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BlueStar
November 27th, 2008, 11:58 AM
For years I felt uneasy about the fact I was eating meat, but I kept doing it anyway just because it just seemed easier....surely becoming a vegetarian would be a lot of hassle?

Well, at the start of this year I decided to act on that little voice of conscience and I stopped eating meat products.

Numerous things brought me to that decision: principally the horrendous suffering that is inflicted upon animals just so we can eat something we don't even need to eat, the fact that vegetarian diets are healthier and significantly reduce the likelihood of developing cancer and also the significant benefits to the environment. Also, it was in part motivated by spiritual leanings, and I was advised that spiritual advancement is aided by a light vegetarian diet. One of the final kicks I needed was seeing the comment that people who claim to love animals and yet eat them and thus participate in their enslavement, suffering and slaughter are hypocrites of the worst kind.

That hit home...big time. And like Leonardo da Vinci, the ultimate renaissance man said, feeding on animal flesh is feeding on death and making your body into little more than a tomb.

I can't do that any more.

Becoming vegetarian was surprisingly easy and I didn't miss meat products AT ALL. In fact, there is an abundance of meat-free products such as Quorn that are not only better for you (and the environment) but which are absolutely delicious. I can eat with a clean conscience. The very thought to consuming animal flesh is now quite repellent to me. I also feel healthier and lighter overall...I can definitely attest to the benefits of a meat free diet.

Although I am a fierce advocate of vegetarianism and will do what I can to promote the cause, I respect other people's rights to make their own moral and ethical choices. I just wish people would actually think a little bit more about what they are putting into their bodies however and the COST of doing so...many people are quite unconscious about what they eat and the suffering that animals have to endure just so they can habitually eat what they've always eaten without having to think about the consquences. I would invite people to spend the day at a slaughterhouse and see then if they are still happy knowing that animals have suffered horrifically (yes, even in our supposedly highly-regulated industries) just so they could stuff their bellies with their corpses when there is a abundance of healthier and blood-free alternatives to choose from.

I don't mean to offend anyone, merely inform. I also don't want to go into debate. I don't do debating. I just state my cause and let it be and I let it go. Once expressed, there is no point in trying to win arguments. This is just, um, food for thought...

If there are any other vegetarians here I would love to hear your stories and chat about foods, recipes and meat free alternatives :)

planetlove
November 27th, 2008, 06:50 PM
I am a veggie....

What type of vegetarian are you ?

A vegan diet is a form of vegetarianism which excludes all animal products from the diet, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs and honey
Fruitarianism is a diet of only fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant matter that can be gathered without harming the plant.

Lacto-vegetarianism includes dairy products but excludes eggs

Ovo-vegetarianism includes eggs but not dairy

lacto-ovo-vegetarianism includes both eggs and dairy products.

Semi-vegetarianism consists of a diet largely of vegetarian foods, but may include fish and sometimes even poultry, as well as dairy products and eggs

pescetarianism (also called pesco-vegetarianism and described as a "vegetarian" diet that includes fish

vegetarianism originating in Buddhism, excludes all animal products as well as the fetid vegetables: onion, garlic, scallions, leeks, or shallots.

Macrobiotic diet is a diet of mostly whole grains and beans. Not all macrobiotics are vegetarians, as some consume fish.

Raw veganism is a diet of fresh and uncooked fruit, nuts, seeds, and vegetables.

Dietary veganism: whereas vegans do not use animal products of any kind, dietary vegans restrict their veganism to their diet.



I am a lacto ovo vegeterian....
a few yrs ago my body told me what it needed...
I got very sensitive to meat and eggs.....
now i eat eggs again....

In canada its very easy to be a vegetarian most restaurants cater for veggies...
I Found it very hard to get a away from eggs in most products....

Why am I a vegeterian ? This has nothing to do with the killing of animals like some ...."I think that the wrong way to think" ......

I do it for its health benifits and also because it's makes me feel healthy...mind body and spirit...

I am not saying that i will never eat meat again but , for now this is what my body wants and needs....

BlueStar
November 29th, 2008, 06:44 PM
I occasionally eat tuna or salmon but apart from that no meat (and I'm soon gonna cut those out too as I feel guilty about it!). I still eat dairy products but try to ensure that they are free range and/or organic. There was an expose done on battery farming here in the UK earlier this year which was more than eye-opening. The suffering these animals endure is horrific so I try very hard to ensure I eat free range dairy products.

Soooo.....this will be my first veggie Christmas, so what alternatives do you recommend to turkey? Quorn roast is a possibility, or nut roast or something.

Rana
April 22nd, 2009, 03:51 AM
i have a sister who has been a vegetarian for most her life ..and occasionally it crossed my mind over the years but nothing really stuck to where i knew to do it.. but recently ive been thinking alot about this ,being a vegetarian especially as i get older ..i think we are meant to go off meat when we get older ..so ill be exploring the idea over the next few years ..definately why not ..

Lion Spirit Walker
April 23rd, 2009, 05:05 AM
I didn't realize there were so many classifications of being a vegetarian.
I would probably fall under the category of 'semivegetarianism, in that I rarely eat fish and fowl and cosume dairy.
As I became more ill with AIDS, my body made it loud and clear to me that I Needed more fruits, vegetables, and nuts than anything else. I actually crave more fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Meat consumption makes me very ill, so I avoid it.
My body and mind are healthier as a result.
I recieve what amino acids my body requires through Whey protein. I supplement my diet with a multi-vitamin/mineral.
I can easily stop eating fish and fowl.
Thank You Lucid. :) I think I will.

BlueStar
April 23rd, 2009, 03:40 PM
i have a sister who has been a vego for most her life ..and occasionally it crossed my mind over the years but nothing really stuck to where i knew to do it.. but recently ive been thinking alot about this ,being a vegetarian especially as i get older ..i think we are meant to go off meat when we get older ..so ill be exploring the idea over the next few years ..definately why not ..

Hi Rana, I think it starts as almost a little inner calling. It was like that with me. I just felt more and more than being vegetarian was something I wanted - or in fact HAD - to do. I kept putting it off because I thought it would be so much hassle, but in fact it was easy as pie! I thought I'd miss certain things, but in reality I didn't miss them AT ALL. The moment you make the commitment and get over thoughts of 'it'll be so difficult', it's actually remarkably easy, it just takes some time to get used to changing your eating habits. There are so many delicious meat alternatives - I love the Quorn range of products. They are tasty, convenient and cheaper than meat! Plus so much better for you - and the animals, obviously. I recommend gradually phasing meat out; I stopped eating red meat first, then some months later stopped eating chicken and other white meat, then later I stopped eating fish. I think that was the easiest way for me. If you'd like any advice or anything, then I'd love to help, so just let me know and I'll try my best. Trust me, you won't regret giving up meat - not only do you feel lighter and healthier physically but it's also a huge weight off the conscience for animal lovers like us :)


I didn't realize there were so many classifications of being a vegetarian.
I would probably fall under the category of 'semivegetarianism, in that I rarely eat fish and fowl and cosume dairy.
As I became more ill with AIDS, my body made it loud and clear to me that I Needed more fruits, vegetables, and nuts than anything else. I actually crave more fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Meat consumption makes me very ill, so I avoid it.
My body and mind are healthier as a result.
I recieve what amino acids my body requires through Whey protein. I supplement my diet with a multi-vitamin/mineral.
I can easily stop eating fish and fowl.
Thank You Lucid. :) I think I will.

I'm glad you've found a diet that is helping , Michael. I think a lot of it comes down to listening to our body. I always found red meat was very heavy and I never felt very good after eating it. I also think it's not great for very sensitive people; the vibrations of the animals who spend their last moments in intense fear and distress carry into the food and then into us.

What kind of whey protein do you take? I mentioned that I love the quorn range, there's also tofu - bit of an acquired taste but i really like smoked tofu. There are actually so many alternatives on the market that we're spoilt for choice :)

BlueStar
April 23rd, 2009, 07:28 PM
Interesting this should come up - I just found the following article online. Basically if you want to help the Earth then perhaps the best thing you can actually do is go vegetarian....

From http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/is-vegetarian-the-new-prius/

We can’t have an Earth Day without stopping to consider how significantly industrialized farming and our diets are affecting the planet and animal welfare, in addition to the simple things we can do to change the direction things are going.

The article Vegetarian is the New Prius (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston/vegetarian-is-the-new-pri_b_39014.html) appeared some time ago in the Huffington Post, and begs the question, could it be so? Considering what we know about the effects of industrialized farming on the environment it may just be, and while the article is fairly old, the material is no less relevant today.

Taking into account that agriculture is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gasses, along with being a major cause of habitat loss, water usage and pollution, and of course an insane amount of antibiotic use, which could be making us sick, it seems that drastic and immediate change is called for. Not to mention, it’s the cause of suffering of millions of animals who are slaughtered each year.

From the article, “…feeding animals for meat, dairy, and egg production requires growing some ten times as much crops as we'd need if we just ate pasta primavera, faux chicken nuggets, and other plant foods. On top of that, we have to transport the animals to slaughterhouses, slaughter them, refrigerate their carcasses, and distribute their flesh all across the country. Producing a calorie of meat protein means burning more than ten times as much fossil fuels--and spewing more than ten times as much heat-trapping carbon dioxide--as does a calorie of plant protein. …researchers found that, when it's all added up, the average American does more to reduce global warming emissions by going vegetarian than by switching to a Prius.”

And if vegetarian is good, vegan is obviously an even better solution, and both are much simpler, and more cost effective, than buying a prius, solar panels and a composting toilet, with of course the ever so important benefit of alleviating the pain and anguish of farm animals.

If you need some inspiration, check out Farm Sanctuary’s new virtual tour that depicts the lives of farm animals and their Veg for Life campaign that includes lots of helpful tips for a veg lifestyle.

I’d also like to recommend Robin Robertson’s Vegan Planet, along with her blog. Both are full of great and easy recipes and have yet to let me down.

Lion Spirit Walker
April 24th, 2009, 03:30 AM
The Whey Protein I use comes from soy, milk, and wheat.
And I completely agree that it is better for the individual body as well as the Earth.
Thank you for very for the valubale information. Very appreciated.

Kiran
May 26th, 2009, 04:52 PM
I have just turned veggie and like most here...its something I have thought baout for a long time and as I mostly have veg or fish, thought it was a good time to go for it.
I do eat fish (mostly because of my age and associated oncoming issues with that!! lol) and plenty of nuts, seeds, fruit, veg and dairy products.
I changed mostly like V, for my health. I have had a hormonal imbalance and this has caused some problems for me. Due to the excessive amoutns of hormones pumped into meat etc, thought it was another avenue for me to try and re-dress the balance.
I have been off (furry) meat for a month now and have to say I feel much better health-wise.

Logio
June 5th, 2009, 07:36 PM
I tried vegetarianism for a while, but found that it diminished my energy. I admit that I eat meat, but keep to fowl and fish as much as possible. I do on rare occasions enjoy a medium-rare steak.
Also, I assume that if one decides to become a vegetarian, heshe should consult a nutritionalist; an anemic may very well need to know what plant foods can supply the proper iron.

Kiran
June 6th, 2009, 07:18 PM
Yes very much so Nathan!! I make sure I take plenty of supplements to ensure I miss out on nothing.

SoulChild
June 8th, 2009, 05:31 PM
I tried vegetarianism for a while, but found that it diminished my energy. I admit that I eat meat, but keep to fowl and fish as much as possible. I do on rare occasions enjoy a medium-rare steak.
Also, I assume that if one decides to become a vegetarian, heshe should consult a nutritionalist; an anemic may very well need to know what plant foods can supply the proper iron.

I also tried this. I think it should definitely be looked at on a case per case (person by person) basis, and keep in consideration that even if you try it, it may not work for you. Please pay attention to your body, and listen. With all my running and weight lifting, my body screems for protein. I do realize that you can get everything you need from fruit nuts and veggies, but happiness is a part of life and right now emotionally, I just can't be a vegitarian. I am a disciplined person, and have been down this road before so I know I can do it, it's just not right now. I think that the years I was a vegitiarian was not for nothing...My health and wellness have benefited from that, and I also learned alot about my body.

All that I am saying is the same for dieting as well. What works for some may not work for others and it may take years to find what works for you. It took my several years, yet I think I have found my thing which is running, and still continue to eat many things I enjoy keeping many things in mind that I have learned along the way, yet I find happiness in eating certain foods, yet not overexaggerate with it, but life is too short and I am not financially wealthy, so I choose to enjoy some foods from time to time even though my body may not technically need it. Feed the soul as well, feed your spirit, but control temptation or at least find the balance.

BlueStar
June 8th, 2009, 07:12 PM
You guys make a good point - everyone's body rhythms are slightly different and I guess some people's bodies need more protein like Elizabeth's.

Although I am a huge advocate of vegetarianism it has to be down to the needs of each particular individual. Even the Dalai Lama eats meat due to medical advice.

What I might suggest, and I hope you'll not think me out of line, is that people perhaps investigate ethical consumption of meat products - such as organic or free range products. Obviously in this current economy this is a luxury to some, but personally if I was to eat meat, I'd rather eat less knowing that I could eat with a clearer conscience. In fact, it's been recommended that by having at least one meat-free day a week we can have a massive effect on tackling climate change (the meat industry accounts for nearly a quarter of greenhouse gases currently being produced). Just teensy little changes like that - without having to give up meat altogether - can make a big difference.

Spirit~Sista
June 13th, 2009, 05:19 PM
hi, have enjoyed reading through this thread. eveyone makes wonderful and valuable contributions.

i have been just about every category of vegetarian except for the full on, no dairy no eggs etc etc

it realy depends on where my health is at, where i am at spiritualy, emotionaly and holisticaly as to what is playing into my diet.

at times i am guided to have fish or chicken, but i do not eat red meat. i eat eggs, and cheese, but not milk products. i've been on soy products for near 20 yrs now. and am veryyyyyyyyyyy happy to say they have improved immensely!! ty!!!! to the soy gods..haaaa

numerous different reasons, health reasons and how i feel about certain foods at the times also comes into play.

a few years back it was discovered i have a B12 deficiency, not uncommon in much older people and can be an issue with some vegetarians aswell- i take b12 supplements now and do feel better for it. but that was what prompted me to re-introduce fish ( mainly some salmon)back into my diet aswell. i just flow with it, if i feel like some then i have it. usualy to me it is a sign that my body perhaps needs something it has to offer, like the B12 perhaps.

i however am not a chick pea- homous person either. yuck! LOL..i just simply do not like it!!!! i had someone say to me once. ' how can you be vegetarian and not like chick peas' .................LOL................i thought hmmmmm i could not for the life of me eat something i did not like.....just to uphold a name....LOL..... surely not all meat eaters love all kinds of meat???????

one of my fave foods, is simply diced potato with sweet potato (yam) tossed in olive oil -loaded with herbs and then baked in the oven. i usualy have it with a pack of 2 min noodles- or a salad of lettuce pineapple tomato spring onions and perhaps some diced cheese, easy! oh and on occasion i will have sour cream with it aswell. shhh! :)

BlueStar
June 13th, 2009, 08:22 PM
Hi Spirit-Sista, great to hear from you! I must say that sweet potato dish you described sounds deeeelicious, i must try that sometime!!! Thanks for sharing :D

If you or anyone else has any great veggie recipes, I'd love to see them :)

messickc
June 14th, 2009, 02:12 AM
hi, have enjoyed reading through this thread. eveyone makes wonderful and valuable contributions.

i have been just about every category of vegetarian except for the full on, no dairy no eggs etc etc




People that go that far are called "vegans." I could go vegetarian as I don't really care for the taste of meat (it's not an animal rights/conscience/PETA thing), but I just love teh cheezburgers too damned much. As for going vegan? No way in H!##!!

I could give up teh cheezburgur, but I will NEVAR!!! EVAR!!! surendar mah cheez! ...or ise kreem eethur, aktchally!

Cheez = fud uv teh Godzes.

[edit]
...and yes I have had they soy chese, BLECH!!!!!!!! as well as souy Ice cream (not that bad really). However, I want to caution MEN who eat alot of soy: Soy protein contains ESTROGEN, and can actually cause those who eat enough of it to grow woman things in odd places, as well as other feminine physical traits. It destroys the Testosterone balance.

There is an article in this month's "Men's Health" magazine on the effects of soy in the male body, and also:

"Australian researchers found that men who consumed a soy-rich diet had significantly lower testosterone levels than beef eaters. And as for red meat's artery-clogging reputation, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that eating lean beef can help to lower LDL [bad] cholesterol levels while increasing HDL [good] levels." The key here being LEAN beef. I only eat 93/7 ground beef.
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?category=other.diseases.ailments&channel=health&conitem=43f999edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____

messickc
June 14th, 2009, 02:14 AM
Hi Spirit-Sista, great to hear from you! I must say that sweet potato dish you described sounds deeeelicious, i must try that sometime!!! Thanks for sharing :D



OMG!!! I DETEST the sweet potato. Until recently, anyway. I went to a restaurant that serves sweet potato french fries. I could eat them things till I puke then eat some more!!!

messickc
June 14th, 2009, 02:29 AM
OMG!!! I DETEST the sweet potato. Until recently, anyway. I went to a restaurant that serves sweet potato french fries. I could eat them things till I puke then eat some more!!!

My favorite veggie recipe is just a good-ol' green salad with balsamic vinegar (no oil). Especially this time of year when I can make it with home-grown veggies.

However, I am weird in that I LOVE steamed Brussels Sprouts (steamed so that they are al-dente and NOT mushy-- I DETEST mushy veggies) tossed with a LITTLE butter and salt.

inutero
June 14th, 2009, 02:54 AM
People that go that far are called "vegans." I could go vegetarian as I don't really care for the taste of meat (it's not an animal rights/conscience/PETA thing), but I just love teh cheezburgers too damned much. As for going vegan? No way in H!##!!

I could give up teh cheezburgur, but I will NEVAR!!! EVAR!!! surendar mah cheez! ...or ise kreem eethur, aktchally!

Cheez = fud uv teh Godzes.

[edit]
...and yes I have had they soy chese, BLECH!!!!!!!! as well as souy Ice cream (not that bad really). However, I want to caution MEN who eat alot of soy: Soy protein contains ESTROGEN, and can actually cause those who eat enough of it to grow woman things in odd places, as well as other feminine physical traits. It destroys the Testosterone balance.

There is an article in this month's "Men's Health" magazine on the effects of soy in the male body, and also:

"Australian researchers found that men who consumed a soy-rich diet had significantly lower testosterone levels than beef eaters. And as for red meat's artery-clogging reputation, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that eating lean beef can help to lower LDL [bad] cholesterol levels while increasing HDL [good] levels." The key here being LEAN beef. I only eat 93/7 ground beef.
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?category=other.diseases.ailments&channel=health&conitem=43f999edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____

I read that same article. That is wild. Anyways, I don't think I could not eat meat. But who knows.

BlueStar
June 14th, 2009, 01:54 PM
People that go that far are called "vegans." I could go vegetarian as I don't really care for the taste of meat (it's not an animal rights/conscience/PETA thing), but I just love teh cheezburgers too damned much. As for going vegan? No way in H!##!!

I could give up teh cheezburgur, but I will NEVAR!!! EVAR!!! surendar mah cheez! ...or ise kreem eethur, aktchally!

Cheez = fud uv teh Godzes.

[edit]
...and yes I have had they soy chese, BLECH!!!!!!!! as well as souy Ice cream (not that bad really). However, I want to caution MEN who eat alot of soy: Soy protein contains ESTROGEN, and can actually cause those who eat enough of it to grow woman things in odd places, as well as other feminine physical traits. It destroys the Testosterone balance.

There is an article in this month's "Men's Health" magazine on the effects of soy in the male body, and also:

"Australian researchers found that men who consumed a soy-rich diet had significantly lower testosterone levels than beef eaters. And as for red meat's artery-clogging reputation, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that eating lean beef can help to lower LDL [bad] cholesterol levels while increasing HDL [good] levels." The key here being LEAN beef. I only eat 93/7 ground beef.
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?category=other.diseases.ailments&channel=health&conitem=43f999edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____

LOL, cheese obviously has some kinda effect on you Christopher!! I must admit I really love cheese as well, which is strange cos when I was a kid I couldn't stand it! I really like it now.

As for soy containing estrogen, I have to admit I'd rather have estrogen in my body than dead animal....its not been that long since I finally quit eating the last meat products I ate, and now the thought of consuming dead animal flesh disgusts me. I often feeling like crying at the horrific suffering that animals endure at our hands and I would rather eat my own socks than be a contributer to that suffering. But that's just me.

Mmmmm socks....(Homer Simpson voice)

inutero
June 14th, 2009, 06:48 PM
This might not be the right place to ask this question, but since it does deal with the topic, I will ask it anyway. Some of you feel that we should not eat meat. I can and do respect that.

My question is: We are animals, some animals are built to live off of plants alone. We are not built that way. Why would you go against what we truly are and that is meat eaters? We were made to eat meat. If that was not the case, then we would simply get sick when we would eat it. Why not accept that? I know some people do it to lose weight or whatever the reason, but when people start to belief that eating meat is disgusting and things of that nature, what brings you to that point when clearly we are made to do so?

BlueStar
June 14th, 2009, 07:32 PM
This might not be the right place to ask this question, but since it does deal with the topic, I will ask it anyway. Some of you feel that we should not eat meat. I can and do respect that.

My question is: We are animals, some animals are built to live off of plants alone. We are not built that way. Why would you go against what we truly are and that is meat eaters? We were made to eat meat. If that was not the case, then we would simply get sick when we would eat it. Why not accept that? I know some people do it to lose weight or whatever the reason, but when people start to belief that eating meat is disgusting and things of that nature, what brings you to that point when clearly we are made to do so?

Excellent question Inutero. I can only answer for myself, but I will gladly do so. I can best express this by recalling a conversation I once had with an anti-vegetarian who was expressing similar sentiments; basically suggesting that, judging by our teeth we are 'evolved' to eat meat. My response was that supposedly we have evolved since we dwelled in caves.

This is a different world and we are no longer primitive hunter-gatherers limited to a certain type of food in order to survive. When there is such a massive abundance of food available to us, including delicious and nutritious alternatives to meat, I simply don't know why anyone would WANT to live off meat. It's fair enough that they do; although I would invite them to visit their local slaughterhouse and if, after seeing the process actually involved in producing this thing we call 'meat', they still have no qualms, then fair play to them - they can eat heartily. Many people view animals as having no more rights than an inanimate brick, which is of course their prerogative.

But for me it's a moral choice. I personally could not look an animal in the eye and declare that my appetite was more important than its suffering or its life. I mean, I wouldn't be willing to eat my dog, would you? So why should I be willing to eat ANY animal? All are equally deserving of life and to be free of suffering. Who am I to decide which animals are worthy of being loved and cared for and which ones ought to be executed and ground into mince?

So I guess the short answer is I respect ALL life. Just because we humans are 'smarter' does not give us the right to deem ourselves superior to other forms of life and to use and abuse them as we see fit.

I don't mean to offend anyone with my opinions, but equally I make no apologies for something I feel very passionately about. (And you did ask...!! ;) :superman:

planetlove
June 14th, 2009, 08:54 PM
I just put up a post living on PRANA .....
tell me what you all think about that ....
V

Spirit~Sista
June 14th, 2009, 08:58 PM
I just put up a post living on PRANA .....
tell me what you all think about that ....
V

not sure if i am having a blonde moment LOL but umm where is that post?

Spirit~Sista
June 14th, 2009, 09:13 PM
This might not be the right place to ask this question, but since it does deal with the topic, I will ask it anyway. Some of you feel that we should not eat meat. I can and do respect that.

My question is: We are animals, some animals are built to live off of plants alone. We are not built that way. Why would you go against what we truly are and that is meat eaters? We were made to eat meat. If that was not the case, then we would simply get sick when we would eat it. Why not accept that? I know some people do it to lose weight or whatever the reason, but when people start to belief that eating meat is disgusting and things of that nature, what brings you to that point when clearly we are made to do so?

hello~

actualy i am not built that way. i am unable to digest red meats and i am not alone. it is much more common than we think.
i eat white meats, fish and chicken on occasion, but even then it is not something i can eat a lot of.

this was discovered when i was young. it then led me to research and learn more as i got older, that we are actualy designed more so as non meat eaters than meat eaters. there is a wealth of information aviaible to support this, also however you can also find those for the meat eater design aswell. depends on who they are and what their interest is most of the time as to who is doing the research and writing the articles.

a lot of spiritual groups also put out good information and theorys on , being more at peace by not eating meat. they beleive that to be living a life of peace and compassion does not fall in line with killing and eating animals.

i tend to agree, as it makes sense to me :)

and well the more i have learned of the process of meats, from animal to the table..it just realy puts me off to be honest.

sometimes i obviously choose to ignore that because i do eat the chicken and fish meats at times, but i am even wanting to change that- ignoring the issue doesn't sit well with me:redface:

inutero
June 14th, 2009, 11:30 PM
Excellent question Inutero. I can only answer for myself, but I will gladly do so. I can best express this by recalling a conversation I once had with an anti-vegetarian who was expressing similar sentiments; basically suggesting that, judging by our teeth we are 'evolved' to eat meat. My response was that supposedly we have evolved since we dwelled in caves.

This is a different world and we are no longer primitive hunter-gatherers limited to a certain type of food in order to survive. When there is such a massive abundance of food available to us, including delicious and nutritious alternatives to meat, I simply don't know why anyone would WANT to live off meat. It's fair enough that they do; although I would invite them to visit their local slaughterhouse and if, after seeing the process actually involved in producing this thing we call 'meat', they still have no qualms, then fair play to them - they can eat heartily. Many people view animals as having no more rights than an inanimate brick, which is of course their prerogative.

But for me it's a moral choice. I personally could not look an animal in the eye and declare that my appetite was more important than its suffering or its life. I mean, I wouldn't be willing to eat my dog, would you? So why should I be willing to eat ANY animal? All are equally deserving of life and to be free of suffering. Who am I to decide which animals are worthy of being loved and cared for and which ones ought to be executed and ground into mince?

So I guess the short answer is I respect ALL life. Just because we humans are 'smarter' does not give us the right to deem ourselves superior to other forms of life and to use and abuse them as we see fit.

I don't mean to offend anyone with my opinions, but equally I make no apologies for something I feel very passionately about. (And you did ask...!! ;) :superman:

But we are superior to all other life forms on earth. And I agree 100% that we should not abuse them. It is a cycle of life. Other animals eat other animals. That is a fact of life. I understand completely your example of our cave dwelling ancestors, but none the less, we are built to eat meat. Nothing changes that fact. I feel you can still respect all life and eat for your survival. I do not condone or agree with how animals are treated in slaughter houses, and no I would not eat my dog. But what would we do if it was a matter of life and death? Thank you for your insight on this. I am feeling you.

inutero
June 14th, 2009, 11:38 PM
hello~

actualy i am not built that way. i am unable to digest red meats and i am not alone. it is much more common than we think.
i eat white meats, fish and chicken on occasion, but even then it is not something i can eat a lot of.

this was discovered when i was young. it then led me to research and learn more as i got older, that we are actualy designed more so as non meat eaters than meat eaters. there is a wealth of information aviaible to support this, also however you can also find those for the meat eater design aswell. depends on who they are and what their interest is most of the time as to who is doing the research and writing the articles.

a lot of spiritual groups also put out good information and theorys on , being more at peace by not eating meat. they beleive that to be living a life of peace and compassion does not fall in line with killing and eating animals.

i tend to agree, as it makes sense to me :)

and well the more i have learned of the process of meats, from animal to the table..it just realy puts me off to be honest.

sometimes i obviously choose to ignore that because i do eat the chicken and fish meats at times, but i am even wanting to change that- ignoring the issue doesn't sit well with me:redface:

I respect your post Sista. But, I must say that I am not one to go off someone's belief system. I tend to look at everything and make up my own judgement. I mostly go with logic though. If I did go by people's "belief system", I probably would not be here today. To each their own. That is what makes the world go round.

Of course as with your case, there are always exceptions to any rule. But I am talking in sense of majority and not the exceptions. Just like some people are allergic to certain foods, or whatever the case may be. Most of us are made to eat meat and I am merely trying to understand the thought process behind this topic. Thank you for your post. Very informative.

Spirit~Sista
June 15th, 2009, 03:43 AM
I respect your post Sista. But, I must say that I am not one to go off someone's belief system. I tend to look at everything and make up my own judgement. I mostly go with logic though. If I did go by people's "belief system", I probably would not be here today. To each their own. That is what makes the world go round.

Of course as with your case, there are always exceptions to any rule. But I am talking in sense of majority and not the exceptions. Just like some people are allergic to certain foods, or whatever the case may be. Most of us are made to eat meat and I am merely trying to understand the thought process behind this topic. Thank you for your post. Very informative.


sorry if i offended you, i didn't think i was putting or trying to push my own beleif system onto anyone else at all. you asked a question i answered from my own experiences and thoughts.

as i said in my post there is a lot of information out there to support that humans are actualy more designed to be non meat eaters than meat eaters, not my belief system just what i have discovered over the years.

good luck on your endeavour.

Spirit~Sista
June 15th, 2009, 03:52 AM
This is a realy popular meal in our house. I have the vegetarian kind, my husband who is a full on meat and potato man has the different kind ;)

we each make our own, put on them what we want and love to eat. simple quick and easy. fresh and yummmmmmmmm

wholemeal pita bread rounds
pizza sauce base

i usualy have
spring onions
tomato
pineapple
cheese ( not too much)
occasoinaly banana
i dont' mind bell peppers and will occasionaly add them aswell diced
maybe some olives aswell

just place it all on top and put in the oven till done mm mmmm

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UfY6Hw0GSQw/SB4WcLdk4aI/AAAAAAAADyg/kcKufyrbtrY/s320/pita+pizza.jpg

Spirit~Sista
June 15th, 2009, 03:57 AM
one of my pride and joys is my vegie juicer. didn't cost much and does the job superbly!!

i have

one beet
a couple of carrots
about 3 celery sticks
one apple

if i have some ginger i add that aswell. gives it some zing!!

i always tend to feel a little lighter and i don't know but i just feel different whenever i start my day off with this juice. my 11 yr old son loves to help me make it...but doesn't like to drink it..LOL..not yet at least. he thinks it looks and smells disgusting....hahaa i think otherwise! to me it looks and smells delishhhhh

http://goop.com/newsletter/15/beet_juice.jpg

inutero
June 15th, 2009, 04:01 AM
sorry if i offended you, i didn't think i was putting or trying to push my own beleif system onto anyone else at all. you asked a question i answered from my own experiences and thoughts.

as i said in my post there is a lot of information out there to support that humans are actualy more designed to be non meat eaters than meat eaters, not my belief system just what i have discovered over the years.

good luck on your endeavour.

No Sista...I was not offended. You simply did answer my question. I am totally cool with that. I will read up on what you have stated. Perhaps people rejecting meat is evolution taking its course on us humans. I was just trying to make a point that there are many belief systems out there and before joining the band wagon on one, I kinda like to look at all the options. Thanks for your post.

P.S. I have had a veggie pizza before, and I must say that it was pretty good.

inutero
June 15th, 2009, 04:10 AM
For years I felt uneasy about the fact I was eating meat, but I kept doing it anyway just because it just seemed easier....surely becoming a vegetarian would be a lot of hassle?

Well, at the start of this year I decided to act on that little voice of conscience and I stopped eating meat products.

Numerous things brought me to that decision: principally the horrendous suffering that is inflicted upon animals just so we can eat something we don't even need to eat, the fact that vegetarian diets are healthier and significantly reduce the likelihood of developing cancer and also the significant benefits to the environment. Also, it was in part motivated by spiritual leanings, and I was advised that spiritual advancement is aided by a light vegetarian diet. One of the final kicks I needed was seeing the comment that people who claim to love animals and yet eat them and thus participate in their enslavement, suffering and slaughter are hypocrites of the worst kind.

That hit home...big time. And like Leonardo da Vinci, the ultimate renaissance man said, feeding on animal flesh is feeding on death and making your body into little more than a tomb.

I can't do that any more.

Becoming vegetarian was surprisingly easy and I didn't miss meat products AT ALL. In fact, there is an abundance of meat-free products such as Quorn that are not only better for you (and the environment) but which are absolutely delicious. I can eat with a clean conscience. The very thought to consuming animal flesh is now quite repellent to me. I also feel healthier and lighter overall...I can definitely attest to the benefits of a meat free diet.

Although I am a fierce advocate of vegetarianism and will do what I can to promote the cause, I respect other people's rights to make their own moral and ethical choices. I just wish people would actually think a little bit more about what they are putting into their bodies however and the COST of doing so...many people are quite unconscious about what they eat and the suffering that animals have to endure just so they can habitually eat what they've always eaten without having to think about the consquences. I would invite people to spend the day at a slaughterhouse and see then if they are still happy knowing that animals have suffered horrifically (yes, even in our supposedly highly-regulated industries) just so they could stuff their bellies with their corpses when there is a abundance of healthier and blood-free alternatives to choose from.

I don't mean to offend anyone, merely inform. I also don't want to go into debate. I don't do debating. I just state my cause and let it be and I let it go. Once expressed, there is no point in trying to win arguments. This is just, um, food for thought...

If there are any other vegetarians here I would love to hear your stories and chat about foods, recipes and meat free alternatives :)

Hey Lucid...What changes did your body and mind endure once you went to all vegge? I have been thinking about going all veggies for the duration of about a week, but more so as a cleansing.

BlueStar
June 15th, 2009, 11:21 AM
But we are superior to all other life forms on earth. And I agree 100% that we should not abuse them. It is a cycle of life. Other animals eat other animals. That is a fact of life. I understand completely your example of our cave dwelling ancestors, but none the less, we are built to eat meat. Nothing changes that fact. I feel you can still respect all life and eat for your survival. I do not condone or agree with how animals are treated in slaughter houses, and no I would not eat my dog. But what would we do if it was a matter of life and death? Thank you for your insight on this. I am feeling you.

Hey buddy, I appreciate hearing what you have to say as it's always interesting to consider things from all angles ("a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" - Emerson). I guess I shared your viewpoint in the past. Eating meat per se isn't 'bad' because obviously it happens in the natural world. But humankind has long since slipped out of touch with the natural world. Unlike animals that eat when hungry - or indigenous tribes which just take what they need, we've created a monstrous industry in which animals are treated as objects, resources, free of rights and are cultivated and harvested as though they were nothing more than corn in a field...I know this is inevitable in an industrial society, but the enslavement and barbaric treatment they receive (I won't even go into the stories I heard that once and for all made me stop eating meat..) is really something that horrifies me. And if I continued to eat meat, then I'd be contributing to their suffering.

I don't personally agree with your assertion that humans are superior. I know everything in our society and the way we approach life seems to confirm this viewpoint, but as I have changed and sought to move deeper into making spiritual awakening the primary priority in my life, I've come to deeply feel that all beings are equal. I don't think the creative force of life creates 'greater' and 'lesser' species, in spite of the inferences we make based on levels of intelligence. I can look at a spider and genuinely feel that ultimately the same consciousness which animates that spider is the same consciousness which animates myself (although obviously the expression of that consciousness varies greatly according to the limitations of the form). So, I don't even swat bugs anymore. That doesn't really stem from a mental position or reasoning, so much as an inner conviction that I don't want to inflict any harm on any living being. Hence the reason I stopped eating meat - for a long time I actually had an inner conflict about it and tried to ignore and block out the implications of what I was consuming and the PROCESS of what got that product to my plate - a process that inevitably involves the pain, suffering, distress and ultimate death of a being that had as much right to live and to be free of suffering as I, or anyone else does.

I hope that makes some sense. I don't want or need to convince anyone that 'I'm right', we each need to look within our hearts to know what's right for us. But I do believe that as we as a species gradually grow in consciousness (and we HAVE to - the planet cannot sustain the human species indefinitely at our current level of unconsciousness and insanity!), then more people will feel this inner conviction to do no harm and that vegetarianism will become commonplace. It's a switch that I don't think will come from logical reasoning alone (the mind's job is to validate what it believes - and most people were brought up to believe that eating meat is 'normal' and 'right'), but from something deeper. I know that many people as they move deeper into the 'spiritual path', naturally switch to a meat-free diet. It seems like a natural impulse - and I might even say an evolutionary one.

The changes I noticed when stopping meat were better digestion (I always found meat heavy to digest and would feel it sitting in my stomach for hours), generally more 'lightness' and I think improved concentration. But the main thing was a clearer conscience and knowing that I was 'walking my talk' and being true to my deeper nature. I had put off the 'meat switch' for a long time because I'd assumed it would be difficult and inconvenient, but it was actually as easy as pie. I thought I'd miss things like chicken (I never really ate much red meat), but actually I didn't at all. I'm loving the many various alternatives and actually find that eating is more fun and varied now.

Thanks again for asking and I hope I made some kind of sense. :)

BlueStar
June 15th, 2009, 11:22 AM
one of my pride and joys is my vegie juicer. didn't cost much and does the job superbly!!


Sounds YUM!! Thanks for sharing Spirit-Sista, I am def gonna make a note of your suggestions. And I really want to invest in a veggie juicer...

Kiran
June 15th, 2009, 06:52 PM
The reason I don't eat meat now ( a recent change) is to do with not being able to digest it anymore. I eat fish and will eat chicken if there is nothing else and I feel my body needs it, but I am sticking to veg, fruit, nuts and pulses.
I also found that as a person who has a hormon imbalance and most meat contains a certain amount of hormones, wanted to try and see if this had any impact on my health and I have to say it has had.

BTW ladies...I agree with Lucid...the recipes look delicious!!! Thanks for sharing :)

inutero
June 16th, 2009, 12:52 AM
Hey buddy, I appreciate hearing what you have to say as it's always interesting to consider things from all angles ("a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" - Emerson). I guess I shared your viewpoint in the past. Eating meat per se isn't 'bad' because obviously it happens in the natural world. But humankind has long since slipped out of touch with the natural world. Unlike animals that eat when hungry - or indigenous tribes which just take what they need, we've created a monstrous industry in which animals are treated as objects, resources, free of rights and are cultivated and harvested as though they were nothing more than corn in a field...I know this is inevitable in an industrial society, but the enslavement and barbaric treatment they receive (I won't even go into the stories I heard that once and for all made me stop eating meat..) is really something that horrifies me. And if I continued to eat meat, then I'd be contributing to their suffering.

I don't personally agree with your assertion that humans are superior. I know everything in our society and the way we approach life seems to confirm this viewpoint, but as I have changed and sought to move deeper into making spiritual awakening the primary priority in my life, I've come to deeply feel that all beings are equal. I don't think the creative force of life creates 'greater' and 'lesser' species, in spite of the inferences we make based on levels of intelligence. I can look at a spider and genuinely feel that ultimately the same consciousness which animates that spider is the same consciousness which animates myself (although obviously the expression of that consciousness varies greatly according to the limitations of the form). So, I don't even swat bugs anymore. That doesn't really stem from a mental position or reasoning, so much as an inner conviction that I don't want to inflict any harm on any living being. Hence the reason I stopped eating meat - for a long time I actually had an inner conflict about it and tried to ignore and block out the implications of what I was consuming and the PROCESS of what got that product to my plate - a process that inevitably involves the pain, suffering, distress and ultimate death of a being that had as much right to live and to be free of suffering as I, or anyone else does.

I hope that makes some sense. I don't want or need to convince anyone that 'I'm right', we each need to look within our hearts to know what's right for us. But I do believe that as we as a species gradually grow in consciousness (and we HAVE to - the planet cannot sustain the human species indefinitely at our current level of unconsciousness and insanity!), then more people will feel this inner conviction to do no harm and that vegetarianism will become commonplace. It's a switch that I don't think will come from logical reasoning alone (the mind's job is to validate what it believes - and most people were brought up to believe that eating meat is 'normal' and 'right'), but from something deeper. I know that many people as they move deeper into the 'spiritual path', naturally switch to a meat-free diet. It seems like a natural impulse - and I might even say an evolutionary one.

The changes I noticed when stopping meat were better digestion (I always found meat heavy to digest and would feel it sitting in my stomach for hours), generally more 'lightness' and I think improved concentration. But the main thing was a clearer conscience and knowing that I was 'walking my talk' and being true to my deeper nature. I had put off the 'meat switch' for a long time because I'd assumed it would be difficult and inconvenient, but it was actually as easy as pie. I thought I'd miss things like chicken (I never really ate much red meat), but actually I didn't at all. I'm loving the many various alternatives and actually find that eating is more fun and varied now.

Thanks again for asking and I hope I made some kind of sense. :)

Thanks for your insight on the subject Rory. As I stated earlier, I am merely trying to understand the reasoning behind it all. I respect your input and decisions that you have made on this. I agree about the industrialization and process of how our meats are produced. My heart hurts when I hear or watch the cruelty that these animals endure. I do not hunt for this reason. I feel that we should only kill an animal with the intention of survival.

Maybe one day I will find the inner strength to not consume meats, but I will probably continue to fish. :lovemw:

BlueStar
June 16th, 2009, 02:22 PM
I appreciate your asking, my friend, I have learned from our discussion as well. The best thing we can do is to look within and follow our heart and intuitive guidance in this issue. What's right for one person may not hold true for another, so in the words of Enigma 'follow your inner guide' :)

userid7
June 23rd, 2009, 04:53 AM
That is pretty straight formard , right or wrong,
this world is suffering from the lack of other species,
let her Earth Live on!!
beause humans decided they could take over,the place is rapidly
going insane.
Brian.

Spirit~Sista
June 23rd, 2009, 05:39 AM
~found this and thought i would post it here~ *S* i thought it was interesting and there are quite are few others out there aswell..:)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dwex9AQ8IuA/SV5k3hhBgeI/AAAAAAAABF0/vcsA9I_XZHU/s400/vegan-pyramid-1024x768.jpg

Kiran
June 23rd, 2009, 08:34 AM
Please be aware of comments placed here and with the diversity of people viewing the site, we do not want to offend anyone. This site is non-judgemental and if comments are placed that may offend someone, they will be deleted.
All points of view are welcome as long as they are respectful.

Please keep on topic!

Thank you.

planetlove
June 24th, 2009, 10:21 PM
not sure if i am having a blonde moment LOL but umm where is that post?

http://mysteriouswisdom.com/forum/showthread.php?t=559

sorry i should have posted that ..link
V

Rana
June 25th, 2009, 07:35 AM
thanks lucid for sharing how you became a vegetarian and your personal thoughts on this , ive lived my life for a long while now as an intuitive person ,i raised our two girls on instinct alone (i never followed a trend, or a psycologist view,or even what all the extended mums in the whanau had suggested ,i did it MY way ..and its all worked beautifully) so i know intuitively it is ok for me to eat meat
until im told one day i may not. this is an insightful thread thankyou everyone !!

BlueStar
June 26th, 2009, 11:30 AM
You're welcome Rana! All I can say is, in the words of Enigma - "follow your inner guide" :D You can't do better than that in this world.