Vegetarianism

When I was in college I made the decision to no longer eat animals. Seven years later, I still get irritated with the question, "Why are you a vegetarian?" I also can't stand the, "How do you get your protein?" question….

But that's a whole other can of beans...

I have several reasons for making that decision. If you are interested in my reasons…continue on. 

"Humans are the only animals that have children on purpose, keep in touch (or don't), care about birthdays, waste and lose time, brush their teeth, feel nostalgia, scrub stains, have religions and political parties and laws, wear keepsakes, apologize years after an offense, whisper, fear themselves, interpret dreams, hide their genitalia, shave, bury time capsules, and can choose not to eat something for a reason of conscience. The justification for eating animals and for not eating them are often identical: we are not them." 

                    EATING ANIMALS, by Jonathan Safran Foer 

I don't eat animals because: 

1. I have never enjoyed the taste of meat. 
2. I disagree with the mass production of animals, and the way our "food" is treated.
3. The amount of animals that die as a result of killing other animals is incalculable; however, it is estimated that 26 pounds of other sea animals are killed and tossed back into the ocean for every 1 pound of shrimp. Sounds like a waste to me... 
4. I can't see the difference between choosing to eat a hamburger, and not choosing to eat my dog. An internal conflict of judging the worth of a life. 
5. I refuse to believe that animal protein is the end-all-be-all to my health.
6. Define "food"...case in point, hot dogs.

Interested In Giving Up Meat??Here are a few resources: 

1. A good book to read is Eating Animals, link above.The book isn't persuasive per se, it's more informational.  
2. If you're a little pre-contemplative, I  suggest trying out a few vegetarian recipes and give yourself a week or so trial run. I ate meat for 18 years, so of course it was an adjustment. However, once you find your own reasons and beliefs, the rest is easy. Also check out my Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants page. 
3. A website to visit is : No Meat Athlete. This guy gives you a "How To" on beginning vegetarianism. I really want a shirt.

  

Also a great video of the annoying questions vegetarians are asked.