leaning towards elimination of meat

[Monica]

usage of enough butter and vegetable oil, and salt and spices in your foods will probably give most of the satisfaction eating meat provides.

I agree with the gist of what you're saying, though I would suggest more plant-based oils like avocadoes, nuts and seeds, with less reliance on butter and cheeses, though they certainly can fill in the gaps when on a transitional diet.

Many would-be vegetarians went back to eating animals because they tried to live on salads and celery sticks. Better to stay satisfied and yes, getting enough oils (preferably healthy oils) and spices can make the difference between feeling satisfied and not feeling satisfied.

There are lots of great veg. cookbooks featuring tofu and other plant-based proteins, that feature meals so hearty you won't even miss the animal parts! I regularly fed my family lasagne, enchiladas, pizza, stir-fry, veggie burgers, chili, and other hearty dishes. No one will miss the meat with these!