Vegetarianism

One of my best friends is a vegetarian.  He has been since he was in University many years ago.  He was exposed to information and footage about the treatment of animals in the process of getting meat to our tables.  His wife and three children are also vegetarians, but his parents and other family members are not.

I really admire his conviction.  It's not easy being a vegetarian in a society of meat eaters, especially years ago when there were very few food options like there are today.  I on the other hand am a big hypocrite.  I cringe at the thought of killing animals for food, I love animals.  But yet I actively eat beef and chicken.  Sure, I don't eat veal and have made some small stances, but big deal.  I love reading the posts about Kyle caring for his piglet and attempting to keep it alive, and then I realize that ultimately it is for food.  I then cringe at Vlad's post about going down to kill it and make it into all kinds of sausage..  I know how hypocritical this is, and I really should just not eat meat.  But I do.

One thing about my vegetarian friend is that he never lectures or bugs people about their choices.  He just makes his and goes about his business.  But I wish I could say this was the same for him.

I can't tell you the number of times I have seen people kind of gasp in horror when they find out he is vegetarian, and then start to question him about his health and of his kids.  Then they have to "brag" about how much meat they eat.  Wow...good for you!  What a man you are, you must have an oversized truck and a little dick too!

These are often the same people that live on meat and potato chips, never touch a vegetable and then accuse him of not being healthy.  After all you need Protien!  Well no shit, you need that and a lot of other things too!  Like vitamins and minerals.  You really can get all of that from other things like fruit and vegetables, eggs and cheese!

I eat meat and I had such an iron deficiency it was almost blood transfusion time.  Did my vegetarian friend have that problem?  No!  I know it is hard to do things that are different than what is considered "normal", but as many in this challenge have been writing, so what!  Do what is right for you, think of how your choices impact your family and the world around you.