After one week and countless obstacles to evade (my brother waving bacon in my face, watching my friends chow down on Fletcher's hamburgers and resisting the call of Philly Cheasesteak Lean Pockets from my freezer), I have managed to completely abstain from meat. Don't worry, I'll pat myself on the back.
Today my boss, after informing him that I had jumped on the vegetarian bandwagon, asked me if I'm doing okay. To which I replied: "uh yeah, it's not like I stopped eating."
The feedback for vegetarians is predictably non-diverse. When you tell people that you don't eat meat they typically reply with one of two responses:
1) Dude, you're off your f*ing rocker.
or
2) That's so eco-friendly of you!
At this point I'm deciding whether or not either of these comments motivates me or discourages me. One would think that both would encourage. Undoubtedly, the first fuels a "me against the world" flame that can't be extinguished. However, the latter has done more harm than good for my vegetarian mindset.
Sure I am happy to be playing my part in a sustainable world, but it'd be easier to feel good about it if I didn't have to hear the eye-roll inducing chirping of the granola mountain earth brigade every time I motion for a pile of carrots. An example of this would be my good friend and anarchist, we'll call him Roger Thor, suggesting that I start eating lentils because they're "a magical little bean," or whatever.
My point here is, that in order for vegetarianism to become more ingrained in United States culture, there need to be more iconic role models to follow. American youth don't look to Natalie Portman to craft their consumption habits after, certainly not while Donovan McNabb is pumping Cambell's Chunky Soup.
Average citizens may be more inclined to reduce their carbon footprint through their diet if we had more appealing (less annoying) spokespersons for the vegetarian lifestyle (if you can call it that). At this point, I'm not sure who to suggest. But if they don't wear a bandana or any article of hemp clothing, they'll have a better chance at being effective.
I'll tell you what though, as long as Chipotle's cilantro lime rice, guacamole and plethora of salsas are fresh and tasty, their chicken is nothing more than an afterthought to me.
Peace and love,
TT
Lentils are a magical bean; a lot of protein in those tiny guys. This Roger Thor character must know what he is talking about!
ReplyDeleteSolidarity brother, I haven't had a green vegetable or fruit in a week.
ReplyDeleteJust to be fair, less nutritional value doesn't mean less carbon footprint. Whether a food is local and pastured matters far more than whether it's meat or just pre-meat. Your Chipotle salsa alone had a bigger carbon footprint than the 9lbs of steak I ate this week; well, this week so far.
Remember to drink plenty of whole milk, science has proven it turns calves into bulls. Calves into bulls, that's irrefutable.
Good luck,
Salty.
Roger Thor, hahahaha. I agree that it is a responsible decision for individuals to be mindful of their diets. However, food is one of the good things in life and to intentionally starve one's self from preferred options is probably driven by egotistical motives. It seems that our current approach to dieting is one of absolutes; i am a vegetarian and therefore never eat meat or, I'm a carnivore and eat it all the time. A middle ground doesn't seem to be a current practice. Thoughts TT?
ReplyDeleteDo you think Ricky Rubio would go for this diet?
ReplyDeleteFrom, Jerry
Billy: Intentionally starve one's self? That is not what vegetarianism.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't consider myself a vegetarian, but more of a freegan. I won't purchase any animal products (dairy and meat), but will consume animal products that will go to waste or are dumpstered/free or wild.
My biggest environmental/social concern against eating meat, is the amount of feedstock (corn), land, and energy that must be used to raise an animal. It doesn't make sense with our energy crisis, environmental crisis, and food/hunger crisis.
Starving in the sense of depriving. Probably should have used a different verb, but thought "starve" would fit in two senses, one being a bit sarcastic. I commend you for your decision; I'm not saying it's a bad thing. However, what type of "-ism" could appeal to a broader audience? You fit into a niche that, like Travis is talking about, is distant from the general public.
ReplyDelete