It all started with a move to Summit County, Colorado at the bright-eyed age of 22. Perhaps a leader in the state's vegetarian-friendly counties, topped only by Boulder. My first day passing out resumes, I met a dimple-cheeked, blue-eyed boy who advertised himself as a race car driver, first; an ex-pro snowboarder, second; and a sporting goods store manager, third. His was a store I interviewed at, for a "Just For The Season" job, in Frisco, Colorado--Pioneer Sports. I was offered the job, and (a few days later) a date. I didn't take the job but I took the date.

I had the first inkling that I might be on a new and, relative to my immediate social circle at the time, exotic journey when he suggested that instead of ordering the sesame chicken at the turquoise-walled Main Street chinese restaurant Red Orchid (Breckenridge--he chose it because he had a two-for-one coupon), that I order the eggplant. I can't be sure, but it may have been my First Eggplant Ever. And thus began my journey of a thousand vegetarian dishes and my adventure navigating a thousand new social challenges in my efforts to blend my meat-n'-potatoes history with my vegetarian future, as we were married 6 years later.

 Ok, so here is where the "guide" part comes in!  I'll most likely be contiuously adding to it, as I live my life, cooking...camping...going to other people's barbeques.... 

What came as a suprise to me was how much of an adjustment it is to join 'Meat-n'-Potatoes' with 'Vegetarian'.  On the basic level, it's just food choices...breakfast to lunch, snacks and dinner.  But it changes the dynamic when you decide to live together, which typically means you eat together.  Someone has to make the bigger adjustment, or it's a lifetime of buying food for two different sets of meals, cooking as though you're two single people in your respective dwellings--except having to negotiate counter space. 

And then there's the little matter of one's diet being superior--ethically, dietarily, and many times flavor-wise (though it takes some palate evolution, daring and global cuisine knowledge).  Of course I'm talking about the Vegetarian side...it leaves almost no argument for trying to pursue a meat-n-potatoes household, or such a contrasting dual-cuisine household.

It is because of these factors I have adapted the vegetarian lifestyle, though there are items I miss and can't offer "just as good" alternatives or make the vegetarian product industry's alternatives better with however much sauce and butter.  I've tried.  These would be...chicken wings, bacon and steak.  Sorry...I got nothin'.  But keep plugging away, Vegetarian Product Industry!!  I believe in you!!