Our First Vegetarian Shopping List

Since choosing a healthier lifestyle last year and cleaning out our pantry of all processed foods, white flour, white rice, etc. we started buying grass fed beef, wild caught fish, and chicken without hormones or antibiotics. Because of the expense involved and after reading several books including Michael Pollan's Food Rules, Eat This and Live by Dr. Colbert, Crazy Sexy Diet, and the Veganist by Kathy Freston, we decided last month to cut our meat intake down to twice a week. For the past two weeks though, three out of the five of us (my oldest son and daughter still eat meat and junk food when they're out with their friends) have been exploring a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. The Savvy Vegetarian has 10 helpful tips that can be downloaded on her site.

      












Our Vegetarian (Not Vegan Quite Yet) Pantry and Fridge Makeover

Protein
tempeh (3 grain)
red quinoa
organic free range eggs (Since we live in a zoned subdivision, we can't raise our own backyard chickens for eggs.)
raw organic walnuts, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds
organic ground flax seeds
organic soy milk
Boca meatless crumbles (for spaghetti and taco salad)
dried 13 bean mixture (I throw away the seasoning packet)
frozen organic shelled edamame beans
lentils

Grains (organic)
short grain brown rice
wild rice
wheat berries
steel cut Irish oats
couscous
whole wheat and brown rice pasta
sprouted grain bread (in the freezer section at grocery store)
red quinoa
organic brown rice flour
wheat flour
wheat tortillas (in the refrigerated section at our local health store)
Kashi cereal

Canned Foods
organic vegetable broth
Pacific Natural Foods organic red pepper & tomato soup (We only get 30 min. at school for lunch, so this makes a great, quick meal)
organic black beans, chick peas, and black eye peas
organic fat free refried beans
artichoke hearts
black olives
organic diced tomatoes and tomato sauce

Produce
Whatever we can't find that's fresh, organic and seasonal, we buy organic frozen instead. We also buy frozen fruits for our smoothies which includes: Acai, wild blueberries, mango, pinapple, strawberries, and blackberries. Last year was the first time we attempted organic backyard gardening. This year, we plan to expand our garden, so hopefully we be able to grow more of our own product. We also bought a sprouting kit, and we grow broccoli, alfalfa, and mung bean sprouts weekly.

Beverages
organic soy milk
almond milk
coconut milk (we put a little bit in our smoothies)
organic coffee beans
organic white and green tea
nettle tea (for my seasonal allergies)
organic wine - The only brands I've tried that I like so far are Frey's Gewurztraminer , Pacific Rim Organic Riesling , and Bonterra's Chardonnay and Merlot

Snacks
organic popcorn
organic blue corn tortilla chips
Dr. Cracker Organic Seedlander crackers
Kashi granola bars

Misc. 
extra virgin coconut oil
organic extra virgin olive oil
organic grapeseed oil
organic peanut oil
organic garlic (fresh and powder)
organic turmeric, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, paprika, cinnamon etc.
stevia sweetner
local honey
pure maple syrup
dried miso soup mix
organic dark chocolate 70%+
pink Himalayan salt

Being the daughter of a meat cutter, I never thought that I'd be able to go two weeks without meat. My husband (6' 2" and was 260 lbs.) has already lost 20 lbs. this month and doesn't feel hungry. We both have more energy and feel better. Hopefully, we'll be able to sustain this healthy lifestyle change.