become vegetarian

This has always been been an important goal for me.

I would be lying if I didn’t say it is the weight loss I desire, or the ability to contribute to environmentalism, but most of all, my primary reason (and this has been something I’ve been needing to define for quite a while now)—is to be self-reliant and DISCIPLINED. To be disciplined is anything more than I could ask for. I figured that now, as a vegetarian, I would be able to implement good habits and develop a sense of self worth. Not only would I be healthier, but I would have developed a certain commitment to myself and myself only that I can apply to other aspects of my life.

I actually tried being vegetarian last year and succeeded for about a few months, but I started creeping back into my old habits when I started going to university. Thing is, I miss feeling happy and energetic. Vegetarianism actually gave me an amazing energetic high that I’ve never felt before. In fact, when I was vegetarian, I felt refreshed when I woke up—not groggy.

Knowing what I’ve experienced before, I’m determined to finally wean myself off meat and make this decision into a lifestyle. Hopefully a long-lasting one.

I can only hope not to fall back into undisciplined habits and lose control, so I want to take this step by step.

I love food. I love cooking, and I love the taste of meat. Unfortunately, I have this damn social conscience which makes me feel guilty every time I eat a piece of factory-farmed, horrifically produced and wastefully reared meat.

Meat is hugely resource-heavy to produce. It takes tonnes of food (usually flown in from thousands of miles away – see the Friends of the Earth Fix the Food Chain campaign) to produce, and releases tons of methane during its lifespan.

I converted to vegetarianism when I was 11, for over a year. It was a strange age to be converting, and had a lot to do with a hippychick girl in primary 7 who I had a bit of a thing for – and I’d love to manage it again.

I have something on my side: three sisters. Two of them are vegan; one is vegetarian. I’m quite proud of them for having the willpower to stand up for their beliefs.

On the other hand, though, I have an enthusiastically carnivorous wife and family and friends, and damnit, I just love the taste.

I’ve killed my own food a few times in the past, and feel a lot better about doing so. We keep hens, which are fed from grain grown on the farm; I’ve killed and eaten wild rabbit from around our farm cottage before; and I have a ready source of trout which we home-smoke. My wife and I would both like to keep pigs when we have a place large enough to support it.

So. Here’s what I’m aiming for. I’m going to try to cut out all meat from my diet unless I a) have reared/killed it myself, or b) know exactly where it has come from, am happy that it has led a good life in a natural environment and has been fed well (ie. no Brazilian soya/hormone injections/other horrors).

The revolution starts here. It will probably involve vegeburgers.

I have made a good start by not eating red meat. I did get a egg laying chicken (five actually)...I will have fresh eggs all year round!

I have not eaten any land animals, or land-animal derived products which I am extremely proud of myself about.

I am still rarely eating seafood, simply because my boyfriend is going veg with me and he’s finding it hard to wean himself off the seafood. So occasionally we’ll have some fish here or prawns there, but 90% of our meals are 100% vegetarian.

I think with something like this which is altering a large part of your normal routine, it takes time to adjust and get yourself into the good habits. I have set a goal to be fully veg by about June 2009 which I am steadily working towards.

Over the summer my goal was to be a vegetarian. I was for a month…but my mom made me stop. Pretty lame….seriously! i had already gotten over the addiction to meat and everything. Oh wells. 1/1/09 back to veggies!

I’m getting better at this. Yesterday I consumed green beans, asparagus, whole grain bread, peanut butter, grapes, triscuits, and some green bell pepper.

I think I will call this goal done if I can keep it up for two weeks.

As of 01/01/09 I will re-pledge my vegetarianism.

...and I ate some popcorn chicken with him when he cooked dinner. I realize that I don’t eat meat at home but when elsewhere, I feel uncomfortable making people work harder to conform to my desires, such as meatless meals. I don’t want to hassle them or complain. He doesn’t think its a great idea, but he said he’ll support me in it, so I guess that will help. He likes meat, has it with most meals, so its a bit difficult when I’m with him…

I know it might be offensive to say here that I am fond of the taste fish and poultry, but its true, and it is proving to be a major obstacle to this goal. I haven’t given in yet, but my family eats mostly meat, candy, white bread and fatty snacks, with no fruits or veggies, so I’m in a touch place to attempt these goals. When I see a plate of salmon or a turkey sandwich, it hurts to restrain myself. And this is how I also am teaching myself self-control.

I don’t drink milk any more, but I do eat eggs – only because they are from our own chickens, who frolic in our large tree-y backyard eating bugs all day, and are well sheltered at night.

The only thing I don’t like is that I’m hooked on cheese. I’ll wean myself off that as well, though it will be difficult…

Now, I’m going to stop eating meat completely. I have been eating small amounts of poultry and fish for most of my life (don’t like beef or pork anyhow). I know it won’t really help save any animals (its not like they’ll let one go free every time I choose soy), but at least I can choose not to be a part of the mass production slaughter.

I’ve been eating a lot more veggies, beans and whole grains.