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?