30 days without meat

today is december 4th. i have officially gone thirty days without meat (i have had eggs & cheese).  and you know what, it was surprisingly easy.  i didn't have any withdrawl symptoms or strong cravings or any other imagined things.

what did i learn during these thirty days?

• well, there are meatless options at most places.  some of them are damn good, too.  
• fast food sucks.  okay, i'm sure most of us already know that, but it really does.  not eating meat helped me avoid fast food for a month.  yes, it's convenient, but it generally is low quality crap that i don't need in my belly.
• fresh & easy has an amazing vegetarian chili.  this stuff is seriously good, and i think i like it more than any other canned chili.
• apparently, there is meat in a lot of stuff.  it's cold, so we've been having more soup lately.  when you start looking at labels, you find that a lot of stuff will have bacon thrown in.
• i want to find a local farm that is doing quality, free range cattle.  if i'm going to eat meat, beef specifically, i'd like to know that it's fed right (grain fed) and not raised in horrible conditions.  this may take some time, and cost more, but i think it's worth it. (a friend gave me a link to page river bottom farm - a sanger farm doing just this)
• it would be good to get veggies from a csa.  just like the better raised beef, it would be good to support a local farmer, and buy seasonal vegetables.  i hear good things about the farmer's daughter csa.
• i've been thinking more about cooking, and want to experiment a bit more in the kitchen.  i've found some interesting recipes, and want to get some more cookware and try out new foods.  if i'm eating, it should be an enjoyable experience. sure, there will be quick, easy meals, but i'd rather they be the exception, rather than the rule.
• i really want to try this.

i wonder what i should try to give up next for thirty days?

no meat november update - first thanksgiving

so, last sunday was our first family thanksgiving of the season.  i knew thanksgiving would take place this month, but with all the foods available, it's actually not that hard to avoid the meats.  what i hadn't accounted for was random meats.

this sunday, tri tip was there, along with turkey.  now, don't get me wrong, i like turkey.  i expected turkey.  i was ready to avoid turkey.  but tri tip?  dammit.  i held strong, and avoided the meat.

what this really makes me want for the remaining thanksgiving feasts i'll attend: people to step their game up on the mashed potatoes.  really, i've had a lot of weak, mushy, watery mashed potatoes in the last few years.  doesn't seem like it would be that hard to me.  we've made them at home during the years, and haven't had much problem.

no meat november

so, i haven't eaten meat in a little over a week.  it hasn't been difficult.  i mean, it's not like i was addicted to meat or anything.

there have been a few little snags. i knew that i was eating a bunch of fast food, but i didn't quite think about how frequently, and convenient, it was.  eating is requiring a little bit more planning.

another issue is that there is meat in a lot of things that i didn't think about.  we went out for thai food the other day. i knew i'd be okay on my meal because they have tofu as an option.  we ordered an appetizer, the money bags, which are these little delicious little fried deals. i knew they had potato and peas in them, but didn't know they also had chicken in them.  damn, those were out.

for some reason, i really want tacos.  this is a little odd to me, because it's not like i eat tacos regularly.  but i really want to have some asada tacos right now.  and , it seems like i notice taquerias more.

i have discovered some nice vegetarian options. for instance, bobby salazar's has a nice veggie burrito.  i think i prefer thai food without the chicken, shrimp or beef.

non-senses

(cue queen music)

another one bites the dust.

senses cuisine in the tower district has been sold. they're out of business. well, sort of. if you call their number to make a reservation, you can't. but you are greeted with a friendly message.

"thanks for calling senses cuisine. we are no longer in business. we have sold the restaurant and are all looking forward to the new owner's contribution to fine dining in the tower district. please call back in a few weeks..."

dang. now, i didn't eat at senses regularly, but i did eat there on a few occasions. and each time that i did, i enjoyed my meal. i appreciated that they were willing to try something different with their menu items, and that their whole idea was based around seasonal dishes.

here's to hoping that the next place is just as good.

(cross posted @ fresno famous)