I'm a vegan 2/3 of the year (Orthodox Christian fasting calendar is pretty hardcore).
There are un-intended consequences to being vegetarian, although you may save sheep cattle pigs and poultry, the land needed to sustain a vegetarian lifestyle requires more plowed land unfortunately this cuts into habitat for wild life- Deer, Raccoons, Birds and other animals. Unfortunately there is no simple answer to sustainability issues on either side of the meat no meat dinner table. Eating meat causes it's problems as does vegetarianism. Life is never simple
I'm a vegan 2/3 of the year (Orthodox Christian fasting calendar is pretty hardcore).
A vegetarian recipes thread is in order I would think!
There are un-intended consequences to being vegetarian, although you may save sheep cattle pigs and poultry, the land needed to sustain a vegetarian lifestyle requires more plowed land unfortunately this cuts into habitat for wild life- Deer, Raccoons, Birds and other animals. Unfortunately there is no simple answer to sustainability issues on either side of the meat no meat dinner table. Eating meat causes it's problems as does vegetarianism. Life is never simple
Yep, my whole family has been since before I was born, I've never eaten meat and don't intend to try.The exception is of course survival situations where if I can catch it I'd probably eat it. I do drink milk and eat eggs if they're in a cake or something. I love the fact that after mad cows disease they have become stricter about labeling sweets, Gelatine (bovine) stops the temptation
When I do get a strop I plan to get that vegan one I've seen by somebody on this list.
The mistake a lot of people that I speak to make is that we just eat the same food minus the meat which would leave mashed butternut, potato's and peas in a cream sauce. Not very nutritious at all
Have a look at www.goveg.com for some very nice recipes and products.
Oh, come on... I can't let you get away with that. It takes 16 lbs of grain to "make" one pound of meat. Cut out the meat, and you would have a lot less agriculture.
Good for you! My son is 8 years old, and I fear that he'll eat a cheeseburger when he becomes a teenager. If that's the worst thing he does, I'll consider myself lucky.
First, I must compliment you on your grace; clearly, you're concerned with being polite, both as a guest and a host.I've never minded Vegetarianism and can even respect those who practice it, at least those who aren't preachy and pushy about it. I myself am an omnivore, I prefer to take and process my own meat, whether it's from the woods (venison) or my uncles farm (beef), so I tend to get a little hands on with my food production.
The one issue I have with it (and this drives my wife nuts lol) is that when we are guests at their respective houses we're given a vegan/vegetarian meal, which in my true MN way will eat and sometimes enjoy. However, when they're a guest in my house I can't serve a meal with meat to them without offending them. I'm forced to prepare a meatless meal for everyone or prepare a side meal for them. For some reason this sits wrong with me, I have not been able to find a truly diplomatic way around this issue, any suggestions?
First, I must compliment you on your grace; clearly, you're concerned with being polite, both as a guest and a host.
This can be a complicated issue for some folks; shared meals are one of the cornerstones of social interaction, and things can get sticky when guests have different dietary restrictions and/or preferences. For my part, I never expect a host to accommodate my needs, but I'm always touched when someone goes to the trouble to provide for me, doubly so because I have a few food allergies that can inhibit even some vegetarian chefs. If I'm attending a function at which I expect no veg-friendly food, I simply eat beforehand. That said, I realize that some hosts may be uncomfortable if I don't eat at their tables. Catch 22.
Ultimately, I think it's a matter of how far you're willing/able to go in order to make your guests comfortable. I suspect most would be able to provide a non-alcoholic beverage when entertaining a tea-totaller, and I hope nobody would serve ham to a devout Muslim or Jew with the expectation that it would be eaten.
My best suggestion: If you're hosting vegetarians or vegans, and feel unable to make appropriate provisions, just tell them what you'll be serving in advance, as nicely as possible, and don't expect them to eat meat because that's what's on the menu. I've been invited to many cook-outs, and never been offended when my host notes that the centerpiece of the meal will be burgers and wings.
People come to vegetarianism for many, many reasons, but it's rarely a casual choice, and it's not something that will be set aside for the sake of convenience or a sense of social obligation. If you can stretch to serving a special meal, the thought and effort will always be appreciated; if you can't, no harm done, but you shouldn't take offense when your guests pass up the roast.
First, I must compliment you on your grace; clearly, you're concerned with being polite, both as a guest and a host.
This can be a complicated issue for some folks; shared meals are one of the cornerstones of social interaction, and things can get sticky when guests have different dietary restrictions and/or preferences. For my part, I never expect a host to accommodate my needs, but I'm always touched when someone goes to the trouble to provide for me, doubly so because I have a few food allergies that can inhibit even some vegetarian chefs. If I'm attending a function at which I expect no veg-friendly food, I simply eat beforehand. That said, I realize that some hosts may be uncomfortable if I don't eat at their tables. Catch 22.
Ultimately, I think it's a matter of how far you're willing/able to go in order to make your guests comfortable. I suspect most would be able to provide a non-alcoholic beverage when entertaining a tea-totaller, and I hope nobody would serve ham to a devout Muslim or Jew with the expectation that it would be eaten.
My best suggestion: If you're hosting vegetarians or vegans, and feel unable to make appropriate provisions, just tell them what you'll be serving in advance, as nicely as possible, and don't expect them to eat meat because that's what's on the menu. I've been invited to many cook-outs, and never been offended when my host notes that the centerpiece of the meal will be burgers and wings.
People come to vegetarianism for many, many reasons, but it's rarely a casual choice, and it's not something that will be set aside for the sake of convenience or a sense of social obligation. If you can stretch to serving a special meal, the thought and effort will always be appreciated; if you can't, no harm done, but you shouldn't take offense when your guests pass up the roast.
I'm not a vegetarian, but with the prices on meat going up like they are I'm almost one. My youngest son was a vegetarian for about five years but was always kinda weak during that time. No real stamina or strength. Finally, he started eating fish and that balanced him out. He feels better and is stronger. He still won't eat any other type of meat though. He doesn't have a moral issue with it, he just don't like the taste or smell.