The biggest problem..

The biggest problem people have with eating healthy is lack of planning.  When we don't plan, we tend to want to just pick up some food.  That forces you to make choices at your local fast food restaurant.  You can just drive through, order from a dollar menu..  seems cheap and easy?  Sure, it's cheap for that one day in time.  But the risk you are taking by putting that food into your body is going to come back at you in the form of medical bills and heart ache.

Eating out isn't a bad thing when the food is freshly prepared by people who are trained to handle, prepare, and cook it.  I've worked fast food like every other teenager in America and the horrors are boundless.  From food being picked up off the floor and served to a customer (a complete direct violation of the OSHA regulations) to expired foods being used.  You are bound to get sick faster, compromise your immune system, and intake a high caloric but low nutritious food causing weight gain.  Weight Gain leads to diabetes, heart conditions, broken bones and strained muscles!

Mmm Breakfast!

So, I was out of potatoes.  Why was this important?  Hashbrowns.  The good news was I had some frozen fries left over from before I went completely fresh.  I know it's not ideal, but it had to do.  >.<  Spinach and Mushroom Omelette, toast, and some Morningstar Veggie-Sausage.

There are tons of new meat substitutes out there.  They're usually made out of vegetable proteins, soy, eggs, and cheese.  There are Vegan ones which are made from legumes and vegetables.  Soon, I've decided to make some from scratch.  When I do, I'll post the recipe.  My roommate has a great book with some vegetarian recipes to make a foundation from.

Some brands you may want to try:

• Morningstar Farms - http://www.morningstarfarms.com/ I love their Veggie Chik'in.  Half the time I wonder if it's actually a conspiracy.  We'll tell them it's vegetarian, but it's really chicken.  o.O  It's that good.  They also carry meatless patties, meatless sausages, veggie bacon, and a variety of frozen food dinners.  Another thing, which I enjoy, is the "crumbles."  This is like a ground beef substitute which you can use for tacos, soups, pastas.  If you like Hamburger Helper, try subbing this soy based crumble in your mix.  It's not the same as ground beef, but it's not bad!  

• Boca Foods - http://www.bocaburger.com/  I like Boca for burgers.  They have a good variety of different tasting ones.  The great thing about Boca is how wide spread they are in the nation.  You can go to a Dennys and substitute out any hamburger for a boca patty.  I love getting them with some mushrooms and swiss cheese. Fantastic!  You can even cook them up and chop them up for any meatless veggie sauces.  Like when you're making Spaghetti and you want that meatsauce feel without the meat!

• Garden Burger - http://www.gardenburger.com/Burgers.aspx
• Cedar Lane Foods - http://www.cedarlanefoods.com/Dr.SearsZone/index.htm 

Fish!

Fish is a great source of nutrients and there are many different types you can partake in. The most commonly consumed is Tuna, but I personally love Salmon. Fish is a good source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are also essential for brain and eye development. The American Heart Association suggests that we each eat at least two servings of oily fish each week to help keep our hearts healthy.

But wait, I thought you went vegetarian? Ah-ha! There are different types of Vegetarians. I guess I'd fit under the category of a Semi-Lacto-Ovo-pescatarian. This means I eat eggs and fish, but I'm obtaining from red meat, pork, chicken, and while I eat cheese I do not drink Milk. Seems complicated, but I've found it hard not to include low-fat cheeses into my diet as a small source of Calcium. (I take Calcium Supplements as well as Vitamin D - and on that note, I'm actually vitamin D deficient at the moment. As with any diet, you should always consult a doctor to ensure you are getting all the vitamins you need to be healthy.) I've not drank milk for years now to avoid mucus build up (singer) and a minor intolerance.

So fish is a great addition to anyone's diet - but keep in mind that there are good fish and bad fish out there. This is due to concern of Mercury levels found in many fish.