Ahhh the infamous V word. So, I’ve decided to stop eating meat. Now this may not seem like a big deal, especially since so many people in America are vegetarian now, BUT it’s a big deal to me. Especially since I’ve tried it once before. A few years ago, I decided enough was enough and I wasn’t going to eat meat anymore. I’m an avid animal lover and one summer while in college I came across several YouTube videos that explicitly showed how some animals suffer before being slaughtered and butchered for consumption.
It was indescribable. I literally cried in the arms of my (then) boyfriend after seeing images of cows and pigs and even dogs being cut open or their skin peeled off while still alive or shot multiple times before dying. I realize that this doesn’t happen everywhere, but it shows that there isn’t enough being done about animal cruelty in this industry. I was so shocked by what I learned, that I decided to go cold turkey – I cut meat out completely. I did pretty good for a few months. My meals consisted of veggie fried rice and pastas mostly. I didn’t even miss meat. Until ….. bacon. *DUN DUN DUN* (insert evil laugh).
I don’t remember the day. I don’t remember what I was doing or how I ended up there. All I know is, I had bacon and my whole world was turned upside down. Once I had that salty, porky goodness, it was all downhill from there. I know I sound like a hypocrite, and I was, but it was hard for me and I didn’t really prepare myself for the temptation. So eventually, I got off the vegetarian ride, but I promised I would get back on someday. Now I realize where I went wrong.
First, I didn’t educate myself. I made the decision based purely on my emotions. I failed to plan, so my plan failed.
Second,I didn’t surround myself with people who could encourage me and keep me motivated. With anything, you need a support system to help you stay on track.
Third, and I think most importantly, I didn’t transition. I chose the guerrilla approach because I was so passionate, but I should’ve taken a slow and steady approach instead. This time, I plan to slowly eliminate meat from my diet. I’ll then move on to eliminate cheese, then eggs and so on until eventually I am vegan. For now though, I’m focusing on being vegetarian.
I’ve already started to cut red meat out of my diet. Pork will be next, followed by poultry, then fish and seafood. I’m actually pretty excited about it! Although I’m a health fanatic and a huge part of my decision to go vegetarian is because of the health benefits, I have to admit that an even bigger part of me can’t stand what animals have to endure just so that I can eat a cheeseburger and some hot wings – so I won’t continue to eat them. I’m reading articles and blog posts on everything from vegetarian recipes to animal cruelty laws.
The title of this post actually came from a video I found while searching the internet for content. So if you’re reading this post and you have any advice, PLEASE share! I welcome tips, criticism, links, documentary suggestions – whatever! Join me on my journey if you like! I would love to have a veggie buddy!
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