Why Vegetarian?

This is for my blogging friend, Shelly over at Lush.

Why not? 

Actually, I do have a good reason for going this route. I had my gall bladder removed a few years ago and ever since then I have had issues digesting meat.  Mostly red meat but meat.  There are certain things that I just can't eat and when I do, I pay for it dearly.  Not to elaborate with to much detail but I would end up spending a lot of my free time, sitting, in a place I would rather not (read between the lines).

I have been going back and forth with taking the leap for a couple years now and decided that now is no better time than any (plus I was *finally* able to get my husband on board to at least try it for a couple weeks if not longer).  This past January I gave up caffeine which wasn't as hard as I thought so I decided to just keep going on the *healthier* road. We decided to go the Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian route because I just can't part with cheese.  Me and cheese go way back; we have a lot of history and I really don't want to break up with it.  And eggs are such a good source of protein and the kids love scrambled eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I know some might argue the vegetarian diet isn't necessarily healthier. I think it is what you make of it, like anything.  Many people would say the healthiest is a well balanced *complete* diet.  But what is complete?  Who makes the rules (people that don't know my body)?  There is so much information out there about all kinds of diets my head just spins thinking about it.  This I hope will be healthier for me and my body and that is what matters the most.  I figure it can't be any less healthy than how I had been eating, right?  So what do I have to lose?  Nothing.  If I find that it isn't working for myself or my family for that matter than we will change it up a bit again.  I can do that. 

There really are so many more options for vegetarian meals.  Here are a few sites that I have been surfing for ideas.

PETA
All Recipes
Compassion Cook
Food.com


If anyone has any other sites you use, please let me know.  I want to make sure to present as many options to my family for breakfast, lunch and dinners so not to get bored.