It's Official!

So I've become a vegetarian. Maybe on the way to becoming vegan. It's happening… AGAIN. I was vegan once before from about 2009 to 2011 but it just got too difficult.
Well, I've learned more from reading Omnivore's Dilemma and watching Cowspiracy and I just can't unlearn the things I've read and seen. I won't tell you about it. If you want to know, google it! So. I'm now a full-blown vegetarian!
And you know what, it hasn't been that difficult! I've even made two recipes from scratch this week! Go Catie! I did some Pinterest-ing and found a great sweet potato and black bean burger recipe as well as a delicious mushroom soup recipe. Tuesday night I got busy and cooked my little heart out.

All in all it took about two hours, but now I have all these awesome vegan leftovers I can eat whenever I want. I made so many veggie burgers that we have about six in the freezer. Meal prep at its finest. :)

I was exhausted after all the cooking, but felt so accomplished. I fell asleep feeling great and knowing I can do this whole vegetarian thing.

Anyone else out there a vegetarian? Have any great recipes???


Thanks for reading,

Eating and Buying Local

As I continue to read Omnivores Dilemma I'm pulling more and more away from mass produced food. (I think it's my Oregonian side coming out in full force! hah!) I can't help but wonder what is in the food we buy from the grocery store. We eat whatever the animal was fed or however the produce was grown. Can can't wash off the chemicals or antibiotics the animal ingested... It makes me nervous not having any control over it.
Since Ryan and I live in an apartment and we have no land to grow a garden, I've signed us up for a local Community Supported Agriculture program.
What is a CSA? I had no idea before reading the Omnivores Dilemma either!
A CSA allows city residents to have direct access to high quality, fresh  produce locally grown by regional farmers. When you become a member of a CSA, you purchase a "share" of vegetables from the regional farmer.

Pretty awesome, right?! So, every Saturday morning, beginning in May, we will drive about 20 minutes to Dreyer Farms and pick up our weekly produce box. All local, all fresh from the farm.

CSA's are all over the country and very easy to find. You'll be able to find your local CSA by a quick Google search.

I'll let you know how it works out! I can't wait for May!

Thanks for reading,

Eating Organic

I've been reading Omnivore's Dilemma and it has literally changed my life. I know, I know... that's a HUGE statement. And I haven't even finished the book yet! But it really has!! It changed the way I look at the food I put in to my body.
We do not have control of what the farmers, ranchers and the mass production food industry feeds the animals and what they spray on the produce we eat. So how do we fix this?!
Eat local and eat organic. And research the companies you are buying from. I've also been slowly moving towards a vegetarian lifestyle. And you know what, I feel better. My insides feel lighter. It's kind of amazing.

Why go organic and local? Because I don't want to eat pesticides and chemicals. I want my produce fresh because it was grown nearby, not because of the fertilizer it was grown in. Yes, it costs more - but the end result - healthier me and a healthier Ryan. :)

Has anyone else read Omnivore's Dilemma?


Thanks for reading,