How to stay vegetarian for the rest of 2009
It made me
proud and healthy 
"I gave up meat, and I haven't looked back!"
How I did it: After switching to vegetarianism shortly after my return to Washington state, I pledged to go veggie for the rest of the year. Now, I don't see why I won't be veggie for the rest of my life.
I made this decision after many months of consideration. Becoming vegetarian is a personal decision, first and foremost, so don't be pushed around by militants on either side of the aisle. There are many health benefits to limited intake of certain meats, and for some people, eating meat may be a must. But meat may pose a moral and ethical dilemma, and it no one's choice but your own to make up on your mind on whether or not to eat it.
Studies have shown the environmental impact of meat is negative, and this was one of the many reasons why I gave it up.
I also believe that taking something's life in a factory farm setting, where pigs and cattle are carved without any thought or appreciation for their life and breathe, is wrong. To harness the awesome power of death may be acceptable in some cases, but there should be a certain reverence or gratitude displayed in it. Go out, kill your own chickens, and be thankful that your life is sustained at the cost of another -- but I believe it morally reprehensible to take thousands of lives an hour with no question or thanks.
Becoming and staying vegetarian, honestly, was one of the easiest things I've ever done. I honestly think it's a shame that the Western diet has become so consumed by meat (or the idea of meat), that we have a hard time fathoming meals without animal as the centerpiece. That said, I made it my mission to eat healthy, balanced meals. I've known many vegetarians that eat only soy-based meat replacements or pastas. Being a "true" vegetarian, means eating any and all available vegetables, fruits, and grains. I wanted to make true meals out of everything that wasn't flesh, and I achieved it through creative cooking and original thinking.
Lessons & tips:
- Consult your MD before changing your diet. Alright, so I didn't follow this rule myself, but if you're in any sort of a risk group (say you're a pregnant woman or you've got a history of immune deficiencies), than asking your physician is the best thing you can do.
- Don't rely on meat substitutes. Cutting out meat is not the same as simply subbing soy for salmon. Studies have shown that too much soy may be bad for you as well. Being vegetarian means eating all those greens (and purples and oranges and reds and yellows...).
- Keep an open head and a curious palette. Six months ago I hated onions, now I can't stop thinking about them! You'll be surprised how quickly you discover new tastes and develop cravings for things you'd've considered inedible before!
- Listen to your body. If you're feeling any different from before, for the worse, than see a doctor. You may need to seriously fine tune your vegetarian diet to avoid any health risks.
- Don't be militant. If you make the decision to become a vegetarian, then please, share this with your friends and family. There is a positive health and environmental benefit to being veggie, but by all means, do not cram this down anyone's throat. There's nothing worse than being judged for what you eat. You don't appreciate it and neither do your meat-eating friends.
Comments:
Paul T. Klein has gotten 1 cheer on this entry.
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