Thread: Any vegetarians out there?

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

I'm proud because it's something I've always wanted to do but never had the courage to try. I've always felt a sense of dependence on animals when I ate meat, and becoming a vegetarian has given me a real sense of freedom. It's a very personal thing to me, and I don't object to people eating meat (I still live with my parents who both eat meat). I'm just proud that I stuck with my commitment.

To each his own right?

You will forgive me for asking an obvious question but aren't you now more dependent on plant life? Aren't you only transferring one dependency for another? I am a little confused as to what the difference is.

I've been lacto-ovo vegetarian for the last 3 or 4 years. Lacto-ovo because I do eat dairy and eggs. I find it's not that hard being vegetarian at all, though I've never liked meat much when I was young anyway. I find seiten to be a perfect substitute for that savoury something extra in the meal.
I really can't imagine every eating meat again, there's something quite 'barbaric' about it (really no offense to anyone, just talking personally here). I would never buy a badger brush either, after seeing various videos on how the hair is obtained - really no "hobby" is worth that kind of horror... but anyways. I have several vintage leather strops that I keep in the spirit of re-use, since the object is already made so why waste it.. but I would never purchase a new leather strop....... I think I've gone off topic.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Jasper Kade

I really can't imagine every eating meat again, there's something quite 'barbaric' about it

I assure you that as 'barbaric' as eating meat seems to you limiting your diet to plants seems 'smug' to us omnivores (or as I like to call it "the way humans have successfully existed for thousands of years").

The only way I limit my consumption of animal protein is I won't eat anything that paces when caged, I've spent a lot of time thinking about it and I've owned and observed MANY animals, and the only ones I have no objection to eating are the animals that don't pace in their cages(pretty much anything that isn't a large predator or omnivore).

Originally Posted by Jasper Kade

I would never buy a badger brush either, after seeing various videos on how the hair is obtained

I agree with you there, all animals deserve humane treatment, regardless of cognitive ability.

It might be time for something like this. In The Deep End » 2006 » June

X

Originally Posted by JMS

You will forgive me for asking an obvious question but aren't you now more dependent on plant life? Aren't you only transferring one dependency for another? I am a little confused as to what the difference is.

Yes and no. I am dependent on plant life, but no more than a meat eater is. A meat eater is indirectly dependent on plant life since the animals that provide the meat are plant eaters. So it still requires that dependence on plant life to sustain the animals that are eaten.

Does that make sense?

Originally Posted by xman

It might be time for something like this. In The Deep End » 2006 » June

X

I really enjoyed reading that. Thank you.

I've thought about it (mostly as my wife is a "fishatarian" won't eat anything with lungs (as someone cleverly coined it earlier in the thread)) but I don't find it appealing for several reasons:
1. meat tastes awesome. I'm a Texan and I'm pretty sure I would wither up and die without BBQ
2. getting enough protein becomes problematic (I lift weights... I'm already taking extra protein on top of the meat I eat, which is a lot)
3. energy density. it takes about 3500 kilocalories a day to maintain my current weight and activity level. eating salads and nuts, that is a ridiculous amount of food. if I can slip a couple pounds of beef in there, it's a lot easier to get enough to eat.
4. there is something primal and incredibly satisfying about eating meat, especially if it's raw or almost raw. if they ever invent a vegetable that tastes as good as raw toro, I'd never eat meat again plus, harvesting a plant is not terribly satisfying either. i don't really get anything out of mowing my lawn, but to kill (and then subsequently eat) a deer or hog is pretty cool. there's just something comforting about eating a rare, bloody steak, feeling the blood run down your jaw, that eating vegetables could never match.

those of you that are vegetarians, how did you overcome these obstacles? I'm stumped.

Originally Posted by jockeys

I've thought about it (mostly as my wife is a "fishatarian" won't eat anything with lungs (as someone cleverly coined it earlier in the thread)) but I don't find it appealing for several reasons:
1. meat tastes awesome. I'm a Texan and I'm pretty sure I would wither up and die without BBQ
2. getting enough protein becomes problematic (I lift weights... I'm already taking extra protein on top of the meat I eat, which is a lot)
3. energy density. it takes about 3500 kilocalories a day to maintain my current weight and activity level. eating salads and nuts, that is a ridiculous amount of food. if I can slip a couple pounds of beef in there, it's a lot easier to get enough to eat.
4. there is something primal and incredibly satisfying about eating meat, especially if it's raw or almost raw. if they ever invent a vegetable that tastes as good as raw toro, I'd never eat meat again plus, harvesting a plant is not terribly satisfying either. i don't really get anything out of mowing my lawn, but to kill (and then subsequently eat) a deer or hog is pretty cool. there's just something comforting about eating a rare, bloody steak, feeling the blood run down your jaw, that eating vegetables could never match.

those of you that are vegetarians, how did you overcome these obstacles? I'm stumped.

I don't have a large diet and I don't lift weights, so I personally don't have the issue with protein. There are a lot of alternative sources of protein out there other than meat. I found this if anyone's interested: Bodybuilding.com - Kristi Lees - Vegetarian Sources Of Protein & Alternative Foods To Spice Up Your Meals. So it is possible to get the proper nutrients from alternative sources, but I do realize it's not for everyone.

I was a vegetarian for 15 years. I had to give it up because of serious health problems. My doctor told me that I would be dead in two or three years if I kept it up. It seems that it is fine for carb types but a very bad choice for protein types like me. I was eating plenty of beans and cheese. It just was not enough protein.

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

Hey all,

I don't care if you are or aren't a vegatarian, I seriously don't like to judge or impose my views. I just wondered if there were any other members here who are veggies.

As a meat eater i thank you for that, I love all sorts of veggies but i could never give up meat