[Harryc]

Hello my veggie friends! I'm new here, and I would like to share a short story with you about my trip to vegetarian land.

About a year ago we had hired a new employee who was a vegetarian all her life.
We got along very well with regards to our work relationship, but we vastly dissagreed on topics such as politics and life experiences. (I assume that many veggies dissagree with the meaties on alot of things)
One day the topic came up on eating meat vs. vegetatian. Being a meatie I defended my position vigerously of course. I would challenger her with questions like "Would you eat a hamburger for one million dollars". Ya know, your typical mature adult stuff
One day she challenged me to "try" being a vegetarian for only a short while.
I love challenges, so I accepted. For one week I would try not to eat any meat.

At first, it was alot harder than I thought it could be, simply because meat is absolutely everywhere. I had to make special trips to the grocery store, and I ate many veggie delights from Subway. Learning to cook without meat was trying, and I was soon running out of options.

After winning the bet there was some things I had noticed about my new eating habits that were surprising. First off, it got easier to find things to eat that were absolutely delicious. Even more so than their meat counterparts.
The second thing I noticed was that my digestion was greatly improved.(this part may get a little personal) The biggest improvement I had was that I would not...um...break wind the ENTIRE DAY. I can go days without doing this. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but when you're a guy and you're use to such things its strikes you odd that it just doesn't happen that much anymore.
Finally, I lost about 10 pounds. I've always been into fitness, but reducing my intake of meat has greatly effected my health more so than exersize could ever do.
I've continued abstaining from meat as much as I can for the past year now. I usually only eat meat on Sundays when I have dinner with my inlaws.

I just thought it might be interesting to share my story with pure veggie eaters and pick your brains about how a die hard meat eating man could almost switch, and see the benefits!

 

[IamJen]

Thanks for sharing your story! Lots of folks are surprised how yummy veg food can be, since they're used to the same boring dishes as restaurants.

 

[Rhys]

Well, it's fantastic that you've reduced your meat consumption and reaped the benefits of it! Congratulations and great job for sticking with it.

Do you plan to eliminate meat from your diet entirely sometime?

Just a precautionary statement here and no offense meant whatsoever because you've obviously made big changes: It's a rule that one must be vegetarian/vegan or on their way to vegetarianism to post. So here's to hoping that you may stay and join us!

 

[lhedgepeth]

Thanks for sharing your story. I am glad you saw the benefits of eating veg.

 

[saramaus]

Thanks for sharing your story! I hope you stick with a non-meat diet, because I think it's wonderful.

When I first stopped eating red meat (long before I stopped eating all meat), I lost 20 pounds almost instantly. Happened again when I stopped eating chicken and fish.

Of course that is just one of the many benefits of eating a meat-free diet. Some forms of cancer, diabetes, obesity, and heart related diseases are greatly reduced with a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle.

 

[River]

My father was 50 and switched completely, he's never been happier.

I hate the stigma that adult big men won't change.

 

[ebonyvegetarian]

That's a nice story

I'm not so lucky I am only having stomach pains since switching.

 

[Mrs. T]

Good for you! Now that you know it's healthier, why don't you just drop the meat altogether and get really healthy! Maybe even go vegan someday. I dare ya!

 

[Harryc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhys

Well, it's fantastic that you've reduced your meat consumption and reaped the benefits of it! Congratulations and great job for sticking with it.

Do you plan to eliminate meat from your diet entirely sometime?

Just a precautionary statement here and no offense meant whatsoever because you've obviously made big changes: It's a rule that one must be vegetarian/vegan or on their way to vegetarianism to post. So here's to hoping that you may stay and join us!

The reason I'm posting on this board is to get fresh and new ideas on what to eat. Could I someday go completely veggie? Very possible. Right now I don't see that happening for a few personal reasons, but it isn't put of the realm of possibility. I have quite a few questions for you purists as to why you decided that vegetarian was the way to go, how friends and family supported you, or if they weren't so supportive.
How does a vegetarian define vegetarian? Can you eat fish? Cheese? Eggs?
Did you do this for Health reasons, or because you love animals?
As I stated before I'm only eating meat on sundays. I know that sounds pretty stupid, but the reason is that I eat at my Inlaws on Sunday's and I could not ask them to cook special meals just for me. Plus I'm not opposed to eating meat for any other reason than health benefits. I somehow get the impression that the majority of posters here are vegetarian for reasons other than mine. I hope that I will still be welcome to lurk and occasionally post.

 

[Mrs. T]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harryc

The reason I'm posting on this board is to get fresh and new ideas on what to eat. Could I someday go completely veggie? Very possible. Right now I don't see that happening for a few personal reasons, but it isn't put of the realm of possibility. I have quite a few questions for you purists as to why you decided that vegetarian was the way to go, how friends and family supported you, or if they weren't so supportive.
How does a vegetarian define vegetarian? Can you eat fish? Cheese? Eggs?
Did you do this for Health reasons, or because you love animals?
As I stated before I'm only eating meat on sundays. I know that sounds pretty stupid, but the reason is that I eat at my Inlaws on Sunday's and I could not ask them to cook special meals just for me. Plus I'm not opposed to eating meat for any other reason than health benefits. I somehow get the impression that the majority of posters here are vegetarian for reasons other than mine. I hope that I will still be welcome to lurk and occasionally post.

There are different types of vegetarians. Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat dairy and eggs. Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy, but not eggs. Ovo-vegetarians eat eggs, but not dairy. Vegans eat no animal products whatsoever and remove non-food animal products from their lives as well. For instance, vegans do not wear leather or fur unless maybe it was purchased before they went vegan.

Fish is not vegetarian at all because fish are animals. There are some people who eat fish and/or poultry who call themselves vegetarians, but they have no true understanding of what a vegetarian is.

Also, anything that is obtained because of the death of the animal is not vegetarian. For instance, beef, chicken, and fish broths are not vegetarian. Gelatin is also not vegetarian.

 

[Mrs. T]

Also, you don't have to ask your in-laws to make anything special for you. Let them know that you will bring food that is compatible with your diet and enough to share and you are willing to eat side dishes they make that are compatible with your diet. If they choose not to make anything that you can eat, no big deal. Just eat what you bring. It's not really about the food anyway. It's about hanging out and spending time together.

 

[Werewolf Girl]

Great story! I experienced a lot of health benefits from giving up meat and I lost about 15 pounds when I stopped eating dairy. Hope you decide to stick with it!

 

[Freesia]

For me, becoming vegetarian was a process. Pretty much one animal dropped out of my diet after the other, then I was finally a pescetarian and ended up talking to a friend who loved looking after her pet tropical fish and I thought "What the hell, why not just go vegetarian?"

At first I was eating eggs milk and cheese quite a bit but I dont eat them nearly so much anymore as there are so many other delicious things to eat.

I basically eat all the same favourites I used to but I just dont have meat in them and I substitute various other things such as beans, mushrooms, lentils, quinoa. I now have a sizeable vegetarian cookbook collection including 4 vegan books.

It really is a fun process. Good luck and maybe one day you may decide to go all the way!

 

[Purp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harryc

The reason I'm posting on this board is to get fresh and new ideas on what to eat. Could I someday go completely veggie? Very possible. Right now I don't see that happening for a few personal reasons, but it isn't put of the realm of possibility. I have quite a few questions for you purists as to why you decided that vegetarian was the way to go, how friends and family supported you, or if they weren't so supportive.

Check the recipe section here, there's always good ideas in there. Also check the Food Porn thread, but remember drool is not good for computers. You also might want to check your local library for cook books, as well. (641 is the cook book section). You also may want to use other websites like vegetarian times.com and vegweb for recipes, as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harryc

How does a vegetarian define vegetarian? Can you eat fish? Cheese? Eggs? A vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat, but does eat eggs and dairy.

Fish is an animal, so no, eating fish isn't vegetarian. Vegans do not eat meat, eggs or dairy at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harryc

Did you do this for Health reasons, or because you love animals?

I started out vegetarian, and we had allergy problems in my family (one person allergic to eggs, another to soy), and we had a vegan family member move here from CA (I live in Seattle), so that also pushed me into veg*anism even more. Plus, I do love animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harryc

As I stated before I'm only eating meat on sundays. I know that sounds pretty stupid, but the reason is that I eat at my In-laws on Sunday's and I could not ask them to cook special meals just for me. Plus I'm not opposed to eating meat for any other reason than health benefits. I somehow get the impression that the majority of posters here are vegetarian for reasons other than mine. I hope that I will still be welcome to lurk and occasionally post.

You're very welcome here, but, as pointed out, there are rules against talking about eating meat on these boards. You may want to bring your own side dish(es) to Sunday dinner and share them with everyone. You also might want to have a polite discussion (emphasis mine) with your spouse and in-laws as to your dietary change and why. Do NOT be rude or condensending to them, be respectful, but be firm, too. Good luck with everything. I hope this helps.

 

[Phoenix Days]

Welcome!

Great story, by the way

 

[Kjesta]

Welcome! Hope's up that you'll join us on the dark side completely soon

My favourite recipe site for veg foods is www.vegweb.com. You can find anything there! It's actually a vegan site but the food is so delicious you won't notice and there's something easy for everyone. (I recommend it basically everyone I know who asks for recipes, omni, vegetarian, vegan or whatever, I just love it that much.)

 

[Hazelnut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhys

Just a precautionary statement here and no offense meant whatsoever because you've obviously made big changes: It's a rule that one must be vegetarian/vegan or on their way to vegetarianism to post. So here's to hoping that you may stay and join us!

I'd say he qualifies!

WELCOME!!!

You'll like it here! We're a friendly bunch!

 

[SeitanWorship]

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

My father was 50 and switched completely, he's never been happier.

I hate the stigma that adult big men won't change.

My dad was 60 when he switched! It took him a while to get used to ordering pasta when all of his coworkers were eating steaks, but now he does it all the time. He's lost a ton of weight and I'm sure his cholestorol has improved, too.