Yesterday, after treating myself to a solitary brunch at Starbucks (my favourite Bacon & Gouda Breakfast Sandwich accompanied by a piping hot Caffè Americano), I wandered over to the cookbook section of the adjacent Chapters, birthday gift card in hand, on a quest for an inspirational cookbook to simplify my Meatless Monday experiment.
I figured there might be a few choices – maybe a shelf or two – and didn’t imagine it would be a particularly difficult decision.
Was I ever wrong!
I wish I’d looked at my watch when I first arrived at the bookstore, and again when I’d finally made my selection and headed to the cashier… because I’ll bet I spent a good hour or so (maybe more!) flipping through cookbooks, staring at their spines hoping one would jump out at me, weighing the pros and cons of each, deciding and then changing my decision several times, before finally making a choice that stuck. (Good thing I actually had all day!)
I made my decision by narrowing the multitude of options down to those that fit the following criteria…
- Recipes that are vegetarian rather than vegan, as I don’t want to eliminate the option of eggs and dairy.
- Ingredients that are recognizable and readily available.
- Dishes that will support my goal to lose weight in a healthy manner.
…and ended up bringing this one home with me:
As I flipped through the book’s colourful pages later that day, I could see that I’d made a great choice, as I started to get excited about trying several of its recipes on future Meatless Mondays.
So watch this space… there’s plenty of yumminess yet to come!
Are you participating in Meatless Monday?
What did you make for dinner tonight?
Please share!

Twitter: LindaBrendle
March 17, 2014
Hi Laurel,
I found your blog on the A to Z Challenge 2014 list, and I’ve enjoyed spending a little bit of time on your blog. I especially related to your Meatless Monday Experiment since my husband and I are involved in what I call the Great Brendle Wheat Belly Experiment. My doctor recommended that I cut out wheat products in an attempt to lower my triglycerides.
I look forward to seeing what you do for the A to Z Challenge. I suspect it won’t really be a challenge for you since you already follow the alphabet format.
Blessings,
Linda
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 18, 2014
Very nice to meet you, Linda! And I’m looking forward to the A to Z challenge (although I haven’t yet decided on a theme)!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 21
The cookbook section is my favorite section of B&N!!! Cooking Light makes great cookbooks – I found that they are pretty easy recipes to use. Love Meatless Mondays too!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 18, 2014
Good to know – thanks, Jaime! I’m looking forward to trying them out.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 21
Twitter: mktgcopywriter
March 17, 2014
I imagine the shelves would be full of cookbooks. Congrats on patiently sifting through them and picking a winner. Cooking Light would be appealing to me.
From the photo of the cover, looks like the pizza would be a simple way to start (or do you have to make the pizza dough yourself too?).
Have fun in the kitchen!
🙂
D
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 18, 2014
I knew there’d be a ton of cookbooks, but for some reason thought the vegetarian selection would be fairly limited. Totally wrong about that! I’ll have to check out that pizza recipe, as it definitely does look delicious.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 21
First of all, I’m impressed you went into a bookstore – I have given them up for Amazon. Second, I love anything from Cooking Light! Enjoy your cookbook.
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 18, 2014
Thanks, Sharon! I usually tend to order from Amazon (or borrow from the library), but on occasion can’t resist the lure of a real bookstore.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 21
I loved the shot of the books, as I am a cookbook collector, and they make me happy just seeing them. I hope you enjoy your purchase and look forward to seeing what you do with it. I don’t have a vegetarian cookbook, as that would be very hard for me, maybe one meal a week would be a good way for me. I do have meatless meals, each week, but I should pay more attention to adding more.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 18, 2014
I’m not sure I could do more than one meatless day a week – it would certainly require a lot more planning on my part. But I do enjoy the challenge of my Meatless Mondays!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 21
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