Folks have various
reasons for becoming vegetarian. Some people don’t eat meat because they have a
heartfelt connection to animals and feel deep concern for animal welfare. That
is not why I am a vegetarian. Some people are vegetarian because they are
concerned about the health of the planet and its dwindling resources, as it
takes less land, water and power to raise vegetables and grains for human consumption
than for meat production. That’s not
really me either. Some people are vegetarians because they understand the
health risks behind eating meat. Meat can clog the intestines and arteries.
Meat is an acidic food and the body is healthier in an alkaline state. Nope,
not really me either. Though, I have come to embrace the above attitudes they
are not the original reason I stopped eating meat. I had just had enough! When my marriage to a farmer, and his large
herd of cows ended, I was so relieved to not broil, bake or fry the endless supply
of roasts, ribs, shoulder cuts, and rumps, that I just stopped cooking and
eating it altogether. What joy! Meatless
meals! Meals with vegetables and rice and pasta! Now I could concentrate on the
other parts of the meal I liked to prepare: the pasta parts and the stir fry
parts and best of all the dessert parts.
No more trying to figure out some way to turn the roast into an exciting
entrée. Having never really been a meat
lover, I had finally found myself inside of a vegetarian cookbook. Yum! Now I
needed to learn how to be vegetarian. Everyone asks, “How do you get enough protein”?
Really, it’s not that hard. Cows, horses, elephants and I don’t know how many
other big animals survive and thrive on an all-vegetable diet. I need about 45
grams of protein a day and it is very easy to get with nuts, beans and maybe a
little protein powder for good measure. Vegetables have protein. I enjoy
cooking a lot more now that I don’t have to deal with the dreaded “big hunk of
meat”. Yes, Thanksgiving is vegetarian.
Veggie lasagna anyone?
P.S. The kids took the veggie Thanksgiving fairly well.
I love veggies. I am not so into beef or pork. However, I really like fish and chicken. I am proud of you to have a vegetarian Thanksgiving. That actually sound like a fun way to spend the day.. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, Kelly. I enjoy my meat, but there are many days where I just like to have a meatless meal. It is okay to not eat meat everyday, contrary to popular belief! I grew up in a meat and potatoes world, and I do like it, however I like to vary my meals and want my children to be exposed to various types of food.
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