I have been toying with the idea of becoming a vegetarian for quite a while now (around 8 months) and after a very meat laden bank holiday weekend, (and feeling rather unhealthy from it) I've finally committed to the idea and putting it into practice.So, it's the 26th of August 2014, and as of today, I will not have any meat within my diet. I intend to start my vegetarian diet on the basis of a six week challenge, as I don't want to fall short if I feel like this diet has to be forever.
I guess the want to not eat meat started when I was studying for my Masters Degree. One of my lecturers was vegan, and she educated us somewhat into how eating meat was bad for the environment (i.e., more animals means more greenhouse gasses being produced, that the larger animals, such as cattle, required more food to sustain themselves than humans, etc), and it got me thinking. It then got to the point where I would go to the supermarkets, see the whole cuts of meats, like legs and whole chickens, and it would make me think: "That is an animal that was walking around and alive not too long ago" and I didn't like that thought.
I think it has taken me so long to actually put a concious effort into trying a vegetarian diet because I didn't know the facts. I didn't realise the amount of foods that I already eat that are a good source of protein (Beans, Nuts, Eggs etc) as well as a lot of foods I already eat containing enough iron for me too (Cereals, Spinach, Hummus etc). Thinking about it, the biggest thing that was in the way of me trying a meat-free diet is the taste of meat. Gosh, do I like meat. Whenever I go out to a restaurant that has reasonably priced steak, then that is what I will order, without fail. However, when steak isn't an option, within the last 6 months or so, I have chosen the vegetarian option on the menu more often than not, so I can't see that restaurant dining will be too difficult for me to manage.
From about 6 months ago, I decided not to eat meat during the week for my lunchtime meals, switching out ham for cheese, or not having it at all. I would however still eat meat as and when on the weekends, partly due to others cooking for me, partly due to it being the weekend, and that's for pigging out!
I've not told anyone within my family, or friends that I am doing this yet (in case I fall at the first hurdle) but I've managed to get out out of having Sheppard's Pie tonight by saying that I didn't really fancy it, but with a Chicken Curry planned later on this week, I can't really get out of that with "I don't like it", as it's one of the meals I look forward to, so I'll need to think of a plan by then!
So, this whole blog is just pretty much a little insight into how I'm coping with a meat-free diet over the next six weeks, how others react to my decision (I know my family will think I'm losing my mind), what sorts of things I'm eating when others around me are eating meat, and whether I feel as if the absence of meat is doing me good, mentally and physically, or whether it does the complete opposite!
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