Ugh... I have been horrible over the holidays, and I feel like crap about it. I've been avoiding meat when it's painfully possibly, but the more difficult times have, unfortunately, been getting overridden with my mother's meat-filled cooking. (Although I was grateful to find a grilled Boca burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions on the menu when we went to Johnny Rockets--a 50's American diner type place that I was not expecting to have anything remotely vegetarian.) But, unlike most of those who want to excersize more, I'm making "going veggie" my New Year's resolution.

The problem is, I know I'm going to have a lot of tough times like this, and I feel awful about having them so far. So I would greatly appreciate any and all tips and pep talks you all could offer for staying committed to veg*nism. And I'm sure there have been other threads like this, so feel free to delete or move this if I'm wrong in posting it.

Anyhow... thanks muchly, and may the cows and pigs forgive me. :(

Maybe you could look into ordering a free Veg*n starter kit from Peta. I think they include a free copy of Meet Your Meat in there. Check out the recipe section of this site for tons of yummy veggie recipes that you can cook so you don't depend on your mom's cooking(if you live with her). Good luck! :)

Ah, I should have mentioned that I'm living at home until mid-January right now, but then I'll be back at college where things are somewhat easier. And thanks for the tip--I ordered quite a few free veg*n booklets and stuff just now. :)

Even though you are living with your Mom, try and do some of your own cooking if possible - maybe make some yummy things to share WITH your Mom?

If you're college age, you're old enough to help with some cooking and shopping for food items, maybe your Mom might like the help. If not, and she totally won't letyou in the kitchen, just do the best you can and don't be too hard on yourself, it WILL get better.

Good luck.

Mom doesn't mind it if I cook a few things every now and then, but she's very picky about her kitchen and I can't imagine getting past that for the rest of my time off.

If we get to go out of town to shop, I plan to pick up some things to try out, such as vegetarian bacon, and Boca burgers and such. But I live in a small, backwards, hillbilly town, and the one grocery store hardly sells fresh produce, much less anything like a veggie burger.

Thanks a bunch for the reply. :D

You know, I am one of those vegetarians who declare amnesty when visiting family. This isn't to say that I eat meat, which I don't. But my family lives in the south, and many things are still cooked in ham/pork juice. So there is a bit of compromise. Meaning they buy me veggie products like soymilk (my sis went all out last summer and went to a large neighboring city to buy soy ice cream)and when my dad puts a few bits of ham in the green beans...or cooks it with ham juice, I may still eat a few gbs. I've been vegetarian now for five years, and I see my family perhaps twice a year for no more than a week at a time. As I said, I don't eat meat there...but I don't question that I may consume some meat by-products. At home I have a strict vegetarian diet. I just don't see this as a big deal. I know some on here may...but I don't wish, particularly with family, for my diet to be a point of contention when I'm socializing, be it with family or friends. I eat the things I can eat if there is food involved, and don't make my vegetarianism the center of attention.

B

new years resolution for veggie is good, after the first week or so if youre tempted just think "I've already gone a week! I know I can go the whole year" you can be your own pep booster.

If you talk about it with your mom, let her know you're vegetarian, I think she'd probably take that into consideration with her cooking. It's always hard at first, especially with family, they tend to get pissy about the whole cooking issue...but eventually they get used to it. And like others said, you could ask to help cook or maybe ask that some things be made vegetarian (like soup, veggies, ect). It must be difficult to not find any veggieburgers available, you sure there isn't much? Maybe you could print out some recipes to try, there are TONS of free veg. recipes online :)

the main thing here is to focus on how this is a process. in time, it will become easier and there's nothing wrong with it being difficult now or that you're not sticking to some standard that's out there.

follow the standard that is within, and take small steps to the larger picture. you'll be fine. :)

Thanks everyone. :) All of the tips are greatly appreciated. Bethanie, I live in the south too, and it's pretty much unheard of (especially in this little town) to cook anything that doesn't involve meat somehow. My mom's been at least a bit helpful though--one night she made hot dogs, but offered to make me a spinach and cheese sandwich toasted sandwhich instead, which was both surprising and tasty. But that was a few weeks ago, and she hasn't really done much like it since. Anyway, again, I really appreciate all the replies, and thanks so much to everyone!

My first couple of weeks were tough as well. When I got the craving for meat based food that every around me was enjoying I poured all of my energy into finding a substittue recipe right at that moment either on the internet/in a book or just writing down what I would need to recreate it. Somehow just making a plan to treat myself to BBQ Tofu sandwiches or whathaveyou got me through these pesky cravings.

Now the cravings have gone away but I cope when I recoginze a good smelling meal by commenting that it smells good, probably tastes good but is categorically off the menu. Not even an option.

Best of luck...this board definately made things easier.

You can watch Meet your Meat at Peta's website. It's graphic and every time I'm tempted, I just think about that video and I'm all fired up about being vegan again.

Wow, your mom actually sounds pretty supportive - a lot of the kids here would be very jealous of you right now :-)

Your mom is a southern cook. Face it - part of the way she expresses her love to you is through her cooking. By rejecting meat, she fears in a way, that you are rejecting her. BUT... it seems like she is willing to venture out of the realm of her regular cooking repertoire... which you could use not only to give you yummy choices, but to show your mom she is a vital part of your new lifestyle ... something only she can help you with! Ask her to help you come up with new vegetarian recipes.

You coul try this book, maybe!

The Vegetarian Soul Food Cookbook : A Wonderful Medley of Vegetarian, Vegan and Raw Recipes Inspired by the Southern Tradition (Paperback)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964128454/002-4478927-6992827?v=glance&n=283155

Good luck!

Thanks you very much for the book reccommendation! That looks like just the kind of thing I've been searching for. :)

My two biggest pieces of advice to new vegheads:

1. Educate yourself. If you know what's IN what they're eating, and where it comes from, you will greatly greatly decrease your desire for it. Also, you will learn about a bunch of new foods to try that satisfy you more than animal products ever could! Just try searching for 'vegan' and 'vegetarian' on Google and Amazon!

2. Eat eat eat, eat beforehand, and bring food with you! Never go to any event where there's going to be food if you think there won't be enough for you. Always eat at least something small before you go so you won't be starving and tempted to do something wrong. Also, every time you go to a potluck or family dinner, make something yummy and veg that's enough for everybody to share! Then you feel included, and there's always SOMETHING you can eat!