connorhawke said:

But sub chicken in there and it'd be even better, no? It just inherently isn't as tasty as meat can be. These days I tend to leave the tofu alone, say in my miso soup, because it would be taking up space in my stomach better filled by something better tasting. It feels like a waste of time and energy eating it.

No.

I tried it for nearly a year, and I found it impossible to keep my weight up. I was getting sick from trying to eat so many calories, and yet my weight was dropping to levels that are considered unhealthy for someone of my height. I felt weak and started to look pale. It was not fun.

I really feel I gave it my best shot, and I had the help of a veg-friendly doctor from California and very knowledgeable people. I don't know what else I could have done.

There's a small chance I'll try it again. Around the time I turned 30, I finally started gaining weight. I'm still thin, but I've filled out some. (For example, I had to have all of my suits re-tailored.) And I've realized that my past eating habits -- such as lots of burgers and sugared soda -- probably aren't sustainable.

That said, while I may (and kinda have) cut back on meat, I doubt I'll give it up completely. I think being a vegetarian ultimately takes a certain amount of passion for it that I just don't have. It was never something I really wanted to discuss with others, and it can create situations that were very uncomfortable for me.

I understand concerns about so-called "factory farming," but I think my talents are better suited for other things that I do feel passionately about. Also, while it's getting easier, being a vegetarian in Indianapolis can be a real challenge. (I mean, the unofficial state sandwich here is the fried pork tenderloin.)

Still, even though I left the Catholic Church many years ago, this year I resumed doing the no-meat-on-Fridays-during-Lent thing. And so far, I haven't invoked the "fish exception."

TO ALL THE VEGGIES: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ONE?





I started when I was ten and the longer I don't eat meat, the more I find it disgusting. So it's been nearly eight years now.

I'm not a vegetarian... but I do really enjoy a lot of vegetarian meals..

bboy87 said:

I eat apples, peaches, grapes, cherries, melons and bananas.

I've stopped being a strict vegetarian two months ago - after 6½ years of not having eaten any other animal products than eggs sometimes. Food is expensive over here and I wasn't getting the right amount of certain proteins. So I've started eating tuna, liver and a few other various things that contain the things I wasn't getting. It just proved out to be a quick, cheap fix for some of my health problems.

I started having serious trouble one year ago when writing my graduation thesis and staying inside too much. So I chose to toss my idealism out of the window for being able to feel better. It is possible to get everything you need from a strict vegetarian diet. Unfortunately, the way food is manufactured and priced these days just makes it stupidly hard in the long run.

chocolate1 said:

I'm really allergic to raw apples and peaches. Cherries are even worse. I think you could probably kill me by stuffing my mouth full of cherries.

novabrkr said:[quote]

chocolate1 said:

I'm really allergic to raw apples and peaches. Cherries are even worse. I think you could probably kill me by stuffing my mouth full of cherries. [/quote]


awwwww

novabrkr said:

NOT the other type of cherries.

connorhawke said:

was it bacon?

IshmaelB said:

Every choice counts, though, right? I can feel good about not causing pain and suffereing to any animal by way of what I put in my mouth (if in no other way)regardless of any other choice I make during the day.

I agree that agriculture needs to be reformed as well. I buy the vast majority of my veggies from a grocer that only stocks local and/or organic stuff and make use of farmers markets as well during that season here. I buy cheese from a specialty grocer that can tell me about the 17 year old amish kid in Iowa (one state away from me) who made it.

Yeah, but then you would be supporting the Amish.

novabrkr said:

I've always feel gulity when ive eaten meat since a kid.
I've bee coming in and out of vegetarianism for decades-i would stop eating meat for a year then go back then stop etc. About 4 yrs ago i was so disgusted with the meat industry and with myself for eat dead animals i became complete vegan for a couple of years felt so much better and could sleep at night knowing i wasnt a murderer! but later on i wasnt getting enough iron and became anemic, the doctor gave me iron tablets but they just gave a reaction to all these rashes so i though ok maybe i need to eat meat. The truth is looking back no i didnt need meat, i just need to eat better. As a vegetarian/vegan you have to make sure your eating lots of diffferent food groups and getting all your vitamins and minerals throughout the days and weeks. coz the western diet and its choices are not the best and can be expensive being veggie so u have to really educate yourself.
From January this year ive gone back to being a vegetarian, i will not eat mammals or birds again. At present just allowing a small bit of fish in my diet but that will have to stop soon coz it had a life too!

CarrieMpls said:

Really?

A better question is , are you vegetarian who doesn't own a meat eating pet.

missmad said:

Have you tried cooking with lentils, rye berries or quinoa? Soy isn't the only source of protein. I also use seitan (aka mock duck, or pressed wheat gluten) and occasionally you can use some of the veggie meat replacement products (brands like Morningstar Farms). I don't use them a lot as I like to reduce the amount of pre-packaged food I consume but I LOVE their veggie bacon and their "buffalo wings" are one of my favorite junk food treats.

Pick up a cookbook or search vegetarian recipes online. Then try a new recipe each week. Or even every other week. I was a flexitarian for many years and gradually eased myself into vegetarianism. I think every choice counts, so the more we can reduce our meat consumption the better.

CarrieMpls said:

isn't quinoa the one that looks like oatmeal? never heard of rye berries. Not a lot of choice/brands here but tried the fake meat stuff, hated it. yea i feel when i eat it i become "heavy" and i hate it

TheVoid said:

My cat hunts his own meat. I only add his side order of vegetables

PANDURITO said:

Than your cat isn't benefiting from a system of factory farming even worse than the factory farms that feed humans.

missmad said:

Quinoa looks like tiny spherical seeds. They're slightly nutty in flavor and can be used in place of rice. I make mine in my rice cooker.

An easy dish I make is I'll saute onions and carrots (chopped quite small), then throw them in the rice cooker along with the quinoa and enough veggie broth to cook it in, add some golden raisins and some curry powder or whatever spices I have on hand, a bit of salt and pepper and in 15-20 minutes I've got dinner.

I don't know what I am to be honest. I don't eat red meat, haven't done for nearly 20 years. I only eat poultry and fish.

This week so far, I've had 2 meals that were completely meat free. I eat fresh veg, drink pure fruit juice and stay well away from processed food.

I only have a light meal mid morning and then a main meal at night. I have a takeaway once a fortnight.

But thanks to the beer, I'm still getting a beer belly, dammit! I've been a size 30 waist since I was 18... At 35 to suddenly go up to a 32... not good. Time to excercise methinks!

NastradumasKid said:

PREACH!!!!! I eat my share of veggies, but I gotta have meat(mostly chicken, fish, lamb, goat and once in a while beef or pork). I put my canines to good use.

hell yeah

i think that meat is murder

Dewrede said:

What's harvesting crops? Justifyable homicide?

No. I love meat too much.
I seem to have developed an allergy to chicken which is gradually getting worse so I don't eat much of that anymore.

florescent said:

florescent said:

Have you tried buying your chicken from a butcher or farmer that sells organic free range chickens free from hormones?
We switched and we feel much better.

I am trending vegetarian, but I don't think I could ever give up meat 100%.

I love bacon way too much.