Meatless Meal Options

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I would love to hear your feedback about yesterday's blog post. Was the meatless concept new to you? Have you ever gone meatless? What are some of your favorite meatless recipes?

Up until a week ago, I never thought that I would go meatless, because I had stereotyped those who go meatless. I thought that people who go meatless ate a lot of tofu. To my surprise I know a vegetarian who does not like tofu at all! You might be like I was, but please do not continue on with such negative attitude toward those who go meatless. Maybe you just have not found a way to go meatless that works for you and your lifestyle.

After I shared with you the meeting summary about going meatless, I thought that you might need some good ideas about how to go meatless! Here are some breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack ideas to help you get started.

Breakfast
Hearty Oatmeal
Mix ¾ cup hot cooked oatmeal with 1 diced small apple and 1 Tbsp chopped pecans. PointsPlus values: 4

Tomato and Egg Scramble
Scramble 1 large egg in 1 tsp olive oil with ½ cup grape tomatoes and 2 tsp finely chopped fresh herbs. PointsPlus values: 3. Toast ½ whole-grain English muffin; serve with 1 tsp jam. PointsPlus values: 2

Creamy Berry Parfait
Alternately layer ¾ cup each plain low-fat Greek yogurt and fresh blueberries and 2 Tbsp crushed bran flakes in a parfait glass. PointsPlus values: 4

Lunch
Italian Pita
Stuff 1 small pita with ½ cup drained and rinsed canned white beans, chopped plum tomatoes, 2 Tbsp red-wine or balsamic vinegar, and 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil. PointsPlus values: 6

Soup and Spud
1 cup vegetable-lentil soup sprinkled with 10 slivered almonds. PointsPlus values: 4. 1 small baked sweet potato topped with chopped scallions. PointsPlus values: 2

Flatbread Salad
Toss ½ cup baby spinach, ¼ cup shredded carrot, and 1 tsp each feta, sunflower seeds, and low-fat vinaigrette together. Spread 1 (2-oz) piece toasted whole-grain flatbread with ½ cup fat-free pineapple cottage cheese and top with salad. PointsPlus values: 3

Dinner
Veggie Burrito
Sauté ½ cup each peppers, onions, and spinach plus 1 minced scallion in 1 tsp olive oil. Toss with 1 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella and 3 Tbsp fat-free salsa. Stuff into 1 medium whole-grain tortilla. PointsPlus values: 8

Meze Platter
Cut ½ large whole-wheat pita into triangles, spray with olive-oil cooking spray and toast. Serve with 2 Tbsp each store-bought hummus and baba ghanoush. PointsPlus values: 5. Drizzle 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, and ½ cup diced cucumber with 1 tsp olive oil. PointsPlus values: 1

Hoisin Tofu Stir-Fry
Stir-fry 3 oz low-fat tofu, diced, in 1 tsp vegetable oil for 3 minutes. Add ½ cup each sliced mushrooms and grated carrots; stir-fry 3 minutes. Stir in 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce and then toss with ½ cup cooked quinoa. PointsPlus values: 7

Snacks and Meal add-ons
* 1 container nonfat plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey PointsPlus values: 2
* Banana smoothie (blend ¾ cup fat-free milk, ¼ cup fat-free yogurt, ½ banana) PointsPlus values: 3
* 1 pear, halved; spread with a wedge of Camembert cheese PointsPlus values: 3
* 2 stalks celery spread with 1 Tbsp peanut butter PointsPlus values: 3
* 5 whole-grain crackers with 1 Tbsp hummus PointsPlus values: 3
* 3 cup air-popped popcorn PointsPlus values: 2
* 1 cup sliced pineapple PointsPlus values: 0
* 1 large apple PointsPlus values: 0
* 1 cup sliced red bell peppers PointsPlus values: 0
* 1 small orange PointsPlus values: 0

I do not know about you, but some of these ideas sound really good!! I think I will try going meatless at least once this week. I think going meatless is a great way to shake up my normal routine and force me to try new things.