Taking the first step

[PolkaDotPig]

I'm very excited and happy! After thinking it over and watching some video's online I have decided I'm going to cut way back on my meat intake, maybe become a full Vegetarian. I even convinced my mother to start eating less meat and to buy Certified Humane meat. I see myself getting healthier and feeling better. I realize I'm going to have to get more emotionally tough. It seems like people are very mean and judgmental to Vegetarians and Vegan's for no reason. What really sold me on doing this was a dream I had last night. I was talking to a cow in a meat factory before he was due to be slaughtered. That dream really got to me.

I checked out PETA's site for the first time. I heard lots of horror stories from people that they where horrible. That they kill people and animals and are terrorists. But yet on the site I did not get that vibe at all. Infact, a lot of it made sense. I was also told that PETA doesn't believe people should have pet's, but I didn't read that on the site. If that where true, then why do they sell things for your pet's? I like to call them Companion Animal's instead of Pet's.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the happy news! I also ordered a Vegetarian starter kit from PETA, to get me on the right track.

[newpiggiemommy]

Congrats! I am proud of you for even thinking about it! I have been meat free for 5 weeks now and healthier I am. I have already lost 18 pounds! So, health is definately a positive reason to stop eating meat!

I know it is a good thing to stop eating meat because all of the cruelty, but if you do it for health reasons, then you are doing it for you and not the animals.

Good luck, and let us know how you progress in your endeavor!

[Susan9608]

People say a lot of things about PETA without knowing a damn thing about the organization; they base their opinions on second-hand information and media hype. It's good that you're doing your own research and trying to form your own opinion.

PETA actually advocates non-violence and has never killed anyone or engaged in violent acts - that's contrary to what they're trying to accomplish. In the majority of cases, it's the animal rights activists who have been injured and killed, not the other way around.

It seems like people are very mean and judgmental to Vegetarians and Vegan's for no reason.

It's true, some people are. But really, I personally find that most people are so wrapped up in themselves that they don't really care what you're doing, at least not as long as you're not pushing them to do the same thing. If you are, well, that's a different story.

I think the biggest challenge you'll face, though, is not the comments and jeers from others; rather, I think the biggest challenge will be the radical difference in your eating habits. I just had this conversation with someone the other day, actually, and he told me that it's foolhardy to present vegetarianims/veganism as if it's this easy, nothing-to-it change. As if it involves no scarifice. And the more I think about it, the more I realize he's right.

The longer you've eaten meat, probably the harder it will be to give up. You have to be ready for that. You have to be ready to accept substitutes that won't be exactly the same - they'll still be good, but they won't be exactly what you're used - and that won't be quite as easy to obtain. You have to be ready to go to extra trouble to not only find substitutes to eat, but also to pay a little extra for it. Unfortunately, most quality, vegan/vegetarian foods are slightly more expensive than non-veg*n foods.

These are the types of sacrifices you'll have to make. And it's hard. And sometimes it just sucks. And sometimes you'll struggle, and that's all normal.

But the reward - knowing you're doing something really good for non human animals - makes it worth it. Focus on that, and you'll do okay.

Good luck to you.

[kathrynj]

You know Susan, I had to really think about that and realised that you are sooo right. I have been veggie for over 20 years, so it is second nature to me, I don't even give it a second thought, but it is a big thing.

I have been on a homeschooling site and they talk about once a month cooking, ie, cooking a heap in one day and freezing it for later, and I realised, that, yes, as a meat eater, this is possible, heaps of freezeable meals can be ready made and frozen like stews casseroles, etc.

However, as a vegetarian, whilst the idea of cooking meals all in one day and not cooking again for a month, sounds GREAT, it is simply not going to work. Not the foods I eat anyhow. I hate frozen veggies passionately, except for peas, and freezing many of the foods I eat is not possible. I prefer to eat fresh prepared salads and veggies, even the tempeh and soy based foods, prefer quick cooking or they go tough.

So, yeah, if you are used to the convenience of meat, I guess, it is going to be a noticeable change. I can't remember the point it happened, but there was a point that I knew in my mind that the eating of meat was just something I couldn't and wouldn't do, hopefully after a time as a veggie, this might happen for you too, where the simple idea of eating flesh is not appealing. It is easy to avoid it once that point is reached.

My daughter has had cows milk at her cousins, and thinks it is wonderful. I have been gently talking about the dairy cows, etc, to try to help her understand why I won't buy it, (also allergies and excema) but tonite, we were talking about babies as we know a couple of pregnant ladies. We happened to talk about the funny things kids say about babies, and then got onto breastfeeding, I unknowingly mentioned that cows milk is cows own 'mummy milk'. The reaction I got from that was PRICELESS. My 9 year old said she will never ever drink cows milk again, it was yuk and eww and gross!

[CF#5]

I think very few people are in a position to seamlessly make the transition. Rather than trying to portray the vegan lifestyle as a low-effort or even no-effort commitment, a more effective advocacy position would be to disclose the most common obstacles (and in a realistic sense, they are plentiful in this far-from-ideal world) to making the transition, and explaining the reasons why the necessary sacrifices are worth it.

People change when they're ready to change, and not a moment sooner. Sometimes, a person might be willing to change as long as it doesn't require much effort. So it's easy to imagine a hypothetical situation in which someone decides to stop eating meat based on all the claims that "it's so easy to become vegan," only to realize all the repercussions and consequences of that decision after only a few days. Not everyone is going to have the same level of dedication of a hard-core animal rights activist. As a result, I'm sure many people who were originally open to the idea of veganism tend to give up rather easily.

[gpigluver14]

The longer you've eaten meat, probably the harder it will be to give up. You have to be ready for that. You have to be ready to accept substitutes that won't be exactly the same - they'll still be good, but they won't be exactly what you're used - and that won't be quite as easy to obtain. You have to be ready to go to extra trouble to not only find substitutes to eat, but also to pay a little extra for it. Unfortunately, most quality, vegan/vegetarian foods are slightly more expensive than non-veg*n foods.

Specialty mock meats and brand name vegetarian products, like Amy's for example, cost more. But veg*n food in general does not cost more. Look at the price of vegetable products, even fresh veggies, compared to the cost of fresh meat. A lot less usually. Meat is expensive. A vegetarian diet is probably less or else very close to the cost of a meat-eating diet with or without the quality vegetarian foods included. Also, you shouldn't have to search too hard for such products. More and more grocery stores are carrying mock meats and veg*n frozen foods. I shop at a very small grocery store and they have a wide variety of it.

Also, I found that the longer you eat a vegetarian diet, the easier it becomes. So the beginning will be the hardest. As the weeks progressed for me as a vegetarian, it became easier to pass up meat or seafood. I forgot that taste of it. And when I look back as a vegetarian, I wonder how I even ate it when the food I eat it now is much more appetizing since I can eat it and not feel guilty.

But congrats on your decision! The animals will thank you for each meat-free bite you take!

[luvsgiraffes]

Firstly, congrats, I know how good I felt even after the first day (mentally) that I had saved one cow etc. well not the whole cow obviously but you get the idea.

I just wanted to agree with what Susan9608 and a few others said about how hard it is to switch. It is not impossible it is just not a breeze like a lot of people say. I remember when I first tried to stop eating meat about a week in I ate dinner and then about 20 min after I realized that I had eaten meat. I had simply forgotten. I dont know how this is possible, but I had done it... not trying to scare you or anything but just to say that things (slip ups happen) and don't be too hard on yourself. There is always tomorrow.

I have also found one of the hardest parts for me (still after about 5 years or so) is eating with other people. I dont eat with my friends as much as they eat together simply because what they are making has meat in it so they tend not to invite me or tell me to bring my own food which is fine sometimes. But I know I felt so guilty going to dinner at someone's house and not eating food because it had meat in it and they would make me something else and I felt guilty about how much trouble they went through.
I think it also depends how "strict" you are. Some people will pick meat off of pizza for example... others wont eat a piece if it has had meat on it. This is completely a preference thing, but remember that your friends and family might need some time to adjust to the fact that you eating habits are different. My sister used to nag me abuot trying to be different and how much trouble I'm causing. Now it is pretty much an accepted fact but it is still hard.

Sorry this turned out to be long. But I really just wanted to say good for you and good luck! Also... I personally have found being veggie to be much cheaper. Spending $15 for one pack of chicken is so odd to me when I can spend that much and make a hearty pasta to feed an army!

[CF#5]

Originally Posted by luvsgiraffes

My sister used to nag me abuot trying to be different and how much trouble I'm causing.

I'm finding this to be a commonly-recurring theme that many people have experienced. What we have to always keep in mind is that people who educate themselves about the horrors of the meat industry and choose to take a stand by becoming vegetarian are the enlightened ones who are being unselfish. We are willing to inconvenience ourselves for the sake of the animals we're saving, or if you don't really believe you're saving any (personally, I don't think I have much to do with it) at least you're sparing yourself the guilt of eating an animal that was killed intentionally on your behalf. In other words, you're removing your participation, endorsement, and cooperation from the process of this injustice. It's hard to have a real impact when the vast majority of society still takes great pleasure in eating the flesh of another, but at least I can take comfort in knowing I'm not intentionally causing harm and suffering on an individual level. It's virtually impossible to live completely harmlessly in contemporary society, but the harm I cause is reduced tremendously, and NONE of the harm I cause is intentional or direct.

When others try to dissuade us from maintaining our choices, THEY are the ones being selfish and unenlightened. They're not only still eating meat (maybe because they're uneducated and need a push in the right direction to become vegetarian as well, or maybe because they don't give a hoot, which in my opinion is much worse than plain ignorance), but they're trying to get you to commit (what are, in your mind at least) atrocities of the highest degree FOR THEIR OWN CONVENIENCE.

Peer pressure is very real, and unfortunately, every individual in this world has his or her own agenda, which often does not include the reduction of suffering. As a result, newly-educated vegetarians are likely to be faced with criticism from the people closest to them. In essence, luvgiraffes sister was asking her not to prioritize "faceless" animals over the convenience of mom, dad, sis, the rest of the family, etc. In this particular case, luvgiraffes held her ground and didn't give in or give up. I suspect she's in the minority when it comes to others who are faced with a similar situation. That's why it's imperative that everyone who makes a conscious decision to stop eating meat does not waver, does not compromise, and never surrenders to the evil purposes of the vile society in which we live. Take a stand!

If you've read this entire post, you should have no trouble understanding why I think it's GOOD to be different and it's GOOD to "cause trouble."

*SELF-CENSORED* (for those who would surely object to the real words I used when I wrote this post)*

[luvsgiraffes]

Thanks for you post. I had not realized that other people had this experience. My veggie started with unusual circumstances and I think this had something to do with my sister's reaction, but never-the-less I whole heartedly agree with everything that you said. I truly believe that people should respect others' choices even if they dont agree with them. I personally don't tell my friends while they are eating their meat meal how disgusting etc they are and I don't want them to be telling me what an inconvenience I am while I'm eating my non-meat meal.

Haha... I think that is something important that people forget. People who choose a different path than "normal" (well I should say majority to be pollitically correct.) are usually criticized in ways that they would not be criticized from the opposite stand point. I'm not sure I've explained this properly, but I feel like I am usually doing my own thing and making my own choices (especially because I am not one to say things about others' habits that I don't agree with) and it is not right for others to feel like they can say something. I hope this makes sense...
*whew* I didn't realize that I felt so strongly about this subject!