Friday, October 10, 2014

Friday Food

Just the other day, when someone heard that I don't eat meat or dairy, they asked the same question that I often still get ... "what do you eat?"  After 5 years of being vegetarian, and a year and a half mostly vegan, I think it's rather ironic since we are blessed with so many food choices in this world.  

For some, falafel and homous for breakfast may seem strange but it is typical for this region.  My husband had to go to work early this morning and picked this up on his way back.  Pita bread, pickled veges and olives come with the meal which happens to also be very inexpensive.
 For lunch, I had leftover chickpea salad that I made last night for guests:  3 large tomatoes chopped, one small onion and green pepper chopped, one medium cucumber chopped, 1 can of drained chickpeas, a handful of fresh cilantro chopped, 1/4  cup of olive oil, 3 TBS of red wine vinegar, 1 tsp of salt, 1/8 tsp sugar and 1 clove of minced garlic.  Blue corn tortilla chips and mashed avocado with salt, cumin powder and lemon juice were served on the side.
 A late afternoon snack was banana cake with chocolate streusel (recipe can be found here) and Earl Grey green tea with coconut milk.
  For dinner, I had granola with coconut milk and fresh fruit.
And that's it ... I may have a banana before bed but otherwise I am full and satisfied.  Since changing my eating habits and views on food, I actually crave simple, healthy, delicious meals. There are days when I nibble more than usual, but I always opt for healthy choices.  Most people think that protein and calcium are only found in meat or dairy, but everything we eat has some level of these necessary nutrients.

Wishing you a healthy, happy day.
  

31 comments:

Teresa Kasner said...

Thanks so much for explaining about how you eat as I'm fascinated. I wish I could adopt that healthy eating! You're an inspiration. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Lorrie said...

There are many ways to eat. Thanks for showing us what you eat in a day. Looks delicious.

Kate said...

All of that sounds so delicious! I love to eat fresh fruit and hummus. And coconut milk in my coffee, yum! Thanks for showing us how you eat healthily. Take care :-)

Susan said...

Hi Tammy. Everything looks good. I love hummus! Keep posting meals of what you eat, will you? Very inspirational.

I think your portions are good, too. Like that bread that you pictured! It looks yummy but I would be naturally inclined to eat a much bigger slice! ha! Susan

Melanie said...

I am not a total vegetarian, though I lean that way more all the time. I find plenty of healthy things to eat and make that don't require meat! I make a lot of vegetarian soups during the fall and winter. Now vegan is another story - I do love my dairy (mainly Greek yogurt for breakfast). I'm definitely going to make your chickpea salad - yum.

kathy b said...

I could eat like that every day. I love hummus and chickpea salads. Fresh tomatoes, banana bread!!!

Createology said...

Your meals sound and look quite delicious and healthy. My sister is vegetarian and I try to be sometimes. I do enjoy non-meat meals however Mr. C is a hard core carnivore caveman. Most meals we never eat the same thing. Wonderful Weekend Dear...

Serena Lewis said...

Yummy food, especially the breakfast! You're right, Tammy, vegan food is delicious! I'm mostly vegan now and already feel great since making the change from pescetarian to vegan. :)

Yarni Gras! said...

I agree with Teresa but alas, I like hot cocoa and chips and salsa and and and.....

Betsy said...

Your food all looks delicious. I always say I need to change my eating habits but I love so many things that aren't compatable with a vegetarian lifestyle. Well done for having the fortitude to actually stay with it.
Blessings,
Betsy

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
The time we lived and worked in Indonesia we ate mainly vegetarian and since we have continued like that at home. We do eat fish though and rarely some chicken breast but more and more I dislike chicken meat. If I prepare meat for guests, I opt for pork tenderloins and they taste very well.
All legumes are meat substitutes so people do overlook that often. A lentil soup is a full and healthy meal and tofu is a great protein source.
After years of not eating any eggs, we now do hard boil omega-3 eggs and take the yolk out and eat half an egg as a snack or with lunch. Unsalted nuts are great too.
Proud that my blood work looked great on September 26 so the mostly vegetarian eating proves to be great!
Hugs,
Mariette

homemade@myplace said...

so yummy!!!!! ;oD
happy weekend, xxxxx Ale

Poppy said...

Hi Tammy,

Firstly, beautiful food styling! The Greeks eat quite a lot of what you've posted today. Although I am not a vegetarian, I tend to accent my meal with a small portion of protein, (chicken/fish/red meat), choosing instead to fill my plate with veggies. Thanks for giving us a taste of your appetizing dishes.

Poppy

Preeti said...

I agree this is a common thing people ask vegetarians but not in India because there are many vegetarians . But my foreign counterparts in other countries ( when I used to work) always asked, ' what do you give to kids?'
Chick peas and rajma kind of things and other pulses have lot of proteins . But we Indians give into traditional taste, end up spicing/tempering most of the things which add lot of fats and reduce the nutrition also.

Everydaythings said...

thanks for sharing that tammy and the recipes too, I found this so interesting! I love the look of the food in your photos!

Laurie said...

Hi Tammy, I've been vegetarian for almost 3 years. I don't think I've ever had chick pea salad, but your recipe sounds delicious. I'm going to make it this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

kathyinozarks said...

Your food does look delicious. I was a vegetarian for a really long time back in the 70s and 80s. I did allot of research on how to combine foods to get the needed proteins, added the vit 12 which is really important-but after over 10-12 years I ended up really sick-extremely thin, and I went from vegetarian to vegan to even less food choices cause in my head at the time I was even "killin" fruits and veggies by eating their seeds-I even made sure I was wearing no leather or animal products-it got to be too much for me in the end. we all need to find a balance and the healthiest choices for our bodies.
have an awesome weekend

Mereknits said...

I think you are amazing, well in so many more ways than just your food choices. Your meals look beautiful and healthy.
Hugs to you,
Meredith

Linda said...

I've actually always preferred vegetables over meat, but having shared that, I'm still fond of certain meats and could never give those things up. I'm the Granddaughter in a long line of butchers, so I think it's in my blood ;) because I love best of all various sausages, lol and I LOVE cheese. Also, no one at my house would eat most of those other alternatives, except maybe Sarah. To me, healthy eating regardless of our choices, is all about moderation.

Linda

Tanya said...

Looks like a fabulous and filling day of food - awesome that you photographed it all for your readers! Happy weekend, Tammy - Tanya

moonstruckcreations said...

Falafel and hummus - my favourites, along with foul for breakfast when I visit the middle east. And my favourite dessert - knafeh!!!! Yum!

Helenxx

Laurie said...

So, I tried your chickpea salad for lunch today and it was yummy. I just used what I had on hand minus the sugar. Which means, the next time I make it, I'll be sure to add the garlic and green pepper. I'm sure it will be even yummier. Have a nice weekend.

Jennifer Hays said...

I think all of your food looks delicious. I'm so glad Middle Eastern foods are easier to find in the stores now. I grew up eating these foods because my mother is Syrian, and it's nice to be able to buy hummus, etc. in the store if I don't feel like making my own.

Sam I Am...... said...

Thank you for the great recipes and meal ideas. I'll be trying those for sure. I make my avocado toast but I want to try your seasonings for it now.

Mosaic Magpie said...

All those food choices look delicious! Especially the salad.
Good for you for having such good eating habits...I need you living next door to help me!

Mary said...

What a fabulous daily menu - know now how you stay so slim and healthy looking Tammy!

I've been a non-meat eater for 36 years! Now and then I do have fish but usually my protein comes from other sources. Now I am seriously considering trying gluten-free eating for a while. I do have some digestive problems and after losing some weight find it's creeping back on - not good! Life without good bread is very hard for me but I'll give it a try.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful food - I would love everything - I often make felafel and we buy a lot of Middle Eastern foods locally.

Happy weekend Tammy - Mary x

Amy at love made my home said...

It sounds like a wonderful days eating! I wouldn't have the coconut milk, but other than that, I would be happy with it all!! xx

Vicki Boster said...

I surely admire you for your healthy eating choices-- everything you've shown here looks wonderful to me!! I feel so much better when I make healthy choices--
Xoxo
Vicki

Tanna said...

YOU could get me to be Vegan... if I had you to make the delicious dishes I always see you making! AND your doilies are BEAUTIFUL under these beautiful dishes, too! =) blessings ~ tanna

SusanLotus said...

I looove falafel and hummus. I think I must do it this weekend! :)

We eat veggie food several days a week.

I like your blog so much because you find happiness in the small daily life and I want to do that as well.

Susan

Lotusblommans vardag said...

Delicious food photos!
The simple things are often the best.

:)

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