Today I want to talk about being a vegetarian. I recently subscribed to a website called Vegetarian's Rock for my facebook. There were comments on it this morning about how people like to challenge vegetarian's about their choices and also about all the comments we hear when people find out we are vegetarians.
Today's post is not about bashing my meat loving friends. It is simply an explanation about my reasons for being a vegetarian and a little bit of information about the vegetarian diet. I cook for my meat loving husband and do so because I love him and he loves my cooking!
To be a true vegetarian means you eat no fish or meat. Then there are three kinds of vegetarians.
1. Vegan - these are vegetarians who do not eat dairy products and eggs.
2. Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat dairy products and eggs.
3. Lacto-vegetarians are those who eat dairy, but no eggs.
I am a lacto-ovo and primarily am a vegetarian for health reasons. High cholesterol, cancer and heart disease runs in my family and I have inherited the propensity towards all of these diseases. Being a vegetarian is not a fail safe diet for these, either. I have to watch my consumption of dairy products which includes my most beloved high fat cheddar cheese. To watch myself on this problem I buy and drink only soy milk, vegan cheeses and vegetarian "meats" such as bacon, sausage and hot dogs. All are made from soy and wheat products.
I do not like all the additives the producers put in their animal and chicken feed. I buy only organic eggs and natural or organic meat for my husband or meat I know is additive free.
I am an animal rights advocate. Note the word advocate. I am not a radical. In every organization or group of believers you have your advocates and your radicals. It is the radicals who get the most attention. This is what gives specific groups a bad rap.
I try not to be pretentious about my dietary lifestyle. When people find out I am a vegetarian I often feel an immediate tension from them as though they think I am judging them. This can not be further from the truth. What you eat is your business. I just ask that you treat me the same way. Don't judge me or assume I am going to preach you a sermon about your health or lifestyle.
Lastly, I am a vegetarian because of the environment. I am not going to get into a long tirade about the cattle, pig and poultry business and it's impact on the environment. If you care to know more about this, you can do your own research on the internet or you can check out books at the library. That is your business and I do not want to force this on you.
Tomorrow I will share with you many of my favorite delicious, healthy vegetarian recipes I cook for me and my husband. Our diets are not just salads and some vegetables you pop out of a can or defrost in the microwave oven.
You will be surprised to find out what delicious meals you can make for you and your family. For some websites to check out for vegetarian recipes, just google Vegetarian Times magazine or Christina Periello on PBS. They are only two among hundreds but they are my favorites.
May God be with you and your loved ones and give you a peaceful beautiful day.
SBG
This is a picture I took at the Oklahoma City Zoo. I love all God's creatures.
My husband begs to differ with me on this one!
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