Recently, I can’t stand the thought of eating meat (or fish for that matter). I have no idea why. I’m a registered card-holding member of the carnivore association, but for the past week, whenever I dream up dinner ideas, the thought of even preparing a delicious, moist steak just has my mind and body screaming, “No!”

Instead of over-thinking why this is (it really is a conundrum), I decided to just go with what my body is telling me and try out plant-based eating for a while. It’s a style of eating that has never appealed to me before now, so why not give it a go?

First off, let me tell you the grocery shopping experience I just had was down-right weird. I usually start off in the meat section. Yes, I know fruits and veggies are always by the entrance, but that’s never meant anything to me. I usually construct my meals around the proteins I’m going to cook and work backwards – figuring out what will go well with how I prepare the roast chicken, seared steak, grilled fish, stew and so forth. This time I actually started off (and stayed) in the vegetable section – something I have never done before – and it actually wasn’t that bad.

I found myself actually taking more time than I ever had to take in the selection available, putting a lot of thought into flavor and texture combinations that actually had me thinking outside the box with regards to my comparatively limited culinary expertise. Never before have I asked myself: Can I make this broccoli work with this cauliflower? and What will zucchini taste like with braised cabbage?

It was a mind-bending experience to say the least.

But I got through it by deciding to start off simple. I bought the broccoli crowns and a head of cabbage that I know I can braise deliciously. For added protein and umami (and that ‘meaty’ flavor and taste), I stocked up on two portions of whole white mushrooms. I usually prefer brown button mushrooms because I think thay have a more earthy, robust flavor, which I love, but in the spirit of trying new things, I picked up the white ones this time. Because: why not?

I then thought I might like something fresh to add an interesting bite, so I found some cherub tomatoes and that was me done. Simple ingredients with the challenge to make a delicious dinner – and all for under $9 (I bought other essentials, but that was the cost of the ingredients themselves).

Tonight, I’ll be cooking something (I have no idea what yet) but I will update you all in my next post.