September 27, 2025

WEEKLY MENU 09.28.25

We’re embracing the veg during the Weekly Menu 09.28.28~

We ALWAYS embrace the veggies, so why are we leaning in during the Weekly Menu 09.28.25? It’s World Vegetarian Day! According to a 2018 Poll, 5% of the entire world is vegetarian, but it really depends on where you live. The United States is about 5% vegetarian eaters, but if you live in India, that number can be (up to) a whopping 39%. (World Economic Forum) Of course, there is a divide based on age as well. The younger you are, the more likely your are to be a vegetarian, vegan or pescaterian. There are several fun designations, naturally.

Lacto-ovo vegetarian: No meat, poultry, seafood, or meat products (such as gelatin, broths, gravy and lard). These vegetarians will still eat eggs and dairy products.

Lacto-vegetarian: No meat (as above) plus no eggs or products containing eggs (such as many baked goods). These vegetarians still consume dairy foods.

Vegan: No meats or eggs plus no milk, dairy foods (such as cheese, yogurt and ice cream), ingredients made from milk (such as whey and casein) or honey.

Others include:

Pescatarian: the only meat eaten is fish; they still consume eggs and dairy.

Beegan: vegan, with honey included in diet.

Flexitarian: eat mostly plant foods, but include small amounts of meat in the diet.

Vegan before 6pm: follow a vegan diet until 6pm daily.

BSWHealth.com

There’s also a name for people who only eat fish and another for those who eat fish and poultry. (pollo-pescatarian or a pesce-pollotarian). It goes on and on. If you really want a primer into WHY you should eat vegan, you can read “How Not to Die” a tome written by Michael Greger, MD. (Affiliate links precede and follow. See Disclaimer Page for Details.)

My niece recommended it to me after my recent troubles, and it is a READ. Long story short, he outlines (a lot) of excellent studies that show how much better a total plant-based diet is for you and your longevity. I was scared after being in the horse-pistol, so I gave it a try for a few weeks, but I have to say that I really didn’t feel that good. The protein content of my new diet may have been a smidge low.

I have embraced his “Daily Dozen” though. Oatmeal and a whole bunch of add-ins count as breakfast, and I attempt to eat mostly vegetables and some sort of bean salads for lunch. Of course, I’m taking a new (higher dose) statin now, so when they eventually recheck my lipid levels, we won’t have ANY idea why it’s lower. But I have total confidence that it will be.

And, in case you’re wondering, I guess technically you’d call me an omnivore that eats a LOT of veggies.

WEEKLY MENU 09.28.25

Dinner on World Vegetarian Day is actually vegan, but let’s not split hairs. I added some bread and butter to the menu to even things out. But that’s not until Wednesday. What’s for eats this week?

We’re starting out with Mexican Night for Sunday Dinner. Chips and Salsa, plus Cheddar Jalapeno Dip to start, then Chicken Enchiladas Suizas for our main. We’re going with Snickerdoodles for dessert, which are not traditional, but they are cinnamon-y, so I figured it’s close enough.

I cleaned out the freezer and found three partial bags of cheese ravs, so we’re having Ravioli Lasagna on Monday. It’s a 4-ingredient dinner that I can get behind. Instead of ground meat, I’ll brown up some Turkey Italian Sausage before adding the lowest-sodium marinara I can find, and layering between the ravioli. Yum.

I found the recipe for the Lentil Soup from one of my favorite sources for vegetarian recipes: Cookie and Kate. Check this website out if you have a desire for other options, or just need a recipe for Meatless Monday. I’ve never made one of her recipes that the whole family hasn’t enjoyed. Try her no-mayo Herby Potato Salad if you get a chance!

And, as always (now), I’ll be watching the sodium in the recipes and trying to get it down any way I can. I’m not saying I’m totally in tune with the low-so diet, but I am trying to keep the levels low wherever I can. I don’t add salt (usually), and I sub in low-sodium products wherever possible.