Well here I am.
I am NOT sure why I am doing this.
But I am taking the plunge and going vegetarian.
I am not sure if I will eat fish and take it slow.
But I guess I will jump into topics and read up on some of you local thoughts.

well, the true meaning of vegetarian means you can't eat fish, but even if you do, congrats on making a big dietary and humane leap into our message boards! (did that make sense? I'M SO TIRED)

Welcome to VB. :hi:

You're not sure why you want to go vegetarian?
Do you love animals? Are you suffering from high cholestrol, blood pressure or other health problems? Have you watched Meet Your Meat or some other video that made you change your mind about your diet?

BTW: vegetarians do not eat fish. Even if you still decide to eat fish, you are eliminating a great deal of suffering with your efforts. Saving roughly 80 lives a year. Good luck and let us know what if anything you need help with.

Hi,

Whether or not you eat fish all depends on your reasons for going veg. But like you said, take it slow. You'll work out what you want in the end. Your views will change over time (mine did).

Everybody here is great - if you have any questions, someone will be willing to help you. :)

pirate.

Congrat's on your very wise decision. I slept great the first night I went veg, a very peaceful feeling has been with me ever since. Most vegans I've asked also share in this feeling of peacefulness.

As for the fish, here are 2 links for you that may help you in making your decision:
For the animals sake:
http://www.fishinghurts.com/FishFeelPain.asp

For your health's sake:
http://www.fishinghurts.com/HealthConcerns.asp

Good luck to you!!

uh....great, but just do you know you cant be vegetarian and eat fish, becuase it's still meat.:hamster: other than that welcome and good luck!

*~Kay~*

I will/ may eat occasional fish; it just depends.
I am doing it for health; not for humane reasons, so I guess my definitions is a little different than some of yours.
But today is day one..

thanks madpoet; but I dont concern myself with animal issues.

Welcome summer rains! Congrats on your decision. There are lots of reasons to be interested in the veg lifestyle. If you are concerned about your health and a few less animals suffer because of that, that's fantastic!!!

I actually became a veg for environmental reasons, but eventually the health and the AR stuff became important as well.

And just so you know, VBer's tend to be very particular about the definition of vegetarian. So if you are going to be eating fish, please call yourself a pescetarian. I know it sounds kind of picky and like it's just sematics, but it is helpful for us veggies so more people and chef's understand that when we want a veggie meal, we don't want it cooked in fish broth, etc.

Good luck! And nice Avatar!

Congrats on your decision. Going meatless is a decision of commitment and discipline but it's worth it. If you choose to adopt the change gradually by cutting out one meat at a time then that is totally ok (that's how I did it). Just make the adjustment that is right for you. Take how long you need and don't get too worried about any setbacks. Enjoy the learning curve!

so I guess my definitions is a little different than some of yours.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=vegetarian

If you fish meat, please, please do not wander around calling yourself a vegetarian. It makes it harder for people who actually are vegetarian to eat out. I cannot tell you how many times I've been offered seafood after telling someone I'm vegan or vegetarian or that I do not eat meat.

In fact recently I told someone who was organizing an annual fireman's dinner that I eat "fruits, vegetables, grain and legumes" and that I do not eat meat or dairy and that pasta with marinara sauce would be fine. When I get there what's in the sauce? Shrimp.

Ok, now I'm done whining. Here are two links that should help you out.

http://www.vegfamily.com/lists/animal-ingredients.htm
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_933_ENU_HTML.htm

Can we move on past the label; I choose to label myself however I wish.

Hi ! and welcome to VB.... If you are making the jump as you say....to get started and not get discouraged. Take some of your favorite meat dishes and make them vegetarian this will hold you over to you get more information on being vegetarian ( read and do research ) It should really be a life change and not for the moment. Good luck with your effort.

Sorry I don't have alot of advice to give, but just wanted to say hello from another new vegetarian.:hi:

I tried it back in Oct. of '05 and backslid, so I'm back to giving it a try again.
I do want to say that before when I did it, it wasn't nearly as hard as I expected it to be, but I also weaned myself over a couple of months time.
Now, I know that I should have taken longer to do it. Once I eliminated all of my meats, I dropped eggs, and dairy WAYYY too fast.

I checked out a ton of books from the library and read anything I could get my hands on.
Also as far as recipes, I took alot of the ones that I had normally been using and just modified them.

I want to wish you good luck and I'm so happy to know that I'm not going through this alone! I think it's awesome that, for whatever reason you've decided to go veg!!:rockon:

Michelle in Fl.

No, advice but welcome to VB :hi:

It's always nice to see another flexitarian here. :sunny: