[Vegetarian] food you eat? (moving to Houston) (Cool: buying, live)

[firehawk]

So, I am moving to Houston Texas sometime this year from the UK.
I am a vegetarian (well I do eat meat but must be Halal).

I currently are on a poor diet and need to improve that. Infact I dont even know what foods to cook to be honest. I usually get frozen meals (somewhat healthy ones would you believe... like the Quorn products), cooked rice in packets (uncle bens) and heat them up.... just stupid things like that.

I also get my groceries delivered. I understand that in the US that never really happens especially in Texas. So I now need to find places to go (again, not knowing Houston/texas and a new driver too!) to buy food.

What I'm getting at is... what kind of foods do you cook/eat? Where is the best place to get recipies from, for people like myself who are vegetarians? What places in Houston can you go to buy food/ingredients?

I'm excited and very scared at the same time with the move. I obviously don't want to be "left alone" and starve, not knowing where to go and what to cook to eat.

[Dionysus]

Do you just mean grocery, or restaurants as well?

Grocery:
Whole Foods would have a huge selection; you could also try Trader Joe's. Actually, most large markets have good vegan/vegetarian selections nowadays (especially in large cities like Houston).

Since you mentioned you like to get frozen meals, I guess you don't really know how to cook much. (?) I''m not sure if you're familiar, but Amy's brand makes great vegan/vegetarian frozen meals; these would be available at most bigger grocery stores (I think even Walmart carries them).
If you want to cook something from scratch, do an internet search. There are tons of vegan/vegetarian recipe blogs. If you rather have a recipe book, go to the library or buy one from a book store (like Barnes & Noble).

It used to be very tough being vegetarian - and especially vegan - years ago, but it's come ALONG way (even in just the past decade).
I don't think you'll have any trouble in a large city like Houston finding what you need.

[firehawk]

thank you.

yes I do mean groceries than restaurants
The thing with the internet search is that.... I dunno, I find it hard at times to understand what they mean with the instructions. But will give it another bash. And thanks for the Amy's brand recommendation.

I would love to cook - if only I had the time. But given that I havent cooked in a while, I also wouldnt know "what" to cook either or even how to cook it!

Do you know of Quorn products?

[Dionysus]

You're Welcome.

Yes, I've heard of Quorn products.
I don't eat them anymore, though, because they contain egg ingredients; I went vegan a few years ago.

Why do you have trouble following the recipes? Is it because English isn't your first language? I don't mean that disrespectfully, by the way; I'm just wondering why.

[firehawk]

Oh I know what you meant
I am very fluent in english even though it technically is not my first language. I was born and bred in the UK but from a middle eastern desent. So yes, english you could somewha say can be classified as my first language.

But I guess the problem comes down to how some recipies are written... sometimes I just dont understand what they mean. I guess in time I'll learn!

the biggest problem for me is time.... I never have time. so busy with work all the time. I resort to eating the quickest thing and easiest thing.

[Dionysus]

Yes, I figured that because you said 'Halal'; I used to date a guy of Pakistani descent.

Anyway...
You know, places like Whole Foods sell prepared meals that include fresh vegetables (like in wraps, rice dishes, ect.). Since you said you've been eating unhealthy, I'd try to go with a diet with minimal processed foods. I know you said you don't have much time, but it doesn't take much time to heat up some frozen vegetables in the microwave. Instead of white rice, go with brown rice (you can get instant). Always read the ingredients list when buying packaged foods. If they contain unhealthy things like hydrogenated oils ("trans fats"), don't buy them.
I wish I could help more. I could actually write an essay on the subject, but that would take FOREVER. LOL!

Do you have any close friends, who are healthy, that could give you advice on the matter?

[firehawk]

thanks for the tippers. that really helps!

sadly I dont have any close friends or even nearby. They are always travelling and they are meat eaters. LOL

[Dionysus]

Ah, OK. No problem.

So, why are you moving to Houston? Is it job related?

[firehawk]

yup. a client of mine is based there whom ive been working with for a year now. they like my work and want me to move over for a few months.

it wouldnt be my first choice (houston) but at least it gets me a foot in the door

[Dionysus]

Cool.
Good luck with the move.