Making the switch to vegetarian: Hoping to make it stick

Our refrigerator on day 1

Well, I've made it to day three.  It is the end of the day and I'm fairly hungry.  But, I am surprised to say that I haven't (yet) missed dairy or meat.  I know that doesn't sound that impressive three days in, but from what I've read, the first week or two is the hardest.  So why has the switch been easy? 

Well, the first and most important.  I've got an organized and energetic wife.  But, there's more.  If you'll notice, the refrigerator is full.  That is key.  The last thing you want to do is go on a clean-out frenzy in your new-found vegan/vegetarian fervor and throw out every remnant of animal products (keep reading...you...animal rights vegan) WITHOUT having a the results of a seemingly over-sized grocery run.  I can't think of anything worse than giving up meat than finding myself 12 hours later hovering in front of a refrigerator with a bag of carrots, celery, tofu, and a carton of soy milk. 

Next, my wife found this out...put the fresh raw edible veggies in the front.  The stuff that needs cooked and the juices in the crisper.  That way, when you get hungry, the moment you open the fridge there are options staring you in the face...and they're so nutritious and low-cal that you can damn near eat all of it you can stomach.  The thing about fresh, natural, whole foods is that they're made by nature.  Their density is such that your stomach gets full at or under 500 calories.  Compare that to processed meat, ice cream, cheese.  You could easily fit 2000 calories of that junk - along with all the chemicals added - in your gut - without your stomach even being filled.

Finally, for today, I'd say shop with 2 or 3 recipes that sound good, exciting, challenging, and substantial in mind.  This way it is exciting to shop and you're looking forward to the meal.  If you are doing this for health more than animal rights then look up a good vegan eggplant parmesan recipe or something similar with a heavy tomato and feaux-cheese sauce.  It will tide you over during the palate change and make you think you've eaten something bad for you.  There are easy cheese sauces.  You'll only need:
-cashew butter
-nutritional yeast
-rice milk
-corn starch
-salt
-a little tofu (I admit...I used this...but as soon as I learn to substitute brown rice, I'm over that last remnant of processed food once and for allllllllmost (my last advice is never say never)

So, that's it.  I'm loving it.  The only drawback so far is that for some reason my energy level has been so high that I've had a few restless nights sleep...but I'm not dragging during the day one bit...and concentration at school is great thus far.

Goodnight,
-K