What I'm missing

It's been about a month and a half since I decided to become "vegetarian". I've learned a lot since day 1, but it definitely gets easier with every passing week. Going vegetarian (eating primarily veggies/fruits, no meat, cheese only on pizza, and eggs only in baked goods) has introduced new foods to my diet as well as some really great recipes, so what have I missed since January's change?

Oddly I haven't missed as many 'meaty' foods as I initially thought I would - and I'm so thankful! Though if I craved meat at every meal, or even just at dinner, I don't think I'd stay the vegetarian course. I must say a pot roast cooked in my Crock Pot for eight hours sounds really tasty sometimes - it was, after all, my favorite! A super-tender hunk of beef soaked in its own juices along with carrots, potatoes, and peppers made this girl very happy. Slap something green along the main event and I was set! Yep, I definitely miss pot roast.

Recently I took the kids to get lunch at Chick Fil-A and I had to WALK AWAY because those fried chicken breasts looked oh-so tasty. Chick Fil-A, pre-vegetarianism, was my favorite 'fast food' joint and just thinking about their Original chicken sandwich decorated with that buttery bun, two crinkle-cut pickles, and half a packet of mayo makes me want to try those 'fake chicken' patties Alicia Silverstone raved about on "Oprah".

I also miss meatloaf every now and then. I know, how many people love meatloaf? That was my requested birthday dinner many years in a row and my mom even treated me to her meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cabbage and cornbread the day Babe and I brought Jay home after she was born. Meatloaf kinda girl I was! Even now when Babe makes it, and he makes it quite well, I think - WHO decided going veg was a good idea?! But I have yet to break down and I hope I don't!

After almost 2 months of being a veggie girl I have lost, without even thinking about it, about six to eight pounds. Years upon years of dieting haven't yielded that kind of result that didn't require weird foods/shakes/point counting. I just ate til I was full and my body seems happy. This is one of my least important reasons for staying vegetarian because deep sleep and waking with energy like never before has me hooked. Sure, paying attention to what my body needs and balancing my diet through the day is definitely part of this fabulous way of life for me - but if it took eliminating meat, including my favorites!, I'm just glad to enjoy the benefits as they surely outweigh the yumminess of a Chik Fil-A sandwich, a pot roast or the meatloaf...COMBINED!!