Any Vegetarian/Vegan Ledgies?

[FMlex]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Right. The people in my life are supportive and not worried about what I am eating. I noticed it more several years ago. The best was when I used to smoke, people would say, "but you're a vegetarian!" Not sure how the two are related.

That's funny! Not sure how those two are connected either.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by FMlex

Well I do think that cows, pigs and chickens are here for our consumption, yes.
Like Shawna said, they should get the respect and care they deserve while they're here.

But they're not, and most people eat them anyway, in spite of this knowledge.

(I'm not trying to be argumentaztive, but this is a point that often gets lost(.)

[FMlex]

Originally Posted by jannieC

But they're not, and most people eat them anyway, in spite of this knowledge.

(I'm not trying to be argumentaztive, but this is a point that often gets lost(.)

To each his own!

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by FMlex

I don't know about you Shawna, but my mama was shoving pork ribs and filet mignons down my throat ten days after I was born!

So you're saying that your parents didn't feed you meat when you were a kid? Most babies start eating meat from around seven months, starting with chicken.
I grew up in a house where a lot of meat was eaten. I didn't have a choice when I was a kid because it was assumed eating meat was a healthy part of your diet and dinner always had meat at its centre. When I decided to stop my mum was actually really worried about it, as were other people and that continues to this day. That's all I was saying. I'm not attacking anyone because they choose to eat meat.

Originally Posted by FMlex

In the case of household animals, such as dogs or cats, I believe they're here to be our companions for as long as they live (or we live -- by the way, Old Yeller should be required viewing for any young kid who owns a dog). So we don't eat them. (At least in this part of the world.)

Well, even as your post suggests, it sounds to me as if it's an entirely cultural thing don't you think?

Originally Posted by jannieC

Right. The people in my life are supportive and not worried about what I am eating. I noticed it more several years ago. The best was when I used to smoke, people would say, "but you're a vegetarian!" Not sure how the two are related.

I always get stuff like that. I don't understand at all why smoking is related, I guess they must think it's entirely a health thing to give up meat, but for me it's a variety of different reasons.

[golddustdrummer]

Originally Posted by jannieC

But they're not, and most people eat them anyway, in spite of this knowledge.

(I'm not trying to be argumentaztive, but this is a point that often gets lost(.)

I can't help that some of the farms/slaughter houses don't treat them right.
I know that when I lived on a cow farm, we treated them like Kings and Queens.
abusing animals isn't right. I don't eat veil, I don't eat foie gras, I try to get free-range beef.

I'm not going to stop eating meat, but I try to make the best choices that I can.


and once again: I totally respect everyone's individual dining choices. Don't give me crap about meat and I won't hassle you about being a vegan/vegetarian. To each his/her own.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by golddustdrummer

I can't help that some of the farms/slaughter houses don't treat them right.

Of course you can! You're supporting industrial farming techniques with your money! If enough people take a stand and decide that enough is enough, farmers will adopt alternatives.

I know that when I lived on a cow farm, we treated them like Kings and Queens.
abusing animals isn't right. I don't eat veil, I don't eat foie gras, I try to get free-range beef.

I'm not going to stop eating meat, but I try to make the best choices that I can.

I really don't get this kind of veiled atonement / guilt-purging that meat-eaters make by eating only free-range this or that. At the end of the day, they still get rounded up and slaughtered in the same fashion. So does it actually make people feel better that animals were able to run around in their pens before they were slaughtered? And given the bulging human population of the earth and the relatively finite amount of arable land, free-range farming is not sustainable. Free-range animal farming on the scale needed to feed the entire planet is just not feasible or would be prohibitively expensive. So at the end of the day, all of this free-range stuff just seems to me like a spendy way for yuppies to assuage their guilt at Whole Foods.

and once again: I totally respect everyone's individual dining choices. Don't give me crap about meat and I won't hassle you about being a vegan/vegetarian. To each his/her own.

I don't think anyone is giving you crap/hassle about eating meat. I think the general sentiment from the veggies on here is that: animals were not made for eating and that eating meat is an option that is purely up to the individual. You have the right to eat the way you want, and the rest of us have the right to our opinions about it and vice-versa.

[louielouie2000]

My next door neighbor is vegan, and ever since meeting her a couple of years ago I've thought about doing it myself. That girl eats better than anybody I know! Her food is so hearty, delicious, flavorful, and filling. The only reason I haven't really done it is it's such a new approach to everything: a totally new approach to shopping, a new way to prepare and cook food; it'd be a complex conversion for me. I'm just now getting the hang of how to cook traditionally, and I'm 27! Add to the fact my other half thoroughly loves meat (especially chicken), and it'd be hard for me to go at it alone. I keep thinking about it though. I've already taken some of her ideas and used them for myself... marinating and sauteing mushrooms in red wine vinegar, roasting cauliflower with fresh lemon juice, etc. I know how much better Jessica says she feels because of the way she eats, and I absolutely believe her. I should just try it for a couple weeks and see what happens.

[David]

Originally Posted by FMlex

Well I do think that cows, pigs and chickens are here for our consumption, yes.

Some Koreans think that dogs are here for their consumption. Religious Jews & Muslims do not think that pigs are here for their consumption. Religious Hindus do not think that cows are here for their consumption. I do not think snakes are here for my consumption. I wouldn't eat a snake for anything.

Some people eat the plastic cases on DVDs. They say it tastes like chicken.

[Musicman408]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_chain


It is GREAT how we are able to have this debate!

[camchristo]

^What are you actually debating?


Anyway, I don't eat mammals. I mostly eat veggies and meat alternatives or soy-based products. However, I do eat fish and on occasion I chicken and turkey.

I have not eaten red meat or pork for about 15 years and I don't miss it. I don't ever have a craving for a steak or a burger.

I could definitely cut chicken and turkey out of my diet and not miss it but I don't think I will ever cut fish/seafood out completely. I would not become vegan because I do love cheese.

My reasons for not eating mammals are a multi-faceted. First, I think the health benefits are remarkable. Second, I don't like it. I grew up having meat, potatoes and veggies for dinner every night and I never really liked the meat portion of dinner. When I got old enough to choose for myself, I did. Third, humane reasons come into play. Even though I do eat chicken on occasion, I don't eat KFC because I've heard they are the worst offenders regarding cruelty. I don't eat duck and I would never eat foie gras.

That being said, I would not refuse to dine with someone eating steak or veal - everyone needs to decide for themselves. I don't preach to people about what they eat and I don't generally have people question me. They might ask why but once I answer, they are usually respectful.

[jannieC]

I don't know why it's a debate. I also don't know why someone who eats meat would come to a Any Vegetarian/Vegan Ledgies thread, other than either curiosity or the desire to defend a diet choice (which doesn't HAVE to be debated).

I'd also like to add that you are fooling yourself if you think that your current hamburger was treated like a King or a Queen before it was slaughtered, unless you raised it yourself.

[golddustdrummer]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Of course you can! You're supporting industrial farming techniques with your money! If enough people take a stand and decide that enough is enough, farmers will adopt alternatives.

I really don't get this kind of veiled atonement / guilt-purging that meat-eaters make by eating only free-range this or that. At the end of the day, they still get rounded up and slaughtered in the same fashion. So does it actually make people feel better that animals were able to run around in their pens before they were slaughtered? And given the bulging human population of the earth and the relatively finite amount of arable land, free-range farming is not sustainable. Free-range animal farming on the scale needed to feed the entire planet is just not feasible or would be prohibitively expensive. So at the end of the day, all of this free-range stuff just seems to me like a spendy way for yuppies to assuage their guilt at Whole Foods.

I don't think anyone is giving you crap/hassle about eating meat. I think the general sentiment from the veggies on here is that: animals were not made for eating and that eating meat is an option that is purely up to the individual. You have the right to eat the way you want, and the rest of us have the right to our opinions about it and vice-versa.

there will NEVER be enough people turning vegan/vegetarian to make the farmer's adopt alternatives. and they are trying to make a living, just like you and me. If you've actually lived the situation and tried to do it for a job to raise and feed your children, you can't make generalizations.

I'm not a yuppie. I don't feel guilty about eating meat. and I wasn't saying anyone was giving me crap, yet trying to get across the fact that I don't care what other people eat. Its a free country and that you (or any other vegan/vegetarian) gets nothing but my respect for your choices as long as you give me the same. There is no argument or debate about anything. Just people posting opinions, on a messageboard.

but I'll gladly leave this thread alone.
it should have said "no meat eaters allowed"


and yes, JannieC growing up we raised our own meat for burgers.
they were treated well while they were here.
as for nowadays, I can't say for sure.
neither can anyone else unless you've worked in every meat processing plant on Earth.

[chriskisn]

Yep you see it always turns into a debate between vegetarians and meat eaters. Why do the meat eaters feel the need to come in here and add their 2c worth? I asked if there were any other vegetarian ledgies...simple question, a few people answered yes, a disussion could then have occured between those of us who are vegetarian and perhaps those who are interested in becoming vegetarian.

If you aren't, then this thread isn't about you. Great, so you eat meat, how nice for you. Go and start a "Any meat eating Ledgies" thread.

If this thread was called "Animal Murderers" or something then sure, come in and defend your position, otherwise please lets not have the debate...it hasn't be resolved outside of this forum it isn't likely to get resolved in here either...

[daniellaaarisen]

I'm not a vegetarian, but I've considered it.... so if I say anything obnoxious on here as a meat-eating poster, let me know and I'll shut up.

But really, I'm curious because this thread has gotten me thinking about trying this. I'm just petrified that I would let my carb addiction run wild. This is a serious concern, haha.

I don't eat a lot of meat as it is (only a few times a week) but I'm curious: what is a typical meal for you guys?

[golddustdrummer]

Originally Posted by chriskisn

Yep you see it always turns into a debate between vegetarians and meat eaters. Why do the meat eaters feel the need to come in here and add their 2c worth? I asked if there were any other vegetarian ledgies...simple question, a few people answered yes, a disussion could then have occured between those of us who are vegetarian and perhaps those who are interested in becoming vegetarian.

If you aren't, then this thread isn't about you. Great, so you eat meat, how nice for you. Go and start a "Any meat eating Ledgies" thread.

If this thread was called "Animal Murderers" or something then sure, come in and defend your position, otherwise please lets not have the debate...it hasn't be resolved outside of this forum it isn't likely to get resolved in here either...

I take it back. I have one more thing to say.
There shouldn't be segregation and separation in this forum.
you can't expect to start a thread then try to regulate who responds.

it seems like these days, you can't have a conversation on here without someone getting defensive and starting an argument or debate. There is nothing to debate, I'm not saying one lifestyle is better than the other. Although a few veggie Ledgies have....

what if I started a "any Catholic Ledgies thread" and then tried to say people of other religions couldn't post or give opinions?
not very nice, is it?
I've stayed nice, and will continue to do so. I apologize for intruding on "your" vegetarian thread. It won't happen again.