I don't usually set New Year's resolutions. I can't keep them. Besides, I think if you have a goal, why wait until the New Year to try to obtain it? However, this year I did. Since it had to do with my diet and the holidays were upon us, I didn't think I would achieve what I had set out to do unless I waited until after the holiday treats were gone.

I have decided to give up all dairy and egg products. Because I already follow a vegetarian diet, I don't think this will be as difficult as it sounds--other than the eggs. I do love eggs. But vegan recipes have come a long way over the years.

Vegetarians were probably few and far between back in the Regency days. Especially in the upper classes. They loved serving meat dishes and lots of them when they entertained. I read one description of a party that served about 200 people. Some of the dishes offered: baron of beef, fillet of veal, oyster patties, mutton casserole, venison pasties, rabbit, duck, pigeon pie, green goose, saddle of mutton, tongue & of course the Christmas pie, which consisted of geese, turkey, hare, veal, pork & sausages. These are just to name a few. Yum...hungry yet?