"Vegan"; Gary feels almost the same about this word as he does "green". Like its some government conspiracy, doncha know.
A couple of weeks ago I signed up for a organic grocery delivery service. I get to choose what day and how often it comes, plus choose the items Im interested in. So, I thought to myself, this is a fine idea! I can get fresh local produce without going to several grocery stores trying to find things that haven't been picked over and from some third world country. Reading further I saw this service also puts together plant based 'Engine 2' meals. I Googled 'Engine 2' because I had never heard of it. This diet was designed by Austin Firefighter, Rip Esselstyn (with the help of his doctor dad) to help his firefighter buddies lower their cholesterol and lose some weight. Sounded like a win win to me! It also sounded like a great way to introduce Gary to a plant based diet slowly, maybe a couple of days a week. What was I thinking?
I was so excited to get the first delivery I could scarcely stand it. Friday morning as I was getting dressed to go out, Gary rather excitedly hollers that "two giant green (couldn't they use blue or yellow) tubs are in the courtyard" and he was taking them to the kitchen. He was vaguely aware of the grocery delivery service, just not what I had ordered. Well, much to his disappointment there were no sweets or meat inside the tubs. He said there must be a mistake because both tubs were filled with nothing but leaves and stuff. Gosh, I was really hoping to get everything put away before he started rooting through it ....
I loved the fact that all the Engine 2 meals were packaged separately, wrapped up and labeled accordingly. This could make it easy and fun. We had 'Day 1' Saturday for lunch. As he approached the bar with great trepidation he sniffed and said it smelled like cooked vitamins! Why, he said "it smells so bad the pups ran to the other room!" And darn it, they really did, tails tucked, down the hall to the library.
I dont think any of it smelled though and perhaps that was part of the problem. It was quinoa, red beans and kale. All organic, which I think is some kind of code for "no salt or flavor". Try as I might to spice it up, nothing seemed to give it a much needed boost. The little dab of garlic and lemon zest and a packet of Italian seasoning included in the bag seemed to get lost in all those pellets, red beans and kale. The colorful mixture was starved for flavor but nothing helped, not one iota.
After several bites Gary said "Are you sure we are supposed to eat this? The tough green stuff is hard to chew and even harder to get down". Duly noted. We chewed until our jaws were worn smooth out. There was a lot left over and eventually all but the quinoa was tossed. I had to reserve half of the quinoa for Day 3 but I hafta say I wasn't looking forward to eating those tasteless oddly translucent pellets again.
It took me a few days to gird my loins and try another Engine 2 meal. So, today we had Day 3 and used the remaining quinoa in the Stuffed Pepper recipe. I needed to make this one before the bell peppers turn blinky. It sounded a bit more flavorful with raisins, curry, toasted cashews, garbanzo beans, cilantro, onions and celery. I crossed my fingers and called him downstairs.
It was pretty darn good and I will make it again (when Gary isn't home). But Gary cleaned his plate, too. I asked if he would eat it again and he said "Well, I wouldn't spit it out but I wouldn't ask for it either". Thats almost a compliment!
I haven't quite given up though. Maybe Gary will never be vegan but Im holding out for a few meatless days a week regardless. After all, we still have the Engine 2 Mexican Lime Soup, Stir Fry with Cashew Sauce and the Roasted Vegetable Salad left to go.
vegan..... say what
Thursday, March 8, 2012
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