About
Welcome to my blog! After years of thinking about it and making some rather half-assed efforts, I’ve decided to go full-fledged vegetarian. On this blog, I will be posting pictures and recipes of the vegetarian fare I eat every day. The food will be a mix of my own recipes and recipes taken from various cookbooks and websites.
The time seems right for a change– I’m newly married, and my husband (who will be making guest posts now and then!) and I recently moved to a small town in central Pennsylvania, where we are both teaching English at a local university. Although my husband does not plan on going full-fledged vegetarian, he will still be eating vegetarian dinners (I’m the cook in the house!), and is eager to explore more vegetarian cuisine.
I’ve thought about going vegetarian for a long time, and have slowly been reducing the meat in my diet for the past few years. I can’t even remember the last time I had red meat. Movies like Food, Inc and Earthlings (which I have only been able to watch the TRAILER for!) prompted me to consider even more seriously the notion of going vegetarian. In the past, I was reluctant to call myself a “vegetarian,” despite the low amount of meat in my diet. I couldn’t let go of the “meat safety net”…the just-in-case-I-want-a-turkey-sandwich approach.
Still, as I thought more and more about it, this approach seemed wishy-washy. I wanted to make a more committed effort, and that meant accepting the fact that there WOULD be times when a turkey sandwich (or salmon, or gumbo, or sushi) would sound llike heaven on a plate, and that I would have to say no. I realized that, to reap the full benefits of vegetarianism, I would have to make sacrifices.
And sacrifices are never easy!! To help me stay on track, I’ve created this blog. My hope is that it will serve to make me more accountable to my new commitment, while making awesome food and having fun with it. I’ve always loved to cook, but I know that limiting myself to vegetarian cuisine will serve as a challenge. This blog will serve as a food diary of my culinary highs and lows (of which I’m sure there will be many).
People always ask vegetarians, “But what do you eat?” (I know, because I’ve asked many vegetarians that very question!) My hope is that this blog will answer that question.
Karla said,
November 18, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
Hey! I just found your blog from Carrots N Cake. I recently became a vegetarian and started a blog too! (foodologie.wordpress.com)
I’ll definitely keep reading your blog. Looks great!
Anna said,
November 18, 2009 @ 2:47 pm
Thanks Karla!! I’m adding your blog to my blog roll
Gelareh @ Orange Truffle said,
November 22, 2009 @ 5:05 am
Hi there!
I am also a rookie vegetarian (9 months now). I love my new lifestyle and enjoy all of my meatless meals. My husband, like your husband is not a vegetarian but he does eat vegetarian meals with me some nights. Check out my blog for some recipes and I will be checking yours
Anna said,
November 22, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Gelareh,
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll definitely be checking out your blog!
Emily Plank said,
November 23, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
Okay, so I have a few thoughts as an *experienced* vegetarian! (ha!!) 6 1/2 years, and raising two vegetarian babies has forced me to do a lot of reading and recipe searching. First, ethnic foods are so much more vegetarian friendly, and don’t rely so much on meat substitutes. Our favs…Indian, Ethiopian, and Mexican (of course). Second, dry beans are much more cost effective then canned, but they require too much time and planning for me. I buy them in bulk, cook an enormous pot on one day, and then freeze them cooked. They don’t work well in dry dishes, but they are great in soups and stews this way. Then I buy cans for almost everything else! My favorite grain – Quinoa…because it is a complete protein just the way it is. A quick veggie stir fry on quinoa gives you everything you need without having to throw in cubes of tofu or scrambled eggs. (which is also good, sometimes).
I’m excited to see what you come up with! I love cooking, too, and am always looking out for new good recipes. Tonight, I’m trying…http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/7574?section=. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Anna said,
November 23, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
Hey Emily!! I’m so excited that you’ll be reading the blog! As a vegetarian veteran, I’ll be grateful for any recipes, helpful hints, and advice that you can throw my way! That bean idea is a good idea– Ryan and I have been talking about how we want to start making more beans from dried ones, but you’re right– they take so much more time! We make a lot of soups and stews, so freezing them like that would work well for us.
Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Anna said,
November 23, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
I just realized that my comment made it sound like I am the vegetarian veteran, which I obviously am NOT
That would be you!
Karin said,
November 25, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
I’m so glad that you commented on my blog
Your blog looks so lovely! Congratulations on going vegetarian. I’ve been a veggie for 8 years and don’t really miss a thing but sometimes it’s hard when there are not that many vegetarian options (like on holiday in Japan.. where there was lots of fish..). However, I think that a vegetarian lifestyle is quite easy to maintain. Can’t wait to continue reading!
inmytummy said,
November 30, 2009 @ 3:23 am
Looking forward to reading about your adventures. I’m not a vegetarian, but don’t eat much meat in general so I definitely will be interested in hearing what you make.
Anna said,
November 30, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Lee!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) said,
November 30, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
Hey Anna,
Thanks for the comment on my blog! I love your blog name
Can’t wait to see some cool veggie recipes!
Anna said,
November 30, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Thanks Allie!!
sweettater said,
November 30, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
hey anna!
thanks for stopping by sweet tater! i get so excited when i “meet” new people via blog… i actually didn’t go to cofc. i’m a furman girl myself, but i love charleston. such a neat place.
looking forward to keeping up with you!
Anna said,
December 1, 2009 @ 12:42 am
Hey Katie,
I viisited Furman when I was looking at schools– it has SUCH a pretty campus!
Thanks for visiting the blog!
lpskins said,
December 6, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Hey Anna,
Food, Inc forever changed my life. I was mostly veg before that but watching the movie really hit home. I had to leave during some parts–mostly involving the cute pigs and cows. Earthlings–Oh.My.God. Like you, I couldn’t even get through the trailer. Thanks for coming over to my bloggie blog–it’s too much fun meeting new peeps with similar interests. What an awesome community.
Anna said,
December 7, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
Hey Lindsay,
Thanks for visiting my blog! When we saw Food, Inc., as soon as the lights turned back on in the theater, I turned to my husband and said, “We need to go vegetarian.” It was a few months before I really decided to officially, but that was definitely a huge turning point.
I look forward to following your blog!!
Tina said,
December 8, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Very cool! I’m definitely adding you to my blogroll.
I want to do that next year (I’m doing TEFL in my gap year).
And I love the fact that you’re teaching English
Can’t wait to read about your veggie adventures and if you ever want some fruity/vegetably (excuse my poor english, miss
) – just drop by my blog – guaranteed veggie fare 
x
Anna said,
December 9, 2009 @ 1:24 am
Hi Tina,
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for your sweet comment! I’ll definitely be checking out your blog as well!
That’s great that you’ll be doing TEFL– I have a few friends who went that route, and they really enjoy it!
Anna said,
December 9, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
Hey Tina,
What is the name of your blog? It’s not linked in your name!
lisaou11 said,
December 8, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
Im not sure that I could ever go veg or that I’d even want to, but my grandmother has been a vegitarean for about 1/2 of her life so I do know its a great way to live! i’ll be following along.
Anna said,
December 9, 2009 @ 1:22 am
Thanks Lisa!
Katie said,
December 15, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
You won the ZEVIA giveaway.
Please send me your mailing address to – katie DOT lau AT comcast DOT net
http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/2009/12/mia-photo-update-new-contest-happy.html
savoringsarah said,
December 16, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
Love your blog! So glad you found me, so that I could find you! will definitely be an add to my blogroll
Kelly said,
December 24, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Great blog…I am glad you found mine and now I have found yours!
A day of firsts, and shop till you drop! « Effect A Change said,
December 27, 2009 @ 1:45 am
[...] for seven beautiful bloggie award winners – Chelsea , Brandi, Allie, Erin, Karla, Anna, and newly discovered bloggie Lynne over at “The Actor’s Diet”, what a neat [...]
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad said,
January 5, 2010 @ 8:37 pm
do you have an email address? i want to ask you a question by email.
Anna said,
January 5, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
Hey Lily,
You can e-mail me at alw20@psu.edu. Look forward to hearing from you!
eaternotarunner said,
January 19, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
Love the idea for the blog! Can’t wait to read more
Jean said,
January 20, 2010 @ 12:13 am
Hi Anna!
So glad I found your blog – I just recently created my own: http://www.bellabelezajean.blogspot.com in an attempt to become more accountable to my mostly vegetarian, whole food philosophy.
I look forward to trying out some of your recipes and hopefully sharing tips & strategies in the months to come!
Best wishes, Jean.
finnyfinds said,
January 24, 2010 @ 4:56 am
Hi Anna,
I’m enjoying your blog! I’ve been a vegetarian for 7.5-ish years and at this point I don’t even think about meat anymore. It mainly grosses me out. But it took a really long time to get to that point.
Sounds like your hubby is lucky to have a cook as good as you!
Alison
Running on Faith said,
January 31, 2010 @ 5:15 am
I, too, am vegetarian and made this change after slowly weeding off meat until my senior year of college! I LOVE hearing what other vegetarians make for dinner because even though I am veg, I still ask the question “What do other vegetarians eat?!” I look forward to reading your blog!
Kris said,
February 13, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
Hi Anna!
Just wanted to say how much I love your blog. While I still eat eggs and some fish, I’ve also gradually been moving away from meat in my diet. I have some great vegetarian and vegan cookbooks listed under the “My Bookshelf” tab on my blog, if you’re interested.
I’ll definitely be back!
~Kris
http://www.oatmealontherocks.wordpress.com
musingsofthegranolagirl said,
February 16, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
I enjoyed reading your story!
As a vegetarian for 6 ish years I get asked what I eat all the time, for some reason meat-eaters find it hard to wrap their fingers around a meat-less diet!
I’m always up for trying new wholesome food so I’ll be following along for some veg recipes!!
Kelly said,
February 24, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
Wow, that’s surprising that they said that, mainly because my experience was totally the opposite. There was so much more pressure at my college. It might been just my school though
I’m sure in theory they accepted us as we were, but the pressure of being surrounded by good looking skinny people all the time gets to you. I’m glad to hear its not like that everywhere though.
Sarah said,
March 4, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
Anna,
I can totally identify with your story as it is very similar to my own! I am a recent newlywed as well as a recent vegetarian. I am loving all of the recipes that you have on your blog! Where did you find your spiralizer at? I have been looking all over to find one.
Sarah
rebekah said,
March 9, 2010 @ 11:16 pm
hey girl!
congrats on your new lifesyle. i just pretty much made the same one – to go mostly vegan. i’d say i could go all the way, but susssssssshiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!
looking forward to keep reading!
- rebekah
Gloria said,
March 14, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
Anna, your Dad gave me your blog so I could see pics of precious Sophie, and she is so beautiful. Your writing is very joyful and inspires me to eat more healthful. We are eating a meatless supper tonight!!
Anna said,
March 15, 2010 @ 1:06 am
Aww, thank you Gloria!!!
bein' good to me said,
March 17, 2010 @ 3:58 pm
Hi Anna,
I’m so glad I found your blog via Kath Eats Real Food! Just skimming through a few pages of your recent posts I definitely am feeling your cooking style and your recipes sound super easy (which is important to me right now) and extremely delicious.
Thanks for sharing your story, my goal is in the next year to go pescetarian (I’ve already cut out the pork, but I’m cutting out the other meats slowly).
I’m looking forward to following your blog!
-Lisa
Anna said,
March 17, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
Hi Lisa! Thanks for commenting! I’ll definitely be checking out your blog as well!
Lauren said,
March 18, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
Hi Anna!
Enjoying the site– I’ve been a veggie for about nine years now and the final decision was made in the College of Charleston cafeteria when I was served something completely repulsive.
Don’t go back! Once you get in the swing of it and carefully get your proteins, you’ll have more energy, feel great, and have less impact on the environment! Quinoa is your new best friend– a complete protein and the most versatile food on the planet.
Peas!
lc
Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble said,
March 25, 2010 @ 12:00 am
Hi Anna,
I was very inspired by Food Inc as well! I took a lot of environmental classes in school and was very aware of much of the food industry, but it just took a little more time for me to make a full rationalization how bad the food industry is here in the US. While I have not become a vegetarian, I have made a strong commitment to eating naturally and organically and trying to make a conscious effort not to eat meat that is not free range and feed natural diets. I admire your commitment! Cheers!
wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas said,
May 14, 2010 @ 7:09 pm
Hi! Just found your blog and realized we are neighbors. I am in a small Central PA town too!
Not totally veg, but close. I consider myself a vegan-inspired whole foods devotee with a little meat thrown in from time to time.
Nice to meet you!
wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas said,
May 15, 2010 @ 10:57 am
Hi Anna! Thanks for visiting my blog! I am in much the same position as you with my “salmon safety net!” I am a little afraid to make the commitment now because I’m nursing my son and I have to be careful with protein, iron, etc, but I look and feel my best when eating vegan food!
I was an English major, and I am working as a copywriter and substitute teacher, trying to find out if teaching is right for me. We Central PA girls have a lot in common!
I’ve added you to my blogroll…I’ll stop by often!
leesespeeces said,
May 27, 2010 @ 4:46 pm
Just stumbled across your blog. I’m a college student and have been waffling between being a vegetarian or flexitarian too. I’ve cut out red meat (which wasn’t hard because I never ate much of it anyway). Your blog looks fun…can’t wait to read more!
Anna said,
May 27, 2010 @ 6:44 pm
Welcome!! Thanks for commenting!
idreamoftahini said,
June 2, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
Love your blog. I went vegetarian on 11/10/09 and decided to move to veganism 4 weeks ago. I’ve been going strong and love it.
Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South) said,
June 15, 2010 @ 4:23 am
I just found your blog…. love it!
i’ve got you bookmarked now so i can keep up. love your pictures.
Anna said,
June 15, 2010 @ 3:03 pm
Aww, thanks Lauren!! When we get back from our travels, I’ll definitely check yours out as well! Where in the dirty south are you from? I’m from Louisiana!
Holly said,
June 17, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
Hi, I just stumbled across your blog. I feel like we have a lot in common! I also recently went veggie (though I’m still eating fish) so this blog will be a great help! I’m located in the Philly area right now, but my boyfriend is pushing for us to move out to the “country” (i.e. anywhere west of Philadelphia). I’m also working towards my masters in education, so that I can become an English teacher. I’ll definitely be reading your blog often.
Anna said,
June 17, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Hi Holly,
Thanks for the sweet comment and for reading the blog!! Fish has definitely been the hardest thing for me to cut out– and as you can see from my recent posts, I brought it back in for my recent travels.
We really do have a bunch in common– my husband and I are both English teachers! Maybe your move west will take you close to Altoona?! I’d love to have a meet-up with you sometime!
Have a great weekend!
Emily said,
June 28, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
Hi Anna! I just found your blog through a post on the Facebook page of The Enchanted Kitchen. I’m also a newlywed, and although I’m not a vegetarian, I’m very much into all things food. I work for WPSU and am leading the effort to create a new online community: Local Food Journey (http://wpsu.org/localfoodjourney). I’m going to email you with more information!
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston said,
July 6, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
Hey Anna!
I’m super curious as to which small town you live in Central PA. I grew up in Hollidaysburg (near Altoona) and loveee Central PA. I know you might not want to tell the whole world what town, but I’d love to know! Looking forward to following your blog.. I’ve added you to my blogroll.
Anna said,
July 6, 2010 @ 4:53 pm
Hi Katie! Thanks for commenting! We’re actually in Altoona– we both teach at Penn State Altoona! Two of our good friends just bought a house in Hollidaysburg, so I’m sure I’ll be spending more time there– I love it! Such a cute town!
Have you visited http://www.abbynormally.com? She’s another Hollidaysburg blogger!
Can’t wait to check out your blog as well!
Vicky @ eat live sweat said,
July 21, 2010 @ 8:04 pm
Love reading your blog! I am about to be a newly wed AND I am a vegetarian. I have always boarded on becoming a vegetarian and Food INC is what finally changed me… and after that I began reading a lot of books on the subject.
Vicky
Anna said,
July 21, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
Thanks, Vicki!! Food, Inc. was a huge catalyst for my becoming vegetarian as well! Good luck on your wedding– how exciting!
Anna said,
July 21, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
Ack!! I spelled your name wrong! VickY!
On Wed, Jul 21, 2010 at 4:58 PM, Anna Weber wrote:
> Thanks, Vicki!! Food, Inc. was a huge catalyst for my becoming vegetarian > as well! Good luck on your wedding– how exciting! >