Being A Vegetarian: Weeks 3 & 4!

Hey guys!! I'm back, a little late, sadly, but I'm still going firm in my journey and have been successful thus far!
So, for these past two weeks, my main goal in my diet was to add much more veggies to the mix, rather than soy meats and kinds of pasta and such. So that was my focus these two weeks, and I've also done a lot more research into what a healthy & balanced vegetarian diet should consist of. Basically, I should be eating the main foods to ensure I'm getting the proper nutrients to include whole grains, pasta, beans, tofu, and veggies. So I've been trying to maintain a healthy mix of all those! It can be challenging, though, sometimes, being a junior in high school (this is a tough year!)- my main priorities are a school, extracurriculars, prepping for SATS, etc., so cooking a good and fresh meal myself can be hard. I will admit I have been eating many microwavable foods that are just easy to make...but I promise I'm getting better! The whole journey itself is a process, and how you get to each stage of it is through your own time and way. But despite this, I'm very proud of myself and my progress so far. Sure, I may have chicken cravings now and then (I used to eat it at least once a day!), but I remind myself it was my own choice, and it's nothing I can't handle. Like honestly, sometimes I'll see meat, chicken, or turkey...and I won't even feel compelled to eat it. It's just something that has completely changed in me for the better, and it's been great! I feel like if I even went back now, I would be disappointed in myself because I have gotten so far from just stopping from one day to the next! And even that idea at this point doesn't even sound appealing to me.. I'm so happy with this change!
Becoming a vegetarian and thinking you want to be one are two very different things. I never knew how much of a struggle it could be. Now, whenever I go out to eat with my parents or friends, we really have to sit down and think about where we both can go. I know after a while people might be annoyed with me because of it, but it's my choice and like I said- I'm happy! It's an enriching experience, believe it or not. I have found willpower and dedication I myself did not even know I possessed. It's just a beautiful experience overall!
Okay, so the story of the week. (I hope you all enjoy these teenage-girl-gone-vegetarian's-struggle-with-the-general-meat-eating-population stories, okay) So Friday (or tomorrow), we are taking a field trip to the hospital to orient my medical class. As apart of the field trip, we'll miss a whole day of school (yay) and get to go out to lunch. Well, my medical class didn't really know I was a vegetarian. So someone found out, and then the entire class found out and started asking my questions and stuff, and it was pretty interesting to see other people interested in my new diet! So, after this, we began to discuss where to go right, and like 3/4 of the class was like "WING STOP!!" (which if you don't know what that is- it's a wing place with just like wings, chicken strips, aka all meat-based entrees), and I was like really guys, really... and then they said, "you can just eat the carrot and celery side order, right?!"
So anyways, the vegetarian way of life is still highly stereotyped into veggies and small portions. Go figure!
Okay, so since I couldn't do my calendar of what I ate for both weeks, I'll add them together and do the more interesting stuff! Enjoy!

Monday:
Lunch: Spring Vegetable Ramen
Dinner: Salad w/ Italian

Tuesday:
Lunch: Fat-Free Lentils with Whole Wheat Crackers
Dinner: Tofu Sushi (It's about as weird as it sounds, haha)

Wednesday:
Lunch: Meatless "Meat" Tacos
Dinner: Vegetarian Sushi (basically celery, carrots, avocado in a roll)

Thursday:
Lunch: Pasta & Red Bean Soup with Pita Chips
Dinner: Bengal Lentils over Brown Rice

Friday:
Lunch: Vegetable Gyoza with an extra side of veggies
Dinner: Butternut Squash Soup with a side of brown rice

Saturday:
Lunch: Spinach & Mushroom Quiche

Sunday:
Lunch: Tofu, Chick’n, & Veggie Stir-fry

I hope you guys enjoy reading about my journey as I do writing about it! Until next time, lovelies!
Lots of Love, Erica xxx