Well, here's the latest on where I stand... I just ordered skinny b*tch. Also, I now have my pantry full of rice, pasta, beans, etc. And my fridge is just beautifully full of fresh colorful tasty produce... My husband is willing to try the vegetarian meals that I am going to cook (from my new vegetarian cookbook ~ yay!), but he is not ready to give up fish. I on the other hand, am done with meat. Period. And although I don't see myself becoming vegan any time soon... I feel better about what I am putting into my body already! Who knows what the future holds!
Thanks everyone for your input... xoxoxo

Oh, one more thing... I am kinda nervous about thanksgiving... how is 'to-phurkey'??

I never had it, and doesn't really sound so appealing to me, but I know it might be just the thing for many. But my plan for Thanksgiving this year is to enjoy the many delicious side dishes, and come up with a couple fabulous ones to bring myself. There's always so much good stuff, it will be nice to have more room for it .

LOL - I have done "turkey" in sooo many ways - even made a seitan turkey with gluten flour one year.
My current advice- Thanksgiving doesn't need turkey - all the other wonderful foods that ARE vegetarian are more than enough! Enjoy - and don't even think about "turkey".

I have tried various faux turkeys for Thanksgiving, and I have liked them all. If you have a Whole Foods near you or something similar, they will probably have a lot of options when it gets close to that time of year. They are usually easy to cook -- just follow the directions on the package.

I never really decided to make the change. It just sort of happened. Growing up I never like meat or ate too much of it. About ten years ago I totally stopped. I has been very easy and I don't regret it a day in my life!

I had a tofurkey two years ago. It was okay but I wasn't super excited with it, so last year I just made a hearty roasted veggie dish to bring to my family dinner - I had it as a main course but everyone else ate it as a side dish.

1. Why did you decide to make the change?
Because I don't want to eat animals.
2. Was it hard for you? And if so, what was the hardest part?
No it wasn't I quit cold-tofurky
3. Why do some self-proclaimed vegetarians eat fish and/or chicken? Doesn't that completely contradict "vegetarian"?
Well there are a bunch of sub categories for being a veg. but to me vegetarian means no meat or fish

Why did you decide to make the change?

I initially stopped eating red meat as I was increasingly concerned with the hormones in it, particularly in the case of beef. That was about 2-3 years ago. I was always interested in vegetarianism but only made the ultimate commitment after I met my boyfriend (who has been veg for about 8 years). I figured I would give it a try for a little while since it seemed a tad cruel to eat animals right in front of him. As I made the switch, I started to read up on vegetarianism, which almost always manages to include information on the cruelty of industrialized farming practices. Becoming more informed on the issues made me commit more seriously to a vegetarian diet. I will never go back.

Was it hard for you? And if so, what was the hardest part?

It actually wasn't that difficult to make the change, probably due in large part to the fact that I hadn't had any red meat in more than a year when I finally decided to go vegetarian for life. I do still eat eggs and dairy products (I'm currently lacto/ovo) on occasion but I would really like to make the move to vegan one day.

As for the hardest part, it's definitely restaurant eating for me. There are a few cool vegetarian places around my city but when going out with friends or family we usually stay away from those places as some people tend to think of them as hippie-ish. This means that a lot of the time I find myself in places that only have one or two vegetarian options --- and they are almost always pasta-based. Look at the salad options on a lot of menus and even they have meat in them.

Why do some self-proclaimed vegetarians eat fish and/or chicken? Doesn't that completely contradict "vegetarian"?

Quite frankly, I have never understood this either. If it had a face and you eat it, you are not a vegetarian. It's that simple. I sometimes feel bad for eating eggs and calling myself vegetarian...but at least they never had a beak. That said, at least they are letting the cows and lambs live, so good for them.

1. Why did you decide to make the change?
I was a vegetarian in my teens for about two ethical reasons but I didn't really research the issues or nutrition. I've thought of it often since then and as I again got back into animal rights issues I really did my homework. I cannot be an ethical person and consume animal products. Its just that simple to me. I do not think animals are any better or worse then humans but the sheer fact is I do not need to consume or use any of their bodies therefore there is no reason to.

2. Was it hard for you? And if so, what was the hardest part?
No not hard at all. Once I put the ethical reasons in my head I'm not even tempted by cheese or meat. I did my homework and make sure I'm eating to stay healthy and it's just not that hard! The only slight problem is with eating out at times but even that gets easier as you learn what questions to ask and learn what restaurants will work with you.

3. Why do some self-proclaimed vegetarians eat fish and/or chicken? Doesn't that completely contradict "vegetarian"?
Very simple, they're not vegetarians. I'm glad they're eating less meat then before but consuming any flesh negates being a vegetarian. Just as equally consuming honey, milk, eggs is not vegan. Again I'm all for people cutting back as much as possible but don't like the artifical labels.

Best of luck to you and please ask questions! I think you'll be relieved to see how easy it really is and how much better you will feel.

I just want to say that my book got here today (Skinyn B*tch)... OMG it is AMAZING... I have been cooking vegetarian for about a week now and after reading this book (I can't put it down) I am so motivated to go all the way and become vegan. Unfortunately, my husband is having a very hard time with accepting even vegetarianism. He is laughing at me, and saying that this "phase" won't last but about a week. I am extremely serious about making this [permanent] change in lifestyle. Anyone out there faced similar issues? I mean, I know he might not even know the difference if I am cooking tasty meals, but is it possible to get him to simply understand and maybe even agree to this transition? If not, is it going to be an extremely trying up-hill battle?

xoxoxo

I personally have experienced some hardships with family about it, but I had decided to be mature about it and do what I have to do. This is your own personal choice, and from the sounds of it...I'd show him that it is more than just a phase...this is something you're serious about! Express your views calmly and maturely, and let everything else fall in place. If he doesn't believe it, try to convince him with food. You know...the quickest way to the heart is the stomach. As far as me, I've made it a point to make things on my own, even though my family isn't accepting.

This is for you! Keep that in mind...and if you're doing it for ethical reasons as well..think of the lives you'll be saving and the suffering you'll be reducing. Your reasons are your reasons, just keep that in mind.

I am doing this for both ethical and health reasons... first of course the horrendous abuse and killing of the animals involved, but also all of the pesticides/steroids/hormones/antibiotics/etc that we end up ingesting via meat/animal products... and already I am getting flack for it. Especially since my child is involved. My husband thinks it's wrong to impose this lifestyle on my son. I think it will improve the quality of & potentially even extend his life... what do I do? IS this wrong or is it just that he doesn't understand & doesn't want to?? Also, I KNOW my mother will sneak him to (yuck) McDonald's... what do you do when your babies are involved??

Do you have health problems anywhere in your family? A great way to "justify" it to people is to tell them that you are working hard to avoid the diseases inherent in your family tree. Sometimes people need a reason and don't want to hear the ethical "hippy" reasons. They would have to face changing their own diets if their heads were not in the sand and too many people want to eat now, worry later.


Tell your husband about the hormones in the meat and dairy industry, and the fact that it isn't good for your SON, who is a growing boy, to take in all those female hormones, specifically estrogens. Tell your husband you are protecting his prostate and tell him that it is the most prevalent cancer in all males and it is DIRECTLY linked to eating meat and dairy. If he resists then say fine, he can protect his own jewels but you are protecting your sons.


Tell your mom that it is absolutely for health reasons and ask her how she would have felt if her mother undermined her authority? Tell her that she will not be doing him any favors by clogging his arteries, which starts in childhood! Tell her and others that you respect their wishes and choices, please respect yours. The worst thing you can do is be preachy, or lay all the ethical reasons on them right away. A lot of people do not want to give up their fatty diets and will drag everyone right down with them (misery loves company) just so they can justify doing it to themselves.

Get indignant! Tell your husband you are doing this, it is important to you and the health of your family. Force feeding your son a fatty diet is cruel on his behalf if he insists on it. Tell him when your son is old enough to decide for himself, then he can, but as for his health now it is in your hands, and it is your job to be a responsible parent and keep him healthy. Tell your husband you will cook vegetarian and if he wants to eat something else he can go get take out or cook for himself, but you and your son are eating healthy, and you respect his right to eat what he wants for himself.

Be assertive and non preachy but don't let anyone give you crap for eating healthy, or feeding your son healthful foods.