Vegetarian (Vegan) Gripes
I decided to go from 'mostly vegetarian' to 'vegetarian-near-vegan' this year. It hasn't been easy, but I'm definitely feeling many more positives from this decision than not. I'm feeling better than I have in years past, I've learned to cook creatively, I've saved money, and I've met new and exciting people who share (and sometimes don't share which is great, too) my dietary beliefs. I've discovered new dining options when I travel, and even whole areas of the country that are vegetarian/vegan friendly. I've collected almost as many veg cook books as I have literature on sociology, cultural anthropology, religion, and government put together--and may I remind you I have quite a formidable collection!
But as previously mentioned, it definitely has not been a walk through the organic veggie patch. When I was Full Bore Omnivore, I would always hear complaints and stereotypes about vegetarians. The number one gripe: how vegetarians cram their philosophies down everyone else's throats. I'll admit, I get pretty excited about new things I discover and I like to share them with others, and I have had encounters with vegans who are hardline about their food politics, so I get it. Yet more often than not it's the other way around--omnivores who get up in arms about vegetarians.Just two days ago my boss asked me if I was vegetarian. I said yes and left it at that, just fact sharing and I thought it was no big deal. But to my total wonderment (it must be my inner sociologist) she started going on about "Well I like meat!!" and how she couldn't live without it, etc. All I said was, "Fine, Boz, more for you," and I went back to doing what I was doing.
My diet plan isn't right for everyone, but it works out great for me. So I don't really understand it when a society that suffers from obesity, diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease rail against those who are trying to get their dietary habits together. I'm not going around preaching to people, I just mention that I don't eat meat and I'm suddenly 'trying to be trendy' or 'emaciated' or 'malnourished' or other such ilk. I've even told friends not to go out of their way for me, but many have and to you I thank you.
I guess what I'm getting at is multifarious. It's about looking at ourselves as a culture health-wise and realizing that we're in trouble and not doing anything about it. Instead we ostricize those who are proactive about their health because it's easier to do so.It's also about getting our heads out of a creative mire and realizing that food doesn't have to take so long or have an overwhelming amount of ingredients to be healthy and fast. (And for the record, vegetarians don't subsist solely off iceburg lettuce salads and gardenburgers, thnxkbye.) Food can be significant and meaningful, not just a nutritional bolus sliding down your esophogus three or more times a day. The overall subject can be positive instead of frightening or strange or difficut to grasp. Furthermore, about those certain vegetarians who do go around on their soapbox--I can't advise here, but I do know how annoying that is to have someone telling you you're wrong all the time. Maybe ask questions to one another or offer polite conversation/discussion and offer better ways of going about their activism?
These are my observations and opinions. Hope I didn't get all preachy on you.
*Drags soapbox away*
Edit: Also, I absolutely HATE zombies with a mad mad mad vengeance. However, I think I would have to order this shirt if it came in a cute babydoll style tee.
The end!
But as previously mentioned, it definitely has not been a walk through the organic veggie patch. When I was Full Bore Omnivore, I would always hear complaints and stereotypes about vegetarians. The number one gripe: how vegetarians cram their philosophies down everyone else's throats. I'll admit, I get pretty excited about new things I discover and I like to share them with others, and I have had encounters with vegans who are hardline about their food politics, so I get it. Yet more often than not it's the other way around--omnivores who get up in arms about vegetarians.Just two days ago my boss asked me if I was vegetarian. I said yes and left it at that, just fact sharing and I thought it was no big deal. But to my total wonderment (it must be my inner sociologist) she started going on about "Well I like meat!!" and how she couldn't live without it, etc. All I said was, "Fine, Boz, more for you," and I went back to doing what I was doing.
My diet plan isn't right for everyone, but it works out great for me. So I don't really understand it when a society that suffers from obesity, diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease rail against those who are trying to get their dietary habits together. I'm not going around preaching to people, I just mention that I don't eat meat and I'm suddenly 'trying to be trendy' or 'emaciated' or 'malnourished' or other such ilk. I've even told friends not to go out of their way for me, but many have and to you I thank you.
I guess what I'm getting at is multifarious. It's about looking at ourselves as a culture health-wise and realizing that we're in trouble and not doing anything about it. Instead we ostricize those who are proactive about their health because it's easier to do so.It's also about getting our heads out of a creative mire and realizing that food doesn't have to take so long or have an overwhelming amount of ingredients to be healthy and fast. (And for the record, vegetarians don't subsist solely off iceburg lettuce salads and gardenburgers, thnxkbye.) Food can be significant and meaningful, not just a nutritional bolus sliding down your esophogus three or more times a day. The overall subject can be positive instead of frightening or strange or difficut to grasp. Furthermore, about those certain vegetarians who do go around on their soapbox--I can't advise here, but I do know how annoying that is to have someone telling you you're wrong all the time. Maybe ask questions to one another or offer polite conversation/discussion and offer better ways of going about their activism?
These are my observations and opinions. Hope I didn't get all preachy on you.
*Drags soapbox away*
Edit: Also, I absolutely HATE zombies with a mad mad mad vengeance. However, I think I would have to order this shirt if it came in a cute babydoll style tee.
The end!