Neither my husband or I are currently vegetarian, but I've been trying to drastically cut our meat consumption. My Wisconsinite carnivore husband was initially extremely resistant, especting meat at every dinner, if not every meal. But we were in the local health food grocery yesterday, and without prompting, he began filling a bag with the granulated tvp I mix in with hamburger for tacos and such (I've been gradually increasing the proportion of tvp, and am up to more than half tvp). Not only that, but he saw a new bulk soy protein item, and asked me if I knew what it was. I explained that it was meant to simulate beef strips for stir fries and such, and HE suggested we try some. My mouth must have dropped open, because he said, "I really like this stuff when you mix it with real meat."

I have to say, I nearly fell over. I'm not sure getting meat entirely out of our diet (especially his) would work for us, but I never would have expected this from him.

ahem, I meant expecting (I sounded like Ricky Ricardo, there for a second)

I enjoyed reading your entry b/c we are big carnivores at our house but I'm gradually trying to get us off the animals. My DH needs to for his health. So far he eats anything I cook but I've still been serving chicken or fish to him. I haven't been a big fan of meat substitutes but I'll try mixing in the tvp now. Any other suggestions you might have are greatly appreciated.

Hmmm, there must be something going around, my carnivorous husband recently suggested we try eating vegetarian all week and only have meat on the weekends. He took me out for lunch on Sunday to a vegetarian restaurant and then last night he made a mediterranean chickpea salad for lunches today. I'm sure he's been possessed by the spirit of some long dead vegetarian!

Looks like we all may be making some progress with our DH's!

I'm making real progress with my mother. I'm going to stay with her for 10 days on Saturday and she's asked me to bring over some recipes for her to try because my food is always so fab when she stays with me, but she has no idea where to start.

Not sure my dad will be quite so keen then, he's very much a steak man!

I’m lucky that my bf really does ok with no meat in the house most of the time, but secretly I wish he were interested at all in being veggie all the time. He loves meat so much I fear this will never happen, makes me kind of sad. But what can you do? Everyone has to choose for themselves in the end, and I’m not about to start nagging him. He does seem a little threatened by my lean toward veganism these days though. The other morning he asked if we could have “real” pancakes for breakfast, meaning made with milk, eggs and white flour. Guess my vegan whole wheat flax berry pancakes weren’t doing it for him. I think he fears I’m taking away all the “good” stuff. *sigh*

My husband would definitely feel that way. Here in Wisconsin, cheese (and meat for that matter) is almost a religion. Except for partial-skim mozarella and swiss, and cheese-food slices, I can't find reduced fat or fat free cheeses in the grocery store. I've also never seen health food stores anywhere else that carry so much meat. Our local health food stores have huge freezers of free-range chicken, turkey, beef, and bison (american buffalo).

In this environment, it's no wonder our cholesterol levels have risen since leaving Illinois (where beef is nearly as sacred).

I think in today's world its so easy to become a vegetarian or rather there is no need to be a carnivore. (with the thousands of meatless meat options made with soy, wheat etc.) They taste same or sometimes even better, are more healthy and easily available in major grocery stores.

Tofu is a great option and I have had some of my meat-loving friends claim that tofu chicken or tofu pork etc tastes better than the real ones.
Tofu is a plant material (soy beans crushed) and so is a veggie.

I'd suggest trying some false meat dishes in a vegan restaurant to begin with like tofu chicken etc. I dont think anyone ever doesnt like it! We have some restaurants like Native foods and California Vegan, PF Chang's (check out the menu on their websites).

Or try :
http://www.house-foods.com/yummy_recipes.html

I just made tofu stir fry and it tastes so so good with only 190 calories.

I was really surprised and pleased that my bf went veg for me when we started dating. Granted, he was almost there, with a no-beef-or-pork stance when we met, but currently, he is a lovely pescatarian. I lean more towards vegan, but he is always really eager to try things that I prepare. And we're both really big into organic foods. It just makes sticking to a cruelty-free diet much easier.

PF Changs has vegetarian options????? We don't have those here so I have never been to one.

That is great news for me as I am travelling to the US in August and there is one close to where I'm staying!

I was wondering how I was going to deal with restaurants while on holiday but at least I will have an option that my friends can enjoy too.

Unfortunately my DH will only tolerate tofu in Hot and Sour Soup - he detests it any other way. He did say he was willing to try some veggie burgers.

make him eat "mapo tofu" at pf changs mauvaisroux. The "spicy eggplant and garlic noodles" are tasty too! (that was the very first restaurant my hubby took me to the day I arrived in US and I loved it) Their citrus tea is just so refreshing!

Thanks for the suggestions !