Okay i went vegetarian for 2 months and i enjoyed it but it is soo darn inconvient. I love animals but i love meat too. I decided to compromise, i am cutting out meat for one meal and eating meat for one meal, i figure im saving half that animals that would normally die for my meal. I know this is not true vegetarian but i just don't like wasted food when my parents cook it or when someone makes it for me at the party. I say a gentle prayer for the animal and thank God for giving it to me. I know this is pathetic but I feel a whole lot better at least cutting meat from one of my meals.

I think you are fine, and you are still helping by cutting meat out of meals that in the past would have been meat meals.
So dont sweat it, we all do what we can to help animals, and just cutting back a bit even helps some.

So...if Adolf Hitler had said to himself, "Well, I'd really like to kill 6 million Jews but I feel bad so I'll only kill 3 million...", would this make his crime any less reprehensible?

It's good that you're trying to reduce your meat consumption. However, I think that you have some more thinking to do on the ethical question.

Good luck!
:sunny:

I was going to kill 10 people this year, but I really love people, but I also love killing them. I feel like it's so inconvient to my killer friends when we have partys and they bring me people to kill and I just don't. Its so wastefull. I've decieded to only kill 5 people this year, that way I'm saving 5 peoples lives.

I think you're doing fine. Everyone's got a different pace and a different system that'll take them down their road. Good on you for at least trying the full on deal out and good luck with the path ahead of you! :)

Okay i went vegetarian for 2 months and i enjoyed it but it is soo darn inconvient. I love animals but i love meat too. I decided to compromise, i am cutting out meat for one meal and eating meat for one meal, i figure im saving half that animals that would normally die for my meal. I know this is not true vegetarian but i just don't like wasted food when my parents cook it or when someone makes it for me at the party. I say a gentle prayer for the animal and thank God for giving it to me. I know this is pathetic but I feel a whole lot better at least cutting meat from one of my meals.

Perhaps you should start making more of your own meals so you can make them vegetarian and not have to worry about "wasted food". If you search around the board and the recipe section, you'll find lots of ways of making vegetarian meals using meat substitutes. Also, if you're finding people are making food for you at a party, perhaps you can let them know before you go that you don't eat meat. You can even offer to bring something to the party that is vegetarian. All of these actions would make being a vegetarian much less inconvenient. Also, there are lots of "mock" meats out there that taste just like the "real thing", such as Boca Burgers. There's no reason to eat meat and say a prayer for an animal when you can eat the meatless version of something, such as veggie burgers (there are SO many brands and flavors of them available these days) or fake "chicken" nuggets.

I hope this helps. :)

I think you should do what you feel is best, what other people think or if they think it is sad or whatever is not important.

Not everyone can go straight to being vegetarian some people do need to ease into it.
So your going to cut out meat in someof your meals , good for you!

Maybe in time you will no longer have want for meat at all and when and if that time comes you can be a full on vegetarian.

You don't have to be perfect. Being concerned about what you eat and striving to make positive changes is wonderful.

RunsWithFoxes, Troub, Snownose - not everyone (not even all veg*ns, by a long stretch) think killing animals is the moral equivalent of killing people. You comments seem more appropriate to a Compost Heap thread than a support forum thread. Instead of mocking the poster from a posture of moral self-righteousness, why not offer some supportive suggestions to help in a transition which really is difficult for many people to make.

post this, I think shows how much your trying!!!:hug:

I also agree about the "inconventience" thing you mentioned! That is one of the reasons that my first try at becoming a vegetarian didn't work for me! I mean, shopping and cooking for myself and then the rest of the family became a hassle, there's no other word for it.

I agree, it IS inconvenient, but I realize that this is something that I shouldn't have to struggle with each and every day, but it's something that makes me feel wonderful and I'm so worth it!!! Obviously first starting out, we're all learning and need all the support we can get, but really, at the end of the day, we're only answering to ourselves, right?

So, please, please don't feel like a failure. Look at how far you've come! If eliminating meat from one meal a day is all you can do, then let that be enough. I think everyone needs to do it on their own terms, whether it be cold turkey or over an extended period of time!
Take baby steps and don't be so hard on yourself. I felt very guilty for going back to my meat eating ways, but now 5 months later, I'm starting over.

Do I have regrets? Uh, yeah. But, I also give myself credit for giving it another go with renewed dedication!

So, know that your not alone and stop and look at how far you've come!:sunny:

Michelle

many vegetarian phased meat out of their diets...vegetarians do not eat meat for many different personal reasons--its not always about saving animals...there is nothing wrong with what you're doing...

Hey, Justaliv, I've been where you are. For me going vegetarian was a gradual process of over 2 years. I have gone veg before and gone back to eating meat. This time I think this change is for good (it is the longest I have gone without eating meat and now I can't imagine going back)

My reasons for going veg were strictly health reasons. I care about the humane treatment of animals, but if I am being honest, that was not my motivation.

I am now moving from vegetarianism to vegan, but I expect that will be a process too.

Good luck!

I think the situation is different for people who are still living with parents or who for some reason can't make their own meals than it is for folks who can cook for themselves.

However, there is always the option of simply not eating the meat that was cooked for others, saying "Thank you, but as you know I'm becoming vegetarian and I'm not eating meat anymore."

Not eating meat isn't especially inconvenient, in my experience.

Geez.. even as an omni I didn't eat meat at more than one meal. Huh.

Have you explained your feelings to your parents and/or the other people around you? If not, you shouldn't expect them to know you feel you're wasting food, and you can't expect the problem to get better, either. If you have, and your parents continue to cook meat for you, maybe you could consider doing a little cooking yourself. Even one extra meal without meat per week is great.

I'm also living with my parents. Because I have time now, I often cook dinner for everyone. Back when I was on the swim team, I relied heavily on leftovers and convenience foods.

If it doesn't seem too overwhelming, I suggest you take charge of your diet. In the meantime, congrats on cutting down on meat at all and being thoughtful about the issue.

you have no one to answer to but yourself..everyone comes to vegetarianism in their own way...be proud that you are doing what you can..this is just the beginning..i have read many posts on this board from people that say it took them a long time to cut out meat and animal products and for others it was an overnight thing..growth comes from experience and learning..

good luck to you!

I say a gentle prayer for the animal and thank God for giving it to me.

Well, every little thing does have impact.... vegan outreach actually advocates cutting meat consumption as a good start....

the problem as I see it is this....

God did not "give us" the animals any more than he gave black people to white people or women to men...

I think you are doing really well. Take as much time as you need to phase meat out of your diet. I would recommend doing a lot of reading and research about being a vegetarian. it will help the transition and honestly, after awhile, it stops being inconvinent, at least 99% of the time. Especially once you no longer live with your parents.

Just keep on trying! In an ideal world it would be easy to be a vegetarian, but that's not the reality we live in, so do what you can and be at peace with that!

I think it's a good idea for us to support people who want to do better instead of mocking their efforts. We rarely do things perfectly on the first try. I think it's great that you are cutting down your meat consumption, Justaliv3. Baby steps are an acceptable way to start. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins witha single step. But remember to keep moving forward. It's not as hard as you think, and you've gotten some great advice already.

Whatever works for you, justaliv. :)

I wish more people would reduce their meat consumption by 50%. That sure would make a dramatic change for the animals, and it'd probably be more sustainable for people in the long run.

I'm hoping that, since your reasons seem to be animal-related, that you learn as much as you can about how animals are raised and killed for food. Many people who do find that meat doesn't seem so appealing anymore.

see
http://www.whyvegan.com
http://www.factoryfarming.org
http://www.meetyourmeat.com

I can tell you don't feel great about your choice, i.e. "I know this is sad but..." So the more you learn about the deep misery animals go through to become food, the more you may be pushed in the compassionate direction without so much struggle.

^^^^that's what did it for me.

Okay i went vegetarian for 2 months and i enjoyed it but it is soo darn inconvient. I love animals but i love meat too. I decided to compromise, i am cutting out meat for one meal and eating meat for one meal, i figure im saving half that animals that would normally die for my meal. I know this is not true vegetarian but i just don't like wasted food when my parents cook it or when someone makes it for me at the party. I say a gentle prayer for the animal and thank God for giving it to me. I know this is pathetic but I feel a whole lot better at least cutting meat from one of my meals.

Have you told anyone how you feel? Honestly, I can't see why anyone would continue to cook meat just for you (thereby wasting it if you don't eat it) if you told them you were a vegetarian. I don't really see how you're wasting anything if the meals cooked for the family include meat and you simply don't eat that part. Is someone honestly cooking a large meat based meal just for you? Being a L/O vegetarian is very convenient. Most omni's eat at least a few vegetarian meals even if they don't know it's vegetarian (cheese ravioli for one). Most restaurants have veggie choices. Most vegetarian foods fit in quite well with even the most hard core omni menus.
It sounds like you want a justification or reason for eating meat again. You don't need that, the only person you have level with is you. Just don't blame the diet for your choice and don't place the blame on your family for your choice. You have to do what's right for you but you have to own your choices, good or bad.
Just my .02.
Mary

I don't know what is with the excuses. I don't think anyone here cares all that much why you've decided you can't be vegetarian, so really, you're just needing to justify it to yourself. You may want to think about your own excuses though. I've been veg for over a decade, and when I was younger and living with my parents, meat was never wasted because I didn't eat it -- my family prepared LESS of it to compensate for me not eating it. At parties with my friends, they factored in that I wasn't going to be eating whatever had meat in it, and there was not a portion for me. I don't find it to be at all inconvenient. Sure there are times I go out with people and there's not really anything to eat, but I don't think it would be MORE convenient to then eat a dead animal... at least not for the dead animal. I just shudder at the thought of chewing and swallowing the muscle tissue of a dead body.

Are the people who went veg with you going to stop as well?

An alternate dietary approach to reducing your animal intake is to work on eliminating milk, then eggs before eliminating meat. This could be an easier approach for some and does help reduce suffering. Every little bit counts.

It took me two years to get to a l/o vegetarian diet, mostly because of my parents. Don't worry, when people actually realise that this isn't a passing teenage rebellion or whatever, they'll eventually respect your choice. Thumbs up to you, and good luck!

To all of you who only seem to critizise in your posts, I think you're acting very immature. What about thinking before posting...?

I think it is admirable to reduce your meat consumption if you can't go Vegetarian all the way. I know many "partial vegetarians" and feel that they are doing the best they can for the reasons they feel are justified. Please try to become Veg again in a year or so, or when you feel ready. Perhaps your home situation is what is stopping you? Best Wishes! :sunny: