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Permalink Reply by Sue Hawks on November 11, 2007 at 7:37am

I first attempted vegetarianism when I was in high school, way way back in the mid 80's before internet, before I had a love for reading and learning. I think I just thought it was punk rock. And so needless to say I think I was able to be meat free for about six months. I'm sure I was actually just living off of little Debbie's and Diet Coke at the time. Hardly what I would really call vegetarian. I was a dork. But as I got into my mid to late 20's I became a totally different person. I developed a love for learning which led me into a whole new world of politics, philosophy and awakening I never knew existed before. The more I learned about the world around me, the more I saw the deplorable conditions I was a part of, fostering, and in a sick and unconscious way benefiting from (the truth or course is no one really benefits from harmful practices). I have always been a person with a strong conscience in spite of my own stupidity and thankfully my conscience has always trumped everything for me. My partner of 3 years at the time (we're still together now) came to me and said she was through with eating red meat. I think it just grossed her out really. Well, I went on a research rampage and I'm so glad I did. I can honestly say I became veggie for the planet, the economy, the animals, spiritual reasons, health reasons, all of it rings true for me. Close to 9 years now, going on forever.

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Permalink Reply by christopher morrison on November 11, 2007 at 8:00am

whats stopping you becoming vegan? you are aware of the calfs fate and the whole dairy indusry is depending on you!
I managed to wean myself off cheese after 25 years by substituting grated ready made polenta in my sand witches
but i will miss the cheese toastie always goodbyee cruel world!

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Permalink Reply by Sue Hawks on November 11, 2007 at 8:59am

I believe that everything each person does is up to them. I don't try to enforce my views on anyone else, but I have some friends that eat poultry and fish, and not red meat. I respect that. I think it's great to do whatever you feel is right for you. I tried going vegan several times over the years and if it were just me, not in a relationship, maybe I would have succeeded. Maybe not. Socially it is hard enough to be vegetarian. I mean we went over to a family member's house for dinner last night and they were so awesome and gracious to prepare a vegetarian meal that we all ate, even though they are not vegetarian. It was cheese pasta, cheese pastries, eggs in all the ingredients, even cheese on the salad. I would never refuse such a gracious offering and gesture. What love they demonstrated for us last night in that meal! I think my partner and I are greeted like this so often by friends and family because we respect their choices even though they are not what we would choose for ourselves.
I think that it is great to be vegan, but it isn't something I'm ready to embrace at this point in my life. As for dairy I only buy organic, never Horizon, and if we eat eggs, they're free range organic as well. I do a lot with the Organic Consumers Group, and I research just about every brand I buy.
I have checked into breatharianism though. I noticed you mentioned that before. One day I think I may try that for a while. Currently I run a marathon every year and then some, so I still operate on the belief that you need food to exert yourself physically so that will be in the distant future. Peace!

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Permalink Reply by Capture on November 11, 2007 at 11:09am

I totally agree with you! Not everyone can be a "level 15 master vegan" we're all on different paths and doing something is better then doing nothing at all! I try to eat vegan everyday, but I know I don't always get there--especially when it comes to cheese--but the poing is I try. As individuals we have to do what's possible for ourselves and not live by other peoples standards--I mean if I still live by the standard american diet (SAD) I would still be chowing down on fast food and processed junk! :)

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Permalink Reply by Vonda K on November 11, 2007 at 11:59am

Hear Hear!!!

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Permalink Reply by Sue Hawks on November 11, 2007 at 2:24pm

Yeah, I guess I get hung up in the social aspect of it all, but I have to admit that never once has a meal been shared with myself and a carnivore, especially the first meal we share, where the carnivore doesn't say, (I'm quoting verbatim) "We really don't eat meat all that much." Which is probably about as truthful as my father saying, "Suzy I hardly ever watch tv!" Ha! That thing is always on at their house. But what I realize is that even if they eat more meat than they realize, just having a pleasant enjoyable meal together that isn't completely foreign to a meat eater, makes them actually stop and think. So I think that's cool. Don't get me wrong. I use almond milk in place of cow milk and if there is an option at a restaurant I get soy cheese instead of dairy. I eat only dark organic chocolate, and I don't touch eggs that I have no clue of where they came from, you know, like I'm aware of what I'm putting in my body. But I'm not vegan everyday. Thanks guys!

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Permalink Reply by ktsmurf on November 11, 2007 at 4:22pm

I'm very much the same way. I would say I eat vegan at least six days a week, but some days I just slip. When I'm eating with my family I'm less picky because I'm grateful for the effort, and for the food as I'm a poor student. It's for this reason that I self-identify as a strict vegetarian, and not vegan. I don't want to broadcast an image contrary to the movement that might hinder our efforts in the short term.

We're all doing the best we can, and for the animals we help, it's a lot!

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Permalink Reply by Anita Dias on November 14, 2007 at 1:37pm

It might be a lot but not enough. I am sorry, i try not to opinionate but gosh it really is hard!!! Animals are not ours, they do not belong to us, any effort they make to give milk, or eggs it is not for us. As simple as that. Not matter if they are in organic farms, or so called free range, it simply is for themselves. We steal from them, we steal milk from a calf, with what right? What for? To fulfill our palate? This is just so selfish....
And i am sorry this cannot be the best we can.....is what we are willing to do.....

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Permalink Reply by ktsmurf on November 14, 2007 at 6:06pm

I appreciate your opinion, and your right to it, but I stand by what I said, and by my choices and actions. I can measure the effect I have had on those around me by refusing to be outwardly judgmental toward those who cannot or will not make the same commitment I or another have. A few of my nieces and nephews are now vegetarian, and almost all of my non-vegetarian friends and family eat significantly less meat than they used to. I am making the world a better place, just as you are.

When I was still an omnivore, attitudes like the one espoused in your comment actually pushed me farther away from being comfortable forsaking animal produce. The idea that it was an all or none deal (so not the case) or the fear that I would become a radical judgmental ideologue pushed me happily into the comfort of cheeseburgers and pot roast. It was only through my own experiences and the patient and informative discussions with a family member that I became a vegetarian.

We each have our own path to follow, and our own good to contribute to the cause. I am not so arrogant as to say that those who cannot match my (or another's) level of commitment are doing too little. If all of us do what we can, be it little or big, then together we have done something huge. This movement is about loving and respecting all living beings equally.

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Permalink Reply by Anita Dias on November 15, 2007 at 4:12am

I totally respect your views and i can see you do not like to be told what to do. all i can say is that my commitement to animals is huge and fair. To do little is not enough for me, to do good is never to much. So i will beg to everyone to just refuse to be part of so much evil that is inflicted on animals......
But you cannot respect animals equally if you still take what is theirs.....
Regards

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Permalink Reply by pradtf on January 4, 2008 at 1:26am

greetings ktsmurf!

i'm not sure i understand your reasoning here.

are you saying that you eat animal products occasionally because you don't want to make people think that vegans are too extreme (or 'picky') and therefore might frighten them away from becoming so?

i also don't understand why you take exception to opinions 'like the one espoused' by anita. why would her rationale which is not only accurate, but expressed eloquently and politely, have pushed you in your omnivorous days towards cheeseburgers and pot roast?

i find it hard to believe that someone such as yourself who no doubt understands the ethics behind all this, would decide to ignore those ethics just because you didn't like what someone else said. surely, the ethics are more important than one's emotive reactions.

if you eat animals at your parents because you don't want to upset them, then just say so rather than saying your worried about 'broadcasting images that might hinder the movement'.

and if you choose not to 'slip up' on that seventh day, perhaps the people around you will appreciate you because you are someone who doesn't slip up and even be inspired by your commitment.

in friendship,
prad

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Permalink Reply by Capture on November 11, 2007 at 8:53am

Hey Everyone! This is my first post so...I hope I'm doing this right...there's so many new buttons to play with...anywho...I became a vegetarian for health reasons, my body just works better with out meat gunking it all up! I'm still having a torrent affair with cheese, but besides that I eat pretty clean. After being veg for awhile I began opening up to animal welfare/rights issues and I am now second in command of a great campus animal rights group! I love going to protests and educating people about what they are really eating! I <3 vegetarians!

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