Vegetarians Rock
Sometimes I get asked why I don’t eat meat. By people I’ve recently become friends with, neighbors too, or old friends that I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s a legitimate question, especially in a society where eating meat is the socially acceptable norm. However, this question makes me a little uncertain around whoever has put it forward, and as usual I always think of something appropriate to say well after the moment has gone.
There are a few factors that have contributed to my decision not to consume meat, and I’m often hesitant to respond for fear of ridicule from people unknowingly trying to challenge my position or mocking my personal beliefs. People will often ask in order to make a comment such as ‘I know where my meat comes from’ or even make the judgment that I’ll become weak and unhealthy.
As for the ridicule, it starts with, you know, ‘this would taste better with a big slab of meat on it’ or ‘but carrots have feelings too’. Yes, I was raised where eating meat was part of the norm, however in my years as a young adult I have gathered inspiration from being a citizen of the world and made my own decisions to no longer continue that, and when I enter a room, it is not to convert you to vegetarianism. However, there are aspects of being a vegetarian that I’d like to share and encourage others to think about.
Meat-free Mondays is an initiative launched in the United Kingdom by Sir Paul McCartney and his daughters Mary and Stella in 2009. This is a concept that does not discourage meat eaters, but encourages the exploration of vegetarian meals for all people that can not only be beneficial for ourselves and our bodies, but also for our environment. The idea is to have at least one day a week where all meals are meat-free.
The consumption of meat and meat products is one that can be complicated and use a lot of the world’s resources such as water and land. Rajendra Pachauri, UN’s top climate scientist states that ‘people should consider eating less meat as a way of combating global warming. UN figures suggest that meat production puts more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than transport’, and for one meal a week, this could really be a worth while ‘sacrifice’, if meat is in your daily intake.
Further to meat free Mondays, for all of you interested in seeking out new eating habits, is the Vegan Easy Challenge taking part from March 1 – 30, 2011. The program offers a chance for people to trial a vegan diet (no animal products whatsoever), with support and information for people who decide to partake. VeganEasy.org has a wide range of information regarding animal rights, health components of being vegan and best of all, community profiles of real people living real, vegan lives. The website also provides meal ideas and recipes for you try out that explain adequate and nutritious meat and dairy replacements.
“Why Vegan, you might ask? There is a lot of background information that you may not know about not just the meat that you purchase, but other animal products including milk (and other dairy), eggs or honey. Although these items can be naturally produced by animals, one of the main reasons they are not included in a vegan diet is because of the situations in which we, as humans, force animals into, where producing these items is all they will ever do.
Yes, making honey may not hurt the bees. However, bees were not intended to be factory farmed in artificial living conditions and controlled by humans for the entirety of their lives. Similar stories are told for both milk and eggs, with unnatural, forced living conditions becoming the animals lives for the sole purpose of producing an item for us to eat.
So, I wrote this so that I could ask you a question. Not as an opportunity to argue your values, but for a personal opportunity for you to realign your thoughts on the modern world and what’s important to your life goals. Are you willing to explore the realms of non-meat meal options, even if just for one day a week?
