reading your post activated my gag reflexes...ugh.

yeah, definitely slacked a lot on this whole eating out thing. we do have one vegan restaurant in town which is good, but also pricey for us. we be po' folks.

Oh I have a good one for your reflex. I drove through Mc D one morning and asked for an Egg McMuffin without the meat. So I'm driving down the road with one hand, eating with the other, and I taste something baconish. I pull my muffin top off, and there is canadian bacon grease allllll over my egg. They just plucked the meat off of one and wrapped it back up! Yuck!

Jennifer, thats disgusting! I would have gone back and said something. I was once eating at a deli and ordered a rueben WITHOUT turkey.. I made sure I said NO MEAT AT ALL. The man taking my order was like "no meat? are you sure its good".. I said "im a vegetarian, I don't eat meat, I would not like meat on my sandwich".. he responds "are you sure" ..."YES!!"

The bring me my food to my table and I took my first bite mindlessly and (thank goodness) before I swallowed I noticed that there was turkey in my pita! So, being very upset I took it back and confronted them.. they said they'd make me a new one and bring it out to my table. After waiting again, they brought it to me.. no meat.. but it was VERY OBVIOUS they just yanked it out because there was still a bite missing for the pita bread. I took my plate to the front, threw it on the counter, and let them know they lost business.

Some people just don't get it =/

I used to order them without the Canadian bacon because I just liked them better that way - they *always* do that.

People just don't get it! I think the people at subway or wherever should change gloves between making a meat sandwich and a veggie one, but I always have to ask them to do so- luckily they make the sandwiches right in front of you so you know they won't do anything to your food

I was at pf changs and ordered a vegetarian entree and told the waiter I was vegetarian as well... I got my food was eating the delish dish when I bit into a piece of beef! When he came back I told him and he assured me it was probably a mushroom so I showed him and alas it was not... But I told him I was fine with it- it was the only piece I could find in it and I had already eaten half so I finished my dinner and forgot about it. The manager came over and sincerely apologized. I assured her I was fine with it, I know accidents happen and we dine there fairly often and it hasn't happened before. She knew just HOW BIG OF DEAL it couldve been had she had it happened to someone else. They took care of the majority of our check(cost us like 30 for 4 people with several drinks!). I was very happy with the way she genuinely cared about our service and dietary requests. I WISH EVERYONE WAS ONLY SO UNDERSTANDING!

Might not be enough - today I got a turkey sub at Subway. After handling my turkey, I noticed the server, without changing his gloves, rearranging the bread on the shelves. He was making use of the time while waiting for my sandwich to toast. But when you come along several minutes later, you won't have seen that.

And even worse, you'll feel it if that turkey juice had time to marinate in a nice room temperature restaurant.

Yup.

BTW, it might seem strange that I eat a turkey sub and post here. But it's because I'm heading in the mostly vegetarian and somewhat vegan direction, so I'm here learning. That might not make any sense, but what I mean is that while I'm not cutting out dairy yet, I am cutting way back. Haven't bought any (cow) milk in a few weeks . Haven't yet figured out what I'm gonna like in my coffee, but I'm not going back to cow milk either. Feta and Parmigiano and Greek yogurt are more challenging .

I understand. I went veg at once, but then slowly brought myself down to vegan. And quickly back up to veg. I would like to go back to vegan again in the future. Right now isn't the time for me, but one day I will.

Actually right now I eat salmon. I am high risk for heart disease and fish oil is part of my protocol and I figured I was a hypocrite for taking pills but not eating the fish. But that is the limit of my meat. One day (when I reduce overall risk factors) I may stop the fish oil as well. The whole thing is a very difficult mental/emotional decision.