Going Green

As a "pseudo-vegetarian" for over 10 years, I am proud to say that I am taking another step towards becoming a true vegetarian. I've always wanted to be a vegetarian, for too many reasons to list. But the combination of constantly worrying that I wouldn't get enough iron and protein and the lack of choices at restaurants always pulled me in the opposite direction. Eating meat is convenient. While I've stayed away from pork and beef for all of these years, I have allowed myself to have poultry and fish. But after a lot of research and personal reflection, I will not eat chicken or turkey anymore. I won't shock you with details about the horrific living conditions of factory farmed birds. And they are shocking and repulsive. I know how it is....we don't want to know about the process. But I will tell you that the average American consumes 2,714 land animals in their lifetime. If I quit eating meat now, I could prevent the suffering and deaths of hundreds of animals over the course of a couple decades (vegan outreach). And it is a fact that nutritionists agree that plant eaters and fish eaters tend to live longer and healthier lives than meat eaters. Vegetarians have a lower incidence of diabetes and cancer. They have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, namely heart attacks and strokes. And vegetarians tend to be leaner than meat eaters, having a low percentage of body fat. Hello! These are just a few of the health benefits. And believe me, hard core meat eaters, I understand the argument can go both ways. But these are my reasons for my choice. I'm not trying to convince you.

There are several subcategories of vegetarians:

Vegetarians abstain from eating meat, fish or poultry.

Vegans do not eat animals or animal products - no eggs, no dairy, no honey, etc.

Ovo-Lacto Vegetarians do not eat animals, but do eat eggs and dairy products.

Semi-Vegetarians aka Flexitarians eat mainly vegetarian food but limit their intake of either certain types of meat. (old me)

Pescetarians do not consume the flesh of land dwelling animals. In contrast to vegetarians, they do eat fish and seafood. (new me)

Raw or Living Foodists eat only raw food, because enzymes are destroyed by normal cooking processes.

Fruitarians eat only fruit, fruit-like vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, cucumbers), and sometimes seeds and nuts.

I realize that I have to stop eating fish and seafood in order to have a clear conscious. I'm going green, slowly but surly:) And while it might be true that one Pescetarian won't make a huge statistical difference in a world of meat eaters, at the very least, I am making choices that are good for myself and good for countless animals.