Never been a big meat eater... at one time chicken wings were my favourite food but the reality is I like sauce and could probably throw sauce on chunks of gypsum and be happy. I often think when loading up on condiments that I am actually covering up the taste of the meat... intentionally.
So I stopped eating it... it's been a week. I even had an enjoyable meal at The Keg (my beau's birthday request after a few days without meat at home) sans meat.
And its so easy! I feel like this was meant to be and the only time it feels strange is when I mention it to others. We are surrounded by meatless choices, we have many professionals saying we can survive quite readily (and perhaps better) on vegetables, grains and legumes, and there is scientific evidence that raising animals for meat is hard on the environment (and not so easy to do in the average backyard). Still the response I receive when I mention that I'm not eating meat is "why would you want to do that?"
I live in the country and one friend recommended that I don't mention it to my neighbours for fear they will burn down my house (he only seemed to be half kidding).
On the other hand it seems in the meatless world that being a vegetarian is not enough and you are only truly "saved" if you are a vegan (or even more pious, eating "raw"). I do have a lot of respect for those who make this choice and the work that goes into being so thoughtful about everything they eat or purchase. I need to get into a veg rhythm before I can think too much about my mayo having eggs in it.
I already drink almond milk but I can't loosen my grip on cheese... I generally have at least 5 different cheeses in the fridge. I once admitted that I loved cheese so much, I could marry it. We have a tight relationship. Perhaps I should continually remind myself that it is cow mucas.
I also don't want to become too obsessed with food. I don't want to be the friend who comes to dinner and dissects everything drawing attention to myself. I know its not easy being hostess and it is disappointing to spend a lot of time preparing something only to find out that your guest won't eat it.
Also it seems I have an allergy to soy. I noticed a few years ago that when I ingested soy I would just feel weird. A bit lethargic, sometimes a bit itchy, upset stomach, a general malaise. I have been experimenting and each time I eat soy, I have a strange reaction.
My beau has been supportive of this new cooking style but his eyes plaintively look at me when dinner is served even his long eyelashes seem to say, "beans again?" It seems this style of eating emasculates him in some way. The boy has been away but he has a meat centered diet and I will need some fairly creative options since he will only eat a few vegetables (he does like beans though!) and mentioned the other day that he likes veggie dogs... my little saviour :)
We are lucky to live in an age where we have so many choices. I am grateful to all of the veggie bloggers who are easing me into this transition by making it less mysterious and confusing to eat meatless. It feels good to gain some control over what I eat and the reasons I eat it. I'm beginning to realize like most things that eating is more about tradition and habit than it is about sound nutrition.
7 comments:
I don't consume soy (only the very small amount that I use in just some of my baked goods), so I can reassure you that it's quite easy to follow a veg-based diet without it :0)
Hi Veggiegirl,
I'm glad to hear that and would appreciate any suggestions you have as far as meat replacements! I really want to make this as easy, healthy and tasty as possible :)
I read in a book somewhere (sorry can't remember the title but I believe the author was one of the Moosewood cooking crew) - and this goes back to what you said about food being about tradition - that cutting down on meat can be difficult if you're used to meat being the focus. This book made vegetables the focus so you didn't really need "meat replacements". Or did you mean getting adequate protein? Perhaps veggiegirl can reassure us because I too have people on my back saying "you need meat for protein" and "you need lots of protein" and even worse "your children need to eat more meat to get lots of protein" while I'm convinced that actually, you don't. I read another book that showed that the north-american diet is too high in protein anyway which just gets excreted out of our body or sits in our blood vessels causing atherosclerosis.
hi jess, i did mean adequate protein for myself (i am really curious about how much protein we actually need now...) but for the men in the house a meat replacement in the sense that you mentioned... something that will create the "meaty" sensation that they miss due to living a meat focused life.
i also fear the comment that the boy won't get enough protein... considering he isn't my son, i can't really decide what kind of diet he should adhere to. it seems i'm abusing him enough by not having tv in the house!
I don't need my own blog since you seem to be telling my story as well. Is it a coincidence that I gave up meat as well. I'm even about to venture into the "Raw" world. It is all so fascinating to me now. (the girl who hated vegetables) Angela :)
After becoming vegetarian in March, I have realized how many meatless options there are out there...It's opened my eyes to so many more veggies, and especially ethnic foods! I hope you enjoy this transition as much as I have enjoyed mine! :0)
Hi Angela, Perhaps genetics along with a meat and potatoes upbringing have geared us in the same direction? :) We both seem to have been searching for a way to make us happy and comfortable in ourselves...
I'm just so excited to make ice cream out of frozen bananas (freeze em and puree them!)
Hi Allison, blogs like yours and veggiegirl's have been really inspiring to me... its nice to know i have support from people who really care about these things.
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