This is not about Belgian food, but it is about food.

Years ago, I decided to become a vegetarian. I read Frances Moore Lappe's Diet for a Small Planet and some other books on the topic, and they made an impression. I was an idealist, also an adolescent, and wanted to do what I could to change the world, and eating grains in lieu of beef was a small contribution. Plus, I read that it was healthier to eat that way. It was a little awkward, however, since my dad raised beef cattle.

My mom was very patient with what the family considered my "phases" and supported my decision as best she could. As I headed into the vegetarian phase, she would do what she could to accommodate it, within reason. She wasn't going to go out and buy eggplant or anything, but she might fix an extra side dish with me in mind. At restaurants, I would order the vegetarian options and thus taste some of those stereotypical vegetarian dishes made with lentils or tofu, sprouts or avocado.

On and off during my college and post-college days, I would try a few of those old vegetarian combinations, leafing through cookbooks, making something new. When I married, I made a few dishes, but my Belgian-born-and-raised husband preferred meat and potatoes of some kind, so when I set down something with eggplant and mushrooms, he ate it, but didn't ask me to put it in the recipe file.

It has been years since I've eaten totally vegetarian fare. Now that I'm cooking for four picky eaters who happen to like meat, I have definitely become more meat-and-potatoes minded when planning meals, so when I recently decided to move toward that kind of a diet again, I discovered some old friends: Two days ago, I fixed a pita bread sandwich with hummus spread, fresh tomato, avocado and alfalfa sprouts. I'd forgotten those flavors and textures, the colors, the crunch. Oh, boy, had I made a great decision! I had an excuse to make things that I loved, to accommodate my vegetarian choices. I made a quiche the other day (I allow eggs and dairy)--I love quiche!

I found a box in the basement that contained a few vegetarian cookbooks from my ancient past, and picked up a few newer books from my friendly neighborhood library. I let out a contented sigh as I reviewed ingredients I once knew and ingested. On my last grocery store outing, I bought an eggplant, a bunch of grains and beans, and some soups. I skipped the chicken dish I baked last night for the kids and ate miso soup instead. Yum! It was very satisfying--really!

I doubt if my decision will change anyone or anything. My own kids will probably still want hamburgers, hotdogs, and chicken nuggets, as much as those things can be considered food (hamburgers yes, but hotdogs and nuggets? I'm not so sure...), and I know my husband will only eat the eggplant to appease me. I won't force this on anyone, which means I'll still be buying and preparing meat for them. But as for me, I'm going to eat sprouts and fresh tomatoes, yes I am. I'm going cut up an avocado as soon as I finish this blog, as a matter of fact, and make another of those pita sandwiches.

You know, you might consider a vegetarian diet if you ever read Fast Food Nation, which I mentioned many blogs ago. It provides an inside look at the chicken and beef industry. At the end of the beef chapter, I felt both like weeping and throwing up.

In the end, I must admit, a little vanity might be a contributing factor for me as well. You see, if I were to be completely honest, I had a hunch that I would lose weight, and I think I might be. I mean, I am. So you might consider it for that reason as well. Maybe we can change the world, maybe not. At the very least, we might shed a pound or two.