I *want* to be a vegetarian... but I like meat!

[Junglemum]

I couldn't read and not say Happy birthday! So Happy birthday to ya!

No meat eating advice here... sorry.

[feeb]

Happy Birthday!!

Sorry no help I love meat and dont like many vegies!

[boomba]

Happy birthday....off to start a thread :P

I sooo get where you are coming from...I want to be a vegetarian but Dh is a meat eater and so are the boys...well my whole family is!
I am trying to eat as ethically and kindly as possible when it comes to meat...if there is such a thing.

I remember the Dalai lama saying about when he goes to his mums and she cooks the best roast pork lol Was kinda funny coming from him

When you find the answer let me know and I will join you

[*Ash*]

I just wanted to point out that people often see giving up meat as a sacrifice. I think another way to look at it is to see it as a positive, as a melding of your attitudes and actions, putting your ethics and beliefs into practice. Any transition is difficult at first, we cling to what is familiar and safe. I haven't eaten meat for 14 years (neither has my DH). I grew up in the traditional meat and three veg family, but I no longer regard meat as food, I regard it as a dead animal. My perceptions and attitudes have changed.

Check out vegfamily and Animals Australia for inspiration and recipes. Oct 1 -7 is World Vegetarian Week and people are being encouraged to go vego for the week, 'to test the waters', so to speak! I can honestly say that my life feels richer because my ethics are aligned with my actions. Also, if you like the taste of chicken, there is a brand of vego foods that resemble chicken nuggets, chicken burgers and chicken strips. The brand is Frys.

Good luck! (My DH is a buddhist too!)

[Lulu]

Aah, it's EASY. Just find out how most of the animals are treated and killed. No brainer.

[PollyA]

Fake meat! its made for people just like you. Give it a try
I have been vego for 10 years and it would be easy to book the same meal for the whole family and add a biut of meat to those that want it but you'll find that vege food is cheap, easy to cook and yummy so most times when I cook for meat lovers they are pleasantly surprised.
I agree with going vego for a week and seeing how you go, you might be pleasantly surprised

[Junglemum]

I know exactly how the meat i eat is treated, and killed...... And i'm happy to eat meat.

When the time is right, you will follow your religious beliefs and become vego. Maybe it will be easier when you're not working and back at home again?

And did i say Happy birthday?

[Lulu]

I know exactly how the meat i eat is treated, and killed...... And i'm happy to eat meat.

I don't though, and I sorta can't until I do

[CrazyLady]

Happy Birthday!

I just recently started eating meat again because the carnivore DP and DD are meat eaters. Maybe try compromise with say 3 or 4 vego meals a week? Sounds batty but it's basiccally a win/win as far as i can see

[Junglemum]

Hmmmm not sure what happened there!

[Trillian]

Aah, it's EASY. Just find out how most of the animals are treated and killed. No brainer.

Dude, I am covering my ears singing "LALALALALALALALALALALALALA" :P

Leasha, what about weaning yourself off it? Or have a few vegetarian meals a week and if Shell decides not to give meat up all together, she can cook the vegetarian meal and then just a bit of meat for herself? We do vegetarian at least 2 times a week and it's not hard to cook, and I'm sure if you showed her a few really simple but great recipes it might be easier for her?

[meow]

Happy birthday!!

When I became vegetarian I LOVED meat. I told myself I could have free range chicken once a month so as I worked through that first vegie month I would dream up my end of month chicken meal to get me through. The cold turkey method worked really well because by the end of the month that chicken meal wasn't so great- I had lost the taste so I didn't bother again.

For me I needed a catalyst. I had pondered vegetarianism but it wasn't until I sobbed through a Greenpeace animal rights ad that I really said "I can't be a part of this cruelty anymore" and I stopped eating animals. As Ash said I feel fantastic to have myself properly expressed through my actions. It's a huge self esteem boost and feels fantastic. I now eat far more healthily (veg for 12 years) and I don't see animal flesh as food either. The taste has long gone. The double bacon cheeseburger pizza fan now loves a good tofu burger!

Not sure how to help with your family meals... can shel cook the meat on the side and you keep the freezer stocked with tofu burgers, falafels etc to quickly add your part to your meal?