10 Pescetarian Points to Ponder

It's been about a month and a half of pescetarianism (word?), and I'd like to share some insight.

But first!

Shifting your diet is a big move, and I highly recommend doing so with a flexible attitude. Just know that you don't have anything to "prove" - if you choose to give up meat but then decide a few days/weeks/months later it's not for you, you didn't let anyone down, you aren't a failure, and no one can or should judge you.

That being said, allow me to enlighten you on a few things to remember before shooing away the furry and feathery protein crowd:

1. Realistically assess your favorite fast food restaurants. Chick-fil-A has the word CHICK in it for a reason. There is a void in my life that only a char-grilled sandwich can fill. Alas.
2. Have a conversation with the members of your household and their olfactory preferences. It's a new rule here that after I make my meals, all the trash goes into the street trashcan, not the kitchen one. 

   

   Mmm, dat smell.

3. If asked, you're a vegetarian. It's much easier than saying "pescetarian" and requested to explain.
4. However, although verbally you're a vegetarian, you can stray from veggie menus. Sometimes those menus won't have shit, but if you look at the normal one, it'll have some delicious seafood option that you can enjoy!
5. But on the flip side (again), Finding Nemo takes on a whole new meaning when trying to agree on a restaurant.

   

   We found food options for BOTH of us!? Totally excited.

6. Contrary to popular belief, you are NOT what you eat. I have yet to find any scales, fins, or gills on my body.
7. Your wallet will be a little lighter. $ seafood > $ deli. 
8. Beg ask your boyfriend not to boast about his new and improved buffalo wing sauce that you won't get to try on buffalo wings (not to say spicy tuna isn't a thing).
9. Obviously, you can get your protein from sources other than fish (cough - eggs, beans, and almonds - cough). 
10. Lastly, however you choose to classify yourself, don't let others classify you! 

    

    Nomz.

    Did I miss anything? ;)

Kitchen Triumphs

The day I had my woe-is-me moment, I opened one of the coolest books ever and read the following:

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:10-11

I needed that.

Anywho. Onto the kitchen!

Many of you have been posting about your June goals, and it reminded me that I had a summer goal myself regarding the poaching of pre-birds.

Well, I did it!

I'll spare you the details, considering you all probably know how this is done. I'm a late bloomer.

The stringy whites separated themselves... beginner's luck?

I let the egg sit for about three and a half minutes before scooping it out.

See!? It's own separation. Such a smart egg.

And the finished product:

Sandwich thin, spinach, and of course, Sriracha.

And another culinary concoction - black bean burgers! Doing my best on this pescetarian thing!

Ingredients:
1 can of black beans
1 egg
A sufficient amount of crackers (I used 34 baby saltines)
Garlic powder
NOT PICTURED: Tabasco 

Pulse the crackers in a food processor or blender, and then separately pulse the beans until gooey (but not like a sauce). Combine the crackers, beans, egg, garlic powder, and Tabasco, and mix.

Mmmm. Yum.

Form into patties! Mine made three. They were also very slimy and slippery (probably could have used more crackers, but they turned out amazing, so I'm not complaining).

I let these puppies go for about three minutes on each side, then I stood them up to get around the edges.

Nom nom nom.

I prefer salads to sandwiches, so a salad it was!

The insides were still soft, but it held together nicely. I was very pleased.

What's your favorite thing to cook?

6-6-6 & Pesky Pesce

Wednesday night, I was stuck on my floor because that's where I was sleeping for a week before my move in bed thinking about the workout I'd do before my drive. First world problems?

I was debating between time on the stationary bike or a makeshift cardio workout, similar to the one here. I was thinking something along the lines of six exercises for six minutes (one minute each) six times.

I still couldn't decide when I woke up, so I went to Panera to hash it out over some yogurt and coffee. Turns out, at the particular Panera I went to, a medium coffee, banana, and parfait cost $6.66. I took that as a sign.

No, I didn't take this picture. Yes, this was a Google image search. And yes, he does look like he's trying to tempt the photographer with deformed poisonous bagels.

For the past three-ish weeks, I've been on a pescetarian diet. Prior to this decision, I really didn't eat much meat (other than fish) anyway, and the main non-scaled protein I did consume was in the form of fast food chicken or processed deli. Since I was 99% of the way there, I figured I might as well try a pesce diet!

I'm usually not one for deleting food groups or parts of them. I personally think that can lead to a feeling of deprivation and thus backfire, but I'm going in with the understanding that this is just for fun, and I can change my mind anytime I want.

So far, so good.

Then one day, I realized I couldn't eat Chick-fil-A.

I used to live off of their market salad.

So much fruity, cheesy, CHICKEN-Y goodness.

No problem. One meal gone. Fine.

Then I realized I couldn't have my go-to driving snack. Beef jerky.

I almost cried was disappointed yesterday as I was staring at the dangling delights in the gas station.

But here's the kicker, guys...

I moved SOUTH. 

If you're familiar with the area, you will know my pain, as I cannot consume the greatest fried chicken the world has to offer.

Needless to say, this pesce thing may not last long...

Any diets you've tried?

Any diets you've failed?