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Meat eater here, desperately wanting to convert
Started
by Kristen Davis
on January 4, 2010
Kristen it gets easier. The dairys been the hardest for me and I still slip up sometimes. I haven't ate red meat in years and then after reading Alicia's book I gave up all meat and started doing tofu, beans etc.. I'm loving all the new grains. Kasha's my newest favorite. I've gotten used to the soymilk with my cereal in the morning. its a transition but u begin to feel much better. Stick with it and we're all here to support u.
Kristen~ I love how you feel and that way you expressed it . I completely know where you are coming from I come from the exact same type of background, where the "main" part of your meal was MEAT and if you ate only salad or a potato or something you didnt eat enough and you needed to eat some meat. It was like if you didn't eat meat something was wrong with you. Well in my life I started to learn more about health and well being and taking care of myself for my future and my sons future well then I started to realize that diet is a HUGE thing that needs to be changed and due to that and lots of research and my personal desire for the wellbeing of all animals and nature I decided to become vegetarian to start with. I love it and that was years back now but let me tell you after growing up that way it is hard to "retrain" your mind into what is considered an acutal meal after it was drilled into you for so many years to at least eat the "meat" the "main" part ot the meal.
Still to this day I have everyone in my family saying you still eat that way? You havent "grown out" of that "phase?"
It is hard to teach others who are not willing or understanding but you have chosen a wonderful community here to help be your support system!
My father is Italian and my mom is irish scottish..i was raised to eat everything on my plate,. and meat and cheese were abundant. I got to he point where I literally thought I would choose death over giving up cheese. I was never much for meat, even though my parents are meatatarians, so i gave up porj and red meat first, eased into getting rid of turkey and chicken as well...I was pescetarian for the most part. I was feeling awful all the time...I was lactose intolerant. I couldn't believe my body had betrayed me and my love for cheese. 2 weeks passed with out dairy, I had lost 10 pounds and I was clearer headed. Now I am mainly vegan, my brother is vegan and my parents have even deemed themselves "flexiarians". Most of the meals my mom cooks are vegan. She even made vegan cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning...and tofurky in the evening.
My brother and I made sure to include my parents in all our choices, even though I'm a married woman living away from home, I know my parents needed to know that I am healthy and heading towards optimal health. We make sure to research our choices and are constantly learning about what is naturally best for our bodies.
So good luck to you, and us all for that matter, so we can no longer be the topic of conversation at dinner. and that we will never be asked 'where we getour protein" from again at every event we attend.
cheers to support:)
Sandra- I will definitely be trying that recipe out!
I tried a MorningStar riblet out today, because it looked familiar, and I really liked it! I bought some saitan the other day and, I tell you, it looks scary!!But, I am going to eat it, I swear.
Amy- I am going to have to look into Kasha products as well. I made the mistake of not reading the labels thouroughly on some products and there are traces of dairy in them,sadface.
Tawnya- I'm glad you can relate! I definitely feel there is hope for me because you have stuck to your guns!
Veggie patch, and morning star are good for fake outs. The morning start "chick" patties, you can't tell the difference, when you first see the inside you might be a tad grossed out, so try not to look down. The chic n' nuggets by veggie patch are delish! Just put them on a baking sheet for about twenty minutes, they taste like an actual chicken nugget.
I've never had the riblet, I will have to pick that up on my travels, thanks for the tip!
Kristen ~ I know you will do amazing. You are so determined and from years ago you just had this feeling in your that this is what you wanted but you thought it was "wrong" since that is what you were taught growing up. If you need anything i am here! good luck!
I've been a vegetarian almost 10 years now and let me just say family never gives up! Especially at Thanksgiving they love to joke with me about how much I should eat some dove or duck or whatever it is. Honestly, at this point there's no going back. I wouldn't eat meat unless I had to. I'm not really in it for the poor animal aspect of it. Honestly I'm scared shit**** as to how the meat comes to a plate. Unless you are on a farm there is no true knowledge of how that meat got to where it is. I used to drive by the Tyson and Purdu factory every time I went to the Eastern Shore several years ago and every time you go by you can smell the death of the birds. It's so disgusting to know that so many people all over the U.S. promote these companies by buying there products. Let's just say my favorite quote is "if slaughter-houses had glass windows we would all be vegetarian". Just remember your family will be there no matter what, but your opinions are who you are and what you represent to yourself. Stay strong for what you believe!
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