to veg or not to veg, that IS the question

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

> I was hoping this would lead to a discussion of many view

> points. Would others here care to share their thoughts,

> experiences?

 

Ah, Misty. You are so brave to ask! LOL In all seriousness my

mother became a vegetarian when I was about 13. So pretty much

20 years ago. My mother changed her diet due to religious

convictions. For those who are curious you may consult

Leviticus. Chapter 11, I believe. [Just know that I don't care

to discuss this further on or off list.]

 

So from THAT perspective the first things to go were foods she

considered unclean. [again, just giving the details. no

judgements.] Pork, duck, certain fish and seafood were first

off the list. We had chicken and beef still. Could have had

lamb and deer but we never ate those anyway.

 

Then mom went off of all red meats. The next step was fish b/c

we were never big fish lovers anyway. Then chicken. Then eggs.

Then milk, butter, ice cream. She still uses soy subs. for

these things. Like tofrutti ice cream or a tofu spread for

toast.

 

At first we ate a lot of veggie burger things. You know - the

'fakers' that look like meat and seek to be close to the meat

tastes. Later she learned to " cook from scratch " veggie style.

Grains, pastas and breads and lots of veggies were the mainstay

of our diet. She even began to eat all sorts of veggies that

she never liked. Eventually you begin to like things if you try

them enough. Perhaps b/c we replenish taste buds so often? I

found that very inspirational the power of positive

thought/desire to effect change.

 

We cut way back on sugar but did not seek to elminate it. In

hindsight that's kind of odd. There was NO caffeine in our

diet. Soy milks, nut milks, lots of water and juices.

 

My mom has never been heathier. My f-in-law is a supreme

carnivore. He repeatedly asks her 'but what does your doctor

say?' and is never satisfied with her answer. Her answer is the

same " he only sees me for checkups " . My f-in-law has several

appointments a year and has several on-going medical concerns.

 

I've cut down my portion size with regard to meat and I have

more energy. I also try to eat meat mid-day and not in the

evening. This has been such a positive change for me. On

Sundays we go to the in-laws. They eat late - about 6:45 and

the main course is always meat. Monday mornings I am foggy

headed. Recently I've started to take enzymes on Sundays and

Mondays are easier. If I forget to take it I can feel it.

 

We all know the liver is important and performs tons of

functions. I don't even think that scientists really understand

the liver fully yet. Maybe Kathy is right about meat and the

liver. I knew a woman, 3rd generation vegan, who died from

liver problems at age 80. I thought it so unfair that a person

who never drank alcohol could get serosis of the liver. [is

that the right disease? I mean the one you get if you're a

heavy drinker] She was youngest in her family to die. Her

sister, also a vegan, is still alive and kicking. Walking 5

miles a day and volunteering here and there. Nearly 90 years

old. Sharp memory too.

 

I think that we also have to think about other reasons for

vegetarianism that aren't grounded in health problems or

religions. Some people just don't want to kill helpless

creatures who are " farmed " in what they find deplorable

conditions. Others are afraid of mad cow and other things.

 

Perhaps a nice compromise is to find an organic farm. We buy

our meat from a free-range, organic farm. The animals are not

medicated and are well treated. Well, up until their deaths

which I'm told are quick. We can [and do] visit this farm at any

time and they have 2 family fun days a year so we know the

animals are treated as well as possible. They also make their

own vegetable-grain feed.

 

By starting my meals with raw foods and limiting meat I'm

getting closer to the health I enjoyed was I was sorta forced to

be a veggie. I could have things outside of the home, of

course, but at home it was vegan-central. So from 13-20 I was

pretty much mostly a veggie as I never had money to eat out.

 

Now I'm married to a true cow's milk, potatos and meat kinda

guy. He's very supportive and even pretty helpful with the

changes I'm making. We're kinda going for the whole " less is

more " with regards to dairy and meat and totally increasing the

raw fruits and veggies. we both feel better for it.

 

Just my two cents,

dawne