Vegetarians-how do you do it?!
Answers: I really want to become a vegetartian, but it's going to be so hard! I LOVE In'n'Out, so to all you successful vegetarians out there, any suggestions? What helped you to not eat meat? Also, why did you become a vegetarian? I wanna know if anyone has a similar reason to mine.
not familiar with in 'N" out..
I became vegetarian at age 10.. actually looking back the biggest reason was pressure from my mom who had become veggie... BUT.. despite not having the best actual motives for originally going veg.. I always loved animals and did feel a bit of a hypocrite eating a dead animal that someone else had killed for me (when I didn't have to watch) because I knew I wouldn't have the guts or heart to kill an animal myself to eat.. I struggled with craving my favorite meat dishes (especially tuna sandwiches made w/ lots of miracle whip LOL) BUT I did know that vegetarianism is healthier
I soon got my OWN reasons for being vegetarian and have never looked back.. I have been steady veg since 10, am so glad I am..
MY reasons: 1. Animal cruelty
2. I see meat as unsafe because of the hormones/chemicals/feed that the animals are given
3. Environmenetal reasons.. overproduction of beef is the biggest cause of deforestatoin and other environmental problems. (the grain we feed all the cattle in one day is enough to make 2 loaves of bread for every human being on the planet.. end world hunger anyone??)
as for the cravings... it helps to just tell yoruself it is YOUR decision.. nobody made it for you.. you have chosen to not eat such-and-such anymore, and there are plenty of other yummy things you can eat.. when I start thinking about how much I loved tuna sandwiches loaded with MW, I go buy a can of veggie hot dogs (worthington brand Big Franks) and mash them up, add tons of miracle whip, and make a sandwich out of that.. just as yummy!!! LOL..
I was raised a vegetarian, didn't eat meat until 6yrs old. Still to this day (I am 37), I eat as much or more "fake" veggie meat as real meat. When I have a plate of food, I always eat the vegetables first. It's just what I gravitate to. If you haven't tried the Boca burgers, or Morning Star farms breakfast "meats", you should. Boca had great grilled veggie burgers, veggie chicken, etc. and once you pile on the lettuce, tomato, whatever, it really does taste great. Don't expect meat, but open your mind to what tastes good. Also, embrace beans - hummus (chick peas), soy beans in pods, navy beans, etc. And use spices to hit the taste you are craving for. There are several vegetarian Indian dishes in the frozen food section of grocery store also. And of course I love a good piece of grilled fish also, if you want to eat fish. Good luck!
You'll find that most long-time vegetarians are ethical vegetarians.
There's an amazing film called "Earthlings." You can watch it free on G**gle video. That film is the essence of why I'm veg*an.
I have cut out a lot of my meat intake, but not all of it. I hate taking medication as a rule so I have adjusted my intake of cholesterol laden foods.
I have made various vegetarian dishes using a lot of different herbs and spices that taste great. A big grilled portabello mushroom as a meatless "hamburger" with all the fixin's is really good. Try the Boca or Gardenburger products. But, remember to tell yourself that this is not meat. If you try to fool yourself into thinking that it is meat, then it'll be horrible. Try whole wheat pasta boiled, then stir fried with veggies and shelled edamame. How about perogis?
It is very possible to go vegetarian. You just have to learn about the use of spices and herbs and different recipes to make what you are eating exciting and not boring. I mean who wants to eat a plain celery or carrot stick? That's not what being a vegetarian is all about.
Go to www.peta.org and watch "Meet your Meat". Shows the true story of how chickens, cows and pigs are raised in today's factory farms. Nothing but pure, senseless cruelty.
I was a vegetarian for 8 years then became a vegan. Why? Which is crueler, raising a steer and killing it to eat it, or letting a chicken suffer in a little cage with 6 others for 3 years to produce eggs?
I made the transfer gradually, eliminating an animal product every other week or so and finding something to replace it. You won't like all the substitutes, you have to check around. They don't taste like the "real thing", so don't expect it. Get a good cookbook with easy recipes like "Vegan Vittles". After a while, you won't miss meat. It'll look ugly to you.
I became a vegan because I am a Buddhist, and the Buddha told us not to harm or kill any sentient being. Animals are sentient beings.
You just find restaurants that serve what you can eat (ethnic restaurants are good) and stick with it. At Wendy's I have a side salad, an order of fries and a drink. Works good.
Good luck!
The first thing to do is to change that thought form of yours -- "It's going to be so hard!" It isn't going to be hard at all unless you make it so. You have a ready made community of support right here, ready and eager to help you with any little thing that comes up for you,
There are so many fabulous recipes you can download for free at http://www.your-vegetarian-kitchen.com/h... There are also a great number of products available in the stores now that simply were not there when I began this journey, Boca Burgers, Tofurky, Lightlife Products and a whole lot more great prepared foods available at most restaurants than you might suspect.
If you want a step by step how to do this transition easily check out www.veg123.com
As for how I came to be vegetarian, I tried to do this the first time when I was eight and a half and a student at a Boarding School because the staff slaughtered the calf I had just taught to drink out of a pail... Heart breaking.
I lasted for quite a while -- even though it meant sitting for hours in front of the things on my plate I wouldn't eat while my classmates were out playing; but ultimately, the staff broke me with a threat of leaving me behind when they went to town for the Annual Movie and Ice Cream Night. . . Bad!
I have been strictly vegetarian for more than thirty four years for ethical, ecological, economic, humanitarian, nonviolent, health, political, animal rights, and mostly for spiritual reasons. It is a prerequisite for initiation into the spiritual path I walk.
Anyway, good luck to you; and have fun! You are embarking on a great adventure. The rewards.are rich and many are unexpected.
Watch this, it will change your views on meat forever.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VIjanhKqVC4
Don't worry!
I used to eat meat all the time, and I loved In N Out too. Probably what would be easiest would be to just slowly become vegetarian, and take meat out of your diet little by little. That's what me and my sister did, and after awhile you really don't enjoy it anymore. I've only been vegetarian for 3 years, but now whenever I see meat, I have no interest in eating at all. You'll see, once you stop eating it, you stop wanting it. Going vegetarian is actually WAY easier than most people think.
I became a vegetarian after continually finding bits of blood, bone and gristle in my food which revolted me. The final straw was when I was eating a steak pie one lunch 3 years ago and was chewing on something that didnt taste like steak, out my mouth I pulled a huge piece of artery from the animal I was eating.. It was SICK.
Every since I find I have become so much healthier purely because I eat more vegetables to fill up
I was vegetarian for three years, now I am vegan.
It was really easy for me, since I never really liked meat anyway. I can't stand the thought of eating anything with a face.
If you educate yourself on what the animals go through, and how bad most of the meat is you will have a great reason.
Vegetarians/vegans save animal lifes believe it or not. It's also better for the environment. And better for you're health.