My Favorite Vegetarian dishes and restaurants:

Taur of MolTaur's Thoughts:

I thought I could help out you new vegetarians as well as you former vegetarians with some ideas for delicious vegetarian dishes!

1. Yummy meat-free Baked Ziti. This pasta dish is made with a rich and creamy combination of ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese with a tomato sauce all baked deliciously together! You can add vegetables as well to make it more of a veggie lasagna.

2. Vegetarian Stir-Fry is a healthy and magnificent dish idea. With lightly steamed and cooked veggies and either noodles or rice mixed it, this meal is filling and loaded with protein!

3. Veggie Burgers are always something I enjoy and never regret. Packed with protein from beans, tofu, rice, and veggies in the patty, the tofu burger fills you up just as much as a real meat burger, but with less fat! I even know meat eaters who prefer veggie burgers!

4. Vegetarian Chili is definitely one of my favorite foods. With either meat substitutes or just beans, veggies, and rice, this meal is bound to warm your soul! Add more tomatoes, onions and bell peppers and serve it with guacamole and chips to make it a little more festive! I like to eat my vegetarian chili with toasted bread!

I hope some of my favorite dishes appeal to you! Try them out and you won't be disappointed.

Need Great Restaurant Recommendations?

Mol of MolTaur's Thoughts:

So considering my admiration for meat eating I thought I'd do you all a favor and recommend some of my favorite restaurants!

1.) Rustlers Rooste:

8383 S. 48th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85044

http://www.rustlersrooste.com/

2.) Roys:

7151 W Ray Rd

Chandler, AZ 85226-1519

http://www.roysrestaurant.com/

3.) Texas Roadhouse:

3961 S. Gilbert Road

Gilbert, AZ 85296-2004

http://www.texasroadhouse.com/home.php

Check these great restaurants out, I guarantee you won't regret it!

Some Delicious Meat Alternatives!

Taur from MolTaur's Thoughts-

So I understand everyone needs protein and nutrients, which many think can only be found in meat. Though meat carries specific proteins that are hard or impossible to find in other foods, I will share a few high-protein and delicious alternatives.

For instance, soy bean meat which were first introduced in this country in 1922, can come in flavors of all sorts; chicken, pork, beef, and even tuna fish. These products can also be made into hotdogs, hamburgers, and deli meats. I eat soy products mainly from the company Morning Star whom have a large variety of foods that actually taste great! (even meat eaters tend to love these products). These soy products are generally lower in fat, excellent sources of protein, iron, and B vitamins, and some are even fortified with other nutrients like vitamin B12.

There are also vegetable and grain based foods with meat-like textures. Here are a few:

-Seiten: can be prepared from scratch using whole wheat flour, the protein remains after being mixed with water and then is simmered in a broth flavoring with soy sauce. The longer it simmers, the firmer it becomes. It can be sliced for sautes, stews, soups, or casseroles for example. 1/3 cup has 160 calories, 23 grams of protein, 2g of fiber, o.5g of fat, and 11g of carbohydrates.

-Tempeh- this is a fermented product and a light layer of mold can sometimes form on the outside (which is harmless and edible like many cheeses). It contains a a live, active cutlure so it must be eaten cooked and makes a good meat replacement in dishes. It can be grilled, steamed then marinated or even sliced up. 100g has 197 calories, 18.2 g of protein, 9.3g of carbohydrates, and 11.4g of total fat. Also a good source of zinc, iron, magnesium and vitamin B6.

-Tofu: has a mild flavor and porous texture, it absorbs flavors of other ingredients. It is important to choose the right tofu for specific dishes. It has been used for centures in Asia and is increasing its' popularity in western countries. This seems to be one of the most popular meat-alternatives. 1/2 cup has 97 calories, 10g of proteins,3.7g of carbohydrates, and 5.6g of total fat.

These are only a few alternatives out of the many, so go out there and explore! Don't be afraid to try these new ideas and substitutes, many meat eaters enjoy these dishes and they are great sources, sometimes even more, than meats!

Yummy Meaty Recipes!

Mol of Moltaur's Thoughts-

Hello all my meat loving friends! Today I thought I would share my favorite awesome meat-recipes!. I am also going to include some restaurants that you might want to try- that is if you enjoy a meat filled meal as much as I do!

TACO NIGHT!

What you will need:

2 lbs. flank steak

garlic powder - to coat

coarsely ground pepper - to coat

red pepper flakes - to coat

cumin - to coat

1/4 cup lemon juice

(10) 8" flour tortillas

1 sm. head of cabbage - chopped

1 jar jalapenos - with juice

6 limes - quartered

-Coat meat generously with garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cumin and squeeze lemon juice or bottled lemon juice all over turn and repeat same on opposite side of meat.

-Let marinate for 24 hours (6 hours before grilling, flip meat).

-Grill meat on BBQ until done.

-Dice in small pieces, put in bowl.

-Grill small wheat flour tortillas on grill till warm or grill marks.

-Put meat on tortillas, add cabbage and jalapenos, squeeze fresh lime over the top, roll and eat.

******Doesn’t this sound delicious?!?!!?

Also one of my favorites:

Manteca Fried Carnitas

What you will need:

1 gallon lard for frying (manteca)

5 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

6 bay leaves

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper

2 large onions, quartered

3 whole garlic cloves

1 large orange, halved

-Heat the lard in a deep roasting pan over medium heat. Stir in the pork, bay leaves, salt, pepper, onions, and garlic. Squeeze the orange into the mixture and drop in the orange halves. Add more lard if needed to cover all of the ingredients.

-Cook until the pork is tender enough to pull apart with a fork, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Discard the orange, onion, and garlic; strain the pork cubes from the lard using a slotted spoon.

bon appetit!!

Why I Do Not Mind Being a Vegetarian:

Taura of MolTaur's Thoughts-

I haven't always been a vegetarian, but I have been for almost 3 years! Though I do understand the importance of eating meating and its nutritional value, I believe there are more than enough alternatives to get the protien you need to maintain a good health. Regardless of animals rights, which usually play the main role in peoples decisions to become vegetarians, I also thought it could positively affect my health. Instead of eating chemically juiced up slabs of meat and allowing that meat to re-cook in my warm body, soy products, beans, vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins, became my diet.

Here are some beneficial facts to being a vegetarian:

1. Vegetables and fruits are rich in nutrients that help to reduce heart attacks and improve the texture of skin. Some of these nutrients include vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that are considered to be vital for good skin health.

2. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and other phenolic compounds are useful in reducing the concentration of toxic compounds (which are found in meats).

3. Nuts like almonds and walnuts and soy proteins are consumed by vegetarians, which are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are useful in balancing the levels of cholesterol in the body and reduce the risk of heart attacks. Soybeans, nuts and cereals are also rich in nutrients like iron, zinc and dietary protein.

4. Eleven out of thirteen recognized vitamins are made by plants. Also, vegetables and fruits contain compounds that have been found to contain anti-tumorigenic properties.

I personally have talk to my doctors regarding my vegetarianism and all have said that as long as I keep up with daily vitamins, eating high-protein meals and making smart, healthy food decisions, I would be fine. I must admit though that I do not agree with raising your children as vegetarians or staying vegetarian while pregnant. When children are young, their bodies are constantly growing and developing inside and out. In order for them to build strong immune systems, bones, and overall good health, they should be getting all the nutrients and protein as possible. With this said, I must stand up for the rights of us vegetarians and our health!

Vegetarians from a Meat Eaters Perspective:

Molly of the MolTaur (molly and taura) Thoughts-

What do I think about vegetarians? I think that they do not get enough of the essential vitamins needed in order to maintain healthful bodies and minds. Do you know how helpful meat is to our diets??!?! Now, I am sure that some vegetarians are able to take all the necessary vitamins for daily survival, but let’s get real here. Do you think they all really have the time to go to the local GNC and spend all that extra money when they could just eat a slab of delicious meat? Then there is the issue of “eating a helpless animal.” Okay, I do understand this. Animals are cute, and do not deserve to be slaughtered in some of the ways that they are, but I think there are more effective ways to fight against those brutalities than harming your own body.

Here are necessities that YOUR body needs on a daily basis:

• Compared to vegetarian foods, meat contains ALL essential amino acids needed.

• Red meat is high in iron. Many vegetarians do not get enough of this.

• Meat has high phosphorus content that can be direct absorbed into the body’s digestive system.

• Vegetarian foods that contain phosphorus also contain phytic acid that is absorbed first, making it harder for the body to get all the phosphorus needed.

• Meat is the MAIN source of vitamin B12.

So really, make your own decisions on what best suits your lifestyle. I pass no judgment on those who do not eat meat, but what I can tell you is that I really do enjoy a nice cut of steak.