Subject lines and dealing with friends

[Guest guest]

Regarding tips on cleaning up the subject headings, how about if we

don't put " Vegetarian " at the beginning of every recipe? I have a file

with recipes, and each says " vegetarian, " which takes up all the space I

have to show the subject. So to find out what the recipe is, I have to

check each one. If it's vegan, I can see putting that at the

beginning. So instead of the heading saying "

VEGETARIAN " (that part showing up) enchiladas, or whatever, it would

say " ENCHILADAS.

 

I'm a newbie to this vegetarianism. For many years I've tried to cook

with less meat, and for awhile this spring I was cooking vegetarian with

only one chicken and one fish dish a week. But as of April 30, I am

officially a vegetarian. Well, how long do you have to do this for it

to be okay to call yourself one? Anyway, that's not my question. How

do you tell your friends when they invite you over that you are now a

vegetarian? Last month you weren't! Do you just offer to bring

yourself a sandwich, or just eat the sides?

 

Christine in TN

[Guest guest]

-

" Christine Sturgeon " <cas

>

> I'm a newbie to this vegetarianism. For many years I've tried to cook

> with less meat, and for awhile this spring I was cooking vegetarian with

> only one chicken and one fish dish a week. But as of April 30, I am

> officially a vegetarian. Well, how long do you have to do this for it

> to be okay to call yourself one?

 

You *are* one.

 

> Anyway, that's not my question. How

> do you tell your friends when they invite you over that you are now a

> vegetarian? Last month you weren't! Do you just offer to bring

> yourself a sandwich, or just eat the sides?

 

I've done both. The ones I know really well, I feel comfy enough to tell

them " Hey, remember that I don't do meat. " or I'll simply say, " I'll bring

my own food, thanks. " (for cookouts, etc)

 

On occasions where I'm going to someone's for the first time, or something

like that, I simply go planning to eat just the side dishes. In every

single case, my " new " hosts/ hostesses have been understanding (and curious)

about my vegetarianism. One gal has been super-nice enough to feed me

grilled veggies when they barbecue, and my own mini veggie lasagna (when she

made the meat variety for the other guests). (And, btw, some people

(including the hostess/chef) tasted mine and said it was better than the

meat variety.)

[Guest guest]

Hey Christine, I live in TN, too! The South is not the easiest place to go

vegetarian. I think that you should be very upfront with your friends about the

decision you've made. If they invite you to dinner, just say something like,

" That sounds great! I'm not sure if I mentioned this already, but I recently

decided to become vegetarian. Would you like me to bring a dish to help with the

meal? " That way, you aren't stuck without food, but it doesn't force your

nonvegetarian host to conjure up something special for you.