The KInd Life Community Forum
Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!
Cooking for carnivores: 101
Started
by LostPetMagnet
on September 14, 2010
I'm sure someone has addressed this before...
I am so grossed out by cooking meat for my carnivore husband! He is a diehard meat fan, from a long line of carnivores, and although I've been making a few vegetarian meals for him here and there, he is always complaining about "where's the beef?" He acts downright nasty when I've expressed my feelings about cooking meat. (He doesn't cook at all and I am a housewife/"dinner's-on-the-table" gal.)
I'm having a hard time reconciling my beliefs with keeping a harmonious relationship. Has anyone else gone through this? Any advice beyond "fooling" him with my amazing (ha!) veg cooking skills? Thanks!
Try telling him to eat what he's given and be grateful!! I He has any feelings or you at all he will be understanding of your beliefs and will do what he can to accomodate them. If he desparately craves meat he can aways cook ome extra to go alon with your meal or eat it when he is out of the house. Would he insist that you cook pork if you were a Jew or a Muslim.
Ick. I started by telling my DH I'd only cook meat a couple of times a week, then when he was used to some veggie meals I told him I wouldn't cook it at all. I just felt like I couldn't touch it anymore.
I'm sorry he is being so insensitive! Even if he doesn't agree with you, there is no reason for him to get nasty. I totally understand why you don't want to cook meat, I don't think I could do it either! He should be grateful of the fact that you cook him wonderful meals, and he doesn't have to cook at all...unless he wants to eat some beef. I think you should just tell him that you won't cook it, but he is free to eat it if he wants, and he is welcome to cook it while you are cooking the rest of dinner. You can do your best to make meals that go along with his meat if he chooses to eat it, and that is still being way more accommodating to him than he is to you. I hope he adjusts his attitude and is kinder to you about your beliefs.
I personally wouldn't cook or purchase the meat. Luckily my husband is now vegan too but even before he was vegan, he was perfectly happy to eat what I'd prepare. When he was at a restaurant he could get a steak if he had to have one. I know everyone has to make their own choices and everyone has a different dynamic in their relationships so you have to do what you feel is right for you and your family.
Thank you all so much for your comments!
I don't know if this sounds hopelessly 1950's, but I feel a little guilty about not cooking what he wants since I am a SAHM and wife. I have given him many meat substitutes, many of which he likes, but sometimes he just huffs and asks where the chicken is. His family is from the islands (where they would roast their own meat--GROSS) so not eating meat is considered "weird" for them. Add in the bonus that he doesn't like vegetables and it makes for a difficult mealtime!
I think I will try what you all suggested and tell him that when we eat out, he can get whatever he wants, but I really don't want to touch the stuff (literally & figuratively!) THANKS AGAIN!
Have you tried Gardien products my 10 year can't tell the difference between those and the real deal. When I first went vegan I had no problem cooking meat, now I can't even touch it without getting sick. Honestly I can't even stomach the vegan meat alternatives because they look too much like meat and have similar textures. Weird I know. Just give your man some time my own meat eater hasn't had meat in 2 weeks. He will come around eventually or make his own meat.
Try buying some premade meat and warming it up. Much easier.
Cooking meat totally grosses me out- I feel for you there. However my husband and 2 year old daughter eat vegan mostly but they still have meat a few times a week. Its not easy for me to touch it or cook for them- but I do it anyway becauyse I love them and I dont want to force my eating habits/beliefs on them. Basically I just grin and bear it :o) Vegan isn't for everyone and I feel it would be wrong to force my beliefs on them. My husband is slowly accepting the vegan diet, and I don't want to force my daughter in to anything before she has a chance to form her own opinion... so a couple times a week she still eats meat (mostly chicken)
More good tips, thanks again!
Donna, that's how I feel too--I don't want to force my beliefs on anyone, especially when my husband doesn't give me a hard time about how I eat. If he miraculously wakes up vegan one day, I'd be thrilled but I'm not going to hold my breath.
20 Comments