Happy March all! I am bringing back Meatless March again this year as part of my New Year’s Resolutions and this month is going to be all about Simply Filling Vegetarian Style. I often get asked where, how or why I go meatless for a month. My answer is always ~ why not? Why not spend one month doing something that is good for your health and good for the environment. I have so much fun trying new recipes and it honestly just rejuvenates me.
My goals for March are….
- 31 days of Delicious Meatless Meals that help those who want to know if you can be Vegetarian and follow the Simply Filing Technique
- 25 push-ups per day ~ This was my February goal, but, I wasn’t able to exercise while recovering from the pneumonia I had. I am finally ready to get moving again so March can also be Move It March! lol.
You all may remember last year, The Husband actually did Meatless March with me which is huge for my steak and potatoes loving boy. I asked him what his goals were for March….
Ready for this?
- Eat Less Meat March ~ he said he realizes breakfasts and dinners I make but he may “need” to have a burger or something for lunch.
- Go to the movies at least 4 times
LOL…you gotta love that!
This month, I will still be following Simply Filling the same way I have as I noted in my original Simply Filling Technique post and I will be matching the foods I eat with the Simply Filling Food List.
I woke up pretty hungry this morning and couldn’t wait to dive into breakfast. I “fried” up 1 cup of Ore Ida Potatoes O’Brien (they are just frozen potatoes, peppers, onion and salt) in my 2 tsp. healthy oil and sprinkled them with paprika, garlic salt and black pepper.
(SF) – 4 points+
Powered up with a scrambled egg for staying power (SF) – 2 points+
And a delicious Morning Star Breakfast Sausage. Most Morning Star products fit into the “Meat Substitutes including Tofu and Veggie Burgers”. The one time I’d count any Meat Substitute against my WPA is if it wasn’t similar to lean protein, i.e., it is breaded or fried.
(SF) – 2 points+
Pretty cool that this breakfast is completely Vegetarian and Simply Filling or 8 points+.
We ended up meeting our friends at Vasquez Deli for lunch. I was so glad to hear they do not use meat products in their beans because I didn’t really have a planned healthy option if they didn’t.
I am proud of The Husband for getting a bean and cheese burrito and these nachos. I totally stole two chips…I blame it on all those jalapenos ~ I should’ve just got a side of them 
I ordered a Bean Tostada that was surprisingly satisfying and filling. (SF + 5 WPA) 8 points+
Do you all remember how we have forever (as in since November) been trying to go to the movies? Today, we “almost” made it to see Non-Stop….until we got there and there were literally 50+ people in line. Crazy. So, we decided on grabbing lattes and doing some shopping instead.
(SF) – 3 points+
We then “lounged” around watching the movie Horrible Bosses. You know, it’s pretty funny that we’ve watched it about 5 times now and still laugh every single time like it’s the first time we’ve seen it.
Dinner was a 30 minute meal perfect for the rainy day we’ve had. I put a batch of Parmesan Almond Crisps in the oven while I whipped up a Vegetarian Minestrone.
If you ever make these, only make 1 batch at a time because I guarantee you will want to eat them all that day.
The recipe for my Vegetarian Minestrone recipe is coming up tomorrow ~ it’s so easy to make, takes less than 30 minutes, yet, tastes like you’ve spent all day cooking it.
The best part ~ it’s 100% Simply Filling and super low in points+ for those counting.
I ended up having two bowls that I measured out 1 cup each. I always try to start with a small serving, then, after I’ve eaten, decided if I want to go back for more.
Plus two crispy 3 ingredient Parmesan Almond Crisps. (SF + 2 WPA) – 2 points+
I love the fact that The Husband has told me 3 times how much he loved this soup and hasn’t once asked where the meat was in it (there was none, just beans for protein!) (SF) – 4 points+ for 2 cups.
Here are my stats for today:
- Simple Filling (SF): 7 WPA (Weekly Points Allowance) used, 0 WPA remaining
- 25 Daily Points+ 0 WPA used, 37 WPA remaining
- Day 1 ~ 100% Vegetarian and not missing having meat yet!
- 25 pushups down, 750 to go
- My FitBit Dashboard (I am going to go do laps around the house to hit 10,000 steps!):
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Do you have a favorite Vegetarian Recipe or Meal you love to eat? Share away!
Night all!
I’ve been vegetarian for almost two years and have followed sf almost the entire time! Looking forward to your Meatless March for some new recipes! I didn’t think the msf sausage was sf though cause there’s no green triangle?
Hi Lisa,
I have found in some cases Weight Watchers does not always tag brand name foods with the green triangle as a power food when in fact it is. When I think this is the case I refer to the simply filling or simple start food list. The list says meat substitutes that are not breaded, fried and 2 grams of fat or less. I consider the Morning Star sausages to fall in this category especially as a means to get protein for vegetarians.
Danica
I have a silly question- are the morningstar products a meat substitute? I get that they look like sausage- but, are they filling like real sausage AND does WW consider them a protein substitute?
Hi Jenny,
I do consider Morning Star products Simply filling as they are meat substitutes that are not breaded, fried and 2 grams of fat or less. I consider the Morning Star sausages to fall in this category especially as a means to get protein for vegetarians.
I do filling them filling as well.
Danica
I takes baked sweet potato and top it with black beans,sala,ff cheese,lt dour cream and jalapeños. Super filling and totally yummy!
I remember when we tried to do Meatless March with you last time…no-go for the meat eating Aussie I’m married to…but I have figured out that if I just cook and serve, he eats :)So I will try to do as many meatless meals as I can 🙂 I just don’t do many of the meat substitute products as I stay away from soy…but I know they have many others I will have to look into…can’t wait for the soup recipe!!!!
Do you have the cheese crisp recipe, please? I think I see almonds?
For us, meatless Monday. Lent starts Wednesday and that means I totally give up all sweets for 40 days. Looking forward to your vegetarian recipes.
Hi Nancy,
Here you go.
http://danicasdaily.com/recipage?recipe_id=6003711
Danica
I am just wondering how vegetarians get enough protein, significant iron, B12 vitamins as well as D vitamins along with calcium to meet their nutritional needs on their way of consumption! I have a younger sister who is quite the vegetarian, very strict, and now she is keeping our parents at her home and is quite restrictive in what they eat. Many times they tell us they are hungry. I don’t think they are getting enough protein, since they consume a lot of smoothies! Our Dad is bed-ridden due to others’ negligence because of car accidents they were not his doing at all! He also recently suffered from a mild stroke and had some difficulty swallowing, and the hospital kept taking his teeth out of his mouth! It is important to chew food to help digestion. Laying down and not getting the amount physical therapy he so much needs did not help either.
Hi Cyndi,
I am sorry to hear about your dad. I do think it does take some effort and planning to find the right balance and nutrition as a vegetarian. From my personal experience being being was a challenge for me but bring vegetarian is a lot easier as I allow dairy and eggs in addition to beans fresh veggies and fruit. I tend to limit or avoid most soy based products but do know some people find them helpful.
Danica
Looking forward to the recipe! 🙂
Thanks Danica, you are so kind! I, myself am trying to incorporate more veggies to my meals. I am trying to eat more green salads with my meals, ie, Spinach & Arugula salad that is ready set to go from Wal-Mart, along with balsamic vinaigrette drssing plus pine-nuts which are nutritionally quite dense in a lot of nutrients to help make our meals healthier! I have mad a lot of my own recipes over the past 15 years, and I do love veggies and other foods as well! I am learning more and more and really love to cook! We are re-doing our kitchen, and I cannot wait to create more healthy meals and even snacks!
That soup look so good. Wish I had a bowl of it right now.
My family and I are serious meat eaters. I’ve toyed with the idea of going meatless every now and then, but never really followed through. I think I’ll use March as an opportunity to at least try it once.
Love this idea for lent!
I am really excited to read your upcoming post – I am not a vegetarian but lean more towards veggie centered meals…. But have been finding it tough to stay on Simply Filling and NOT eat a lot of carbs if I don’t eat meat. A lot of my veg meals are based on whole wheat pasta or brown rice… Can’t wait to try some new recipes!