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Hi... I recently went to vegan from being a vegetarian and i am so excited!!! Well, until I went to my local "health food store" that I shop at.

It was nearly impossible to find already made vegan meals for those times I don't want to prepare food.

I also had a really hard time looking for foods that don't have some kind of oil hidden in the ingredients. Most of the vege meals had oil in them.

My understanding is that all oil is off limits...do I have that right?

Please help a total rookie!

Shirley

Welcome aboard, Shirley!

Yes, Dr. Mc recommends omitting oils.

This is not necessarily difficult. Buy a few packages of a variety of PLAIN frozen veggies. Cook a big pot of brown rice once or twice/week. You can store it in your refrigerator. Microwave the veggies as your main course and then have rice for dessert.

I think you could prepare a meal like that in 10 minutes!

Also, see

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=7168

Let us know how you do!!!

Hi Shirleygirl. Yes oil is off limits. If you're looking for quick food, you can try the Mcdougall right foods http://www.rightfoods.com/
However, it's best to plan for those times when you don't want to cook. You could always keep some backup meals in the freezer, and as pinkrose already mentioned, always keep some prepped food on hand.
Cook big batches of rice, potatoes, quinoa, beans, and keep in the fridge.
Stock your pantry with a variety of canned beans.
Stock your freezer with frozen veggies.
Use your microwave to cook potatoes & sweet potatoes in a pinch.
As you get more familiar with this plan, you'll learn how quick and easy it is to throw a meal together.

It can be a tough transition if you are used to eating mostly processed foods. Getting into the rhythm of eating whole foods...beans, corn, rice, lot's of stuff from the produce and bulk bins means a whole new way of eating for many. You can do it. It's out there. It will take a little exploring and lot's of label reading but this will soon be old hat for you. You also can give up and eat like most of the public out there. Most of us here have decided that is not in our best interest.
f1jim

Thanks everyone, great ideas. I rarely, rarely eat pre-packaged foods and when I did, it was all organic, vege meals.

I already eat real food, so this transition won't be that difficult. I was simply looking for that quick "throw it in the microwave" option.

I love the ideas of making big batches and freezing individual portions. Thats the answer!

Again, thanks so much!

Shirley

McDougall also has some soups you can just add water too that I have found at most of the grocery stores around were I live.

Here's what I do -

Just started following McDougall's plan but eating vegan for a while now so I apologize if any of this should be off-limits. I don't think so as far as I understand, but please let me know if I'm mistaken.

Anyway -

I love split pea soup! I make it very, very plainly but still with lots of flavor. All that's in it are the peas, water a couple tablespoons of garlic and a bit of curry powder.

When I make this, I make the whole bag of split peas at once and then portion it into ziploc freezer bags. When I need something quick, I pull one out of the freezer, put the bag - the whole bag still sealed - into a pot of boiling water long enough to warm it up. Then I put it in my bowl.

Very quick and easy. You could also warm it in the microwave, of course. I just try not to use the microwave much.

Any soup is very simple to do this with. Even chili. And lentils.

On another note, I went to my local store today to get some apples, corn tortillas and rice and I stumbled on some of Dr. McDougall's Right Meal stuff! Very cool! So I bought some of the split pea soup and the tomato soup to try. Pretty reasonably priced too.

I, too, love split pea soup and make it in a large batch (in the slow cooker) and freeze it in smaller portions. I freeze the cooled soup in freezer boxes, and then reheat the soup in a pan on the stovetop or in a glass bowl in the microwave. I am wary about heating food in any type of plastic as there has been quite a bit of publicity about the plastic's components leaching into the food when heated.

I wouldn't heat it in the freezer bag in the microwave - I don't trust that. But I don't see the same issue for heating it on the stove that way.

Hi -- Here's the answer to your prayers:

Jeff Novick's Fast Food DVD

You're absolutely right--there IS oil (and other crap) in all that pre-packaged, processed stuff. You can't eat that. So you will have to "cook" some--BUT the DVD above shows you how to do it in about 10 min. per meal. Less than that, actually, b/c you can make a whole lot of it and put it in the fridge or freezer to eat on day after day. I make soup once a week and I have it 2-3 more times during the week. Ditto any of the other "recipes" on the DVD. Just make lots and put in Gladware containers for later.