Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I want to lose some of my muscle mass.  A lot of weight has been lost but I'm still kinda muscular by girl standards.  I don't like it.

Does anyone want to go vegan with me?  We can give status updates and stuff to keep each other motivated.  We can share recipes and that sort of thing.  What do you think?

If you're already vegan, what the heck do you usually eat?  I know vegetables you smart aleck, but specifically what kind of recipes and combinations do you use?  I was thinking a lot of stir fry.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fveganfoodpyramid.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fthemes%2Fmigration%2Fimages%2FVegan-Food-Pyramid-New.jpg&hash=e0e24c60522bf0e3e50ad93dc382fdbe5406f549)

I'm a hardcore vegetarian (animal rights hippie that I am) though I failed at being vegan.  It's hard and very limiting, but if you have the patience and mentality it can be done.  One of these days I'd like to fully go vegan, but it's not for me at this point in time.  However, if you want inspiration by a fellow vegetarian, I am up for that.

I'm vegan, other than the occasional honey.

I have learned over the 5 years on this diet to avoid the fake meats and processed stuff. (Processed food is never good for you even if you ate vegan... Just consider pop tarts and lays potato chips are both vegan...)
If you do go for processed vegan cheese I definitely vote for the daiya brand. (A guilty pleasure)

For most vitamins and minerals a variety of veggies (try to eat at least a lb of some sort of lettuce every 2-3 days)

For calories you can either go the fruit direction (make sure you eat enough calories if you choose this path) or you can do the cooked grains/legumes.
I went the cooked grains in college (mostly quinoa and millet) but switched to mostly fruits about a year ago.

One suggestion... Don't eat fat and carbs in the same meal if possible (either have a meal 70+% carbs or 30-% carbs) your stomach and insulin levels will thank you.

You are correct on the stirfrys. That was my go to meal in college. (I go very light on the oil now though)

The only "junk food" I eat these days is vegan burritos from Chipotle, and vegan  pizza from Whole Foods.

Speaking of which. I believe the Whole foods website has some good vegan recipes.

Last tip, whether you are eating vegan or not, drink lots of water! Water makes you feel so much better. (Sure you gain a bit of water weight, but your body can function better and get to a healthy weight faster. (I weigh 125lbs and drink 3-5 litres a day minimum in addition to about 2 litres of water from raw fruits and veggies)

I hope some of that helps!

Have been a vegan on a couple of occasions but I turned skeletal in both instances. I'm vegetarian these days with cheese being my main animal product indulgence. Good luck though - make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet!

Thanks.  You all are awesome.  Yeah I know I said vegan but the truth is that I'll probably eat cheese and honey.  It just sounds more cool when you say, "Hey! I'm going vegan! You want to join me?" 

Quote from: learningtolive on April 09, 2014, 09:21:20 PM
I'm a hardcore vegetarian (animal rights hippie that I am) though I failed at being vegan.  It's hard and very limiting, but if you have the patience and mentality it can be done.  One of these days I'd like to fully go vegan, but it's not for me at this point in time.  However, if you want inspiration by a fellow vegetarian, I am up for that.

Im pretty horrible with things that are limiting.  We'll go vegan later I guess.  Thanks for the inspiration.

Quote from: xponentialshift on April 09, 2014, 10:28:43 PM
I'm vegan, other than the occasional honey.

I have learned over the 5 years on this diet to avoid the fake meats and processed stuff. (Processed food is never good for you even if you ate vegan... Just consider pop tarts and lays potato chips are both vegan...)
If you do go for processed vegan cheese I definitely vote for the daiya brand. (A guilty pleasure)

For most vitamins and minerals a variety of veggies (try to eat at least a lb of some sort of lettuce every 2-3 days)

For calories you can either go the fruit direction (make sure you eat enough calories if you choose this path) or you can do the cooked grains/legumes.
I went the cooked grains in college (mostly quinoa and millet) but switched to mostly fruits about a year ago.

One suggestion... Don't eat fat and carbs in the same meal if possible (either have a meal 70+% carbs or 30-% carbs) your stomach and insulin levels will thank you.

You are correct on the stirfrys. That was my go to meal in college. (I go very light on the oil now though)

The only "junk food" I eat these days is vegan burritos from Chipotle, and vegan  pizza from Whole Foods.

Speaking of which. I believe the Whole foods website has some good vegan recipes.

Last tip, whether you are eating vegan or not, drink lots of water! Water makes you feel so much better. (Sure you gain a bit of water weight, but your body can function better and get to a healthy weight faster. (I weigh 125lbs and drink 3-5 litres a day minimum in addition to about 2 litres of water from raw fruits and veggies)

I hope some of that helps!

This is awesome.  A lot of information.  You bet it helps! Thank you so much.

Quote from: Ms Grace on April 10, 2014, 05:43:16 AM
Have been a vegan on a couple of occasions but I turned skeletal in both instances. I'm vegetarian these days with cheese being my main animal product indulgence. Good luck though - make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet!

Thank you Ms Grace. 

Vegetarian here.  (I love my chocolate and I work near one of the best chocolate shops in Sydney to go vegan), here a some things to remember.

Get a good quality cookbook with a bit of practice you can then start to turn vegetarian recipes vegan.
You don't have to live off tofu.
Lentils can be your friend (but you may find your body reacting to them at first).
Study up a little on nutrition some vitamins and minerals need others to help the body absorb them (iron needs vitamin C is one example).
Read the ingredients on the back of labels you will be surprised how much 'meat' is hidden in our food (I'm looking at you Mr Asian sauces)
Vegetarian only I have yet to be at a Thai, Lao, Vietnamese where the curries did not use fish stock or oyster sauce so ask, and if you find one please let me know.

All of my stews and sauces contain at least a handful of red lentils on principal and everything I cook has mushrooms in it. Mushrooms improve every dish.

If you're interested I have two vegan recipes (capsicum stew & falafel) and one that will need to be converted (leek & lentil pie)

I recently went vegetarian and am working on going vegan. It actually isn't as difficult as you may think, its just that eating out and social events are tricky. Tumblr has loads of recipes and helpful sources in the #vegan tag.

Quote from: immortal gypsy on April 10, 2014, 07:30:46 AM
Vegetarian here.  (I love my chocolate and I work near one of the best chocolate shops in Sydney to go vegan), here a some things to remember.

Get a good quality cookbook with a bit of practice you can then start to turn vegetarian recipes vegan.
You don't have to live off tofu.
Lentils can be your friend (but you may find your body reacting to them at first).
Study up a little on nutrition some vitamins and minerals need others to help the body absorb them (iron needs vitamin C is one example).
Read the ingredients on the back of labels you will be surprised how much 'meat' is hidden in our food (I'm looking at you Mr Asian sauces)
Vegetarian only I have yet to be at a Thai, Lao, Vietnamese where the curries did not use fish stock or oyster sauce so ask, and if you find one please let me know.

All of my stews and sauces contain at least a handful of red lentils on principal and everything I cook has mushrooms in it. Mushrooms improve every dish.

If you're interested I have two vegan recipes (capsicum stew & falafel) and one that will need to be converted (leek & lentil pie)

I am most definitely interested!  That sounds awesome.

Quote from: connorism on April 10, 2014, 07:38:33 AM
I recently went vegetarian and am working on going vegan. It actually isn't as difficult as you may think, its just that eating out and social events are tricky. Tumblr has loads of recipes and helpful sources in the #vegan tag.

Tumblr...thats a good idea.  Im there.

Thanks.

FALAFEL

2C (440g) dried chickpeas
Onion finely chopped
Crushed garlic
Chopped flat leaf parsley
Chopped fresh coriander leaves
2t ground cumin
1/2t baking powder
Oil for frying

Soak the chickpeas for 4 hours or overnight in a liter of water
Drain and blend in food processor until finely ground.
Add the rest of ingredients and 1T of water blend again until a rough paste is formed. Cover and leave for at least 30min
Using your hands shape into balls roughly the size of a tablespoon, any excess liquid squeeze out.
Fry in small batches and enjoy

I have intentionally left out the amount of some of the ingredients as it can be a matter of taste, mine contain a lot of garlic and parsley you may like a little

Quote from: immortal gypsy on April 10, 2014, 05:02:23 PM
FALAFEL

2C (440g) dried chickpeas
Onion finely chopped
Crushed garlic
Chopped flat leaf parsley
Chopped fresh coriander leaves
2t ground cumin
1/2t baking powder
Oil for frying

Soak the chickpeas for 4 hours or overnight in a liter of water
Drain and blend in food processor until finely ground.
Add the rest of ingredients and 1T of water blend again until a rough paste is formed. Cover and leave for at least 30min
Using your hands shape into balls roughly the size of a tablespoon, any excess liquid squeeze out.
Fry in small batches and enjoy

I have intentionally left out the amount of some of the ingredients as it can be a matter of taste, mine contain a lot of garlic and parsley you may like a little

Thanks so much!  You're awesome!

Just a note: if by going vegan you mean that you will be eating a plant-based diet, us vegans would be very appreciative if you didn't call yourself vegan but rather said you are on a plant-based diet. Veganism is not just refraining from animal-derived foods, but also any animal-derived product (such as leather) and is a philosophy regarding speciesism and animal rights. :) It's an important distinction to make and helps everybody out ultimately.

Quote from: connorism on April 11, 2014, 11:00:28 AM
Just a note: if by going vegan you mean that you will be eating a plant-based diet, us vegans would be very appreciative if you didn't call yourself vegan but rather said you are on a plant-based diet. Veganism is not just refraining from animal-derived foods, but also any animal-derived product (such as leather) and is a philosophy regarding speciesism and animal rights. :) It's an important distinction to make and helps everybody out ultimately.

You know, I was wondering about that.  Thats a good point! 

I've been leaning toward a more vegetarian diet and want to wean myself off of red meats. The legumes seem to be a problem for my system as I could probably sell gas back to the gas company and my S.O. thinks I'm rather obnoxious and anti-social because of it.
(Brrrrreeeeep!) Oh dear, excuse me!   :D ;D :laugh:

Quote from: Shantel on April 11, 2014, 12:15:26 PM
I've been leaning toward a more vegetarian diet and want to wean myself off of red meats. The legumes seem to be a problem for my system as I could probably sell gas back to the gas company and my S.O. thinks I'm rather obnoxious and anti-social because of it.
(Brrrrreeeeep!) Oh dear, excuse me!   :D ;D :laugh:

HAH! Better out than in I suppose! XD

Quote from: Shantel on April 11, 2014, 12:15:26 PM
I've been leaning toward a more vegetarian diet and want to wean myself off of red meats. The legumes seem to be a problem for my system as I could probably sell gas back to the gas company and my S.O. thinks I'm rather obnoxious and anti-social because of it.
(Brrrrreeeeep!) Oh dear, excuse me!   :D ;D :laugh:

Then start slow don't go for the big bowl of dahl  eat more of a vegetables based diet till your system adjusts and slowly introduce beans and legumes in. Apart from a few legumes my diet is heavy on fruit vegetables and yoghurt

I'm not officially vegan because I don't want to invite anyone to go over my choices with a fine comb, but I've been vegetarian and leaning towards vegan since the mid-nineties, with a few lapses in the beginning. I still buy leather items at thrift stores, and I'm certain that I occasionally take (or give to family) medicines and foods that contain gelatin. I'm not willing to agonize over details so I just work on what I can and try to live in the general direction of veganism.

Until recently I was still willing to occasionally purchase frozen pizzas or yogurt made from cow milk for my family, but I've started to feel bad when I do. I've never bought a container of straight cow milk for myself or anyone else. I was raised amongst red-blooded conservative american southerners, but I never learned how to use cow milk because I apparently rejected it as an infant. That bit of luck gave me a head start on learning substitutions and workarounds.

So, I know this is an old topic, but my answer to the main question is that we eat a lot of beans and rice, mostly. We also keep like a zillion kinds of seeds and nuts in the house to add to whatever else we are eating. We rarely use tofu or premade meat substitutes, but for some holidays and special occasions we do so we don't have to throw out the foods that go along with our cultural heritage. When we make something with bread or noodles instead of rice, we make sure to get whatever is least processed so it can help with getting enough fat and protein, and we try to make sure most meals have multiple colors as a rule of thumb.

Falafel is awesome, stirfry is awesome (try adding cashews or peanuts), any kind of curry is wonderful, and if there's a meat-based meal you love you can probably find a way to mimic it without animal ingredients. I adore soups and stews, and they usually cook long enough that even meat eaters are able to easily digest the beans and grains in them.

The only thing I really miss other than cow steak is gumbo. I can't figure out any way to make that without clams or shrimp or turtle.

I'm a hardcore carnivore/candyvore myself. I rarely even eat vegetables and even then, only a token amount.  I don't see how you people do it.

Quote from: the old gray mare on July 10, 2014, 08:58:28 AM
I'm a hardcore carnivore/candyvore myself. I rarely even eat vegetables and even then, only a token amount.  I don't see how you people do it.

Probably due for a colonoscopy there girlfriend, big meat eaters should do that once they hit the big five-O! Just to be on the safe side hon!

Quote from: Shantel on July 10, 2014, 09:03:47 AM
Probably due for a colonoscopy there girlfriend, big meat eaters should do that once they hit the big five-O! Just to be on the safe side hon!

Probably, but I gave up doctors over 7 years ago. I'm sure at some point, I will have to go to one, but it'll have to wait til after I can get insurance.

Quote from: the old gray mare on July 10, 2014, 08:58:28 AM
I rarely even eat vegetables and even then, only a token amount.  I don't see how you people do it.

Lots of fruit.

I mean, seriously.  Fruit tastes good.  It's like watery candy.  Ever had an orange?  Mango?  Blueberries?  Cherries?  Strawberries?

Quote from: VeryGnawty on July 10, 2014, 10:10:03 AM
Lots of fruit.

I mean, seriously.  Fruit tastes good.  It's like watery candy.  Ever had an orange?  Mango?  Blueberries?  Cherries?  Strawberries?

I like oranges, tangerines and grapefruit, but I don't get fresh fruit often cause I forget about it and it goes bad before I eat it all. I do drink a lot of 100% juice products though.

Fruits are awesome!  I agree about the juice as well. 

I just got this juicer and have been going nuts putting everything in it.  I made a mistake and made kale juice. OMG!!! It was horrible!!

Quote from: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on July 10, 2014, 01:22:05 PM
Fruits are awesome! 

I LOVE fruit! I MUST have Bananas, Blueberries & Raisins around at all times.

Quote from: Laura Squirrel on July 10, 2014, 01:25:30 PM
I LOVE fruit! I MUST have Bananas, Blueberries & Raisins around at all times.

Yes.  Indeed.  I forgot all about the friggin raisins. Off to the store....

I had bananas for dinner two nights in a row (3 lbs a night).
At first is was a little worried about the whole spiro/potassium thing, but I talked with my doctor and she says it's no problem... today I'm going to the farmers market to get better fruit!

Quote from: xponentialshift on July 10, 2014, 04:10:57 PM
I had bananas for dinner two nights in a row (3 lbs a night).
At first is was a little worried about the whole spiro/potassium thing, but I talked with my doctor and she says it's no problem... today I'm going to the farmers market to get better fruit!

Wow thats a lot of bananas!  I've got bananas that are getting to that point where you know they are gonna be black.  You want them?  ^.^

Quote from: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on July 10, 2014, 08:29:34 PM
Wow thats a lot of bananas!  I've got bananas that are getting to that point where you know they are gonna be black.  You want them?  ^.^

If they're Hawaiian apple bananas then they are perfectly ripe when they are black, regular ones I just like we'll spotted to patchy brown.

I went through a phase eating over 60 lbs of bananas a week. For about 2 months while in Hawaii. I felt amazing!

But then my boss complained the company condo smelled like bananas and i couldn't keep them there. I switched to 20 lbs of citrus a day for a while after that.

Quote from: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on July 10, 2014, 08:29:34 PM
Wow thats a lot of bananas!

You should watch some of durianriders videos on YouTube.  That guy eats a ridiculous amount of bananas.

Yup, joining this up :). Since I cant get rid of some muscle mass whatever I do, I am going part-time vegan :). Mondays and Tuesdays will be my "no meat" days, and I hope to expand that time frame in future.
I love fish too much though, so I am not dropping fish and eggs completely out. So far my diet during those days includes fitness-vegetable soup/kitchari/seafood with rice + various fresh vegetable salads.
And many thanks to those who posted their recipes above - I am picking up some of that stuff too ;).

Quote from: ♡ Emily ♡ on July 11, 2014, 04:21:02 AM
Yup, joining this up :). Since I cant get rid of some muscle mass whatever I do, I am going part-time vegan :). Mondays and Tuesdays will be my "no meat" days, and I hope to expand that time frame in future.
I love fish too much though, so I am not dropping fish and eggs completely out. So far my diet during those days includes fitness-vegetable soup/kitchari/seafood with rice + various fresh vegetable salads.
And many thanks to those who posted their recipes above - I am picking up some of that stuff too ;).

This is why I took it up too.  I always hated eating dead animals but the muscle mass was what really pushed me over the edge.  Its been working pretty well so far.  I can't complain.  I haven't been vegan since I have been eating eggs and dairy products here and there but the muscles are turning into squishy stuff. 

Its been like two and a half months now.  I tried to eat chicken one day.  I literally felt like a cannibal eating one of my brothers or sisters.  I know thats extreme but thats what I felt like. 

I have loads of fish in the freezer that I don't plan on eating.  Its all yours Emily, if you want it. ^.^

Quote from: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on July 11, 2014, 09:24:53 AM
This is why I took it up too.  I always hated eating dead animals but the muscle mass was what really pushed me over the edge.  Its been working pretty well so far.  I can't complain.  I haven't been vegan since I have been eating eggs and dairy products here and there but the muscles are turning into squishy stuff. 

Its been like two and a half months now.  I tried to eat chicken one day.  I literally felt like a cannibal eating one of my brothers or sisters.  I know thats extreme but thats what I felt like. 

I have loads of fish in the freezer that I don't plan on eating.  Its all yours Emily, if you want it. ^.^

Fish is a great source of lean protein and the necessary Omega 3 fatty acids which doesn't build up body fat or muscle mass like red meats do. Eat your fish!

Quote from: Shantel on July 11, 2014, 10:17:45 AM
Fish is a great source of lean protein and the necessary Omega 3 fatty acids which doesn't build up body fat or muscle mass like red meats do. Eat your fish!

You know what.....for you Aunty Shan, I will try.  But my wife gets super pissed about the smell when i cook it. HAH!

Quote from: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on July 11, 2014, 11:16:40 AM
You know what.....for you Aunty Shan, I will try.  But my wife gets super pissed about the smell when i cook it. HAH!

   :icon_poke: Grill it out on the deck!  :icon_ballbounce:

Quote from: Shantel on July 11, 2014, 12:07:14 PM
   :icon_poke: Grill it out on the deck!  :icon_ballbounce:

Funny coincidence.....my neighbor just sent me a text message suggesting that we have a fish fry. lol

Topic is somewhat old, but I think the topic opener is still active? Just wondering if she is still a vegan :).

Quote from: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on July 11, 2014, 09:24:53 AM
Its been like two and a half months now.  I tried to eat chicken one day.  I literally felt like a cannibal eating one of my brothers or sisters.  I know thats extreme but thats what I felt like.

Haha, that's exactly how I felt when I tried to eat pork meat once.

I have been a vegetarian for six years now, but sometimes I am considering to become a veganist. The only thing I'll probably miss a lot is milk (I drink wayyyy to much milk). Do you find it very hard to follow a vegan diet or is it just something that you get used to after a while? How does your body react to it, and do you have any problems including the right vitamins and minerals in your food and drinks?

You pose that as a question...and I'm not exactly going to join.  :laugh:

I don't eat that much meat but still, I can't give up dairy products or eating chicken breasts with rice and veggies.

Been vegetarian since I saw meat. Blergh... so since I was 11? been Vegan on and off. I only consume cheese, sometimes. I don't use any other animal product. Not even honey, eggs, nor leather. But the cheese, sorry, I can't let that go. I tried the alternatives, but no. Cheese is the only animal product I use. So I'm Vegetarian++, I guess.

Vegan? No thanks. I won't argue with your choice of doing so, but it's not for me. I've found ways of eating healthy while remaining an omnivore and using animal products.  None of that ever bothered me, and I see no reason for me to change.

Quote from: Bird Goddess on December 13, 2014, 02:12:23 PM
Topic is somewhat old, but I think the topic opener is still active? Just wondering if she is still a vegan :).Haha, that's exactly how I felt when I tried to eat pork meat once.

I have been a vegetarian for six years now, but sometimes I am considering to become a veganist. The only thing I'll probably miss a lot is milk (I drink wayyyy to much milk). Do you find it very hard to follow a vegan diet or is it just something that you get used to after a while? How does your body react to it, and do you have any problems including the right vitamins and minerals in your food and drinks?

In fact its quite easy.
You can eat pasta with lots of different sauces, fried veggies, vegetarian soups, even selfmade pizza... whole grain bread and oatmeal... and fruits...
the only thing I eat from time to time is eggs... and some organic multivitamin tablets...

I'm vegan... :)

(Is this topic still alive?)
I've been vegan for over a year and I became vegan for moral reason only.
And even as a vegan I eat a lot of junk food.
However, I eat a lot of greens and fruits and grains. Specially all sort of vegetables, if I don't eat an all vegetables plate I feel tired and even angry. Being vegan made me start to cook more often (I already liked cooking, so it wasn't a big deal for me to start cooking for myself). I had to do a lot of research in order to avoid sickness and the first few months I had constant headaches because I didn't ate enough vitamins or nutrients or whatever.
When people tell me they want to become vegan or vegetarian I often tell them that they should make a lot of research and if it's on their possibilities, they could consider getting help from a nutritionist or doctor. Researching recipes is always encouraged.
Honestly, I love being vegan, I think I never had any meat cravings (sometimes, when I smell meat or chicken I think it smells good, but I don't actually crave it). My skin is less greasy, I have more energy, I haven't really lost any weight, but it wasn't one of my goals, so it's good. I know it may sound cheesy or cocky and that this is not an animal's rights thread, but I feel better knowing that I don't eat animals or contribute to their exploitation.

I was a huge food lover before being vegan and now, one year later, I enjoy my food as much.

Quote from: awkward-shark on April 12, 2015, 11:26:59 PM
(Is this topic still alive?)
I've been vegan for over a year and I became vegan for moral reason only.
And even as a vegan I eat a lot of junk food.
However, I eat a lot of greens and fruits and grains. Specially all sort of vegetables, if I don't eat an all vegetables plate I feel tired and even angry. Being vegan made me start to cook more often (I already liked cooking, so it wasn't a big deal for me to start cooking for myself). I had to do a lot of research in order to avoid sickness and the first few months I had constant headaches because I didn't ate enough vitamins or nutrients or whatever.
When people tell me they want to become vegan or vegetarian I often tell them that they should make a lot of research and if it's on their possibilities, they could consider getting help from a nutritionist or doctor. Researching recipes is always encouraged.
Honestly, I love being vegan, I think I never had any meat cravings (sometimes, when I smell meat or chicken I think it smells good, but I don't actually crave it). My skin is less greasy, I have more energy, I haven't really lost any weight, but it wasn't one of my goals, so it's good. I know it may sound cheesy or cocky and that this is not an animal's rights thread, but I feel better knowing that I don't eat animals or contribute to their exploitation.

I was a huge food lover before being vegan and now, one year later, I enjoy my food as much.

It might even have been a detox effect in the beginning. Some people also change beverages, and its possible the body flushes out stored toxins.
So maybe a gradual change over a few weeks might be a possibility in this case.  And I'd say a healthy variety is important.

Well concerning recipes imo it should be quite easy...
bread and fruit and vegetables, like tomatoes and salad sandwiches...
pasta with vegetable sauces, or fried vegetables, or stir fried pasta....
selfmade pizzas with all kinds of fried vegetables, or fresh salad, onions and tomatoes as toppings...
selfmade soups, made from scratch...
etc...
maybe even from organic sources...

hugs

Might be seen as a necro post but clocking in anyway as the thread was interesting :)

Started as full time omnivore/candyvore  (I'm so stealing that word thank you).

Switched to clean food and no dairy first. No processed rubbish and realised lactose intolerance so good start. Making most then all of my own meals.

That became part time vegan then eventually mostly vegan.

Still have meat on occasion but it's a rarity. And still delicious.

My veginess is as much from laziness then health and finally a wee teeny tiny bit out of pity for the animals.

After all if we weren't meant to eat animals why did god make them out of meat (sorry but I love that line think it was Homer lol)

Anyway back to laziness I love my slow cooker and veggies are much less work than meat for me. Trimming, cutting, searing etc way too much hassle compared to open bag (I use cheap frozen pre cut) then pour. Still threatening to put up recipes I don't have much but I do love them so will try to do later.