For years we tried to do “Vegetarian Night” once a week and I used to make a black bean and rice casserole. It had cheese, green chiles, spices. I made this for years about once every few months, thinking all the while how awesome it was that we were eating healthfully and that everyone but me really liked it. Yeah, ok, SOOO not the case. I found out after about 8 years that NO ONE in my family liked it, but they kept eating it because they thought I did. Now that is love and devotion for you and probably also a little fear. John and I were both raised to eat what was put in front of us and not bitch about it. Consequently Jack was raised the same way.
Nowadays we don’t even bother trying to eat meatless on Monday – we just do it when we feel like it. Most “meatless” nights consist of fish for us, but that is about as close as we are getting. Neither John nor I are big fans of tofu, and beans are just…just well, beans. I have tried to like eating vegetarian, but I guess I am one of those “blood types” that needs to eat meat (if you believe in that stuff).
So here we are back at the beginning, trying to be healthy and eating good tasting food at the same time. If I see another salad, I may commit hara kari (Moment of Truth – salads, with a few exceptions, are among my least favorite foods to eat…ever). At this point I want to ask the question, “Why bother?” If I enjoy eating, and you know I do, why should I eat something I don’t really like in an effort to be healthy when there are other options out there? Why should I compromise my taste buds because I am supposed to be globally aware? If I am miserable eating that way, should I really continue? If you like tofu, lentils and beans, three cheers for you! I can’t stand them and frankly I don’t want to eat them most of the time (I do make exceptions for dal, hot and sour soup and cannellini beans).
For me, it’s Mostly Meatless Mondays. Last night in an effort to eat mostly meatless it was grilled cheese and cheater tomato soup with roasted garlic. Gooey Havarti and Black Forest Ham on sourdough. I enjoyed last night’s choices so much that I think I may change it to “Grilled Cheese Monday”. It may be a weekly tradition for a while. Of course there was ham in the sandwishes, but it was MOSTLY meatless. Maybe this will allow me to play with fun grilled cheese options? Adding jams, fruit preserves and pestos to the ‘wishes? Getting a little grandiose with the cheese choices? Presenting grilled or sautéed veggies nestled in the melted dairy goodness? OK! I’m in! Maybe this recipe for next week and this one for the week after? They’re MOSTLY meatless…
On a side note, I am completely overwhelmed by the response my Food Shaming post received. Thanks to all of you who shared, reposted, read and talked about it. As always, feel free to comment and ask questions.
Enjoy this cheesy goodness…until next week! For more great ideas on Grilled Cheese check out the Grilled Cheese Academy. There is even a downloadable book!
