Voluntary Vegetarianism
October 1, 2009 | Filed under Body, Food
If I were to be entirely responsible for all my own food (e.g. no dining out), it would be incredibly simple for me to become a vegetarian. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve been subsisting on mainly cereal for breakfast, yoghurt and fruit for lunch, and a cooked dinner. It’s ranged from fancy dinners that Dylan has cooked for me (he’s the culinary genius in this relationship), to dining out with friends, to plain soup noodles or toasted sandwiches made by myself.
The only meat I’ve eaten in the past two weeks is in Dylan’s meals, in meals out, and his man meat. There’s a simple enough reason – I can’t stand raw meat, it makes me throw up in my mouth. It’s not an ethical thing – I don’t associate with death and former living creatures, and wouldn’t have a problem with it even if I did. I just don’t like the smell or the feel of raw meat. It makes me ill, though surprisingly, I don’t have a problem with the smell or texture of raw seafood.
Essentially, if I was to live by myself, my meals would include: cereal, yoghurt, fruit, sandwiches, salads, nuts, noodles and occasional vegetarian stir fries. Meat would only be eaten when I dine out, or when someone else cooks for me. It’s been a very healthy diet, and bodes well for my living independently in the future.
Here’s the level of effort I put into my meals – tonight for dinner I’ll be having vegetable soup/stew (whatever the slow cooker turns it into). Essentially I chopped up whatever veggies I had left in my fridge (carrots, potatoes, lettuce and capsicum) and put it into the slow cooker with some water. I’ll add some chicken stock cubes in a few hours, and that’ll be my dinner. Ah, effortless dinner that I’ll be able to freeze and have for a few nights running.
12 Responses to Voluntary Vegetarianism
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I’ve been a vegetarian myself for the past couple of days because I keep forgetting to get meat from the freezer in the morning and/or don’t have the energy to cook anything. I’ve been living off couscous and frozen mixed veges!
I’m the same when it comes to raw meat as well. Not only the texture, but the smell of raw meat triggers my gag reflex.
Darnielle on October 1, 2009 #
omg I’ve been having that breakfast, lunch, dinner routine for the past couple years! I’ve always had cereal for breakfast so anything else before 10 am and I feel sick. I think without cooking meat, meals become a little easier to manage (I can’t cook for my life).
I can only eat raw fish. I actually like it more raw then cooked (raw king salmon..yum). But any other raw meat and ick.
marilyn on October 1, 2009 #
I think I appreciate the ease of grabbing a cheeseburger when on the run or late at night too much to give up meat, but at home, I certainly agree that it’s easy to just eat vegies all the time.
I love stews- yours sounds delicous, especially if you get some thick, crusty bread.
Carmen on October 1, 2009 #
I love stew. I add cheap dry cider for an extra kick.
I have to admit, I love vegetarian food. It’s not that I have a problem handling meat at all though (I make a dish which involves smashing beef steaks to smithereens).
And Nelly, couscous is the food so nice they named it twice. You can add anything to couscous (ham, cucumber, cherry tomato, cheese, etc) and it instantly becomes an awesome meal.
Lilian on October 1, 2009 #
Pre-pregnancy I was very much voluntary vegetarian, even though I think vegetarianism is daft. It’s only because I need so much iron and protein now that I’m scoffing down steaks regularly.
Jem on October 1, 2009 #
I could never go without. Which reminds me, I need to go to the grocery store and get some ground beef. I would have to eat a lot of non-meat food to fill me up, Ithink. I need the protein or I wouldn’t feel energized and full for the day
Mar on October 2, 2009 #
“Ah, effortless dinner that I’ll be able to freeze and have for a few nights running.”
You’re better than me. *usually digs through the freezer for a microwavable burrito or some instant ramen* ^^;
Noellium on October 2, 2009 #
Mmmmm. Stews are so yummy. I haven’t had one in the longest time, though – it’s not something you find in a college campus food setting :(
Manda on October 2, 2009 #
I like the idea of being a vegetarian but, realistically, it wouldn’t work for me. Basically… I LOVE MEAT. I tried being vegetarian once where I refused to eat anything that used to alive. I only lasted a year!
Melinda on October 2, 2009 #
Vegetarianism was fun for me as I got to discover different ways of cooking vegetables to use as a meat replacement.
What I always found so humorous too as the sheer amount of meat alternatives I found that it’s obvious people still love their meat but will deny it up and down.
I prefer sticking with regular diets including meats. I found vegetarianism (and veganism) far too expensive in the long run when I had done this a few years ago. It’s preposterous that if you want to eat healthier, you have to pay MUCH more.
PS – vegweb.com, theppk.com = My lifeline when I was vegetarian. You’ll find some amazing recipes in both of those. :)
Jordan on October 3, 2009 #
I hate handling raw meat too. Ugh. I don’t mind handling steaks so much, but raw chicken is just sickening. That’s why I buy them preskinned and frozen because then they are way easier to handle and cook with.
Erin on October 3, 2009 #
I think that’s awesome! I’m vegan and I wouldn’t have it any other way. :)
Caity on October 4, 2009 #