When I was younger, I would always be the first to tell people that I could never make it as a vegetarian. Meat tasted so good, and I didn’t see why I should make myself stop eating something I liked that wasn’t – in most cases in my parent’s household – bad for me.

Of course, I was young and didn’t realize all the things vegetarian can mean and the various reasons why people do it.

A little bit older and a tiny bit wiser, I’ve started getting to know food production and what kinds of things go into our meat. I’m proud to be a free-range buyer (as ‘organic’ is just too easy to play with in terms of marketing) and have embraced fruits and vege with new passion. As I have gotten rid of the so many toxic things in my diet, my tastebuds have changed and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Earlier this year, I still would have told you that I would not give up meat/seafood. I don’t eat as much because I don’t live in the hunter-esque way of life that depended on hunting season meat to get us through the winters when money was tight, but I still enjoy it. (Especially kangaroo, which is not that cute and extremely good for you with little fat content… That’s another subject, though.)

ANYWAY, going on meal replacement earlier this year has taught me that, yes, I can live without meat and not really miss it. Go figure.

With that knowledge and following along with Hanlie’s blog, I’ve been thinking more and more what it would be like to embrace fruit and vege in a way that I never have before. Sure, I’ve stepped away from meat and eat plenty of fruit and vege, but I’ve never made fruit/vege my focus.

This post from Hanlie, for some reason, pushed me ‘over the edge’ in regards to green smoothies.

Times are changing, and in the words of many great Aussies… I’m gonna give it a go.

Meal replacement is great, but it’s not meant to be permanent. However, it is the perfect time to start establishing habits with fruit and vege because they’re both allowed. You’re only supposed to have certain amounts, but I’ve never obeyed that anyway because what’s a bit more healthy stuff?

So tonight I’m going to stop by the shops and pick up some stuff (I have the vege but not enough fruit) to make my first ever green smoothie for dinner…

Wish me luck.