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Ok so yeah. My feelings towards eating animals is simply this... don't do it. I mean most of the animals are tortured before they are killed. Think about this... You wouldn't want any of your pets to be tortured, then killed, then eaten. Nor would you want that to happen to a family member or friend. So why is it ok to do it to a cow or pig? It's not. They do feel pain too.

I agree that we value being stick-like more than needed, but that's not what being a vegetarian does. Of course, if you eat the same meal you would with meat, simply removing all the meat, you're going to miss a lot of necessary things. As long as you make sure you get enough calories from healthy-ish food, you're good to go.

B12
Although that is only naturally found in animal products, it is also found in dirt and can be made artificially. Not saying you should eat dirt like many places (south [of] US), but if you eat locally grown things and it's only "lightly" rinsed, then you'll get enough. You only need two micrograms (infinitesimally small units), and that'll likely be there in whatever you'll be eating off that carrot or potato. If it's local, it will probably also be healthier, being exposed to less e coli and such. B12 can be made in labs, though, so it's not always from meat. If it is lab-made, it'll say in the ingredients (probably at the end, due to it's rarity) cyanocobalamin. By the way, B12 deficiency isn't more common in vegans than meat-eaters, as an interesting fact.

Proteins
Protein is everywhere, don't even go out of your way to get it if you're a(n aspiring) vegetarian. And, don't forget potatoes. Eat your day's worth in calories of potatoes, and you'll get all the amino acids you need, without using animals!

I do eat meat, but I kindof feel guilty about it at times.
My reasoning for still eating is it because we, as humans, are designed to eat meat. It's natural for us, & healthy..
But then I think, there's so many other alternatives to eating meat & you can get the same nutrients... I don't know, maybe I will try going lacto-octo vegetarian before going all the way, if I decide to..

Read Animals in Translation... stare talk2hand rolleyes

Yes, it has studies of how the factory farming is improving with the help of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman (/ hero) who creates the environments in many factories to make it less stressfull and painful for the beef cows.

It also has studies about other animal studies based around anthropomorphising them.

But it is an amazingf book by an amazing author.


(My story time)
I work on an organic farm where I raise pigletts, chickens, turkies and cows for food. When the owners/ family friends bring the animal to slaughter my family buys the food and we eat it.

I think I can accept this because I know the difference between a pet, and a working animal.

What do ya'll think?

From? If you're talking about states I come from a little congested state called Connecticut. ^^

I noticed what you posted in my thread, and I feel almost liek the book animals in translation would be perfect for you. It also talks about how humans have engineered certain animals to meet their needs.

I don't know how I can do what I do at the farm, but I guess I've been raised that way. I'm not a huge advocate of god, but I was raised to think that we as people have morals. One of the morals is to not abuse our gifts. ie. Animals.

Believe me, I'm not a giant meat gobbling machine, I still volenteer at vet clinics and teach pet first aid to 4-H groups. I have passion for animals, but I know my place and their place. And to me a cows place is at McDonalds (poor analogy I know) and my place is at the table.

If you have accepted their hunting and trapping then it is only right that they accept your vegetarianism.

Daniel Boone eh? I've heard of him. 3nodding Was in the beaver and otter fur trade, if I remember rightly?