I was wondering the other day how long I'd been vegetarian for. When I had a look in my diary I realised that it was way back, on February 25th 2010, that I decided to be vegetarian again. I say again, because from about the age of 12, until I was 19 I was vegetarian. My mum has been vegetarian for what must be 30+ years and I decided to follow in her footsteps. Sadly, when I went to university, I was in catered halls and they didn't cater very well for vegetarians. I couldn't justify buying food on top of paying for the catering so I turned carnivorous again.
My reasons for being vegetarian are not really ethical ones. I don't disagree with the principle of eating meat, it's natural, that's why we have pointy teeth, but I'm not a huge fan of the taste of it. If I had the choice in a restaurant of the beef lasagna or the veggie lasagna, I would choose the veggie option.
I still eat fish and seafood. I think that technically makes me a pescatarian. I like the taste of fish. Simple as that. I do however like to make sure that it comes from a sustainable source. I use this fish guide, from the Marine Conservation Society, to check the fish I am eating is okay.
I don't miss eating meat at all. Still eating fish means that when I go out with friends to a restaurant they don't need to triple check with me that it's okay to eat there. There is always something I can eat. I still cook meat dishes for Ben and I don't have a problem with this. It's a shame that I can't check that they are tasty before dishing them up for him, but I can live with that.
I know there are a few veggies out there that read my blog. What are your reasons for being vegetarian? Is your other half a veggie? If not, does this cause a problem?
I'm not a vegetarian, but I also don't eat meat very often. I like meat and do feel that it's perfectly normal for animals to eat other animals, but I've read a lot of articles and a few books on what our excessive meat consumption is doing to the environment and our bodies, so I cut back on my intake significantly. Supposedly 20% of green house gases come from cows, etc etc.
ReplyDeleteI hate factory farming, so I buy cruelty-free meats when I can find them, and always use cage-free eggs.
My brother-in-law's partner is vegetarian, and I admit it's kind of a pain. Whenever we cook dinner we have to make something special for her. We like her so we don't really mind, but I can't lie and say it wouldn't be easier if she weren't a vegetarian!
I am a vegetarian, and I just hate that animals are tortured. I totally agree with you on the fact that people eat meat, that's the way it is suppose to be, but I'm just not a fan of how they are treated.
ReplyDeleteI feel like, if by not eating meat, I can save one animal from that terrible life style... well, that makes it all worth it for me.
My fiancé is not a vegetarian, though he, like you, is planning on doing so once he's out of the college dorms. It doesn't cause problems for us in anyway, when we're together he cooks for himself if he wants meat. Generally, he eats vegetarian with me on those days out of laziness.
In reply to Plum, yeah it can be a pain to take care of a vegetarians food options, this is why when the problem presents itself I try to fend for myself. I feel like it's a choice I'm making so others shouldn't have to be inconvenienced for it. When going out to dinner comes, a typical meal for me is a salad and appetizer.
The one problem with cage/cruelty-free products is that there are no regulations on what these words actually mean. If you get the chance, look into some of the brands and make sure they are what they present themselves to be.
Hi both. Your comments are great!
ReplyDeleteLike you Bre, I always make sure that my friends aren't going out of their way to cater for me. I'll take my own food with me if needs be.
I heard that 'free range' may not be what you think it is, which really annoys me. It makes it so difficult to watch that the products you eat are cruelty free.
Hey, we are both pescetarians :) My hubby still eats meat but doesn't mind eating veggie meals with me. He calls it "eating healthy."
ReplyDeletei am not a vegetarian right now. but have been in the past. right now i only eat chicken, turkey and fish. haven't touched beef in about 5 years. i can't stand to touch raw meat (i only cook fish.) and i refuse to eat anything off the bone. all that being said, if i cook at home, i ususally end up w/ meals full of veggies/rice/beans. i would def like to be vegetarian again, but as of now, i just don't like tofu. i've tried it several times, cooked different ways, but can't seem to find any way i like it.
ReplyDeletei hate the state of the food industry right now. food labels are so misleading and untruthful to the public. i'm starting to think maybe csas are the way to go. at least you can go to the farm and check out what's goin on. but even then, who knows.