Weddings/Catered Events

One of the more challenging areas of being a vegetarian comes with large catered events. Whether it is a Formal Dinner, Prom, Weddings, or Family Get-Togethers, it seems that us Vegetarians are always getting the short end of the stick.

While Mr. Filet Mignon, over there is getting his $50.00 worth of food per pound, we are stuck with 5 mushroom raviolis, and a small side salad. Great!

At one event, while everyone received there food in a prompt and delicious fashion, I had to wait for an extra 20 minutes while they boiled a cup of pasta with marinara sauce. The pasta came out Cold and Not Completely Cooked!

But, hey, this post isn't about complaining- it's about preparing. Go in with a plan!

When I have an event like one of these coming up, I make sure to talk to whoever is planning it. I make sure they know that I am vegetarian and ask if they could please ask the chefs at the venue to be prepared for that fact. Tell them that just because you are vegetarian doesn't mean you Don't Eat. In fact, you love food and can't wait to try their delicious vegetarian meals! ( :) )

Now, if you don't have a fancy little card at your seat that says your name and "Vegetarian" when you get there, and they are serving snacks, pull a server aside and give them a little reminder. This will save you the trouble of being the last one being served at your table and everyone looking at you like... "Well? We're trying to be polite, but our food is getting cold! Can we eat???" (A-W-K-W-A-R-D)

This way, you're food should come out with everyone elses, nice and hot! Enjoy!

Festivals: Veggie Style

Have you ever been to a music festival?

I just got back from Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee, and let me tell you, not only was the music amazing- but the food?! Scrumptious.

Here are some of the food choices us Veggie-People had in store:

1.)Veggie Corn Dogs. That's right! You don't have to give up corn dogs! They are amazing!

2.)Garlic Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

3.) Falafel Salad or Sandwich

4.)Pad Thai

5.)Indian Vegetable Samosas

6.) Vegetable Fried Rice

7.)Stir Fry

8.) Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

9.) Quesadillas

10.)Burritos

That was just Some of the choices. Yeah, i had a blast. Who says being Vegetarian on Vacation is hard?

We also went to a few restaurants on the way down and back up. We stopped at this tiny Vegan restaurant in Chatanooga. I had myself a "Sloppy Joe," while my other 3 friends ( two of them non-veg) had vegan burgers and chicken patties. All were delicious.

On the way back home, we stopped in Knoxville at a restaurant called the Copper Cellar. I had myself a Portobello "steak" and cheese with grilled onions and peppers and a side of homemade, red mashed potatoes. Of course, we had an appetizer of spinach and artichoke dip and chips and the waitress was the sweetest thing down south. Lots of delicious veg. options!

The Restaurant World

When first venturing into the Vegetarian world, ordering from a restaurant menu might seem intimidating, but here are a few tricks to help you through your first few restaurant experiences:

First of all, do your research. If you have some time to plan where you are going to eat, go online to the restaurant's website and take a peek at their menu. Do they have a good amount of Veg options?

*Think smart- if you're friends want to go to a Steak House, there isn't going to be too much for you to choose from- maybe a different style of restaurant would be a better choice?

If you don't have time and it is a spur of the moment kind of restaurant adventure, there are a few tricks that will help make the experience more enjoyable.

1.) Think about modifications- don't just settle on what is on the food description of the menu. Think: If a salad you think you'd like has chicken on it, they probably don't need to add the chicken! Same goes for pasta dishes, and many other options.

2.) Look for veg items. Many restaurants have added delicious veggie options such as Portobello Burgers, Veggie Burgers, Black Bean Burgers, and Tofu dishes to give us something yummy to munch on.

3.) Consider Appitizers: Many apps are veg. friendly. Think: Mozz Sticks, Cheese Quesidillas, Fried Zucchini, Mac n' cheese, Tomato Soup, Broccoli Soup, Salads, and many more!

4.) Research the Vegetarian Restaurants in your area! I'm sure there are a few. Also consider that Indian Food, Chinese Food, Thai Food, and Italian Food Restaurants offer a Great Deal of Veg friendly food!

Also, many Fast Food joints around the US have been thinking Veg too!

Burger King offers a Veggie Burger on their menu- get it without cheese and its Vegan!

Taco Bell has many Veg options, such as bean burritos, tacos, enchilatas etc.

For a complete list of Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants around you, visit this link and start diving in tonight!

PS: If you're in the New Haven area and haven't tried Claires Corner Copia--- do it!

Eating Insects???

I saw this link today and thought it was really interesting! Now, I don't eat insects, nor do I know anyone who does- but I live in Connecticut, and I don't think it's one of the most popular things to do in my "culture."

I also don't feel entirely like eating insects is vegetarian- because insects -are- living things.

However, this video was interesting, nevertheless. He has a lot of good points about the benefits of eating insects instead of meat, and therefore, there is a lot of information about why eating meat might not be the best choice too. Plus, it's kind of funny, and he has a wonderful accent.

Would you eat insects???

Overcoming Negativity

When entering the veg-world four years ago, I was met with a lot of questions, put-downs, and even anger. My family and friends didn't understand my choice to not eat meat. They wanted reasons, facts, and sometimes, no amount of my knowledge would suffice to make them happy and understand.

Heres the big thing you need to realize from the start: Some People Just Won't Ever Get It.

...and that's okay. It's their choice to learn to understand or not.

You already know how to answer some of the questions they might throw at you.

Q: Why don't you eat meat?

A: Refer to one of my first posts. Environment, Animal Cruelty, World Hunger, or "Because I just don't like the taste of it."

Another good answer is: Why do YOU eat meat?

Q: "How will you ever get enough protein? Vegetarians are always sick because they don't get enough."

A: Beans, Legumes, Peanut butter, Tofu, Tempeh, TVP, Quorn, Boca, or Morningstar products (Research will give you even more options.)

Q: "Arn't you always hungry?"

A: No...

Q: "Do you just eat Salads???"

A: No- do you just eat DUCK?

Q: "What do you order when you go out to eat?"

A: "Lots of things..."

These are just some questions you will encounter. Many times, your grandparents at holidays will be your worst enemies. You know- the one who makes the famous meatballs, and needs you to take just ONE bite! Don't let them win- it's your choice and they need to respect that.