Well, I was invited to a dinner party by a friend yesterday and she didn't know I was vegetarian. I'd had to decline her first offer because I was busy, and, as I said in the text, "unless you're cooking nut roast it could be a bit of a problem." Anyway, the date was changed so I could go, and she said "so, who's the vegetarian?" And I told her I was, and told her why.
Now my reasons for going veggie are mostly health reasons (in which case it wouldn't hurt me to eat meat once in a while - right?) and ethical reasons. I really don't approve of the way some animals are treated in the meat industry, and I don't think we have a right to kill other living creatures for food - and some meat-eaters see it as such. I have no problem with other people eating meat, so long as they're grateful and recognise the fact that something died for their meal.
Anyway, my friend said, "the beef we're having is from a local farm, it's 100% organic and I bought it from the local butcher, who only sources meat that's been treated well. Would that change your mind?"
I told her it wouldn't, and she said that that was absolutely fine, she'd cook a nut roast as well.
Now here's my problem. I felt really bad for imposing on her. I offered to cook my own dish, bring it along to have with the veg she'd prepared to go with the beef, but she, being lovely, wouldn't have any of that. I guess, being a new veggie, it was my first experience of having to have "special treatment" because of my new lifestyle.
Also, I found it pretty hard to find any reason why I shouldn't eat the beef - I'm not taking meat for granted, it's been well-treated, and, as callous as this may sound, it's dead already. My friend's already bought it. It's not as if any of it will go to waste, but I won't be saving a cow's life by eating it if it's already dead. Also, I know it hasn't been pumped full of chemicals which would have easily made me run a mile.
Shout at me, people. Tell me I'm wrong for thinking like this. But first - don't worry, I'm not going to have any of the beef this evening at the dinner party!
Just remind me why I shouldn't. I know I shouldn't. I've just lost sight of why I'm doing this.