And so it Begins.....

......and I've already failed :(

We had a fantastic Shrove Tuesday party at a friend's house, and I made maple syrup and bacon pancakes (Canadian style) as my last meat-based hoorah.

On Ash Wednesday, the first day of my meat-free 40 days, I went on a veterinary training course about sheep. The course was fantastic and I really enjoyed the day, but as lunch approached I realised that a vegetarian option had never been offered. There was only one choice for dinner - Shepherd's Pie, vegetables and bread and butter. Faced with a full day of lectures and a 3 hour drive home in the snow, I decided that peas, carrots and bread really wouldn't keep me going, so took the only option of eating the Shepherd's Pie.

Its a common thing as a farm vet, that everyone assumes you are an omnivore. Its a common assumption in the general public I guess, but certainly being a farm vet and a vegetarian must be very, very rare. I wonder if the organisers of the course assumed likewise and so never thought to offer a vegetarian option?

I am a bit disappointed, to have failed so early on, but this is an experiment and part of the experience is working out these difficulties. It does make me wonder how I will deal with farm lunches though, particularly on farms where I have eaten before and so they know that I've not always been a vegetarian. I think it will be hard to have than conversation, as I don't want to make things difficult or uncomfortable for my clients or for them to think less of me (although my dietary choices are no reflection on my professional ability). Certainly where there are options and all food and meals that I provide for myself will be vegetarian, but I am envisioning the occasional necessary lapse. I did ok today though, having margarita pizza and chips for lunch!

I have tried out a few really good recipes before the 40 days started. One meal I did regularly before I even had the idea, was bean casserole. Seriously quick and easy, very nutritious and high in fibre and protein and easily adaptable. I have made it spicy and herby, eaten with mash, garlic bread or on baked potatoes. (Its also good with sausages.....)

Last week I experimented on a friend! We had butternut squash with roasted veg, as found on the bbc good food website, with goats cheese and vegetarian pesto - super yum, definitely making it again. I also made butternut squash risotto with leeks and peas with my vegetarian friend (who I think will be regularly pestered!). I am looking forward to trying out more truly vegetarian recipes, with no meat substitutes.

Having said that, I am getting in some different types of quorn to start me off and for busy days, so I can simply make direct substitutions for recipes I already know. Feeling positive, lets see how it goes!