I’m posting while eating. Naughty, naughty! But, I’ve got to make this snappy and get back to business.
Before the big "vegetarian discussion," here’s what I’m eating for lunch:
Boiled corn on the cob (These corn holders have been in our family since I was 5 years old!):
Whole wheat English muffin with globs of cottage cheese:
Roasted red pepper soup (1 cup NOT 1 can, this stuff is calorie-dense!):
And my dessert will be a chocolate that Brandi sent me:
Thanks, Brandi!
Vegetarian or Not?
After reading Skinny Bitch, I decided to go vegetarian. I actually haven’t had meat since April 26 (my birthday). I have been hesitant to "announce" on the blog because I do not want to insult any vegetarians in case I "fall off the wagon." This is a serious lifestyle choice, and I didn’t want it to appear I was taking the decision lightly.
As I mentioned a few weeks back, I’ve actually tried to go veggie twice before:
- I was a semi-veggie (no red meat or pork) from the age of 10 to the age of 20. However, I got drunk at a tailgate and ate a pepperoni pizza and that was that.
- The Hus and I tried to go veggie two years ago, but we only lasted a few weeks. We were on a road trip, and I was freaking out because there was nothing mildly healthy to eat at the rest stops that was vegetarian, so I broke down and had a chicken sandwich. And that was that!
Although I think Skinny Bitch is pretty extreme (it says you should be a vegan), the chapters on the treatment of farm factory animals really, really got to me. I "knew" what it was like for the animals, but to be honest, I just chose to ignore it and eat meat anyway. After reading Skinny Bitch, I could NOT get several passages about the slaughter and housing of pigs, cows, chicken, fish, etc. out of my head. Literally, the words haunted me (and still do).
One thing I’ve kind of accepted is that if you’re a vegetarian, there will be times when you have to basically eat junk food instead of a healthy meal (like when you are out to dinner) or you just need to make an exception and eat meat. Vegetarian options often suck, and sometimes, you cannot ask for modifications (like at The Players Championship on Sunday. I didn’t document my meals because cameras weren’t allowed, but I literally ate chips and cookies for lunch because that was the only veggie option).
I’m not saying I’m NEVER going to eat meat again. But for right now, I feel like I need to at least try to go veggie because honestly, I love animals and I just don’t think the way we currently treat farm animals is acceptable. I know that this statement means I should go vegan, but I really cannot make that big of a change nor am I sure I would want to. I’m going vegetarian for different/more compelling reasons than ever before, so I think it might stick.
I’m not saying you’re a bad person if you eat meat! It’s a personal choice that I’m making for myself (the Husband isn’t going veggie, for example). So, please don’t feel offended.
So, there you have it. I’m currently a vegetarian. 🙂
To answer some follow-up questions in the comments:
- No, the Husband is not going vegetarian. We’ll just make chicken for him and beans or tofu for me for dinner.
- No, I’m not eating fish. In my opinion, fish counts as a living thing, and fish are farm-raised in the same terrible conditions as sheep, pigs, and cows. Yes, I realize that I should stop fishing for fun.
- No, I’m not going vegan.
- No, I’m not going to be completely insane about it. I read ingredient labels already, and I wouldn’t eat soup made with beef broth, but I’m not going to freak out if there is gelatin in my yogurt. One step at a time!
Update Number 2:
- Some of you have suggested that I eat organic or "free roam" meat as an alternative. I hate to break it to you, but these buzz words were just created by the meat industry to make people feel better about eating meat. Especially at larger organic farms, the treatment of the animals is pretty much the same as it is at factory farms. Now, I’m not going vegan, but I think it’s important to point out that "free roam eggs" mean "chickens are locked in a shed" not "chickens get to roam a lovely pasture." Again — it’s deceptive marketing. Plus, organic animals are usually slaughtered at the same factories are regular animals. There are very few laws in place to protect animals while they are alive or being slaughtered. In fact, the British government has ruled that it is deceptive marketing to claim that animals raised on organic farms enjoy better lives than animals in conventional factory farms. I am not trying to make you feel bad about eating organic meat, but do not buy into manufacturer claims that it is better (cruelty-wise) than regular meat. It does contain less hormones and chemicals, though, so that’s one plus.
I have also been going veggie for the last few months based on moral reasons. I have eaten meat a few times, but I want to make it the rare exception and not the rule. I haven’t read Skinny Bitch because I am a wimp – I know that the info about treatment of animals will be hard to read. I, too, think that going veggie based on compassion for animals is helping me stick to it. Good luck, and I look forward to reading about your veggie meals!