protein

i get this question probably once in every six months..."as a vegetarian, how do you get your protein"? funny how we focus so much on what we are not getting instead of "why are you eating that...cupcake, cookie, salty chip, or any other food choice that doesn't serve us?"
there is much discussion about how much do we need. endurance athletes seem to benefit from higher amounts of protein than the regular joe. i am the regular joe and so from the people i have consulted - nutritionists and doctors - it is suggested that ten percent of my daily intake should be made up of protein.  as a vegetarian, how is this done? good question and one that i don't pay attention to. thankfully i have realized it is already a part of my daily intake with out me even trying.
here is my go to protein foods which are eating on a very regular basis!
almonds - basically they go in my yogurt in the morning, my snacks with apples and in pretty much every salad i make. this is an every day almost two out of three meal item.
avocados - love this time of year.  avocados are everywhere and i add them to a variety of meals... salads, eggs (another protein), soups
dairy - milk in my coffee, yogurt for breakfast, cottage cheese
seitan - alternative to meat and used at most vegetarian restaurants....something i need to use at home
beans - oh so many choices
tofu - an occasional substitute when dining out
vegetables - asparagus, broccoli, artichokes, cauliflower
lentils

wow, there really are so many non-meat items. yep, i think i am covered on my protein intake!

happy saturday people.