Vegetarian hippie freaks!

[twirlgrrl]

I found this article amusing. This is how I felt when I was vegetarian, at least once I got out into the "real world" where vegetarians are very much in the minority. When I was living, schooling and working in Adventist institutions I wasn't so much set apart.

I've been vegetarian for several long chunks in my life and I'm sure I will be again. I can almost feel it coming these days.

http://www.slate.com/id/2190872/

Comments

a sheltered existence

[canetoad.livejournal.com]

I've never lived or run in circles where vegetarians were treated like visiting aliens. At least not as an adult (by which I mean 19 and living away from home). One of my dearest friends, who has a knack for clever funny writing, could've written this article -- except that I'm fairly certain he hasn't ever had these problems either!

Of course, I grew up in (progressive, or at least live-and-let-live) Vermont, then moved to (don't f*ck with me/I won't f*ck with you) New York City, and from there on to Bezerkeley.

Living here in El Cerrito, I did once have a babysitter stare at the plate of leftovers I was having for lunch and say in a startled voice, "Are you a vegetarian??" (No, I just eat lots of vegetable.)

I talked with the family recently about the idea of eating vegetarian for a while. Rose had no opinion; Calvin and Nina were very concerned about the loss of STEAK. :)

I've practiced vegetarianism at various times in my life, and I'd be happy to return to it now. I'm feeling a bit daunted, though, with three kids to feed. What a) is not labor-intensive b) cooks quickly c) is tasty to my kids' palates? I fear I would have to starve them temporarily until they realized that several Old Favorites would not be forthcoming and caved. I get enough flak serving stuff I think they LIKE.

Re: a sheltered existence

[twirlgrrl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, vegetarians aren't necessarily treated as freaks out here, but how many actual vegetarians do you know? It's the distinct minority of your friend set, right?

I haven't really been frowned at while vegetarian, but it sure did seem to throw people off sometimes. Even at Sequim it was definitely noticed and remarked upon a bunch. Probably because people were trying to figure out what to feed us, but when we were veg we brought our own protein usually. Now I still have some restrictive dietary choices but because I include *some* kinds of meat I don't get noticed the same way. It's funny, even my mother-in-law, who is ethnically but not religiously Jewish, can't remember not to bring pork or shellfish over! You'd think it wouldn't be hard for her to remember chicken and beef. But since she never stayed away from treyf, she doesn't think of it.

I understand not wanting to give up STEAK. Steak and bacon are what keep me non-veg, ultimately. But I do want to switch again sometime, at least for a while.

Do the kids like that hard flavored tofu? I know Blue really does. And we eat a lot of Morningstar Farms products. We get them by the case through my church for much cheaper than retail. And of course there's always rice and beans, and eggs and cheese if you keep dairy. I think protein is overrated anyway.

Re: a sheltered existence

[canetoad.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of my friends do what we do -- they move in and out of it over time, as suits their needs and tastes. A few have always been and always will be vegetarians. I never really thought about it as yes/no majority/minority.

None of us really like the flavored tofu; it's got a poor texture and is generally way too salty. And the Morningstar stuff has the same problems with the addition of using a lot of wheat gluten, which cranks on my joints. One three out of the five of us care for beans.

I think having any kind of strict diet stuff in a big household is bound to be a pain in the ass. I should just get over it.

Re: a sheltered existence

[canetoad.livejournal.com]

only three, not one three. :)

Re: a sheltered existence

[twirlgrrl.livejournal.com]

Don't you all have individual special diets also? Or at least three of you? I don't know how you handle all that. We are so non-special in our diet comparatively. Things like wheat, nuts, dairy, salt, soy, whatever... we eat it all.

[ninjalie.livejournal.com]

Great article, it managed to capture a lot of my opinions. Being veggie isn't so bad these days anyway.

[twirlgrrl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's a lot easier than it used to be! Although it was always easy when I was living and working in Adventist places.

[sagefemme11.livejournal.com]

I feel a possible dip into the warm pool of vegetarian starting to beckon as well.

[twirlgrrl.livejournal.com]

It's nice to give the body a break from processing flesh, isn't it. Although, you and I would both really miss BACON...