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 Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:45 pm
OK, after having been in this guild for... what, going on 5 years now? ... I'm finally going to try to stop being a hypocrite and go vegetarian. This proves difficult for a variety of reasons. Some staunch veg*ns should take a look at this, because this is just one omni's plight of making the transition. It's not as easy for some people as you may think it is. I'll put my own personal insight for responses to these points in italics.
I really, really enjoy the taste of meat. You can make some really good dishes with the exquisite texture and flavor of various types of meat. Especially seafood. Probably my favorite type of meat. I know that some amazing meals and dishes can be made with all vegetarian ingredients, as I've made some before. But, seeing as I don't cook a whole lot for myself, the recipes would get boring and re-used and just not as awesome as if I'd make them with meat.
I LOVE to cook for people more than for myself. Unfortunately, I have no veg*n friends in my area to cook for, so they like to have a square meal with meat in it and I love to oblige and enjoy it with them. I'm aware that I can cook some amazing vegetarian dishes for them and even convince them that you can eat well and be vegetarian, but it's just not quite the same...
When I go out with friends, we often cook out and have brats, steaks, hamburgers, pork chops, etc. It's one of my favorite things to do and being seen as an inconvenience because I can't participate isn't like me. I can bring my own veggie kabob or portabello mushroom or what you you to grill. Honestly, this is a pretty trivial problem and easy to fix, but it's just the social interaction of the whole thing, though I don't think my friends would care.
Related to the last point, but in general I hate inconveniencing people when they invite me over to eat. My mom eats very healthy, but her diet requires one type of protein and she usually makes chicken and will sometimes make a single dish, using it. When I go to visit, she loves to feed me. She's always frowned on me when I announced vegetarianism in the past, but in retrospect, she always found a way to support it and cook what I'd like. I just hate making her go to the trouble. I could offer to cook for myself, but as my mom, she has this natural desire to cook for me and stuff, especially when I see her less than once a month. Probably won't happen, but I can try.
I've been volunteering at a wildlife rehab for some time now and have come to know the owner and her family as my second family. I stay there so late sometimes that she often invites me to her house (on property) to eat dinner with them and it always involves some type of meat. We've gotten into discussions in the past about how we like being omnivores, which usually starts after she giggles at some of the resident veg*n volunteers out there, and telling her I'm going vegetarian may raise some eyebrows and will lead to an uncomfortable situation. Yeah, still don't know how to overcome this situation other than to just deal with it.
It sometimes seems that it's cheaper to eat with meat in your diet, which is crucial for a college student. I think Food, Inc summed it up nicely when a woman compared a $1 McDonald's hamburger to a $3 head of broccoli. I'm admittedly controlled by fast food in my busy life, and it's a hard habit to break. I could bring my own lunch to class/work but I don't get up in time to make something healthy for lunch and most, if not all, frozen foods have some time of meat in them. Er, actually now that I think about it, Healthy Choice has some good vegetarian meals. Hmm.
OK, there you have it, my extremely long list and ramble. I'll probably wean off slowly and use up what I have in the fridge and then make the transition. Wish me luck, you guys are the best support group ever. You may hear from me more soon, haha.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:05 am
Ailinea OK, after having been in this guild for... what, going on 5 years now? ... I'm finally going to try to stop being a hypocrite and go vegetarian. Well, that's great! I'm glad you'll at least try. Good luck! Ailinea I really, really enjoy the taste of meat. You can make some really good dishes with the exquisite texture and flavor of various types of meat. Especially seafood. Probably my favorite type of meat. I know that some amazing meals and dishes can be made with all vegetarian ingredients, as I've made some before. But, seeing as I don't cook a whole lot for myself, the recipes would get boring and re-used and just not as awesome as if I'd make them with meat.I would suggest then, using different spices to create different flavors. I'm not a professional in cooking or anything, but if you get fancy with the spices, sometimes, things turn out pretty good. And they make vegetarian patties and sausages and chicken nuggets too (I think the brand is Morning Star, I have yet to try it, but I've definitely seen it around) Also, you don't have to be vegetarian per se, you could be pescaterian since you seem to love fish so much. I'm the same way, I can't call myself a vegetarian because I eat meat time to time, if I could just find a fish replacement (mainly for sushi because I LOVE sushi) then I could easily go vegan. But for now, I'm at a loss... Ailinea I LOVE to cook for people more than for myself. Unfortunately, I have no veg*n friends in my area to cook for, so they like to have a square meal with meat in it and I love to oblige and enjoy it with them. I'm aware that I can cook some amazing vegetarian dishes for them and even convince them that you can eat well and be vegetarian, but it's just not quite the same...As long as the food tastes good, then there shouldn't be a problem and who knows, maybe your friends will admire your hardwork instead of critisize you. Ailinea When I go out with friends, we often cook out and have brats, steaks, hamburgers, pork chops, etc. It's one of my favorite things to do and being seen as an inconvenience because I can't participate isn't like me. I can bring my own veggie kabob or portabello mushroom or what you you to grill. Honestly, this is a pretty trivial problem and easy to fix, but it's just the social interaction of the whole thing, though I don't think my friends would care.If your friends don't care, then there wont be a problem. Your ability to socialize and interact with people isn't defined by what you eat/cook. Sure, the type of food you consume is a part of who you are, but that's the whole point of socializing with people, it's to bring new ideas to the table. I'm sure they wont knock you for bring your own food to bbq, it just means more of a variety for everybody. Ailinea Related to the last point, but in general I hate inconveniencing people when they invite me over to eat. My mom eats very healthy, but her diet requires one type of protein and she usually makes chicken and will sometimes make a single dish, using it. When I go to visit, she loves to feed me. She's always frowned on me when I announced vegetarianism in the past, but in retrospect, she always found a way to support it and cook what I'd like. I just hate making her go to the trouble. I could offer to cook for myself, but as my mom, she has this natural desire to cook for me and stuff, especially when I see her less than once a month. Probably won't happen, but I can try.At least you have that support. I have that same "problem" with my mom. It's not really a problem, she's just overprotective and always wants to take care of us. She doens't have a problem with me wanting to be vegetarian, but I get the feeling that she is going out of her way to grocery shop for me. But she is my mom and I know she wants to help and support me. Your mother loves you and wants to support you, so let her. Let her help you. Don't feel bad about it. Ailinea I've been volunteering at a wildlife rehab for some time now and have come to know the owner and her family as my second family. I stay there so late sometimes that she often invites me to her house (on property) to eat dinner with them and it always involves some type of meat. We've gotten into discussions in the past about how we like being omnivores, which usually starts after she giggles at some of the resident veg*n volunteers out there, and telling her I'm going vegetarian may raise some eyebrows and will lead to an uncomfortable situation. Yeah, still don't know how to overcome this situation other than to just deal with it.Oh you are soooo lucky! I would LOVE to work/volunteer at a wildlife rehab facility. heart Why don't you just tell her the reason for why you decided you want to be vegetarian? I mean, if it's going to be a problem, then you don't have to eat with her. But if she is your friend, she'll understand and cook vegetarian meals. They'll taste just as good. Sure, some eyebrows will be raised, but the situation won't be as uncomfortable as you make it seem. Maybe just a little awkward at first, but then you all will be laughing about it afterwards. Ailinea It sometimes seems that it's cheaper to eat with meat in your diet, which is crucial for a college student. I think Food, Inc summed it up nicely when a woman compared a $1 McDonald's hamburger to a $3 head of broccoli. I'm admittedly controlled by fast food in my busy life, and it's a hard habit to break. I could bring my own lunch to class/work but I don't get up in time to make something healthy for lunch and most, if not all, frozen foods have some time of meat in them. Er, actually now that I think about it, Healthy Choice has some good vegetarian meals. Hmm.Personally, I'd rather spend the $3 for a head of broccoli, rather than the $1 for a heart-attack-disgusting-fattening-mcdonalds-lard burger. I understand grocery shopping for healthy and organic foods is expensive, but you can't put a price on you health or your body. Ailinea OK, there you have it, my extremely long list and ramble. I'll probably wean off slowly and use up what I have in the fridge and then make the transition. Wish me luck, you guys are the best support group ever. You may hear from me more soon, haha. Good luck! Yes, I would love to hear how it's been going for you. I transitioned off of meat slowly and was actually vegetarian for a while. I still live with my parents and all we have is turkey, chicken, and meat..... stressed So, my vegetarian diet will just have to wait until I either move out, or get enough money to grocery shop on my own. My PM box is always open if you ever need support.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 5:38 am
Good for you! And good luck! ^ ^
And even if you just start by cutting back on meat, every little bit helps.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:52 pm
Thank you guys so much for your replies! Just got back from the grocery store, and bought no meat at all. In the past four days, I've only had two servings of meat, and one was at the rehab (Ha! Eventually I'll tell her sweatdrop ). Oblivion, you are more than welcome to live vicariously through me, hehe! If you want some pics and stories of the animals at the rehab I post a lot on the Facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=71179693141 I can also look in my member directory if you'd like to see if there is anyone in your area that does have a rehab you could possibly volunteer at. smile It's the most rewarding experience I've ever had! Wouldn't trade it for the world. I like the idea of pescatarianism. I'm also a HUGE sushi lover, glad to see I'm not alone. Unfortunately, the environmental activist inside me is slapping me in the face for eating seafood. I'll get over it. ._. Thanks again for the words of support! Love you guys! =D
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:20 pm
I can't say I am much of a vegetarian either. I have many little obsticles when it comes to staying on a veg diet but I do try. I have few friends who will even touch veggies and my boyfriend will eat a potato and that is about it. To add to my little problem, I have 4 dogs and 4 cats now. All of which I cook for time to time. And not to mention the expense of cooking for someone who eats something different than you is a lot more than if we just ate the same things. So I feel your pain Ailinea.
I have found that I have done my best when there is a friend for support. I do have a friend at work that will get on me if they catch me with something that I am not supposed to have. It actually works in my case. xd I am such a child.
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