[QOTW] What advice do you have for new vegetarians? - Kristen

[Guest guest]

-

Great response Kristen. All great advise. I especially like that

last line.

Judy

-- In , " Kristin " <kikintina

wrote:

>

> The best pieces of advice I have for someone starting out is:

>

> 1. Don't beat yourself up about slips. If you go out to eat, ask

if

> the stock/filling/etc is vegetable, but if you forget and have

> butternut squash soup with chicken stock - just move on and remember

> to ask next time.

>

> 2. Don't think the only protein has to come in tofu or " meat "

shapes.

> Think lentils, nuts, even fruits/vegetables. Check out various

> resources for assistance:

http://www.happycow.net/vegetarian_protein.html

>

> 3. Don't get defensive about being a vegetarian, and don't get

> offensive either. This is a totally personal issue for me. Just

as I

> don't want people pushing their dietary choices on me, I don't want

to

> do it to others. When people ask " Why? " I don't go into gory

detail

> because it shuts them down.

 

> 4. When I'm out to eat with carnivores, I am

accommodating...several

> appetizers are usually more tasty than one entree anyway. It makes

> for a more relaxed dinner and friends are more likely to want to go

> out with me.

>

> For #s 3 and 4, I'm sure some people will see this as being soft or

> whatever, but I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years, and I'm so

> done with being militant.