It turns out, I can trick myself.
For instance, if I am craving bacon, I can put a couple of strips of MorningStar Farms fake bacon in the microwave and if there is something on my plate that is crunchy and tastes like bacon, I am content.
I think I actually prefer it to real bacon now because it's not greasy and always tastes bacon-a-licious.
I also have come to enjoy the MorningStar Farms sausage crumbles and have used them on pizza and in my spaghetti sauce with great results. They taste like sausage and have the texture of meat. Again, works for me. I was afraid to even put some of these products into my mouth at first and braced myself assuming I would gag at first bite, but, an unfounded fear.
Example: my husband always happily ate the vegetarian BBQ ribs, and I thought he must have
gone loopy from all the tofu over the years. I had images of something even nastier than a McRib. But I got brave and tried these, too and found them enjoyable. They have a meaty texture and the flavor is nice - nothing scary here.
gone loopy from all the tofu over the years. I had images of something even nastier than a McRib. But I got brave and tried these, too and found them enjoyable. They have a meaty texture and the flavor is nice - nothing scary here.I don't want this post to sound like a commercial for MorningStar Farms, but what can I say? They make yummy fake meat. Like their Maple (fake) Sausage Patties. Mmmm.
I am at the stage now where the novelty has worn off a bit and I want to eat "normal" food again, but I'm aiming at a new normal. Thus, it's comforting to know if I have a taste for a burger or a piece of bacon, there is a substitue out there that can satisfy my craving and still allows me to live up to the goals I have set myself.
I am at the stage now where the novelty has worn off a bit and I want to eat "normal" food again, but I'm aiming at a new normal. Thus, it's comforting to know if I have a taste for a burger or a piece of bacon, there is a substitue out there that can satisfy my craving and still allows me to live up to the goals I have set myself.
My goals keep growing and changing, which means my aim has become consistently higher.
My initial aim was just to give up meat, but the more I have learned about various aspects of the food industry, the closer I get to believing I need to aim at a full on vegan diet.
I am many steps away from that but each week I make steps and discover the path to where I want to end up. All this research and trying new foods is like a GPS for my stomach. (And my soul.)
Any insights are welcome, so if you're reading this and you're already a vegan; tell me....EVERYTHING.
