All You Vegans and Vegetarians...Give Me Some Info Please

[celstu1]

I do wonder... are you a vegetarian if you 'OCCASSIONALLY' eat meat?

[kezza]

I stopped eating meat about 4 years ago now, i do sometimes eat a bit of fish. I make sure i take a multi vitamin and iron everyday.
Instead of turkey for christmas dinner i buy a nut roast.
I HATE preparing the chicken for the dogs! i usually get hubby to do it...if he's away though i have to grit my teeth and get on with it! yuk!

[yorkiegirl83]

I was a vegetarian for a few years 12-15 and I became very unhealthy because my mom didn't learn a thing about my new lifestyle and all I ended up eating was pasta and cheese, so basically I ended it on my own because I couldn't eat like that.

I am very seriously considering making the change to vegetarian again as an adult. I really could care less for most meats -- I only eat chicken, tuna, and pepperoni basically and I don't even eat them that much. At dinner time usually the meat is left sitting there, it just freaks me out. I still can't eat things w/bones.

I really need to approach it in a healthy way this time though, my only concern is that I don't think I will be able to give up dairy I am extremely addicted. Basically everything I like involves dairy!

[heatherjean8737]

Originally Posted by celstu1

I do wonder... are you a vegetarian if you 'OCCASSIONALLY' eat meat?

That would be called a Flexitarian which is (a diet that consists primarily of vegetarian food, but that allows occasional exceptions - got from Wiki).

[kezza]

Originally Posted by spruitt7

Do any of you get harassed by family or other people b/c you are vegans or vegetarians? I've came very close to changing, but I haven't yet. I try not to eat a lot of meat anyway. The reason I asked if people sometimes bother you about it is because I only eat organic food. I've been this way for about 2 years. I refuse to eat at McDonald's or at other fast food places. Lol. Anyway, my friends and family always complain to me because its such a hassle for them. Mainly my parents give me heck about it. They always complain because they have to go to a separate store to get food for me. They get really upset during the holidays because my mother will have to cook regular food then organic food for me. Even when I buy the food, she still will complain about it. It really bothers me. Does anyone have any ideas how to get them to stop?

YES!!!
In-laws seem to have a big problem with it! MIL 'doesn't know what to feed me' when i stay over! FIL even waved a tin of dogmeat under my nose once and asked me if i liked the smell of it!! he's such an A***! My nanna still asks me if i can have wafer thin ham! lol she just doesn't get it at all bless her!

[hartygirl]

Originally Posted by spruitt7

Do any of you get harassed by family or other people b/c you are vegans or vegetarians? I've came very close to changing, but I haven't yet. I try not to eat a lot of meat anyway. The reason I asked if people sometimes bother you about it is because I only eat organic food. I've been this way for about 2 years. I refuse to eat at McDonald's or at other fast food places. Lol. Anyway, my friends and family always complain to me because its such a hassle for them. Mainly my parents give me heck about it. They always complain because they have to go to a separate store to get food for me. They get really upset during the holidays because my mother will have to cook regular food then organic food for me. Even when I buy the food, she still will complain about it. It really bothers me. Does anyone have any ideas how to get them to stop?

I get harassed a little by my friends because I live in Texas now and don't eat meat. I guess this is a meat and potato lovin state . There are a few people in my extended family that are just plain rude about my decision. They will make sure to serve a meat main course and have it in every side as well. My advise if you are dealing with people like that is to kill them with kindness and always have a back up protien bar in your purse. As far as organic, I don't see a problem especially if you are providing the food! The only thing I can suggest is to try and make it fun and cook with her if you don't already and maybe she will be open to just making everything organic one year, it is after all better for you.

[Wylie's Mom]

I've been a pescetarian for about 14 years now - it started bc of the horrors I learned about in slaughterhouses. They are INDESCRIBABLE. Horrors beyond words (including, btw, turkey slaughterhouses - footage from those are just horrifying).

I don't miss meat, really, but I do love the smell of bacon and gyros. Meat and/or flesh has never "grossed me out" - it is the cruelty of human beings UPON innocent meat/flesh that chills me to my very core. I don't, however, instill my feelings on anyone - I don't care if my hubby eats meat or anyone else; it's just my choice.

And yes....sigh....I get harassed by others. Others think it's funny. Others think it's fine to prod and pry and ask "why don't you eat meat" - and I just want to scream "why DO you eat meat that is borne from horrific cruelty" (which would really be just as rude for me to say). Not that a conversation can't happen - but it is often at the expense of them thinking my belief is a "just a joke" and something to be made fun of / light of. It's very difficult to tolerate making fun of cruelty (for me).

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by MeganS

I want to start being a vegetarian. The only kind of meat I'll eat is redmeat, which is not healthy anyway haha. But I would imagine its not healthy to just suddenly stop eating meat. Is there a way to go about it, or is it ok to just stop eating it?

Hi Megan! There is nothing at all wrong with stopping meat abruptly. Just make sure you study up a bit on nutrition to make sure your diet is healthy. Lots of whole grains and leafy greens. If you order that vegetarian starter kit I mentioned earlier it will help you also. Fell free to PM me anytime if you have questions.

[MeganS]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Hi Megan! There is nothing at all wrong with stopping meat abruptly. Just make sure you study up a bit on nutrition to make sure your diet is healthy. Lots of whole grains and leafy greens. If you order that vegetarian starter kit I mentioned earlier it will help you also. Fell free to PM me anytime if you have questions.

Awesome! thanks so much!

I think I may still want to eat meat from time to time. I love fish, for example. But for the most part, I want to give it up.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by MeganS

Awesome! thanks so much!

I think I may still want to eat meat from time to time. I love fish, for example. But for the most part, I want to give it up.

I love fish too and still eat it.

[MeganS]

ah! I've been vegetarian since Saturday, and I haven't cheated once! The food is GOOD!

But there's a Stewart's up the street, and I had a dream about one of their cheese hot dogs last night bahaha. I just need to...not think about it.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by MeganS

ah! I've been vegetarian since Saturday, and I haven't cheated once! The food is GOOD!

But there's a Stewart's up the street, and I had a dream about one of their cheese hot dogs last night bahaha. I just need to...not think about it.

Yay Megan! Order that free started kit I posted about. I promise you that after reading it you will never ever dream about eating animals- the thought will sicken you. If you come across any great recipes, please share.

[sims822257]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Yay Megan! Order that free started kit I posted about. I promise you that after reading it you will never ever dream about eating animals- the thought will sicken you. If you come across any great recipes, please share.

OKAY Now you have me thinking Nikki. OMG though Chris would freak out of I did that too him.....he is such a meat lover. And I am such an eatter - I love food - I am not sure if I could give up all meat but I am sure it would be better for me. Actually come to think of it I really like to stick to chicken and an occasional burger so I bet I could do it. I love all veggie and grains and I love Beans....hee, hee!!

[Gracie2006]

I have not eaten red meat for over 15 years. I do eat turkey, chicken and fish but not a lot, and have considered going vegetarian entirely. I went vegi when I was in nursing school. Anatomy class caused that. I would go home and dissect my meat. Gross. Here is my big question. How do you handle it when you go to someone's home for dinner and they forget about you being a vegetarian? What if the site or smell of a meat product grosses you out so bad that you can't hardly stand to be near it, little lone eat it? What is a polite way of saying "no thank you" after your host spent a fortune both in time and money to prepare it for you? I have found myself avoiding going to other people's homes for meals because of this dilemma. If I do eat something that grosses me out, I suffer for the next 24 hours or so, both physically and mentally. I know it sounds strange, but that is me.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by sims822257

OKAY Now you have me thinking Nikki. OMG though Chris would freak out of I did that too him.....he is such a meat lover. And I am such an eatter - I love food - I am not sure if I could give up all meat but I am sure it would be better for me. Actually come to think of it I really like to stick to chicken and an occasional burger so I bet I could do it. I love all veggie and grains and I love Beans....hee, hee!!

Hey Caren, go here http://www.vegetarianstarterkit.com/ and order the starter kit. It's a huge eye opener (and it's free ) I also have the book I mentioned, Skinny Bitch, that you're welcome to borrow anytime. I never even considered beoming a vegetarian even with Lauren being one but after reading that book I could never eat meat again. I hear you with Chris. I buy meat for Troy and he throws it on the grill for himself. I know there is no chance in the world of him giving up meat.