I haven't read everything in this thread so I may be repeating. Sorry.
I've gone vegan for health reasons, and it has helped tremendously. But it is hard. I don't want to discourage you, but just throwing some options out.
If your primary reason for going veg is the animals, or you suffer a meat relapse, consider grass fed animals, locally grown; I would add organic and free range, but the USDA definition of that is ridiculous. Further, I think denying a sick animal health care for the sake of a USDA stamp is abusive. You may still have an issue with the fact that they are killed in which case, don't eat them, the health of your conscience is just as important as your body. I just wanted you to be aware there are alternatives to CAF's - which if anyone outside corporate farming tried to do would have them hauled in front of a judge!
If you're still leaning toward veg, welcome aboard! I love Eat To Live by Joel Fuhrman.

ps I grew up on a small farm, live in a small farm community, and own a small farm.

Hi norasmother,

I appreciatet that advice. Lately, I have been eating less meat, at least I am more aware of what I'm putting into my mouth. I checked out the vegetarian and vegan sections of my local bookstore and there are a few books that I'm interested in. I am definitely considering making the switch but I think I will have to start enjoying veggies and non meats more first. Thanks so much

Amy

B-12 deficiency is something everyone should be aware of as meat eaters can also be deficient. Sublingual drops are the best form of B-12 but really you should get a yearly checkup that tests for the normal stuff plus vitamin D and B-12, both of which are problems in the US.

Thank you both for this information. I think that my Vitamin B 12 is good now but even if and when I do become a vegetarian, I am still planning to eat dairy.

Thanks for this info.

Take care,

Amy

Amy, I just wanted to reaffirm that it's fine to think about your choices on a spectrum or changing as a gradual process, too. It sounds like this is what you are doing - I think that's great.

I'm conflicted over my omnivore status, but for my own health reasons, don't see ever going fully vegetarian or vegan. But it doesn't have to be a total either/or. Gradual changes can still make a real difference. Slowly increasing the number of vegetarian meals a week, experimenting with tofu and tempeh, moving to meals where meat is a condiment and not the main course, buying from humane, local sources where possible... it all adds up, gradually decreasing meat consumption over time - and building habits so it seems easier. And that's something. I guess this is not unlike weight loss. I think your slow approach sounds excellent because if you make changes over time that really work for you, you're more likely to change your lifestyle in the long-run. Kudos to you.

On the b12 issue, I use nutritional yeast. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but it contributes great umami (spelling?) to your food. We love it on popcorn. Add it to anything to get a cheesy/meaty flavor. You can also get TVP (I know it's really processed, but sometimes you NEED "sausage") that has b12 added.
I just give the kids a vitamin to be sure

Thanks so much for the thoughtful replies.

I think that while I'm in my childbearing years, it's more important for me to eat more iron, so maybe I'll wait another few years for them to pass, then maybe I'll consider vegetarianism again. I am currently getting intravenous iron therapy again, when I see my hematologist at the end of these infusions, I'll speak with him and his nurse. Thanks.

It is always good to get advice from a doctor. If you were really interested, then you could also ask for a recommendation for a dietician. A dietician can help you with your iron issues and becoming vegetarian or near vegetarian.

Regardless of whatever you do, I'd still look into some cast iron cookware and make sure to eat plenty of leafy greens. It sounds like since you do IV iron, you just don't absorb it very well.

This is great, helpful advice. Thank you. I boycott veal because of the inhumane way that calves are treated, I saw that first hand. It maddens me to no end. I think I may start using less leather, more man made fibers. Thanks.

Amy

I have been a vegetarian intermittently since my jr. Year in college. Sometimes I went vegetarian for a few years at a time. I had to stop for several years because I was poor, and had to get food at food lines. They gave away lots of meat, bread, cerials, cheese, pies and cakes, but not a lot of grains and fresh vegetables. Yes, a lot of the poor people were very overweight, including me.

Recently things have gotten a bit better, and I am a vegetarian again. This time without cheese or milk, or eggs. I am not a vegan though.

How do you do it? Just stop eating meat.

How do you get enough protien? Unless you are a body builder, you do not need a lot of protien. Otherwise, vegetables like beans and grain have protien in them. Just go to a nutritional site that breaks down micronutrients in food. You will see where the protien is. There are lots of vegan atheletes.

One thing I do not reccomend is eating cheese or dairy, both for animal cruelty reasons, environmental reasons, and also health reasons. Cheese is concentraited milk. It is very near to a chunk of lard in health benifits. It is unnessesary for most cuisines. Pizza and so on can be made without cheese. The main reason there are fat vegetarians out there is cheese.

Do your research on this. Watch forks over knives. Understand that a dairy is a pit stop for female cows. After a few years they give less milk and are hauled off to the butchers just like male cows. They become hamburger too. The same goes for female chickens. They eventually are killed and used for human food.

So if you are against animal cruelty and factory farms, understanding that dairy and egg industry are just part of the same issue.

There is a forum I go to called veggiboards that gives advice to people who are transitioning to vegetarian. You should give it a look.

Giselle