It's not easy being green...

[graculus]

I'm a vegetarian. I have been for well over 10 years now, as far as I can reckon. So you'd think by now I'd have a pat answer to the inevitable question, "So, what do you eat?", wouldn't you?

Maybe it's just that it's kind of dumb. I mean, nobody asks meat eaters if they prefer lamb to pork, unless they're actually sitting down with a menu in their hands. No, I don't eat fish or shellfish. Yes, I do eat (free range) eggs and as much dairy produce as I can manage. I could never be a vegan because I'd die without cheese at least once a day. ;)

Other than that, the world is my (mock) oyster. There's an almost infinite variety of things to eat that doesn't involve something with a face meeting its maker. Not that I go round telling people who do eat meat that they can't, because I think that sucks, but I no longer see the attraction.

I don't miss bacon sandwiches, as I know many vegetarians do, or sausages. If anything, given the opportunity for a guilt-free relapse, my dish of choice would probably be moules mariniere made with a shedload of garlic.

Tonight? Well, tonight was home-made mushroom and courgette risotto, actually. And tomorrow will probably be mock toad with brussel sprouts and peas. Or maybe spinach dhal. Or pasta with home-made garlic and mushroom sauce. Or curried rice and peas. Or vegetable pizza. Get the picture? ;)

Comments

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I think it's the unspoken implication that you're somehow denying yourself something wonderful that you can't actually really live without and haven't you realised that yet?

I wonder whether there's a difference to how they approach people whose diet is dictated by religious or medical issues, rather than good old-fashioned free will...

[mer1973.livejournal.com]

The unspoken implication would piss me the fuck off. People will accept medical and religious reasons due to cultural training, but ethical reasons just haven't hit that point yet. Personally, I think, or at least I hope, that ethical reasons for not eating meat will someday be as accepted as any other reason.

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I usually wouldn't ask specifics of someone's diet until I knew them a little bit -- but, there are different levels of vegetarianisms (?) like those that will eat fish (?), those that will/will not touch diary or eggs, those who are macrobiotic, and so forth...

When I got turned off beef for a while in the eighties, I usually told folks who asked why I wouldn't eat red meat - well, "it grosses me out."

You have a point about the acceptance of religious/medical reasons -- but I've been to forums in which it didn't matter whether people had medical reasons not to eat certain foods - there are some people who will absolutely never ever "get" that not everyone likes the same things/foods as themselves, and are amazed that there exist people who cannot/will not eat the same foods they eat.

Now, THOSE are the type of people I want to bitchslap. Allergies and so forth shouldn't be up for debate, either. And um, sorry, getting off track here.

But I do agree with you.

[mer1973.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I usually wouldn't ask specifics of someone's diet until I knew them a little bit -- but, there are different levels of vegetarianisms
Neither would I, unless I was feeding them. If I was feeding Graculus, I would make damn sure that I knew what see ate. There are different levels of vegtarians, and I would be terrified to offend one if they were eating in my home. Guests should be made comfortable, and I should eat more vegetables anyway. I don't know how long, or how creative I would be, but I would do my best.

there are some people who will absolutely never ever "get" that not everyone likes the same things/foods as themselves, and are amazed that there exist people who cannot/will not eat the same foods they eat.
I've had that battle. I believe you shouldn't eat what you've stated you dislike. (Unless you're a child, and that's a different issues.)If you don't like, on taste, religious or moral gounds, you shouldn't be badger about eating it. A preference has been stated, and it should be respected.