Look at the threads here called "Diet For A New America", and also might want to view the "Meet Your Meat" video and the "Diet For A New America" documentary and see how that fits.

Take it one day at a time! :)

Thanks, Bill, I will check those out.

I am not a veggie at this time, either - I find I get way too spacey when I cut meat out of my diet.

I really "get" the ethics of going veggie, though. Especially when combined with a choice for local produce. I know about the complex proteins of beans and rice, but I got SO SICK of beans and rice over and over. Are there other ways of getting complex protein? I need a lot of it...

thanks in advance!

Betty:

I am also lactose intolerant, and so I have been a soy lover for a long time. I find that using soy milk in my morning latte and cereal and then replacing soy in Asian dishes is great.

There are also a lot of other benefits of soy.

We get cases of soy milk from Costco - much cheaper - and it's organic. an 8oz serving has 8grams of protein (about the same amount as a chicken breast).

Hey Betty!

I am not a Doctor, of course, but I think that if you research it, you will find that there's a big myth about how much protein the body actually needs.

Here's a link to protein information at the PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine); it's a great place to start.

http://tinyurl.com/29rljo

But yeah, beans and rice can be BO-ring :)

I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian since 1989. Even though I was the only one in the family to choose this lifestyle, I found that our food costs were noticeably reduced. Now that Its just me and an eleven year old, she eats mostly vegetarian too. Our food costs are very low. Usually less than $200 a month eating in every day. There is great variety with fast & simple to make meals. Everyone should try it at least one day a week.

I am not a vegetarian either, but I do eat meatless or low meat meals frequently. I rely on my dear dogeared copy of 'Diet for a Small Planet' for protein combining info and recipes which I have adapted to my tastes over the years. I kept copies of the pages detailing the Net Protein Utilisation of different types of food taped inside my cupboard doors for years until it became second nature.

It is the combination of foods to achieve a complete protein that makes the difference. Once you have this info, you will see that there is a world of variety for you - not just beans and rice!