An Easy Recipe

There was a time I could never imagine a meal that wasnt based on meat and potatoes. But as I began to eat healthier over the years I would make more dishes that didnt involve meat like pasta or eggplant. A sister once remarked that one day Id serve Tofurkey for Thanksgiving. I laughed it off at the time though now I see that its not that implausible to me anymore.

Over time I have to come to enjoy a healthier diet. And thats not dieting, but a diet that has more fresh fruits and veggies, and more whole grains. And the more I do the less I seem to crave fatty things, especially red meat. It can happen that way for many people where your needs and tastes just gradually change.

Now I cant swear that I will ever be completely vegetarian since I still enjoy a good steak now and again, or a dish of chicken parmigiana over a bed of linguini. And I cant imagine ever becoming vegan since that would mean giving up cheese, one of my favorite foods. But never say never I guess. The bottom line is I find myself eating a mostly vegetarian diet these days.

One of the best substitutes for meat in a dish is tofu. Now I dont believe in eating tofu constantly because that seems to me to add up to a lot of soy in your diet, especially since we already drink soy milk, and sometimes eat soy yogurts. Thats just my personal opinion about eating things in moderation.

Not all vegetarians come to love that taste and texture of tofu. Theyll often substitute bean dishes and other food items to make up the protein in their diet. If you have never tasted tofu its certainly worth a try, it packs a good amount of low-fat protein that is very satisfying. Plus it absorbs flavors and spices very nicely making it a versatile food as well.

If you havent tried it, Tofurkey is a great tofu foodie. I found a great selection at my health food store in town and bought a package of sausages to try. I made a pepper and sausage dish that mimicked the meat sausage and pepper dish so well it might have even fooled my dad, who loved his sausage & pepper sub sandwiches.

So if you have never tried tofu but are thinking about healthy eating alternatives, then maybe its something to put on your list. Do what I did and start with something small. Maybe a local salad bar has some tofu you can add to your salad for a taste.

Or you can try a package of Tofurkey like I did. You might be surprised at how tasty it is, especially with whole grain bread, tomato slices, and mustard. Delicious! The best thing about tofu is that you get an excellent amount of healthy protein without all of the saturated fats you get when you eat meat.