Posts tagged with ‘vegetarian’

A fond farewell to meat

I spent my lunch break reading the first chapter of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer and feeling as though I was reading my own story.


“Mark Twain said that quitting smoking is among the easiest things one can do/ he did it all the time. I would add vegetarianism to the list of easy things. In high school I became a vegetarian more times than I can now remember, most often as an effort to claim some identity in a world of people whose identities seemed to come effortlessly. (p7)”


Um, hello, SELF. This is absolutely me. I even went through a phase where I was a vegetarian except for Fridays, I kid you not. It was a catchphrase, not a lifestyle choice.
I felt equally called out on the next page, where, in reference to his wife’s “history with meat,” Foer writes:


“There were things she believed while lying in bed at night, and there were choices made at the breakfast table the next morning…Like me, she had intuitions that were very strong, but apparently not strong enough. (p8)”


Yes, hello, me again. I’ve sort of got the ominous feeling that, as I read further in this book, I’m never going to eat meat again. I do have plans to try out the Paleo Diet and the Blood Type Diet, both of which I’m assuming (admittedly without having researched either very thoroughly) will encourage meat-eating as a part of their framework. I guess that’s just a bridge I’ll have to cross when I come to it - after all, this is meant to be an experiment in finding my own healthiest lifestyle.


Anyway - as I was reading JSF’s food-related memories, I realized that there are some meals I’m really going to miss after I say goodbye to meat for the next few months, at least.


1. Twice baked potatoes topped with bacon crumbles.
2. Bacon in its every delicious form. There is no substitute. I’ve had tofu bacon, and I don’t think it should even be allowed to have “bacon” in its name. It has NOTHING in common with that crispy, delicious delicacy.
3. (Family Friend) Mildred’s Chicken ‘n Dumplings. Ooooooh, Mildred’s Chicken ‘n Dumplings. I think I may miss you most of all.
4. Baseball food. I’m doing myself no favors by abandoning meat during the prettiest days of baseball season. Hamburgers, hot dogs, while often imitated, are never really deliciously replicated.


I started to add pork fried rice to this list, but I realized that I won’t miss the actual PORK at all, and I can still have rice and vegetables - I had one of those lightbulb moments. I’m tying a lot of these foods to memories or feelings associated with the atmosphere I’ve eaten in and not the actual taste of the meat. I think a lot of us do that - do you? Is there one food that you remember SO FONDLY that you couldn’t consider living without it? Is it the actual food that resonates so deeply in your bones, or is it the feeling you get when you eat it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

As I embark on this dietary adventure, I’m trying to gather as much advice as I can from my colleagues and friends. I was initally hesitant to get my family’s opinion for fear that they would think I was reverting back to my high school ways – you know, being a “vegetarian” for all the wrong reasons. But as it turns out, I’m not alone in thinking that maybe we’re eating too much meat for our own good. My grandfather was telling us about his childhood recently, and remarked that he used to eat meat once a week at most – for a special occasion or on Sunday after church. Leftovers didn’t last long (he was one of 9), so his meat-eating was truly confined to one day a week. The rest of the week, he was certainly well-nourished with vegetables, bread, plenty of starch. He grew up to be healthy and strapping – as a matter of fact, he seems to have been no worse for the wear considering the rarity of meat in his diet. So when did we starting eating a meat with every meal? My mom mentioned that although she thinks she could give up meat with ease, she doubted that my dad would even consider it – he is a man who insists on eating meat with every meal, and I know he’s got plenty of company in that. But why? Is it generational? Is it that the people who, as children, weren’t given the opportunity to eat meat at every meal are now “making up” for it by having it twice (or thrice) daily? When did we decide that a meal isn’t complete if we aren’t serving meat? (I know that rhymes, and I agree that it would make a clever catchphrase for the meat at every meal masses. So masses, if you’re reading this, tell me why you prefer meat at every meal, and the slogan’s yours!) What do you think? What changed? Why is meat now a staple at EVERY  meal, instead of at the special ones?

As I embark on this dietary adventure, I’m trying to gather as much advice as I can from my colleagues and friends. I was initally hesitant to get my family’s opinion for fear that they would think I was reverting back to my high school ways – you know, being a “vegetarian” for all the wrong reasons. But as it turns out, I’m not alone in thinking that maybe we’re eating too much meat for our own good.

My grandfather was telling us about his childhood recently, and remarked that he used to eat meat once a week at most – for a special occasion or on Sunday after church. Leftovers didn’t last long (he was one of 9), so his meat-eating was truly confined to one day a week. The rest of the week, he was certainly well-nourished with vegetables, bread, plenty of starch. He grew up to be healthy and strapping – as a matter of fact, he seems to have been no worse for the wear considering the rarity of meat in his diet.

So when did we starting eating a meat with every meal? My mom mentioned that although she thinks she could give up meat with ease, she doubted that my dad would even consider it – he is a man who insists on eating meat with every meal, and I know he’s got plenty of company in that.

But why? Is it generational? Is it that the people who, as children, weren’t given the opportunity to eat meat at every meal are now “making up” for it by having it twice (or thrice) daily? When did we decide that a meal isn’t complete if we aren’t serving meat? (I know that rhymes, and I agree that it would make a clever catchphrase for the meat at every meal masses. So masses, if you’re reading this, tell me why you prefer meat at every meal, and the slogan’s yours!)

What do you think? What changed? Why is meat now a staple at EVERY  meal, instead of at the special ones?

Week 1 - Recap

One week down! So far, it hasn’t been too shocking to my system, although I have been tempted a few times. I’ve found that, when I want to eat meat (especially fast food), it helps me to stop and consider where the meat came from, how it was treated, what it was injected with, how quickly it grew to full size (I’m especially creeped out by the growth hormones), and how I’ll feel after I eat it. Usually the cravings go away pretty fast ;)

The toughest test actually came yesterday. Part of my job at Earth Fare is cooking up DELICIOUS food every weekend - this weekend was Piedmontese Filet Mignon. From Montana Ranch, the cows are “Authentically Natural” - so no antibiotics, no GROWTH HORMONES, vegetarian feed, family ranched…essentially, all the things I would have used to guilt myself out of caving were moot. I managed to stay strong, though, because I really want to learn something from the Try It Diet.

I am having trouble being creative and cooking good veggie meals for myself. I’m ashamed to tell you guys that I actually ate bread and butter for dinner the other night (when I told my boss, she laughed at me and told me how sad that was. Whatever. It was tasty, too!). So I picked up a copy of The New Moosewood Cookbook…well, actually, I picked up TWO copies. Keep watching the blog for an announcement on how you (yes, you!) could win my 2nd copy.

Did any of you reading sign the Veg Pledge for May? How’s it going for you?

We have a winner!

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According to the random.org random number generator, we owe congratulations to comment number ONE. Here’s lookin’ at you, Deanna!

Email me at avl100demo@earthfare.com and we’ll get your cookbook to you.

Lydia, thanks for entering! Stop in and see me sometime and you’ll get a smoothie on me. Just give me a heads up before you come in so I can make sure to be in-store.

I’m hoping to do a giveaway for each diet, so keep reading for your chance to win!

Week 3: Recap // Change in plans

Another week down! I’ve been feeling a little sluggish this week, and I think it has a lot to do with my LACK of motivation to cook for myself. I’ve been eating well for lunch, since I usually lunch at work, but by the time dinner comes around, I’m defaulting to some really unhealthy choices. Either I’ll just graze without committing to a full meal, or I’ll order something in (case in point: last night I caved and picked up Chinese takeout). I haven’t been eating to sustain energy, I’ve just been eating to fill my belly.

Since I have two weeks to go, I really want to turn over a new leaf for the home stretch. I realize that I’m perpetuating this cycle, and that my only option is to suck it up and cook for myself DESPITE feeling tired in hopes that eventually the food I’m cooking will help keep me from wearing down so quickly.

Since I already have stir fry groceries, I’ll be making that tonight - but tomorrow, it’s going to be our contest winner, Deanna’s recipe! She included instructions for a really yummy - sounding layered enchilada casserole. I’ll be sure to post the recipe and pics Sunday night.

We’ve also had a change in plans! Instead of starting vegan in June, I’m going gluten free. I decided to change things up for a number of reasons (I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss meat, but that’s not all). I want to do the vegan and raw months at the peak of produce season, and I think I’ll have an easier time starting the raw regime if I’m coming off of a vegan diet.

SO my amended schedule is:
May - Vegetarian

June - Gluten Free

July - Vegan

August - Raw Foods

September - Paleo!

October - Eating for your Blood Type

As always, if you have suggestions, recipes, or other feedback, please leave them in the comments! You can also always email me at avl100demo@earthfare.com.