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bethofalltrades at 07:16pm on 15/05/2008 under lifestyle choices, my writing, vegetarianism
bethofalltrades at 07:16pm on 15/05/2008 under lifestyle choices, my writing, vegetarianismA couple of days ago (I keep wanting to say "this weekend," but now I can have CRAZYROCKFUNWORK during the week too), a new friend asked if I was a vegetarian.
I've flirted with the concept on a regular basis for years. I've gone months without eating meat. At 16 I stopped eating meat for a while because Jorja Fox had an epiphany while eating a meatball sandwich in Brooklyn that SHE needed to be a vegetarian and I really really really wanted to be like her. But despite the frequent flirtations, I've never felt solid enough in the desire to be a vegetarian to actually BE a vegetarian.
I have, for the past few years, been pretty comfortable with the way I eat, at least with regards to meat.
Yet, when my new friend asked "Are you a vegetarian," I felt... guilty.
Vegetarianism is healthier for me. (I'm not going to make blanket statements about other people. I know that some people metabolize meat more easily than others and I'm one of those others.) As a vegetarian, I would have less of an impact on world resources than I would if I continued to eat meat. It's hypocritical to hate the live poultry store down the street because the chickens there are packed into crates with no room to move when I continue to EAT THEM.
Vegetarianism is more aligned with my ideals of non-violence, kindness and compassion.
Vegetarianism MAKES SENSE for me. I know this. That's why I felt guilty.
I had my meatball sandwich epiphany in a Whole Foods in the South End of Boston.
Love,
Beth
I've flirted with the concept on a regular basis for years. I've gone months without eating meat. At 16 I stopped eating meat for a while because Jorja Fox had an epiphany while eating a meatball sandwich in Brooklyn that SHE needed to be a vegetarian and I really really really wanted to be like her. But despite the frequent flirtations, I've never felt solid enough in the desire to be a vegetarian to actually BE a vegetarian.
I have, for the past few years, been pretty comfortable with the way I eat, at least with regards to meat.
Yet, when my new friend asked "Are you a vegetarian," I felt... guilty.
Vegetarianism is healthier for me. (I'm not going to make blanket statements about other people. I know that some people metabolize meat more easily than others and I'm one of those others.) As a vegetarian, I would have less of an impact on world resources than I would if I continued to eat meat. It's hypocritical to hate the live poultry store down the street because the chickens there are packed into crates with no room to move when I continue to EAT THEM.
Vegetarianism is more aligned with my ideals of non-violence, kindness and compassion.
Vegetarianism MAKES SENSE for me. I know this. That's why I felt guilty.
I had my meatball sandwich epiphany in a Whole Foods in the South End of Boston.
Love,
Beth
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ANYWAY, good for you. Seriously. I'm not actively vegetarian now--I just rarely eat meat--but when I have been, it's been for the reasons you explored here, and I think you're right on.
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