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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 11 Load Up on Resources The library is your friend! So are bookstores, food magazines, Pinterest and the huge wide world of online recipes and meal ideas. Commit to spending a bit of time leafing through some vegetarian cookbooks at the library or bookstore and jot down ideas. Google ingredients and play around with what you can discover and incorporate into your own meal planning! Keep it Simple Don't forget that you might already be eating more meatless than you think. Some simple dinner ideas that everyone loves and don't take much thought at all include grilled cheese and tomato soup, macaroni and cheese, different types of salads and pasta with a simple sauce. It's super easy to whip up homemade pizzas that you can customize with both meat and veggie toppings for everyone. Another favorite in my household is bean tostadas–just spread some refried beans on tostadas shells, melt some cheese and load up on other easy toppings like pico de gallo and sour cream. So simple and yummy! Plan Ahead, Plan Ahead, Plan Ahead Repeat after me–meal planning is essential! This goes for whatever types of diet you eat, but it's especially important when making accommodations for vegetarians. It's crucial to not only plan dinners in advance, but to also spend a little time thinking about what your vegetarian would have available for lunches, breakfasts and snacks. I wasn't great at this in the beginning of my husband's journey, but I've learned it's important to plan ahead for meatless meals he can easily bring to work or on the go. Some great ideas for your busy vegetarian's lunches include healthy frozen rice, bean and cheese burritos; protein pack Bento lunches with eggs; fruit and nuts; egg salad; veggie and hummus sandwiches; and quinoa/roasted veggies bowls. And of course, don't forget about good old peanut butter sandwiches! Remember that no matter what your family's dietary needs may be, it's important to not get yourself stuck in the trap of becoming a short order cook. Your family members—vegetarian or not—have to respect what you've chosen to plan for and cook, and it's imperative to include everyone in the planning to some degree so that gratitude and teamwork can be maintained. Making meals that work for both meat eaters and vegetarians is not only doable, but also a fun challenge that can open up a lot of new possibilities. Good luck! Load Up on Resources The library is your friend! So are bookstores, food magazines, Pinterest and the huge wide world of online recipes and meal ...it's imperative to include everyone in the planning... so that gratitude and team- work can be maintained.