What DO You Eat?

I get this question a lot. Far more than I ever expected to get it. Have you ever heard that joke, "How do you know if there's a vegan at a party? Don't worry, they'll tell you." I think it's hilarious and cracks me up every time I'm at a party or any event because inevitably what I eat, or more so, what I don't eat comes up in conversation. It's usually from the host/hostess asking if I have dietary restrictions or discussing the menu and they say something like, "Oh, do you eat red meat?" (People often get the impression I'm some kind of health nut and ask me questions like this a lot. Weird, I know.) and then I say something like, "No..." and they say "Oh well we'll have chicken too." And I smile politely but my lack of enthusiasm elicits panic and more questioning, "Do you eat chicken?" or "You don't eat chicken either?" I then am forced to respond with another "No" and since I've been a vegetarian long enough to know how this conversation continues, I follow up with "I don't eat meat. But don't worry about making anything special." At this point I learn a lot about people. I'm happy to say that people are generally kind and want to know what they can do to aid in my appearance of normalcy as I avoid certain dishes at their party. They offer other foods, some have even offered their kitchens where I can make my own. But then there are those with the facial expressions, annoyed sighs, snide comments and my favorite question, "So what DO you eat?" Well my friends, I'm going to give you just a peek at what we non-meat eaters eat.

Keep in mind that I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan. I'm also working to eat better and healthier to maximize my heath and performance in races. Oh yeah, and because of vanity. That said, it's really easy to still eat crap without eating meat. I try my best not to do that. Let me also say that I don't eat eggs and I don't eat any meat. So let's not have this conversation:

Me: I don't eat meat.
Concerned Citizen: You don't eat meat at all?
Me: No.
CC: Do you eat beef?
Me: No.
CC: Do you eat pork?
Me: No.
CC: Do you eat chicken?
Me: No.
CC: Do you eat fish? (this one is slightly valid since apparently you can be a vegetarian while still eating fish...I am not one of them)
Me: No.
CC: ....I know you don't eat meat, but do you eat meatloaf?

*Sigh* This is the reality of my life. To be honest I actually eat a much wider variety of foods since I cut meat and really enjoy cooking now and eating new foods.

Sushi. Vegetable Roll and Avocado Roll from Sapporo 

Gluten free strawberry shortcakes 

Reese's cups...though not typically but the pound 

Smoothies. Lots of smoothies. 

Pineapple. Typically by the pound 

Ugly yet delicious gluten free apple pie 

LOTS of Mexican food 

Did I mention I really like pineapple? 

Quinoa and roasted veggies 

Chips and salsa 

THIS. 

Kale chips 

Avocado. I would eat these like a hand fruit if socially acceptable 

My fridge. As you can see, it has food in it 

And even more food

As you can see, I eat. A lot. I like to cook. I also like to consume trash at restaurants during certain horse racing weekends. I hope that cleared up some of the mystery surrounding meat free diets and remember this is not all inclusive. Hopefully I've saved both meat eaters and the meat free those circular and uncomfortable conversations all in hopes of answering the question of what we eat.