Originally Posted by LindaT:
I think the Sonoma book is trying a "happy medium" approach as most Americans still eat a lot of meat and their approach is sort of in between the tradiational way of eating and what would be considered true Med. And yes this is IMHO :D YMMV

Well, I think it is a good idea to have this happy medium. I am sure some people would not be able to make a big transition easily also for many others Mediterranean might be too different. I think anything healthier than what we are already eating is a good change.

We don't eat a lot of meat .. it is in many of our meals but just not very visible. For example, soups stock might be the only animal based food at one meal, other dishes only require a trace of meat if at all. I loved meat especially bbq chicken and seafood as a kid. I could have lived on it! So it is surprising to me that my eating has changed so much (mostly an influence these past 20+ years from my husband's family).

There is quite a bit of calcium and protein that comes from plants. I never knew this as a young adult.