A
Amaris
Guest
I've been a vegetarian for almost two years. Now, however, I'm transitioning back to being an omnivore again. I'm not talking going from vegetarian to daily bacon burger eating; my consumption of meat will be minimal, but it will exist, and it has already begun.
For me, it's about replacing nutrients I couldn't afford to replace as a vegetarian. Being vegetarian or vegan can get quite expensive, because meat is subsidized to such a degree that it's simply cheaper to eat it, and the more financially strapped we have become, combined with the limited availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in our area, has, in part, lead to this decision.
So I was reading an article in the New York Times today, that was full of comments about which diet was superior, and who was more foolish, and it just continues to baffle me. I've never condemned anyone for being raw foods, vegan, vegetarian, omnivorous, or carnivorous (though I am curious as to how long one could sustain themselves on a meat only diet). I've always figured one should eat what fuels one's body, and makes it perform optimally. What works for some may not work for others, and getting angry at what people eat, whether meat or veggies, is just so silly. There are places all around the world where people have nothing to eat! Now *there* is a problem that needs addressed, not some silly back and forth about what diet is superior.
As always, decisions like this, which seem small, seem to cause so many ripples. One person, a longtime vegetarian whom I've known for a number of years, told me that I was betraying the animals in favor of their slaughter. That was news to me.
A meat eating friend insisted that I had cleared myself of the brainwashing that lead to my vegetarianism in the first place. It's just sad, and a bit hilarious I guess, to see people make these grand, sweeping statements over what one chooses to eat.
That said, I do agree with Temple Grandin's approach to animal ethics; that we don't have to be cruel about how we get our food. Let's be conscientious, and kind. Let's treat these animals as humanely as possible, because we do have the capacity for compassion, even as we use these animals for sources of food. Be appreciative. Be thankful.
All of that aside, I ate some ramen with chicken broth in it yesterday. Today I had a veggie sub with tiny pieces of chicken on it. Tomorrow I will likely eat all veggie. The plan is to eat small amounts of meat for the next week or two, until I have brought my stomach up to speed without shocking it all at once.
Now, I did say before that part of the reason was finances. Another part of the reason is my doctor suspects I was becoming a touch anemic. Even though I tried to eat as many vegetables as I could, there were some I simply couldn't afford, or weren't available, to fill in some of the gaps. I remember, in the vegetarian thread, seeing all of these delicious vegetable recipes, and having no way to procure many of them to try the same thing.
So after some heavy thinking, I made the decision, and so here I am.
I won't lie, though: in a few weeks, once I feel my stomach is strong enough, I will eat a Wendy's classic single, with their fries, and a Coke. I feel this is essential in my growth as a person.
So, um, anyone else want to talk about stuff?
For me, it's about replacing nutrients I couldn't afford to replace as a vegetarian. Being vegetarian or vegan can get quite expensive, because meat is subsidized to such a degree that it's simply cheaper to eat it, and the more financially strapped we have become, combined with the limited availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in our area, has, in part, lead to this decision.
So I was reading an article in the New York Times today, that was full of comments about which diet was superior, and who was more foolish, and it just continues to baffle me. I've never condemned anyone for being raw foods, vegan, vegetarian, omnivorous, or carnivorous (though I am curious as to how long one could sustain themselves on a meat only diet). I've always figured one should eat what fuels one's body, and makes it perform optimally. What works for some may not work for others, and getting angry at what people eat, whether meat or veggies, is just so silly. There are places all around the world where people have nothing to eat! Now *there* is a problem that needs addressed, not some silly back and forth about what diet is superior.
As always, decisions like this, which seem small, seem to cause so many ripples. One person, a longtime vegetarian whom I've known for a number of years, told me that I was betraying the animals in favor of their slaughter. That was news to me.
A meat eating friend insisted that I had cleared myself of the brainwashing that lead to my vegetarianism in the first place. It's just sad, and a bit hilarious I guess, to see people make these grand, sweeping statements over what one chooses to eat.
That said, I do agree with Temple Grandin's approach to animal ethics; that we don't have to be cruel about how we get our food. Let's be conscientious, and kind. Let's treat these animals as humanely as possible, because we do have the capacity for compassion, even as we use these animals for sources of food. Be appreciative. Be thankful.
All of that aside, I ate some ramen with chicken broth in it yesterday. Today I had a veggie sub with tiny pieces of chicken on it. Tomorrow I will likely eat all veggie. The plan is to eat small amounts of meat for the next week or two, until I have brought my stomach up to speed without shocking it all at once.
Now, I did say before that part of the reason was finances. Another part of the reason is my doctor suspects I was becoming a touch anemic. Even though I tried to eat as many vegetables as I could, there were some I simply couldn't afford, or weren't available, to fill in some of the gaps. I remember, in the vegetarian thread, seeing all of these delicious vegetable recipes, and having no way to procure many of them to try the same thing.
So after some heavy thinking, I made the decision, and so here I am.
I won't lie, though: in a few weeks, once I feel my stomach is strong enough, I will eat a Wendy's classic single, with their fries, and a Coke. I feel this is essential in my growth as a person.
So, um, anyone else want to talk about stuff?
