Author |
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 3:45 am
when i catered, by and large, i didn't set the menu and just cooked what i wanted. you cook what the person who is paying you wants. my daughter keeps trying to be a vegetarian because she really doesn't like the thought of "eating things that had a face" as she puts it, but two things keep holding her back..the 'vege' part of vegetarian and she loves meat! LOL
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 5:57 am
Having been a vegetarian for most of my life, I can guarantee that saying you are one is not "faddish". At one point, about 20 years ago, I was a pescatarian. These are not new terms. Neither is lacto- or ovo- or lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Those of us who choose not to eat living animals choose to do so for a variety of reasons. It isn't just about the killing of animals. It's about the environment and about our health. I'd place odds that there are few, if any, vegetarians that are overweight or have diabetes or other diseases that afflict the obese. I think it's pretty dismissive to claim that people who choose to limit their diets for various reasons are considered to be elitist. Please educate yourself on the reasons we are vegetarians or vegans. In the 21st century, I've found that it is much easier to be a vegetarian and not be looked upon as an idiot. It's nice to be able to go to a restaurant and have multiple items from which to choose (other than the standby of old... pasta alfredo or salad). It's also nice to be able to go to a steak house and explain that you're a vegetarian, and have the chef OFFER to prepare a special plate for you. (And yes, I don't bother my friends who eat meat, just as they don't bother me, who doesn't. We are very respectful of each other.) Also having been very close to the prop 8 debacle, and not knowing where Ashley lives, I can guarantee that watching a hetero couple celebrate their marriage while a gay couple cannot is pretty damn hurtful. I had absolutely no problem with her voicing her opinion (which was just that). She went on to create what the judges called one of the best dishes of the day, so having an opinion did not prevent her from creating a delicious dish. Finally, the men vs women was offensive. Particularly separating the bachelor and bachelorette parties. If Bravo wanted to be more progressive (as they claim they are) they could've done a combination celebration with both the bride and groom together. Annie, that's too funny about your daughter!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 6:26 am
I just don't see the women/men thing as offensive. I've never been to a bachelorette party that had men...well except for strippers! Sadly, I do think that some people become vegetarians because they think it's the thing to do, not because of a commitment to the way of eating. Cost, she's a hoot. She has tried being vegetarian before thinking it just meant pasta and junk food..told her no, that's just being picky! LOL
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 6:51 am
I wondered how the men would've rated the girls food - and the women the men's food - I think that element is missing from this top chef - they added it to the Master's series, I'd like to see something - in Masters we'd see clips of them raving about the food, then give the chef 2 1/2 *! I would like to do something similiar for our 4th of July party (no driving - just partying - our new family reunion date!) My brother cooks the meat dish, and we're supposed to add to the buffet!! I'd love to show up with shots and appetizers!! BUT like what was noted, it was all too complicated to duplicate! Annie - my dd is doing the same thing - she refused to eat the pork chop "mom you know I'm trying to go vegetarian" later... I'm making bacon for breakfast... DD "oooo ooo I want some" roflol - she then tries to defend herself - and like your dd (well probably not like yours as my dd does NOT eat any veggies - except raw carrots!! (I keep telling her ketchup is NOT a vegetable when she dips bread into a cup of ketchup!) uggg I so dont know how to deal with this! (she'll be 13 in Oct)
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 8:13 am
She's a little young to be a total vegetarian. At that age, she has to eat properly in order to be healthy and grow. Why don't you try just chicken or seafood with her? No beef, pork, or lamb? You can give her turkey bacon instead of pork bacon. There are other things you can try, too... in spaghetti sauce, use soy crumbles instead of ground beef (you really can't tell the diff if they cook in the sauce). Ditto with chili, although you can use ground chicken or turkey in chili. The hating veggie thing is the hard part. They need to understand that if you take away all meat products, including fowl and seafood, the only way to eat a healthy diet is with vegetables. So then it becomes a game of seeing what veggies you can do that will entice her to eat. Broccoli with a cheese sauce, for example. Or stir fried veggies in a rice bowl. I can't count how many friends' kids I've taught how to eat as a vegetarian. Unfortunately, for kids these days it IS a bit of a passing fad.
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Smokey
Member
07-08-2003
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 8:31 am
I'm not a west coast person, and I am vegetarian. Like Costa, I've been vegetarian for many years-- 30 years, this last round (I had been vegetarian for about 5 yrs. prior to that, but went back to meat for awhile). I've raised 2 kids who are now both vegan. I don't do it because it's the "in" thing to do, that's for sure. In fact, I've been so happy to see it becoming more mainstream in the last several years. It makes food choices easier and better for me. I do see it as being somewhat trendy for kids. But IMO, this is a good trend. It's healthy for everyone. Far better than trends of the past, like smoking and more. I did what Costa has suggested with my kids. My husband ate meat, but not a lot of red meat. So, I did prepare ground turkey and some chicken, not much beef. I let my kids make their own decisions, but of course they were influenced by mine. My oldest daughter decided she didn't want to eat meat back when she was still in grade school (she's now 27). My youngest one was the last one and I remember making ground turkey for her and her telling me she no longer wanted to eat it. My kids were raised to think vegetables were a treat. I used to give them green beans when they were still in high chairs, and they thought they were a great treat and finger food (like how some kids grow up to think that way about french fries). What Costa said about the veggie crumbles is a good tip. I use them a lot. Boca makes them and Morningstar Farms makes them, around here. I have found the key to making it more tasty is I always add some olive oil (at least a couple tablespoons as it absorbs) and lots of seasonings. I make stuffed peppers with the crumbles, chili, sloppy joes, and lots of other things. I think respecting each other's choices is really important in today's world. And, what we choose to eat is a really personal thing, IMO. Oh, and Costa, I could stand to loose a few pounds, that's for sure (despite being a vegetarian)! I need to give up sugar!
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Smokey
Member
07-08-2003
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 8:43 am
Oh, and I wanted to add something since Reader brought up bacon. I think that's hard for a lot of people. Morningstar Farms makes really good, fake bacon. I do it in the microwave. I also put it on top of my fake meatloaf. I fed it to my two nephews who are big meat eaters and they thought it was really good.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 9:04 am
Or you can do a BLTC (BLT with cheddar) and use oakwood smoked cheddar. I swear it tastes like bacon is in the sandwich! ETA: Not all vegetarians I know are thin. But for the most part, a large percentage (compared to the general population) are. And they ARE healthier.
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Lilfair
Member
07-09-2003
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 10:36 am
My son has been a vegetarian for 10 yrs now. He says he thinks humans should evolve from eating flesh, that's his right. He doesn't lecture others about eating meat. There are more and more options in fine dinning for those who choose not to eat flesh, and that's a good thing. I totally understand gays that are sad about not being able to marry. I can see how hurtful it is especially if her and her mate would like to marry, it has to hurt. I admire her for putting that aside and being able to make a tasty treat. I rolled my eyes as soon as they said is was girls vs boys....gag.
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 10:41 am
I so appreciate your help Costa and Smokey - yes, I want to respect her choice - but like Texannie said, DD just isnt a foodie - and I also want to state when they were young,my kids ate veggies all the time - I used to even buy veg. soup and then there were a variety of veggies - My dd also loved the green beans and aspargus spears - now - she wont touch it - and I dont buy the sugary treats - I do however have fruits... My aunt used to be a vegatarian - she gained a lot of weight, but I think she kina influenced dd - because she ate mostly junk food - not healthy - its frustrating... I do make the pastas, and she liked tortellini, tonight I'm trying the tri colored tortellini, wonder if she will even try the orange and green ones (imho they have no taste!) I do the veggie burgers, I've tried a variety - bocca burgers are fine - I love the BLTC choice - I guess I just have to work harder - because it is better for all of us!!
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Grooch
Member
06-16-2006
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 10:53 am
When was this season taped? I wonder if Ashley was more sensitive about the catering thing if they taped that episode soon after prop 8 was defeated.
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 11:37 am
So what is an atarian? When I googled it, it said: An individual who continues to enjoy and glorify the name of [Atari], by playing Atari video games, and using Atari computers... Somehow I don't think that is what you guys mean, LOL.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 12:22 pm
It's the suffix of the words... veg-etarian, pesc-atarian. In my opinion, it was a fairly condescending way of naming those of us who do not eat certain types of foods.
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Smokey
Member
07-08-2003
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 1:52 pm
Uh, yeah. My feelings exactly (about the condescending stuff) I had to really bite my tongue. Ouch. Reader, you're right. It's lots of work, but you do get used to it. I used to get really tired of thinking of ways to make sure my daughters got iron and protein. It's all fine to be a vegetarian, but you do need to make sure you get the nutrients you need. My younger daughter will live on salad, and very light fare, and then she gets anemic. Well, it runs in our family, so we have to be careful. Another thing about cooking vegetarian that I think Costa will agree with is, you really have to start using lots of herbs and seasonings. I can't emphasize that enough. Without it, stuff tastes really bland and not very good. ETA: And, olive oil. I use that in a lot of stuff.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 2:24 pm
LOL. Yeah, I've got a cupboard and fridge full of spices and condiments, and always snatch up something new. Today's veggie burger for lunch was on a mini roll with a wee bit of mayo and a swipe of a very hot and yummy Moroccan hot sauce, topped with radish sprouts, lettuce, and pickles. That hot sauce is a dipping sauce I picked up at Whole Foods and is very similar to harissa (same amount of heat, though!). And funnily enough, I still prefer my veggies raw. If not raw, then grilled. I'll do a farmer's market run on Sunday and that night grill everything I bought (portobello mushrooms, corn, asparagus, onions -- both green and red). And then I add the grilled veggies to salads, sandwiches, risotto, pasta... Mostly salads, though. As I was watching Top Chef last night I was wishing that they had a vegetarian chef who could actually cook on the show. FN has for their show, but I don't recall seeing any veg'ans on Top Chef. I also don't know if I could do that show and win. I can cook fish and poultry and other meats, and do it well, but I don't know if I can be as creative as some of these peeps since I just don't eat the stuff. Then there's the "did you taste it" bit. Um, yeah, no, I didn't! 
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 2:27 pm
No tongue-biting! Not veggie.. Just kidding! The boy vs girl division that bugged me was that of the chefs, not that they had separate groom and bride parties.. that is sort of the last celebration with their buddies type of thing and if they like that tradition, that is cool. I love meat .. but as a little child apparently loved beets! That definitely didn't last, but I'd sure eat beats before I'd eat liver, kidney and other organ or gland meats! I know what you mean about restaurants finally offering a bit more variety beyond the salad or pasta.. In fact I can remember how happy our own Karuuna was when we went to California Pizza Kitchen and she had CHOICES right on the menu. Turned out the pizza I had also qualified as vegetarian Atarian.. guess that used to be me.. was a big Atari fan, the games and my first computer which had marvelous graphic capabilities and games on cartridges.
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 2:27 pm
I got the impression it was taped earlier - probably right about being close to the Prop 8 - which does leave a bad taste in lots of mouths - and it wouldnt surprise me if a producer prodded that type of question "how does it feel to cook for a bachelor party?" and then with edit showing just the comments - making it a bigger deal for TV then it was .... olive oil, and herbs!! I do that ok - I watch Rachael Ray and learned how to keep the rosemary and tarragon etel last longer - before it would just dry out in the fridge! I was reading a cookbook - Bon Apetit in the library today and they had some yummy type salads - one with bulgar wheat and garbonzo beans - just wasnt sure if it was to be served cold or hot!!
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Smokey
Member
07-08-2003
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 2:34 pm
I can hardly look at raw meat any more. I don't mind fish so much. But meat, especially red meat, no. I think about that and being on Top Chef and how I wouldn't be able to participate. I'm not a fanatic about it too much. If someone serves me food and it has meat in it, I gratefully accept the meal and eat around the meat the best I can. I figure that for me, it's more important that someone wanted to serve me a meal than it is for them to know I don't eat what they've given me. My kids are pretty much like that, too. I love grilled veggies and great idea about grilling them for the week. I sometimes do that and I do them on my charcoal grill outside because I love the flavor. Here is a link to a restaurant that opened up a little north of me. My daughters have eaten there, but I've not made it yet. I want to go. Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders owns it. Lots of good vegetarian food here and vegan food. I get inspired by innovative ways to cook. My daughter said there is a vegan cheesecake here that is to die for. http://www.thevegiterranean.com/ I meant to add that your sandwich sounds great! I made a fake BLT because I have fresh tomatoes from my garden.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 3:14 pm
I adore fresh tomatoes.
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 3:32 pm
Thanks, Costa, I would have never figured that out.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 3:57 pm
That's Chrissie Hynde's restaurant, Smokey!!!! You have to go!!! Their menu looks insanely yummy! Reader, that bulgar salad is probably best served cold. You can do a lot of things with both bulgar and couscous and serve 'em cold. A little vinaigrette and chopped veggies, dried fruit, nuts... yummy! If you use the bigger Israeli couscous, you can serve it hot, like a pasta. Wild mushrooms grilled outside with onions, then added to a butter wine sauce and the cooked Israeli couscous is a really quick and easy meal. Add a tossed salad and you've got healthy, too. I always keep a box or two of both types of couscous in my cupboard. (And if you make it for dinnertime guests, they'll likely be really impressed!) I found that oakwood smoked cheddar at my local store (and it is NOT the same as applewood smoked!). I always buy heirloom tomatoes at the farmer's market, so the BLTC that I make is insanely delish, too. Just a sprinkle of fresh cracked pepper on the tomato (no salt cuz the smoke cheese is a bit salty). Add a bit of sliced avocado and serious Yum!
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Alisons
Member
01-10-2003
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 6:28 pm
I find it offensive that diabetes is being equated with being obese. I have diabetes as does my 120 pound cousin and at least one other thin friend - we have it because we have the gene for it. You can be as obese and not have diabetes if you do not have the gene. Equating diabetes with obesity is like equating vegetarianism with a 'holier than thou' attitude.
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 7:05 pm
Costa was talking about "diseases that afflict the obese," not about diabetes generally. Certainly some people are born with diabetes and some people develop it. But it is an undeniable fact that obesity is a significant contributor to diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. That does not mean you can't get them if you aren't obese, but that medical science has found correlations between obesity and those conditions.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Friday, August 28, 2009 - 3:54 am
There are definitely exceptions, my mom died from high blood pressure..neither were overweight, but obesity does cause diabetes, hypertention and heart disease.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Friday, August 28, 2009 - 5:14 am
Thanks Tish. I was talking about diseases that afflict those who are overweight. People who are overweight are more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, heart disease. It's a medical fact. Nutrisystem is even promoting their weight loss plan specifically for diabetics. My comments were based on medical facts, not on an attitude.
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