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With fall and then winter right around the corner, it is time to start thinking of some heartier meals that can fill your belly and warm your soul. If you aren’t sure what types of vegetarian meals you can make that will accomplish both of these goals, you might want to look into getting a copy of Anna Thomas’s “Love Soup.”

“Love Soup” contains 160 new recipes for vegetarian soups, including both hot and cold varieties. So, once summer rolls around again, you can still use the recipe book to help you whip up something tasty. Even better, each recipe is designed to suit the season during which fresh ingredients are available. This way, you can use the freshest produce and get the best taste possible.

Thomas also authored the very popular “Vegetarian Epicure,” which was originally published in the 70s and has sold millions of copies. With “Love Soup,” however, you get all new recipes. In addition, you get more than just sour recipes, as the book also offers recipes for pesto, breads, salads, hummus and even desserts, but soup always remains central to the meal.
So, if you are looking for some new recipes to add to your menu, you just might want to check out “Love Soup.”

Are you looking for something tasty that you can pack with you for lunch every day? Although most meat-eaters pack meaty sandwiches in their lunches, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Here are a few meatless lunch ideas you might want to consider taking with you.

·    Peanut Butter and Jelly - one of the most obvious meatless options available in the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You don’t have to get caught up in a rut of eating the same ‘ole sandwich every day, however, as there are lots of different varieties that you can explore beyond the traditional peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich. Some alternatives to consider include currant, blackberry and raspberry jelly and cashew, almond and macadamia nut butter.
·    Pizza  - pizza is another great option to consider. If you have access to a microwave, bring a meatless pizza with you can be a tasty treat. Or, if you are going out for lunch, you can easily get a meatless pizza at any restaurant with pizza on its menu. Aside from eating just a cheese pizza, consider adding topping such as onions, mushrooms, green peppers, spinach and even broccoli for a little added flavor.
·    Meatless Burger - there are a wide variety of meatless burgers available in most grocery stores. From vegetable patties to soy burgers and mock chicken patties, you are bound to find a meatless burger variety that you enjoy. Top it all off with cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, onions, tomato, lettuce, onions and any other garnish you enjoy and you will be sure to have a tasty and filling lunch.
·    Falafel and Hummus - falafel and hummus wrapped up in pita bread can be a very satisfying lunch, especially when you top it all off with tomato, brussel sprouts, lettuce, cucumbers and olives!
·    Burritos - burritos can be bought ready-made from the store or you can whip one up relatively easy.  Some fillings to consider for your burrito include tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, seasoned rice, cheese, mushrooms, sautéed onions, green peppers and bean paste.
·    Lettuce Wraps - lettuce wraps are simple to make and tasty to eat. All you need is a big piece of lettuce and then fill it with your favorite vegetables and other fixings, such as tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers and celery. Dip it in humus and you have a great lunch. For a spicier variety, try putting tomatoes, beans, cheese and chili powder in your lettuce wrap and dipping it in salsa.
·    Salad - salad is an obvious lunch choice, but you can get quite creative with your salad so it doesn’t become too repetitive. Don’t forget that a salad can be made from vegetables, fruit or a combination of both. In addition, many supermarkets offer pre-made salads, so look into this option if you don’t have time to prepare your own salad.

Simply put, lunchtime doesn’t have to be difficult if you are a vegetarian. There are many options for you to select from, so be sure to explore all of your options and to vary your meals and you will be sure to never get bored!

Are you looking for a little help with putting together some tasty, meatless dishes? If so, you might want to pick up a copy of “Meatless Dishes in Twenty Minutes” by Karen A. Levin.

In her cookbook, which was actually published back in 1993 by Contemporary Books, Inc., you will find about 100 different meatless recipes that will be sure to whet your vegetarian appetite. As an added bonus, since meat is usually the most costly component of a recipe, the book offers yummy alternatives to those who are looking for less costly meals to prepare during these difficult economic times.

The book is divided into 7 sections, making it easier to select the type of meal you are interested in having. These categories include:

·    Vegetable, grain and potato dishes
·    Egg and cheese recipes
·    Salads
·    Sandwiches
·    Soups, stews and chili
·    Pasta
·    Pizza

Based on the categories listed above, it is obvious that the book is not exactly geared toward vegans or hardcore vegetarians, as some recipes do include eggs as well as dairy products. In addition, some of the recipes call for adding chicken broth as well. Many of these recipes do offer substitute options for vegans, however, that can be easily made to accommodate other diet preferences.

With  this being the peak of produce season, you can also add a little more nutrition and flavor to these recipes by using fresh vegetables. Vegetables such as eggplant, onion, tomatoes and squash are all abundantly available during this time of the year and they all make a great addition to any recipe.

Are you interested in going vegetarian, but you aren’t sure which replacement foods are good and which are not? One of the biggest reasons people are against becoming a vegetarian is because they don’t think there are any good vegetarian foods on the market.  But, the reality is that there are plenty of great substitutes for you to select from that are just as tasty - if not tastier - than the product they are replacing.

According to VegCooking.com, these are some of the best vegetarian substitutes out there.

Dairy Substitutes

If you are interested in becoming vegan or simply want to reduce the amount of dairy in your diet, you might want to try these dairy substitutes:

· WhiteWave-Silk Chocolate Soymilk
· Rice Dream Non-Dairy Beverages
· Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread
· Smart Balance 37% Light Buttery Spread
· Soy Garden Natural Buttery Spread
· Follow Your Heart-Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative
· Soyco-Soymage Vegan Grated Parmesan
· Tofutti Soy-Cheese Slices
· Tofuttie-Better Than Cream Cheese
· Organic Soy Delicious Non-Diary Frozen Dessert
· Tofutti Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
· Whole Soy Creamy Cultured Soy Yogurt

Beef Substitutes

Whether you are a vegetarian or not, cutting back on the amount of beef you consume is good for your health as well as for the environment.  Here are some beef substitutes recommended by VegCooking.com:

· Boca Original Vegan Burgers
· Gardenburger Flame Grilled Burgers
· Morningstar Farms—Better ’n Burgers Veggie Burgers
· Morningstar Farms—Grillers Burger Style Recipe Crumbles
· Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Steak Strips
· Now & Zen—Unsteak
· Nate’s Meatless Meatballs

Pork Substitutes

If you are used to eating bacon or sausage with your breakfast or are simply a fan of pork products, you will be happy to know that there are plenty of vegetarian substitutes available.  Some of these include:

· Yves Original Jumbo Dog
· Yves Veggie Cuisine—Hot ’n’ Spicy Veggie Chili Dogs
· Lightlife—Smart Bacon
· Yves Veggie—Canadian Veggie Bacon
· Lightlife—Gimme Lean Sausage Style
· Yves Veggie Cuisine—Veggie Breakfast Links
· Lightlife—Smart Deli Country Ham Style
· Gardenburger Meatless Riblets

Chicken and Turkey Substitutes

While some vegetarians still eat turkey and chicken, it is best to cut these meats out as well.  Some great chicken and turkey substitutes include:

· Boca Chik’n Patties
· Gardenburger Flame Grilled Chik’n
· Yves Veggie Cuisine—Veggie Chick’n Burgers
· Gardenburger Buffalo Chik’n Wings
· Worthington Chic-Ketts
· Boca Chik’n Nuggets
· Nate’s Chicken Style Nuggets
· Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips
· Tofurky Deli Slices
· Yves Veggie Cuisine—Veggie Turkey Slices

Seafood Substitutes

You might also want to cut seafood out of your diet.  Some seafood substitutes you might want to consider include:

· Vegieworld.com-Vegetarian Lobster Balls
· Vegieworld.com-Vegetarian Salmon
· Natural Touch-Tuno
· Soy Caviar

With summer right around the corner, you will likely find yourself being invited to numerous barbecues, or perhaps even hosting your own.  The good news is that you don’t have to give up your vegetarian lifestyle in order to participate in this popular summer time activity.  In fact, with the right vegetarian recipes, you can still enjoy eating from the grill while steering clear of meat.  Here’s one great recipe you might want to try grilling at your next outing.

First, gather together the following ingredients:

½ cup soy sauce or tamari
½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp cider vinegar or rice vinegar
2 tbsp peanut oil
1 tbsp dark sesame oil
2 tbsp minced fresh ginger
¼ tbp minced dried hot chili

Whisk all of these ingredients together and emulsify.  This will serve as your marinade.

Next, gather these ingredients:

1 pound of package firm tofu, drained
16-20 medium shiitake mushrooms
1 large daikon radish
1 head bok choy

Slice the tofu in half lengthwise and place in the marinade for one hour at room temperature, turning frequently.  After one hour is over, slice the tofu so it is in 1 inch cubes.

Next, wash and trim the mushrooms and then scrub and trim the daikon.  Slice the daikon into 1 inch thick pieces.  Then, separate the bok choy leaves, rinse them off and pat them dry before setting them aside.  Slice the stems of the bok choy so they are 1 inch thick.  Marinade all of these ingredients, except for the bok choy leaves, for 15 minutes.  Brush the bok choy leaves with the marinade rather than soaking. 

Finally, skewer all of the ingredients in an alternating fashion. Then, grill the skewers for 12 to 15 minutes over medium-hot coals.