What is a Vegetarian?

[The Dragon]

I considers myself a vegetarian. I haven't eaten any type of meat besides sea food in 11 years.

[JABOOM]

Originally Posted by ardamus

I could never go vegan. Its a bit much and you have to be careful of what intake as far as protein. Tried being vegetarian and it was ok for what it was. Still considering going back. If I do it, I'll more than likely stick to fish. I'll try to avoid cheese but it will be hard considering how much I like bean burritos.

Soy Cheese......taste just like cheese

[SistahSpeak]

Originally Posted by Moe17

Hey SistahSpeaks, I meant to reply alot sooner! Hope your weekend is going well so far. Well I have not ate meat for days now...Since I last replied to you. Let me tell you this, my family may get offended at me being a vegetarian. I have actually been sneaking some of my meals so they dont know exactly how my eating habits are at the moment. The reason I want to become one, is because I eat-ALOT! I am afriad they may get a little offended because I am still thin (not anorexic or nothing like that). I have a shape and I dont want them to get the impression that Im depriving myself of food. Also, do you have to have the right funds to become one? We are on a tight-budget right now, so I would like to know-the healthiest foods are sooo expensive. Or is it okay to use what foods we have already? (mostly canned or frozen) None of the food we have is organic.
Thanks, Take care.

Originally Posted by Moe17

Well I have not ate meat for days now...Since I last replied to you..

CONGRATS on being free from meet for the "few days"! How do you feel? Keep charting your progress... your energy, your eliminations, your mental clarity, your focus, your skin, and on, and on.

Sis - I thank you so much for taking the time to respond, and then to be so open and free with what you're experiencing.

Originally Posted by Moe17

Let me tell you this, my family may get offended at me being a vegetarian. I have actually been sneaking some of my meals so they don’t know exactly how my eating habits are at the moment. The reason I want to become one, is because I eat-ALOT! I am afraid they may get a little offended because I am still thin (not anorexic or nothing like that). I have a shape and I don’t want them to get the impression that I’m depriving myself of food..

I can understand your concern with your family, and what they may think. When I decided to go vegetarian, I didn't tell anyone... not my co-workers, not my husband. And when friends or family noticed/questioned my eating patterns, I would simply reply "I'm just trying it out". That did two things:

First, it allowed me to control the situation in the sense that our minds are powerful - the mind can talk you in and out of a lot of things. I knew, that if I told myself I'd never eat chicken again, I wouldn't make it. But, by challenging myself to see how long I could stick to it, gave me the drive to continue... not thinking of NEVER (future) but Now!

Secondly, my telling family that I was just "trying it out" allowed me to continue without the negative feedback and questions, it enabled me to focus on me and what I was attempting to do. Family is a powerful force, and SHOULD be, however, not all of us are clear that a meat-based diet is not healthy.

I think it is important for you to understand the vegetarian/vegan diet before you announce to the world that you’re changing your diet. That’s more for you than them. You can’t defend anything you don’t clearly understand yourself – trust me! There are a million websites and books dedicated to the vegetarian and vegan diet. Just Google it! There are sites that provide recipes, there are sites that tell you exactly what the vegetarian needs to supplement their diets with. Such as B12. You have to be well equipped to exactly where you can get your calcium and your proteins from. Do you know that Kale Greens is a good source of Calcium? That alfalfa sprouts are high in protein?

Basically, everything you get from meat (proteins, iron, etc) can be found in fruits and vegetables with the exception of CHOLESTEROL! Cholesterol is only found in animal products.

I have more info on all of this if it is helpful.

Lastly, be sure that you’re eating. If your mom makes dinner, fried chicken, greens, corn and carrots. You can skip the chicken and pile your plate up with the veggies. No one will stare at you and WORRY that you’re not eating well. They make look sideways at the extra piece of fried chicken left, but they won’t look over at you like you’re starving. You have to take a stand somewhere. You never know, you could be the savior for your family. Through your actions they will follow. It happened to me when I was married. It’s a blessing.

Originally Posted by Moe17

Also, do you have to have the right funds to become one? We are on a tight-budget right now, so I would like to know-the healthiest foods are sooo expensive. Or is it okay to use what foods we have already? (mostly canned or frozen) None of the food we have is organic.

As far as the cost. Once upon a time I thought the same thing... and it’s a common misconception. While I agree that organic fruits and vegetables can be a bit pricey, it is NOT expensive to simply eat a vegetable-based diet.

Let me be clear – to be a vegetarian or vegan you do NOT have to eat organic. Organic is best, but is it required – no? Do I eat 100% organic? No.

How much is steak, pork chops and chicken nowadays? I haven't bought any in over 2 years, however, I can assume that it's about $8 for one serving of steak? That's one dinner for you. If you bought $8 of fruits and vegetables, you could eat for the rest of the week? I guess what I’m trying to say, if you take the meat off of your grocery list, shop not at mainstream grociers for your produce, but rather fruit stands, you’ll get a much better deal.

Eating out is also a BIG expense. When you’re vegetarian, eating out is limited. I know it was for me. Don’t get me wrong, if you’re going out on a date, or your family eats out every Saturday, eating out is feasible. But if you’re that fast-food eater that grabs McDeath-old’s for lunch, and a gyro for dinner, that expense is eliminated because McDeath-old’s has nothing for your diet. The Gyro spot on the corner doesn’t either… so the $10-12 you could’ve spent can go straight to your veggie bill for the week.

You’ve encouraged me to do a price comparative analysis to show my people it is possible to be vegan and not break the bank. I spend less money now than when I ate meat and animal products. I’m happy to help you see this clearly however I can!

At the end of the day, we cannot apologize for who we are if we are living a life that is healthy and glorifies the Creator! Do you, lil sis! So proud of you! I’m definitely in your corner!

[SistahSpeak]

Originally Posted by ardamus

I could never go vegan. Its a bit much and you have to be careful of what intake as far as protein. Tried being vegetarian and it was ok for what it was. Still considering going back. If I do it, I'll more than likely stick to fish. I'll try to avoid cheese but it will be hard considering how much I like bean burritos.

the best burrito I EVER had was a vegan burrito. Use avocado in place of cheese - you won't miss it.

I agree that you have to be sure you get your protein... but that's just a matter of eating right - period. You should eat at least one bean a week - that could be red beans (chili, red beans & rice), black beans in your burrito, chickpeas, etc. Nuts are a GREAT source of protein.

At the end of the day, I'd like to think that I'm healthier falling short of my protein intake for the day, vs consuming a dead cow, i.e. steak.

Hang in there... the tongue is more powerful than we think. All things are possible, King - I know the Ardamus knows that! *smile*

all love,
S

[s8loud]

We might also want to concern ourselves with the recent idea that traditional protein requirements associated with the Standard American Diet aren't necessarily as "true" as has been thought. A high (animal) protein diet has been linked to just about all the major diseases associated with the S.A.D. (heart disease, cancer, etc.). As already stated, one can get all essential amino acids from eating a plant-based diet focused on green leafy vegetables (in addition to legumes, nuts etc.). Also, while B12 intake is of noteworthy concern (just as any other nutrient), it's also useful to know that B12 can actually be reabsorbed by a healthy body; thus, it can take many years (up to 20 in one article I read) to develop a deficiency.

Some other meat substitutes that are good are seitan (made from wheat protein) and tempeh (from soy). Seitan is my personal favorite ahead of tofu and tempeh. Remember, just like any meat, the flavor is determined by how well it is seasoned.

And man, I can't count how many times I've had the "why are you vegan?" discussion amongst my family and friends. I grew weary of it after a while, but the practice one gets from repeating the same stuff reinforces one's conviction to continue (at least in my case).

SistahSpeak, great idea with the "I'm just trying it out approach." Wish I thought about that years ago... :)

[MadameX]

Originally Posted by Meroe

Thank you for breaking this down.

Co-sign. Every decade, the definition changes. And this is speaking from experience, I know this first hand since my brothers been one for almost 30 years.

[SistahSpeak]

Originally Posted by MadameX

Co-sign. Every decade, the definition changes. And this is speaking from experience, I know this first hand since my brothers been one for almost 30 years.

I believe you.

Honestly, most vegans feel like either you are or you're not. vegan or not. I just want to liberate my people so whatever they can do to get the process started - I'm down!

I was "vegetarian" for a year before I stopped eating cheese. In my opinion, there's nothing vegetarian about cheese. But hey, if you've gone from eating beef, pork, chicken, and you're just eating cheese, I salute you.

It's a process of unlearning a learned behavior.

[ardamus]

Originally Posted by JABOOM

Soy Cheese......taste just like cheese

actually i've had that and i like soy products. can be a bit expensive though.

[ardamus]

Another thing....is it me or is it this weird, expensive, and trendy thing going around about being vegetarian now? I say that only because I've run into people who being that way as the highest for of being healthy. When there's people who aren't vegetarians or vegans who take great care of themselves that are able to live for a long period of time. Any thoughts on this?

[afrocentric]

dang.....*looking at the pkg of chicken breast on my countertop* if it werent for my big meat eatting hungry boys(18,17,16).