Switching to Vegetarianism (Finally)

[Debater Slayer]

After years of considering the idea, I have started my attempt to transition to vegetarianism. I haven't found any argument that managed to alleviate my concerns about the abuses in industrial animal farming, slaughterhouses, and even many smaller farms.

I have nothing against meat eaters, though, and I believe there are ways to produce meat in a more sustainable and ethical manner than the ways commonly found in industrial farms. Still, this is the decision that aligns the most with my own conscience, so I'm going to attempt the transition.

I love meat and have eaten it my whole life, so I know this is going to be difficult. Thankfully, I have a few vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian friends, and they said they would give me recipes (including easy and affordable ones) to help me transition.

 

[Secret Chief]

After years of considering the idea, I have started my attempt to transition to vegetarianism. I haven't found any argument that managed to alleviate my concerns about the abuses in industrial animal farming, slaughterhouses, and even many smaller farms.

I have nothing against meat eaters, though, and I believe there are ways to produce meat in a more sustainable and ethical manner than the ways commonly found in industrial farms. Still, this is the decision that aligns the most with my own conscience, so I'm going to attempt the transition.

I love meat and have eaten it for my whole life, so I know this is going to be difficult. Thankfully, I have a few vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian friends, and they said they would give me recipes (including easy and affordable ones) to help me transition.

Welcome to the club

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Do you have any farmers markets near you? I find that helps a lot. It's a nice way to get out of the house and ensures your veggie selections are local. Can be challenging in arid climates sometimes though.

My favorite 10 minute vegetarian meal is sliced cucumbers and seared tofu squares tossed in chili oil and scallions.

 

[Wu Wei]

I spent a year as a vegetarian, but I did eat eggs. Felt great, lost weight, actually had a doctor kick me out of his office for being to healthy. Went back to eating meat, but not as much and no red meat at all, it was just to difficult to maintain when no one else in my family was a vegetarian.

 

[SalixIncendium]

After years of considering the idea, I have started my attempt to transition to vegetarianism. I haven't found any argument that managed to alleviate my concerns about the abuses in industrial animal farming, slaughterhouses, and even many smaller farms.

I have nothing against meat eaters, though, and I believe there are ways to produce meat in a more sustainable and ethical manner than the ways commonly found in industrial farms. Still, this is the decision that aligns the most with my own conscience, so I'm going to attempt the transition.

I love meat and have eaten it for my whole life, so I know this is going to be difficult. Thankfully, I have a few vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian friends, and they said they would give me recipes (including easy and affordable ones) to help me transition.

Welcome to the club

Ditto.

 

[Secret Chief]

I spent a year as a vegetarian, but I did eat eggs. Felt great, lost weight, actually had a doctor kick me out of his office for being to healthy. Went back to eating meat, but not as much and no red meat at all, it was just to difficult to maintain when no one else in my family was a vegetarian.

I can see that being a pain.

(A vegetarian diet includes eggs).

 

[Debater Slayer]

Welcome to the club

Ditto.

Thanks! Does the club provide Green Cards like the federal government does?

 

[SalixIncendium]

After years of considering the idea, I have started my attempt to transition to vegetarianism. I haven't found any argument that managed to alleviate my concerns about the abuses in industrial animal farming, slaughterhouses, and even many smaller farms.

This is a very admirable reason to take that step. This is the primary reason I initially became a vegetarian.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Thanks! Does the club provide Green Cards like the federal government does?

Only if you count the ones in a Uno deck.

 

[Secret Chief]

Thanks! Does the club provide Green Cards like the federal government does?

Dunno. What's a Green Card? (I don't mean what's a green card, but ...you know...)

 

[Secret Chief]

This is a very admirable reason to take that step. This is the primary reason I initially became a vegetarian.

Plus, it makes you a babe magnet.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Do you have any farmers markets near you? I find that helps a lot. It's a nice way to get out of the house and ensures your veggie selections are local. Can be challenging in arid climates sometimes though.

My favorite 10 minute vegetarian meal is sliced cucumbers and seared tofu squares tossed in chili oil and scallions.

No farmers' markets near me, although I wouldn't be able to trust the slaughter methods either way because halal slaughter forbids stunning the animal beforehand, and while it stipulates that pain should be minimized during slaughter, I know this can be especially hard to do with a large animal like a cow.

Besides, another argument that I haven't been able to counter is that cows, goats, and multiple other commonly eaten animals can form bonds with humans and trust is just like cats and dogs do. I would never be able to eat a cat or a dog (even if their meat didn't gross me out) or accept the idea of slaughtering them for food, so I don't see how I could eat cows or goats and be consistent.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Plus, it makes you a babe magnet.

I thought that was the Speedos...

 

[Secret Chief]

No farmers' markets near me, although I wouldn't be able to trust the slaughter methods either way because halal slaughter forbids stunning the animal beforehand, and while it stipulates that pain should be minimized during slaughter, I know this can be especially hard to do with a large animal like a cow.

Besides, another argument that I haven't been able to counter is that cows, goats, and multiple other commonly eaten animals can form bonds with humans and trust is just like cats and dogs do. I would never be able to eat a cat or a dog (even if their meat didn't gross me out) or accept the idea of slaughtering them for food, so I don't see how I could eat cows or goats and be consistent.

People have smaller breed pigs as pets.

 

[Debater Slayer]

I spent a year as a vegetarian, but I did eat eggs. Felt great, lost weight, actually had a doctor kick me out of his office for being to healthy. Went back to eating meat, but not as much and no red meat at all, it was just to difficult to maintain when no one else in my family was a vegetarian.

Yes, that's understandable. Eating meat is deeply ingrained in my culture, and Eid al-Adha, one of the two major holidays in Islam, is centered around sacrificing animals.

To be a vegetarian/vegan/pescatarian in my country, you need to go against the entire culture, not just adopt your own diet at home. Refusing to eat meat is frowned upon by many people because it is usually viewed as a sign of forbidding yourself from something that "God allowed for humans."

Coptic Orthodox Christians adopt veganism and pescatarianism during some of their fasts, though, so vegans and vegetarians sometimes order siyami ("fasting") food intended for Christians.

Before Christmas, the church celebrates Advent for 43 days, where Copts follow a vegan diet with seafood allowed. The 43 days of the Nativity Fast, another name for Advent, correspond to the 40 days that Prophet Moses fasted before receiving the Ten Commandments from God, and the three days that Copts fasted before the miracle of moving the Mokattam Mountain during the reign of Al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah, the fourth ruler of the Fatimid caliphate in Egypt.

Before Easter, a fasting period of 55 days is adhered to in the church. Strictly vegan, the last week, “the Holy Week”, marks the holiest time of the year in every Coptic household. A total of 55 days, the fast is divided into a week of preparation for the most sacred time of the year: the 40 days that Jesus fasted for, and the Passion Week (or Holy Week) which begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday.

How Many Days Do Coptic Orthodox Christians Fast?

This is the first article of the series ‘Coptic Diaries’, where Marina Makary takes Egyptian Streets’ readers on a journey in the Coptic Orthodox church — its people, history, traditions,

egyptianstreets.com

 

[Secret Chief]

I thought that was the Speedos...

You keep thinking that if it makes you happy!

 

[Wu Wei]

I can see that being a pain.

(A vegetarian diet includes eggs).

ovo-vegetarian diet excludes all animal-based foods except for eggs.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Dunno. What's a Green Card? (I don't mean what's a green card, but ...you know...)

This:

Green Card

Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident

www.uscis.gov

 

[Secret Chief]

ovo-vegetarian diet excludes all animal-based foods except for eggs.

Oh, if you're going to get picky!

 

[Vinayaka]

After years of considering the idea, I have started my attempt to transition to vegetarianism. I haven't found any argument that managed to alleviate my concerns about the abuses in industrial animal farming, slaughterhouses, and even many smaller farms.

I have nothing against meat eaters, though, and I believe there are ways to produce meat in a more sustainable and ethical manner than the ways commonly found in industrial farms. Still, this is the decision that aligns the most with my own conscience, so I'm going to attempt the transition.

I love meat and have eaten it my whole life, so I know this is going to be difficult. Thankfully, I have a few vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian friends, and they said they would give me recipes (including easy and affordable ones) to help me transition.

Not as difficult as it might seem, as meat isn't physically addictive like nicotine. You might be the type that finds it very easy. Saying it's going to be difficult is a negative affirmation. I'd view it as a great opportunity to explore new cuisines. Enjoy!