OH I'm soooo lovin' this

So last evening I gave my first real effort to cooking a delicious vegan meal that was more than just microwaving some veggies and topping some brown rice.  Now don't get me wrong...by no means was the meal difficult, but I'm proud of the effort and definitely the results.  My hubby sat looking at my plate saying, "well I'm ok with eating vegan food...yes, I'd be ok with eating healthier honey...".  LOL! 
Ok, score one for me!  And how easy was that???
So what was the meal? 
I simply sauted' some leeks and kale in olive oil and topped them with some rice vinegar. Served it with sliced tomatoes with a lovely seasoning blend on the side. Some toasted whole grain deli rounds topped with some Earth Balance butter. Added a perfectly cooked yukon gold potatoe and I was in heaven!
I took a picture of it but I just can't seem to figure out how to get them on here yet.  Of course who knows...random photos may start popping on here from the limbo where I believe I've sent them! 
On a side note.  While Ididn't decide to go vegan because I wanted to lose weight, I have lost 5 lb. over the last week.  hmm. Just a perk I guess!

Where do you go from I'm not eating meat anymore?????

I've been reading up on vegan recipes like crazy and I've come to a conclusion.....they are daunting to the beginner!  Now I love to cook, and in closer examination I realize that they are not really for the most part that difficult.  But when you have to balance WHAT THE HELL DO I EAT, with making sure everyone else eats...you need some basic easy to throw stuff together ideas.  So here we go....
First rule....
Make large pots of brown rice and whole wheat pasta to have on hand.  These can be portioned out and frozen for later use, and you can do EVERYTHING WITH THEM!!!
Olive oil....no need to say anything else. 
dried fruits and nuts.  They can be your friend!
Lots of different types of beans.  Canned are ok if unseasoned.
 Of course I assumed you would realize that you need to stock up on veggies....oh yes, you'll also want some frozen stir fry veggies on had as well as some soy sauce, and a variety of condiments besides ketchup and mustard....and olives and pickles and relishes of all kinds. If you like them some of the quick frozen meat substitutes are ok, but I don't personally use alot of them...some burger crumbles and an occasional veggie burger...
Ok, that's it.  That is the start of basic ideas to get you going. 

I will be adding some recipes occassionally but for now is my new fav. breakfast "powerfood".

Place some cooked brown rice in a microwave safe bowl, add a bit of dried fruit, I use cranberries, and an ou. or two of your favorite nuts....I've been adding almonds myself.  A splash of some organic lite vanila soymilk.  Warm in the microwave till warm.....yummers!

How to save the world and not eat the dog.

I've been flip flopping like an idiot between "No I don't eat meat, to ok, I eat a little meat, well then I just eat fish, or maybe some cheese..." you get the picture.  At any rate what really prompted the biggest bout of disgust with myself,  and ultimitely the creation of this blog, was when someone asked what is the difference between it being ok to eat one animal but not others?  It hit me.  I might as well just get up some morning and eat the dog!  Really?! 
So I have my bubble on and the truth is all the reasons I stopped eating meat are still there in full force.  Cruelty to animals was top on my list...at first. 
How about what they do to the meat once they've tortured the animals until they slaughter them? You do realize they radiate our meat...pump it full of hormones and antibiotics and....ugh.
What about the massive pollution that is turned loose on our planet as a result of the meat industry on soooo many levels?

Enough of the outrage....while I'm sure it will pop in from time to time that really isn't what this blog is about.

It's about me....trying to figure it out.  You know.  How the hell can you be a vegan and still eat???
How do you manage a family that refuses to go along with you for the ride?  (My son says he's a meatatarian!), and yes...I plan on decieving them into eating my way every chance I get! 
Just wait until I start getting rid of the plastic!! 
Here I go....know where I can get a good cape?  Cheap?