On top of my own usual delusional vows to reform all bad behaviour I've decided to call on Leeds restaurants to make a life-changing pledge for 2008 – and provide better vegetarian choices.

Yes, I know there are far more important issues – world peace for example – but if we're talking about directly improving people's lives (including mine) and having realistic aims, this is something that could so easily be achieved.

A recent survey showed diners who don't eat meat get a raw deal from high-street restaurants and as a veggie of almost 20 years I wholeheartedly agree.

It's not like there's nothing for us to eat – pretty much every menu has at least one dish with a little green "v" alongside it.

But they are usually a token gesture like pasta bake, mushroom risotto – (comprising approximately 300 grains of rice per sliver of mushroom) or a variation on goat's cheese tart.

They're unimaginative, stodgy and lacking in nutritional content, but serve a purpose, if only for the chef.

It solves the irritating issue of ticking the veggie option box, just in case one of those picky pains in the posterior with no understanding of the pleasure of "real" food walks in.

The thing is, we're no longer a rare sight – vegetarianism is actually a pretty mainstream dietary choice these days – and we deserve better.

We know most chefs don't like us, with Gordon Ramsay most vocal in his disdain.

Others moan that meat and fish have the most exciting flavours and textures.

But it's no wonder they think veggies are missing out if they believe all we eat is pasta, rice and cheese.

In fact, most vegetarians are far more gastronomically adventurous than their meat-eating counterparts.

Just because I don't want to eat something which once had a pulse, doesn't mean I shy away from new taste sensations.

Rut

Plenty of omnivores are so far in a food rut – rotating between curry, fish and chips, meat and two veg and spaghetti bolognese every night – they have a much more limited diet than non meat-eaters.

Let's face it, plenty have never seen a celeriac, never mind tasted it – ditto butternut squash, aubergine and sweet potato.

Crikey, even a courgette's too far beyond the comfort zone for many.

I'm surprised more chefs don't relish the challenge of creating exciting new dishes with ingredients like that – which so few of the general population would cook with at home.

They just plump for the easy option – that's why so many menus look the same.

Thankfully, world-renowned chef Raymond Blanc, who opened Brasserie Blanc in Leeds last year, told me he ensures vegetarians are always well catered for as he recognises they are a significant percentage of the dining-out population.

After all, there are now around four million vegetarians in the UK and with people becoming increasingly health conscious, more and more are shying away from meat.

Gorgeous actress Natalie Portman is one of the most famous vegetarians, along with Paul and Stella McCartney, and big names like Damon Albarn, Pamela Anderson, Anthony Hopkins and Annie Lennox.

When will restaurant owners realise veggies can no longer be identified by their preference for socks and sandals, dreadlocked hair, long beards and tie-dye?

These days we're generally a sophisticated bunch, with disposable income and a penchant for good food, and if we can't get it near home we'll go elsewhere.

Any ambitious chef hoping to win a coveted Michelin star has to cater for us, godammitt, but bog-standard high-street eateries have no such goals and therefore no incentive to get creative in the kitchen.

Tragically for Leeds, we no longer have a single Michelin-starred restaurant – another area in which we need to step up our game to compete with our rivals.

So it's time for chefs to go cold turkey on those boring veggie options and "meat" the challenge of creating dishes so delicious even a non-veggie might dare to choose them.


Why is it so hard to be healthy?


I can't believe it's detox time again.

Goodbye lattes, hello juiced carrot, apple and ginger.

Au revoir breakfast croissants – bonjour fruit and yoghurt.

I suppose I'd better dig out my gym gear from under the bed, as it hasn't been seen since the Abbey Dash in November.

I love being fit and healthy – I just wish it was easier.

Then again, if it wasn't such a struggle there'd be none of those special booze-fuelled nights out with a best friend when you both take an unexpected, simultaneous dive off the denial wagon.

That's the bonus side to being hard on yourself – being good most of the time makes being naughty so much more fun.


Contain your excitement

We've all read those lists of 101 things to do before you die.

Most are pretty similar but one I've just stumbled across on the internet, "101 suggestions for squeezing more fun out of life," was clearly written by someone with a unique concept of what constitutes "fun".

Suggestions include making a roast chicken lunch with potatoes, gravy and salad, rearranging the furniture in your bedroom, or taking up competitive chess.

I think I'd just condense it to 98 things to do before you die.