When I started telling people in my life of my recent decision, they completely flipped the switch. These weren't just random people who I couldn't care less about either, they were friends, as well as family, who mean the world to me. To be honest, I was a little shocked and disappointed. They literally reacted like I was coming out of the closet. That would have been the exact reaction I would have expected if that had been the case, (although if I was, shame on you for reacting that way anyway!) In reality, I'm simply changing my eating ways. Now let me explain, if I was saying I was going to stop eating in general, start on some drugs, or tell them I'm pregnant, those reactions would have been completely understandable. I am proud to say, none of those were the case. I won't use anything specific in attempt not to offend anybody, but, I was literally arguing CONSTANTLY with different people about it from 3 pm on Sunday, to 9 pm. I've gotta say, I'm exhausted. Also, I'm not willing to argue this for the rest of my life, when my mind is already made up. So, here is my LAST and FINAL argument about becoming, and remaining, a Vegetarian.
Why:
Well, originally, when I was going out to eat or just plain out eating what was in front of me, I was never thinking, "Hmm... I wonder how this got here?" I was too busy thinking, "Mmmm. Deep fried chicken, you rock my life."
Yes, I had met previous people who were Vegetarian, but I wasn't really close with them, so once again, I dismissed any entry of thought to that.
My curiosity was peeked, however, when I became good friends with a Vegetarian. The more I hung around him, the more thought I put into it. He's been a Vegetarian for nine years now, and I'd consider him a fairly smart individual, so I found myself wondering what the reason behind it was. A nine year commitment is nothing to joke about after all.
So, I tried it out for a week. Nobody seemed to care then, because they thought I wouldn't stick with it. I'll admit, I didn't. I had fun trying new things on different menus, but I wasn't really "getting into it" per say. I wasn't substituting my lack of meat for other protein items or doing any research on it. I only did it because I was curious. So, when the end of the week came, I found myself eating a chicken sandwich, ONLY, I started feeling wierd about it. I continued for the next week to eat meat, but I found myself doing it much less, and still feeling wierd about it, but I couldn't really pin point why.
After being argued with endlessly the other day, and some of you practically daring me to say I have a good reason or doing this, I was able to find ALL of my reasons. So, I guess I owe you guys a big, fat, thank you :)
My own personal reasons that I'm willing to discuss:
- Let's get stereotypical, part of me is doing this for the animals. I don't care what your argument is on "Animals are created for hunting as part of the circle of life." Thing is, I feel like it's out of hand.
Example A:
Example B (and I will warn you, this one is a little brutal, so if you feel the need to skip it, go right ahead.):
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Example C:
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I'll admit, I can see Example C being more of an opinion, but come on, we're hitting the million and billions? Isn't that a tad overkill? Not to mention the way the majority of them really are treated, that's insane. Most people would rather just not think about it though because being a Vegetarian is such a huge switch, and let's be honest, who doesn't like the easy route?
Moving on to my next reason:
It's healthier all around. I mean, obviously if you go around eating french fries and ice cream for every meal of the day, that's not healthier. Being a Vegetarian requires the SAME DIET RULES as a person who eats meat, the only difference is, Vegetarians get benefits ;)
There is a very long list of different benefits, so I will only name a few that I saw constantly repeated on different websites such as these:
http://www.vegsource.com/articles/veg_definition.htm
http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/nutrition_&_eating_concerns/being_a_vegetarian.php
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/why-go-veg-learn-about-becoming-a-vegetarian/
Less risk of:
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Kidney Stones
- High blood pressure
Plus:
- Builds strong bones
- Greater life span (it looks like the average ended up being around 4 more years for ladies and around 7 for gentlemen)
- Better Immune System
Still not convinced? No worries, I have more ;)
NEXT:
I started thinking, "Geez, there sure are a lot of plus sides, but I'm sure there are downsides too, and I should probably know what they are." So, I went out of my way to find some.
Below is a link to the blog: No Meat Athlete. A blog by a Vegetarian who is a runner, and oddly enough, got his 10 minute reduced time AFTER he became a Vegetarian. Food for thought?
For those of you who want the quick version, it's basically him listing negative things about being a Vegetarian like,"Not as many options when you go out to eat", or "Cooking isn't as much fun". Really, they are basically a bunch of opinions that could be argued with, and he even adds a nice little plus side (basically arguing with himself) right afterwards. However, the heads up was nice, and he's quite the writer as well.
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/7-things-that-suck-about-being-vegetarian/
But of course, I didn't want to rely on just one resource, so I did a little more looking around through Yahoo users.
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The only thing I was getting really concerned about, was what I was going to do about protein. Leading me to search: Facts and Myths on being a Vegetarian.
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=1876
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/vegetarian-diet-myths/
Oh look, problem solved. I found a lot of sites that read the whole "you can't get the same protein" blah, blah, whatever, it's a Myth. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely not the same as just swallowing a chunk of meat and getting that protein, but it really isn't much harder than knowing what protein is in, (eggs, nuts, etc.) and all of that, is stuff that I eat anyway. So... what's the big deal again?
Wrapping this up, it helps the environment SO MUCH.
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Yes, I used screen shots on my phone, yes, I find it sad that none of these pictures read that I got a text during that whole time.... :) Natalie= Super lame.
World Hunger? Wow. I think that's sort of awesome. Honestly, that really caught my attention as well. Isn't that something we've been trying to solve for a while now?
I know there are so many more things that could be argued with and against this topic, but like I said, I'm tired of arguing. I want you guys to know, this post was not meant to offend or "convert" anyone, you may do whatever you please. It is simply me trying to help you understand why I am doing whatever I please, and why I am done arguing about it. Because... it's really not up for debate :)
If worse comes to worse, you at least got to learn some random facts to help you argue with other people about this particular subject, right?
Natalie, over and out.
