Uncommited Vegetarianism

My mom was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and her doctors told her that a vegetarian diet low in salt could significantly help her symptoms. I was skeptical at first but after doing a little internet research I decided it wasn't such an outlandish suggestion.

My mom dove headfirst into it however. She started by reading a book by Alicia Silverstone called "The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet." Out of cautious support, I downloaded the book too. Ms. Silverstone says that meals should be built around grains, like quinoa and barley and rice. She also talked alot about stuff I've never heard of, like seitan, umeboshi, shoyu, nori, and daikon. And kale.

My mom has so far lost seven pounds trying to be vegan and lowering her salt intake. Which is really what inspired me more. My weight fluctuates up and down by ten to twelve pounds year round and right now I'm at the high end. We are planning another trip to Hawaii next year as well as a wedding in Newport in May and I would like to look as hot as a 36 year old can look. Right?

I've tried a couple things, like introducing edamame into my diet, as well as soy yogurt, quinoa with curry, lots of oatmeal...It's actually surprisingly easy to eat vegetarian. I even made baked kale chips the other night.

But kale? Is horrible. Completely and utterly horrible. If you thought brussels sprouts smelled like fart, you have not smelled baked kale. I've done some research and it seems like there really isn't much you can do with kale, other than bake it or put into an omelette. Presumably the egg drowns out the kale taste. BLECH

Anyway, I went about three days without meat, and I have to say I felt pretty good. I did not feel bloated and I felt like my blood sugar remained relatively constant. But Saturday I broke down and had some tuna, and then a chicken enchilada for dinner. Which was delicious.

I am collecting recipes for vegetarian dishes though. What's your favorite?