Meat or vegetables

I love eating meat but I really hate the idea of animals being killed or suffering.  I grew up on a farm where my dad would kill the calves for eating, my brothers would trap rabbits, we ate chickens and lamb. I could never watch the killing as it would make me feel very sad, however I was perfectly happy about eating the meat once it no longer looked like the original animal.  Even today I don't like watching animals dying (or being killed) and avoid TV programs that contain animals dying in the wild (on DVD I speed over those parts) even though that is completely natural.

I buy organic eggs, milk and butter hoping (in the romantic view) that my chickens are free to roam and the cows are happilery eating grass free from pesticides - it probably isn't quite like this (it was my dad's farm) but I am always hopeful. 

In saying this, I still eat meat and really enjoy the taste.  It is all very contradictory I know but I doubt I can give up meat anytime soon. 

But our youngest son has decided to cut out meat and has become a vegetarian. According to a few friends of mine, this is not unusual for young male adults who like to try out new things, its harmless, so I am not to concerned. It may not last, but it might (we are up to week 3) - so I want to make sure that he maintains a healthy diet and as a result we have been experimenting with new recipes. This has been fun - both as a learning exercise, but also spending time with my son cooking. Well, he cooks and I clean up his messes and taste the food.

I have very few recipe books that cater for vegetarian diets so I am on the look out for suitable cookbooks - any ideas? We are currently using a few websites that have some great recipes and those we like I am posting on Pinterest for safe keeping.  My friend at work recommended a couple that his son uses "Moosewood Cookbook" and "River Cottage Veg Every Day" and whilst searching I found "Vegetarian Student Cookbook" which sounds perfect.

For me, it is a whole new way of thinking and trying not to think "where is the meat". But so far my son has made some very yummy meals that taste great, healthy and very filling. We tend to add out piece of meat, our son has his without. I am sure we will learn a few things along the way:)



Comments

  1. I am vegetarian and lots of days vegan.
    I feel fine.
    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/proteins/10-great-vegetarian-protein-sources.html

    this is just some ideas for protein.

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    1. Thanks for that link - it is very handy to have.

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  2. As I have been changing the way I eat, the taste of meat is not that appealing to me. I eat alot of berries and veggies now, at least more than I used to. I still like chicken, fish, and turkey bacon, but red meat I can't eat anymore, as my body "rejects" it quite quickly (unless it's VERY LEAN ground beef).

    If you could, could you share some of the recipes you and your son are making at home that are all vegetarian? I would be interested in seeing some of these.

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    1. Most certainly Mara, happy to taste test and pass on:))

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  3. I don't think I could cut out meat - it really does give me more energy than other foods. If I go without meat (even if I eat dairy and other proteins), by night I am severely fatigued. I don't know why... but that's me! I also happen to love the taste of meat, so I'm quite happy to keep eating it!!! :)
    While I don't enjoy watching animals die (it can be sad!), it doesn't worry me as much as it seems to worry other people. But I can see why you wouldn't like watching it even in the wild on documentaries...

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    1. I have no plans to become a vegetarian myself as I do love my meat (nothing nicer than a steak!!) - but I respect my son's decision to go down this path and will help him to make sure he has a good diet.

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  4. We love our meat here...living in the Beef Capital and all, but I too would like to see some of your recipes. I need to get over basing all the meals around the meat. We eat lots of vegies but would love some new ideas for presenting them.
    Hope you lad keeps healthy. Mine boys are younger and right now food is all abou the meat!

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    1. My son loved meat - some of his favourite recipes contained meat. When I went to Costco he always wanted me to bring back a big bag of beef jerky which he would eat in one sitting. The other day when I came home with the jerky, he gave it to his friend. He simply stopped eating meat. Don't ask me how 19 year old males think!!!

      Will certainly share some of the recipes as soon as these new cookbooks arrive.

      Blessings.

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  5. yea, I can't see myself becoming vegetarian anytime soon either lol!
    But, for balance and health we do try to eat mealtless meals atleast two or three times a week. On those days I generally cook vegie curries or pasta with vegies etc.
    My niece when she was much younger watched soemthing on tv about how animals were slaughtered or something like that and it turned her off meat to become a vegetarian and she still is more than 10 years later. though she eats fish so I'm not sure what that is called. she has had to take iron supplements too.

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