Veganism. My Savior.
Posted by Anonymous on May 28, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
So, today, I weigh myself at 220 lbs. Yeah, its big. But im also 6'4 1/2.
But get this. Last August when i first started vegetarianism, which eventually led to my vegaism, i weighed a whopping 288 lbs.
I lost 68 lbs. i love it.
And you know whats best about this?
Im saving lives. I love animals.
i hate hunting.
especially when people brag about what they got.
It makes me say "do you feel proud you've killed a helpless animal?"
Obviously there's a lot of anti-hunting sentiment out there, but isn't hunting the lesser of 2 evils? I mean, if someone says they absolutely must have meat, I would rather them hunt for it than support some factory farm operation where the animals can't even move freely. I hate it too when people dicuss the size/number of horns, etc of what they killed. But I'm hoping there's a few people out there that actually take the matter seriously.
When I went vegan at 14 I was living in one of New Zealand's smaller cities. Oddly enough people were much more closed minded in a city of 40,000 than the township I moved to a year later which had only 2000 people. Over that time I found the best answer for the "Why are you vegan?" question. I tell them that I couldn't take the guilt anymore. Everyone understands guilt and everyone thinks fluffy kittens are cute, so they can understand how someone else might feel guilt.
i hate hunting.
especially when people brag about what they got.
It makes me say "do you feel proud you've killed a helpless animal?"
...but isn't hunting the lesser of 2 evils? I mean, if someone says they absolutely must have meat, I would rather them hunt for it than support some factory farm operation where the animals can't even move freely...
Alas, I believe that most people who hunt are not doing it for meat but for "pleasure," i.e. sport. I also believe that most people just want meat; they don't really need meat.
It is getting better.
What I do hate is when people question me.
I hate that, and when I tell them why, they laugh.
I never say anything back, but the joke is on them.
But yea! I love it as well, and it is getting way better!
Nobody asks me about my diet. My default look tends to be *anger* though, and I prefer not to initiate conversation, so I don't socialize much. I prefer it that way. But if I did have to handle the "why on earth are you vegan?" question, I'd start with the health aspects. You know, "It seemed like a healthier way to eat than consuming endless piles of bacon and cheeseburgers." Then, maybe getting into the animal rights aspect.
It says a lot about our culture, really. People (and I realize not everyone is like this, but many are) tend to not give a rat's a$$ about the selfless reasons for our lifestyles. When you fit your veg*nism into a little selfish box, though, people respect it more and are less fearful of it. Yes, it sucks that that's how it is. But approaching the "why veg?" question in this manner is less likely to make people close their minds.
I ramble. Hope that made some sense.
Tkitty, unfortunately, I find the same thing with the "selfish" aspects. I'm not vegan, but nearly there, and I find that if I tell someone that I'm doing because of animal cruelty or environmental sustainability, they laugh and say stupid stuff like "oh, but those cute little cows sure are tasty" or something like that. But if I say, I'm doing for health reasons or because I'm very picky and I don't like meat, they usually take it at face value...esp. the picky part.
My parents taught me that it's kind of rude to be picky, so I personally think it's sad that people accept that reason over the others.
I guess I just want to express how I'm feeling right now. I'm gradually going vegan....When I cook at home I no longer use any animal products & When I am in a restaurant with a vegan option I ask for that. I don't miss meat or dairy.
My biggest problem is I don't like being difficult or putting other people out. If I am in a restaurant with a veggie option that has cheese & butter, I feel comfortable asking for that & saying no cheese, but I hate being the annoying picky person saying no cheese and oh do they cook that with butter? can you ask him not to use any butter? The bread isn't made with eggs is it?.....
Then the other problem is other people. My well meaning husband likes to cook & occasionally will make seafood for me, or buy free range chicken, I think because he can't think of anything else to make. I can't turn my nose up at it, he's trying to be nice!!!
I don't think I will ever be a real vegetarian for these reasons, but at least I'm trying. Thanks for letting me vent. Hope you don't mind.
Don't mind at all. As for restaurants, you are paying for your meal. You should get what you want. And if your husband likes to cook for you sometimes (that's cute, BTW) why don't you try directing him to this site? Or any veg cookbook? Or cook together so he sees what you do? I'm not judging... I hope that's not how I'm coming across. Most of us slip up from time to time. And I agree that you're making an effort, and I applaud that.
Geez, Tofutti. I should just delete what I wrote. You said what I was trying to say much better!
Thanks a lot. I love how nice & non judgmental people can be on this forum. The other forum I frequent is runner's world & if someone posted on there, "I'm trying to follow my training plan but just can't get motivated some days" people would BLAST them. So thanks again for the kind words. I guess I just need to take the next step & tell people that I am no longer eating animal products at all. Maybe it will be in a couple weeks. I'm changing jobs & will have a week off in between to revamp the kitchen. My new job will be walking distance from a whole foods- I'm so excited :D It will make the change a lot easier!
Lucky! I live about 200 miles away from the nearest Whole Foods. And you're updating the kitchen! Color me jealous. ;D
Then the other problem is other people. My well meaning husband likes to cook & occasionally will make seafood for me, or buy free range chicken, I think because he can't think of anything else to make. I can't turn my nose up at it, he's trying to be nice!!!
I don't think I will ever be a real vegetarian for these reasons, but at least I'm trying. Thanks for letting me vent. Hope you don't mind.
I understand this Lisa. I sometimes eat "off choice" because for me, vegetarianism is a choice, a preference. I am ovolacto and it meets my needs. And I understand that when my husband makes an effort to cook for both of us, he is going against 62 yrs of hardline Sevillano Andaluz training that says "men who cook are strange, men who help their wives are strange". If he cooks meat, I will eat a small portion. Once. And when I cook veg*n recipes he will try some--as long as there is no zucchini in it! :D
Pages