Going Vegetarian

As I mentioned in my last post, I stopped eating meat a little over 3 weeks ago and I must say I haven't really missed it. Just to give you a bit of background, I didn't grow up eating a lot of meat. In fact I haven't ever really liked meat that much. I'll eat chicken with no bones or skin and red meat if there is no pink etc. I absolutely never eat seafood...I have tried and hated it all. When I met Daniel I hadn't really eaten any meat in years. Being with Daniel I slowly incorporated meat back into my diet and I don't really mind it but to be honest I could do without it.
A few weeks ago Daniel mentioned that he had been reading about the health benefits of being a vegetarian and I told him how I feel better all around when I am not eating meat and tend to eat more fruits and vegetables. He said he liked meat too much to be a vegetarian but that he wanted to try it for at least two weeks so I said I would do it with him. He made it to two weeks but, even though he felt better, he missed meat. I on the other hand, like I said, haven't missed it at all and so I just decided to keep going.
I have been SLOWLY losing weight for awhile but since I stopped eating meat I have been losing weight much faster and feel like I have more energy and all around feel better. Many people have asked me how I get enough protein and its really not a problem. I eat lots of low fat dairy, spinach, eggs, nuts and beans and get more than enough protein in a day. Now, I must say I could NEVER be a vegan...I would shrivel up and die without dairy and eggs for sure.
At this point I can't say I will be vegetarian forever or won't eat meat here and there ever again but I must say I love being a vegetarian and the effect it has on my body so why change a good thing.
I have had a few people ask me what I have been eating so here are some of the things I have been making...
Breakfast:
Spinach, mushroom omelet with low fat Jack cheese and salsa or
Granola and low fat yogurt
Lunch:
Salad with kidney beans or feta sprinkled on top and low fat vinagrette or
Veggie Sandwhich with Dijon
Dinner:
Angel hair pasta, olive oil, spinach, zucchini and tomatoes and garlic or
Veggie stew over white rice
Snacks: 100 Calorie Almond Packs, carrots and hummus, and lots of fruit!
Clearly, I am eating better over all but removing meat from my diet makes me focus on what I need to eat more. I also realize that its easiest to turn to carbs and starch when you aren't eating meat so I try to be conscience of that. Its clear that the more you eat healthy the more you crave healthy things and if you don't eat meat you eventually stop craving it. For me that happened pretty quick.
I'm really looking forward to seeing if this is something I can keep as a permanent lifestyle change because I love the results I am getting. :)
xoxo,
Busy B