4th week

Going into week 4 now and still maintaining the Vegetarian lifestyle. Yesterday July 4th we went to a friends house as we do every 4th of July. We have a cookout and go to the fireworks. The only difference this year was that I'm a Vegetarian and no one else that goes is. Since we have been doing this for 10 years now and these are really close friends I brought some veggie burgers and had those for my lunch.

However I did cheat on my diet!! Not the vegetarian side but my calories went through the roof since I snacked on chips, cookies, and desert which was a slice of cheesecake and a slice of Boston creme pie. Luckily for me I did a 19.5 mile bike ride followed by a 2.25 mile run before going to the cookout.

Today I tried a portabella mushroom burger that I marinated in soy sauce. It was ok but not my favorite. What I did enjoy later this afternoon was I had some leftover eggplant that I breaded and baked. I turned it into an eggplant sandwich on a deli slim bread and a dab of BBQ sauce.

We also made a 15 bean pasta salad and a ziti bake with summer veggies. As well as more eggplant parm, corn chowder and a vegetable minestrone soup. To back up a bit Sunday I made a Sheppard pie using TVP as the "MEAT" replacement and we all ate it! My fridge is full of food cooked and prepped and we just take what we want each night.

Don't get me wrong the prep is a bit more than eating deli meats and regular meats but I feel good, My workouts are getting back to normal with the exception of the recent spike in humidity that is tearing me apart.

Sheppard Pie with TVP recipe.

2.5 cups water

2 cups TVP

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp EVOO

1 Can of corn (or fresh, or frozen)

BBQ sauce (optional)

Spices to taste

Potato's (sweet or regular)

1/2 stick butter (Promise), milk, salt and pepper for potato

Peel, cut up and boil potato I did not count but probably used a lb or so. Mash with beater and add salt pepper, butter and milk till smooth

I used a large skillet and heated up the water on medium, add oil and soy sauce, stir in the TVP and let it reconstitute continually stirring, once most of the water was absorbed I added the can corn (drained). I let it cook on medium for another 2 or 3 minutes. I added spices like italian,cayenne, onion, garlic.

Once TVP is cooked place in the bottom of a casserole dish, Then smooth out, I added some BBQ sauce at this point. place spoonfulls of mashed potato on top and smooth out with a scraper or other smooth cooking utensile large spoon etc...

Bake at 350 till top starts to turn light brown on the edges. serve warm and enjoy!!