I REALLY want to go veg! I've done it before but didn't last. I feel better and healthier when I'm vegetarian. I've been trying to get back on track for a while, but it's so hard for me. I wonder why some people have such a hard time going and staying veg*n. I'm beginning to think it may have genetic predispositions. I am relatively knowledgeable of vegetarian nutrition and recipes. I know my body functions best while vegging. I've watched the mym dvd's. But I'm finding it so hard to be consisitent. I feel guilty sometimes, and unhappy many times. I don't want to be omni. I want to eat what makes me feel best, and not participate in animal cruelty. But there's something beyond rationalization that's keeping me from my desire.
Having said all that. I've decided to ease out of meat eating (yet again). For now, I'm planning on only eating meat on Fridays.
Can anyone help keep me accountable? I really want to do this. I wish it was easier.

It can be hard to make changes in your life, even if you want them, so don't worry about it. Some people go back and forth between omni and vegetarian a few times, or give themselves a long transition period.

What keeps making you go back? Do you miss meat, is there pressure to be omni, do you get hungry? Finding the trigger will help to look for solutions.

I think having meat-free days, then just eating meat on Fridays, is a great start.

Do you live alone and/or cook for yourself?

Have you tried faux meats?

They helped curb the meat craving when I first when veg

What keeps making you go back? Do you miss meat, is there pressure to be omni, do you get hungry? Finding the trigger will help to look for solutions.


Do you live alone and/or cook for yourself?

I go back because of :1. convenience 2. cravings
I think it would help to get all meat out of the house for a while. But that wouldn't be fair to my husband. I cook for my husband sometimes and he eat veggie when I make it, but I know he prefers meat.

I've tried the riblets and they're good, but I can't have them everyday. That would be too much. I know there are lots of posts around about good faux meat products. I've tried a few burgers and they were a real turnoff! I need a good veggie burger. And I'm gonna try the MF chicken nuggets and buffalo wings.

Today WILL be meat free!

You probably don't want to do faux meat every day, anyway. Hmm. Well, you may not be able to get rid of all the meat, but only buy enough for your husband. Is there any meat that you don't like but your husband does? Get that, if it's possible, and see if your husband can live without having your favourites around for a while.

For convenience... well, there are a lot of convenient veg foods, but it could take a while for you to find them. And I know that sometimes if you're in a bind, maybe out for the day and all you have is some take-out place, it's hard. But with a little research, you can find what places have good options for you.

Have you looked at the "what did you eat today?" threads? Try looking through those for ideas, and post your own days when you've had all veg days. That could be a way to keep you accountable.

Focus on cooking, the more you cook, the more motivation towards vegetarianism you'll be:

My favorite cookbook
http://www.vegkitchen.com/family.html

Recipes!
http://vegweb.com/recipes/
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/list_veg.html
http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/
http://www.vegan-food.net/

Weigh both sides of the situation, write them down if you have to. What's more important to you? Morals or tastebuds? Willpower is the key. The mind is stronger than you think. Keep reminders and post-its around to keep you on track. In the end, I give you credit, because you are helping in some way to stop animal cruelty. You just need to weed out the gray areas and make some decisions on what's most important.

Dear Eden and jeez-loiux91,

You're doing great! Eden, I truly found that the longer I did not eat meat, the less of it I wanted. I will guess that your "veggie six days/omni one" will get much easier over time and you will probably not even notice when you're all veggie.

Jeez, you're right, sometimes it can be hard to convince others (especially your mother who probabaly only wants the best for you!) that your new lifestyle is a)important and b) safe! Keep the lines of communication open, and respect your mother's feelings while you remind her (in a very good natured way!) that the vegan lifestyle can be indeed good for you. Get a cookbook from the library and look through it together. Make a veggie chili or soup with lots of vegetables - Mum's like it when their kids eat vegetables!!! Best of luck!

Thanks for all the good ideas and support everyone. I'm feeling great already! I know today is just one day, but I'm gonna try to take it one day at a time. Hopefully, it will become ingrained in me and that it gets easier as the days go by.

Keep at it! I know how you feel, when I first started and until now we all once and while get cravings. But with the "false meats" It made things a lot easier for. What I would recommend is anything by boca. Their burgers are a real hit with me. I also love cooking for myself. That way, my mother does not have to worry about me. Keep up the good work.

You can PM me or e-mail me at akasha@inet-web.com for more support. Anytime you need some support I will be there.

It's a lifestyle change so of course it's going to be hard. Trying to take small steps is a very good start. When I first started out I would try to eat meat only once a month. Then I tried going to the health food stores and finding things that I like. When you are so use to how meat and other products taste the fake ones never seem to taste the same. Keep experimenting to see what you like and don't like.

I've gone back and forth between being a vegetarian and an omi. Other's have to. Somtimes the timing just isn't right no matter how desperate we want the change to happen. Feel free to contact me for support.

Thanks you guys!
I successfully went a week vegetarian. I had a little chicken today (Friday) and it was bleh. Hopefully I'll be turned off altogether pretty soon. I feel better healthwise already!

Congrats on the week of no meat.