Hollie,
Just wanted to let you know that there seem to be quite a few recovering
vegetarians on this list, myself included!  I've been a convert for 8 weeks
now, and for the most part eating this way is a breeze or walk in the park
or any other nice image you care to think of.  I dumped coffee, grains,
sugar, dairy - all the big, bad stuff without a gnashing of teeth and
pulling of hair.  Well not completely,  those first 2 days I was the
veritable (carb) junkie in drydock,  but I made it and now I'm clean.  I
have NEVER felt better in my life,  it's like I'm awake for the first time -
hard to explain, you just gotta experience it!  It's spring and the
allergies that have plagued me for 35 years have failed to appear, if it
weren't for the diet, I would swear it's voodoo magic.  I've lost 17lbs
without breaking a sweat.

Like I said the big stuff was easy to get rid of, but I find I'm having a
little more difficulty in what I consider the finer points of the diet.  I
can't seem to shed the peanut butter habit, although I am working with
almond butter.  Mustard and mayo continue to show up on my plate.  And I'm
still hedging my bets by taking supplements, and this one hurts to admit:
an occasional protein shake (I really don't like doing this, but I have a
very unpredictable and physically demanding schedule, sometimes it just has
to happen).  But hey, I figure I'm a work in progress...

I would definitely give it a try, IMHO, concentrate on the big stuff first
and work on the details as you go along.  I imagine it would be a major
change for you (it is for most), perfection can be tough for the beginner.
And to steal a line from that commercial, Enjoy the Ride!

Pax
phyllis