When I mention that I am a vegetarian, many times I get a shocked response. More often than not, I get the following question: “Is it hard?” I’m sure that every vegetarian has heard it.

My gut reaction generally is to say, “Eating? Why no, it’s not hard.” Usually I’m a bit more polite than that. The idea that choosing a healthier diet is difficult is hard for me to understand, but I think that’s because I make the time to cook often, and I eat with those I care about on a daily basis. I don’t think that this is so common anymore. Just count how many fast-food joints are in your area.

I think that putting diet on the backburner is one of the obstacles that we deal with in our current society. Because everyone is living a fast-paced lifestyle, it can be very difficult to eat well, let alone cook a well-balanced, vegetarian meal. Many people that I have met generally tend to think that all I eat is salad and tofu. While I like salad and tofu, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten just those two things by themselves, and I certainly don’t eat them often anyway. I propose that it doesn’t have to be as difficult as people make it out to be, and I’m sure that you agree.   

Believe it or not, you don’t need to spend an hour planning and shopping for every meal that you put together. Who has the time for that? Trust me, I am definitely a 21^st-century kind of gal, and I am busy to boot. However, a healthy meal together is not something that should be let go in light of other events. There are plenty of studies that show a positive effect that eating dinner together has on children and adults alike. (Check out eatdinner.org.) So, if you can boost your chances of success, increase the likelihood of having a healthy body, and take an hour of the day to become more connected with those you care about… why wouldn’t you?

It’s great to splurge once in a while, though. You shouldn’t always eat at home. Take an inventory of local places that will cater to your dietary needs. Where I live, there is the cutest little bakery down the street which makes the best tomato-mushroom soup that you could ever try. That way, when a non-vegetarian friend asks you to go out have an inventory of places where you will not only make-do, but keep going back for more.

Next time someone asks you if being a vegetarian is hard, tell them that choosing a healthy vegetarian lifestyle is just as easy as being a carnivore, but the benefits of choosing veggie-options are impossible to match.

Please comment and share your experiences and lazy day recipes!

Here’s a lazy day recipe to make:

Bean Nachos

• ¼ cup vegetable oil or 2 Tablespoons butter
• ½ onion, chopped
• ½ red pepper, chopped
• ½ yellow pepper, chopped
• 2-3 mushrooms, chopped
• 1 can beans, drained (whatever you have on hand)
• roughly 1/3 teaspoon garlic powder
• roughly ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• black pepper
• corn chips
• cheddar cheese

 This recipe is super simple: a great lunch to pack ahead because all you need is a microwave to heat everything up.

 Put the oil or butter and onion in a pan and sauté until onion is soft, roughly 10 minutes. Put rest of the vegetables in the pan and allow them to sauté for one more minute. Next, add the beans and press down on them with a fork so that the beans burst slightly. Add the spices and continue to cook for one more minute. Turn off the heat. Spread corn chips onto a plate and immediately pour the bean mixture over. Put cheddar cheese on top, and microwave on high for about 40 seconds.