Vegetarian Foods

Vegetarian foods get a bad rap….but they often are full of flavor!  I’ve put together a few of my favorites for you to try!

Doxy’s Fine Foods offer seasoning packets that are made with all natural ingredients.  (You’d be shocked but many spice packets contain preservatives and even MSG). The packets are flavorful and really easy to use.  The packets are inspirational to creative cooking and can be used in lots of ways.  I love making soup with them, seasoning beans or even mixing up a last minute dip.  You’ll love having these on hand, because dinner will be quick and easy.  Check out all their seasonings on their website.

I was recently able to try Sunshine Burgers.  They are easy to cook burgers that are frozen and ready to eat.  While that may not sour exciting, their flavors and ingredients are what set them apart.  With flavors like falafel, lolo chipoltle and barbecue, you’ll be able to find something to meet your mood every day.  These are great on their own with a salad or even as a sandwich.  They cook quickly and easily.  When the day has gotten away from you, these make a great dinner.  The ingredients are all natural, organic and non GMO so you can feel good about feeding these to the whole family.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian snack that’s healthy, try Sutton Farm’s Pistachio Chewy Bites.  They are made of real ingredients you can see and taste-agave nectar, pistachios and cranberries.  They are a sweet salty snack that curbs your late afternoon cravings.  Each chew is individually wrapped so you can throw it in your bag and it stays fresh until you open it.  They are just over 100 calories a piece.  Check them out here.

If you are gluten free, wanting to reduce sodium or just want to eat all natural, try Robbie’s Naturals.  Their sauces are amazingly flavorful and taste just as good as any national brand. These add a kick to anything you’re cooking; grilled meat (for non vegetarians), vegetables or even salad.  With everything from ketchup to steak sauce, you can fill your pantry with these sauces you can feel good about giving your family.

Okay this isn’t a food, but it’s a great tool.  When cooking lots of veggies and stir-frys you want a great pan that doesn’t need a lot of spray or oil to avoid sticking.  The Swiss Diamond fry pan is pretty awesome.  It’s heavy duty enough to handle a lot of food…but small enough to fit into a tiny cabinet.  I love the weight of the pan and the curved handle.  It’s easy to hold and shake while you’re cooking.  It’s dishwasher safe so your life stays easy to clean up and it’s PFOA free.  Swiss Diamond has lots of sizes and other cook ware variations too!

If you really want to have a meat substitute, try Eat Neat.  They carry a full line of prepackaged “meat” in a bag.  Just mix it in a skillet with eggs and water and you have a meal ready to go. This is a great meal for a weeknight where you don’t have a lot of time.  It’s also a great way to take a vegetarian meal on the go anywhere with you; camping, a dinner party, or even as a hostess gift.  Available in original, breakfast, mexican and italian mixes these are an awesome meals for under $5.  Your whole family will love these 🙂

If you need a vegetarian friendly protein, check out Nutribody Protein, made from pea and rice proteins. Its flavor is amazing on its own but blends well in shakes of any kind.  I tried vanilla.  It mixes well and by putting a little power in a travel container you can make a shake anywhere.  Great source of protein on the go.

Vegetarian cooking isn’t difficult, but there is a lot to learn.  I found some awesome cookbooks that will help you get the lay of the land and learn how to stock your pantry.

The second cookbook, The New Chicago Diner Cookbook is filled with recipes from a famous vegan cafe in (you guessed it) Chicago.  The book has everything from entertaining recipes to cocktails to every day staples.  Some of these are really unique and some are a bit complicated.  However, they are all amazingly vegan and delicious.  This is a great cookbook for the vegetarian or vegan who need a little new inspiration!