25 August 2011

a dilemma



i can't believe that i am typing this, but i am seriously considering becoming a vegetarian.  {honey, if you're reading this, you should probably eat a lot of meat between now and mid-september.}

maybe not 100%, full time, all the time.  i'm not sure that i can pass up my birthday ribeye and the occasional slice of bacon.  but 99% of the time.  this is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind and conscience lately.  it's always something that i've wrestled with.  i consider myself an animal lover, probably more so than the average person, and it's always bothered me that i was eating animals.  but on the other hand, we're at the top of the food chain and bacon is so delicious.  but recent events have made me reconsider.  without getting too soapboxy, let me explain.

i now have a 45-minute commute each way to work.  and at least once a week on my way to work, i have to pass a tractor trailer that is stuffed to the gills with turkeys or chickens or pigs, presumably on their way to be slaughtered.  picture a tractor trailer and where the cargo load normally is {you know, the sides of the truck with the company logos, but you can't see inside}, it's all cages.  and i drive past these cages and see these animals that are clearly dirty and sick and miserable.  they are cramped together and they look terrified.  and every time i pass one, i cry and feel sick and miserable myself. 

i've cut back drastically recently on the amount of meat i'm eating, and i really don't miss it.  but that's easy to say in the summer when fresh produce is in abundance.  figuring out this veggie thing in other seasons concerns me.  so i'd love to know:  how many of you are veggies?  do you eat fish and eggs or no?  any GREAT recipes that are go-to's for you?

i could really use your help!

6 comments:

MHM1314 said...

My sister is a vegetarian and has been all her life (she just never liked the way meat made her feel as a kid, etc.) -- all I can recommend is that you aren't just cutting out meat -- you MUST supplement your diet to make sure you replace the protein and other nutrients your body needs. My sister was actually hospitalized over a year ago because she had a major vitamin B12 deficiency just because she wasn't fully nourishing herself.

other than that.... if you go vegg, there is just more meat for me :)

Unknown said...

I've contemplated the same thing (and I know what kind of trucks you're talking about...saddest one I saw was driving from C'ville back to RIC and it was a pick up loaded with cows). :(

I know my husband would NOT be on board with going veggie or vegan, BUT we do eat a lot of veggies & other proteins. Tofu is a big favorite in our home...even our kids eat it.

One cookbook I have on my list is Veganomicon: http://tinyurl.com/3fg2y3r The recipes look easy & delish!

I definitely wouldn't give up seafood or eggs, but in the winter months you could enjoy heartier things like stews, goulashes, curries, etc. We love to use turnips, rutabagas, carrots & wintery greens in the cooler months.

Danielle Moss said...

The shoes are SO similar. Wow. But B Atwood is amazing. I'd love a pair of his shoes someday. A girl can dream...

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

I've considered doing the same for similar reasons. Will be curious to hear what you end up doing!

Kate Nisbet said...

hubs and i went veggie for the month of july. i ate fish, he did not. i didn't really miss meat, but will say that at times it was difficult (ie: wedding receptions/sports bars/etc.) but we made it work. we now eat a lot less meat than we did before and make smarter (and unfortunately more expensive) meat decisions now when we do eat it (locally sourced, hormone & antiobiotic free, etc.)

Anonymous said...

Hi! Love your blog, just wanted to say there's another option. Meat that's certified humane through Animal Welfare Approved . The animals are raised on pasture,are required to have great housing, they arent fed hormones, and antibiotics cant be used unless the animal is sick. The animals also must be transported in a humane way,they cant be overcrowded, heat stressed, cold, handled in a cruel fashion, hauled long distances, etc. Before Animal Welfare will give their seal of approval to a farm, they visit the slaughterhouse that's used as well, and make sure the animals are handled and stunned and killed properly so the animal isnt scared or in pain. there's usually an Animal Welfare Approved seal on it, their website also can link you to a farm/ farmer's market/ grocery store in your area that has it. Certifed organic meat also has to be raised in a similar manner, so thats another good choice. Go to your local farmer's market and you can probaly find a local farmer selling pasture raised, grassfed meat; they usually let people visit their farm and see how the animals are raised. just something for you to think about. :)