here are a few dish names to google: Bhindi Masala, Dal (sometimes spelled Daal), Saag Paneer/Palak Paneer (though this has cheese), Aloo Gobi. Some of these might be a bit complicated, but there are often microwaveable packages available at grocery stores if you don't want to make them yourself.

3. Italian food can sometimes work, especially if you eat cheese.

4. For quick and easy, it doesn't get much better than a hummus sandwich. Also throw in some greens (arugula, lettuce, spinach, whatever) and a few tomatoes or olives if you want a more varied flavor.

5. If all else fails, there are many fake-meat soy foods. They might be a bit expensive, though, and I've heard tell they don't taste like real meat. In all honesty, by now I've forgotten what meat tastes like, so I can't be the judge of that.

 

Hopefully that helps somehow. Good luck!

I don't mind cheese(right now at least), but as for eggs I've never really liked them.

 

Thanks for the helpful advice maybe I can hit 12 years eventually.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Oddball

[Kyabetsuko 79]

I'm not a vegetarian myself, but I always end up eating a lot of vegetarian food.

What can I say, I love to eat XD

 

Try eating soup. Some vegetables taste a lot better in soup format.

Beans, for example, are a thing that I usually avoid. But bean soup is great XD I'm actually eating one right now!

 

Be creative with salads.

Some salads taste really awesome if you add a little bit of sugar.

 

Eat lots of candy!! The only thing that you'll have to pay attention, is that there are candies that have animals in its composition. Always remember to read the info on the packages.

 

You can always rely in japanese food.

I really love gohan with tsukemono my favourite being bettarazuke.

[Sapphire Lightning 784]

If you want tips for that, go to veggieboards.com . That is the go-to place for advice, especially when it comes to being frugal.

 

Also, do you like seitan? Its easy to make and super cheap.

 

edit: Had to get veggieboards url correct.

 

Also, do not worry, it is easy to be veg on the cheap. I am vegan and spend between 25 and 50 a week for groceries.

Edited May 15, 2015 by GreatAndPowerfulKaty

[darkwingmare 1,320]

I'd love to become a vegetarian, I'm eating as much vegetarian and vegan as I possibly can, at all times.

The only reason I'm not a full-time vegetarian; is because I live with people who doesn't want to cope with my vegetarian diet plans. They love meat and no one can tell them how good or not it is to become a vegetarian. As soon as I fully move out, I'll be joining the vegetarian side.

My other reason is that I would probably starve myself. I don't eat tomato, and most of the vegetarian and vegan food is based of off tomatoes. I cannot eat them, in a million years or so.. xD

But I always, as I mentioned, choose vegetarian whenever I can.

And I'm also really questioning what kind of food that can be consumed that is fairly cheap and easy to get a hold of. I love to cook, so that's not a problem. But it SURE is hard to find good food that is vegan and enough for your body to stay healthy. Starving is not an option!

 

However, I can try and give you some tips on what I eat whenever I choose to make vegetarian food.

First of all... I apologize, but I do not know what these are called and I cannot find an English translation, but in Sweden, we have this thing we call "linser": 

If anyone have any idea what this is called ^^^ Please help a clueless girl out here!

 

Any way, this is a great ingredient to have, it's fairly cheap and easy to cook up. You can make pies out of it, soup, salad, or just have it as an extra push to any meal, keeping your tummy full and satisfied.

Same goes for broccoli, you can use broccoli to make soup, wok and pie, and it will keep you full for a longer period as well. I personally LOVE broccoli, so that's a big plus for me. Season it all with some salt and it gets even better. A cheaper alternative is to buy it in frozen form, instead of buying the fresh vegetable as it is. It might not be as tasty in frozen form, depending on what kind of food you're making. Whenever you're making soup, there is usually not that big of a difference, compared to if you just want to cook them over some steam... Then I recommend you to take the fresh vegetable instead, otherwise you will mostly get water and VERY little of the rest of the broccoli when it's done steaming.

 

Carrots, same thing. Great vegetable. Make some salad with eggs, if you eat eggs. Egg is always good for your brains, muscles and weight, it's a very good food to use for anything and everything. Potato and egg is a great combo! And as everyone else is mentioning; beans are fantastic.

[Kyabetsuko 79]

First of all... I apologize, but I do not know what these are called and I cannot find an English translation, but in Sweden, we have this thing we call "linser"

 

~

 

If anyone have any idea what this is called ^^^ Please help a clueless girl out here!

I believe these are lentils :3

 

Oh, just remembered, there is a shake I used to drink, it isn't expensive (at least in here) and it's easy to make. You can drink it in the place of one meal.

 

Two fruits

Skim milk

One teaspoon of flax seed

One tablespoon of oatmeal

You may want to add honey :3

[Suukorak 354]

 

 

If anyone have any idea what this is called ^^^ Please help a clueless girl out here!

Yep, lentils. I used Google translate - oddly enough, "linser" also apparently means "lenses"? Etymology never fails to surprise me.

 

 

And I'm also really questioning what kind of food that can be consumed that is fairly cheap and easy to get a hold of. I love to cook, so that's not a problem. But it SURE is hard to find good food that is vegan and enough for your body to stay healthy. Starving is not an option!

Again, Indian food is helpful here. Millions of Indians from the dawn of their civilization to the present day have been surviving, even getting fat, on purely vegetarian food. It's a facet of the Hindu religion, I'm led to understand. Anyway, Indian dishes certainly aren't repetitive or bland, so draw on the collected and refined creativity of hundreds of generations of Indian cuisine.

[Oddball 132]

I'd love to become a vegetarian, I'm eating as much vegetarian and vegan as I possibly can, at all times.

The only reason I'm not a full-time vegetarian; is because I live with people who doesn't want to cope with my vegetarian diet plans. They love meat and no one can tell them how good or not it is to become a vegetarian. As soon as I fully move out, I'll be joining the vegetarian side.

My other reason is that I would probably starve myself. I don't eat tomato, and most of the vegetarian and vegan food is based of off tomatoes. I cannot eat them, in a million years or so.. xD

But I always, as I mentioned, choose vegetarian whenever I can.

And I'm also really questioning what kind of food that can be consumed that is fairly cheap and easy to get a hold of. I love to cook, so that's not a problem. But it SURE is hard to find good food that is vegan and enough for your body to stay healthy. Starving is not an option!

 

However, I can try and give you some tips on what I eat whenever I choose to make vegetarian food.

First of all... I apologize, but I do not know what these are called and I cannot find an English translation, but in Sweden, we have this thing we call "linser": 

If anyone have any idea what this is called ^^^ Please help a clueless girl out here!

 

Any way, this is a great ingredient to have, it's fairly cheap and easy to cook up. You can make pies out of it, soup, salad, or just have it as an extra push to any meal, keeping your tummy full and satisfied.

Same goes for broccoli, you can use broccoli to make soup, wok and pie, and it will keep you full for a longer period as well. I personally LOVE broccoli, so that's a big plus for me. Season it all with some salt and it gets even better. A cheaper alternative is to buy it in frozen form, instead of buying the fresh vegetable as it is. It might not be as tasty in frozen form, depending on what kind of food you're making. Whenever you're making soup, there is usually not that big of a difference, compared to if you just want to cook them over some steam... Then I recommend you to take the fresh vegetable instead, otherwise you will mostly get water and VERY little of the rest of the broccoli when it's done steaming.

 

Carrots, same thing. Great vegetable. Make some salad with eggs, if you eat eggs. Egg is always good for your brains, muscles and weight, it's a very good food to use for anything and everything. Potato and egg is a great combo! And as everyone else is mentioning; beans are fantastic.

I can definitely relate with the family eating meat. Sometimes I find it absolutely maddening trying to go full vegetarian when they start cooking meat!

Edited May 15, 2015 by Oddball

[Sapphire Lightning 784]

My other reason is that I would probably starve myself. I don't eat tomato, and most of the vegetarian and vegan food is based of off tomatoes. I cannot eat them, in a million years or so.. xD

 

 

Huh? I do not get what you mean by that... I haven't eaten anything with tomato in it in weeks, and I am vegan. I would suggest that you look in to more recipe ideas if you feel like tomatoes are a major part of such a diet. I know the "default" for many veg/vegans that are new to it is pasta, so that may be where you got the idea. I made my own personal recipe book when in transition from omnivore to vegetarian to vegan, and only a few of the meals include tomatoes....

 

Also, I read your post in Tree Hugger's voice, that may have biased how I read your post

[SkullcandyPegasus 603]

Muffins and grains in general are caloric if you're looking for cost efficiency. =3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkiFNWv8Oac

[A Black Circle 1,586]

Why do you neglect the fruits of this world?

[Suukorak 354]

Why do you neglect the fruits of this world?

No neglect. In my case, I just prefer main-dishes which are savory rather than sweet. Since this is the great majority of main-dishes anyways, I suspect that's why we haven't mentioned them.

Also because it's not that hard to figure out how to eat fruit as a vegetarian/vegan.

Just...

eat fruit.

[A Black Circle 1,586]

No neglect. In my case, I just prefer main-dishes which are savory rather than sweet. Since this is the great majority of main-dishes anyways, I suspect that's why we haven't mentioned them.

Also because it's not that hard to figure out how to eat fruit as a vegetarian/vegan.

Just...

eat fruit.

Metaphor fail.

 

When I said "fruits" I meant it more in a metaphorical sense, so what I was really asking is Y U NO EAT CHIKIN.

[Suukorak 354]

Metaphor fail.

 

When I said "fruits" I meant it more in a metaphorical sense, so what I was really asking is Y U NO EAT CHIKIN.

Oh. Whoops, my bad.

I'd be happy to discuss this, but let's not derail the thread. You can PM me or start a new thread if you want to talk about it.

If you just meant to make a joke, then... well, sorry. I kind of ruined it with my misinterpretation.

[SkullcandyPegasus 603]

Metaphor fail.

 

When I said "fruits" I meant it more in a metaphorical sense, so what I was really asking is Y U NO EAT CHIKIN.

funny ... according to this study, vegetarians live an average of 3-4 years longer

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/78/3/526S.long

This is not to say you can't eat meat and be healthy, only that trolling against a positive choice in someone's life isn't the best behavior.

[A Black Circle 1,586]

funny ... according to this study, vegetarians live an average of 3-4 years longer

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/78/3/526S.long

This is not to say you can't eat meat and be healthy, only that trolling against a positive choice in someone's life isn't the best behavior.

It's fine to be a vegetarian, you just shouldn't to the level of forceful restriction.

[Suukorak 354]

 

 

This is not to say you can't eat meat and be healthy, only that trolling against a positive choice in someone's life isn't the best behavior.

I don't think that was trolling, just a joke. Or even an honest question.

 

It's fine to be a vegetarian, you just shouldn't to the level of forceful restriction.

...?

What do you mean by forceful restriction?

[A Black Circle 1,586]

I don't think that was trolling, just a joke. Or even an honest question.

 

...?

What do you mean by forceful restriction?

 

Also, it was a question. Skullcandy doesn't seem to know the definition of trolling.

 

I'd define forceful restriction as not letting yourself eat meat, even if you want to.

I CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE!

 

My posts lead to either nowhere or HELL.

 

That said, I'm leaving. I NEVER SAID ANYTHING TO YOU PEOPLE