Vegetarianism - would you try it?

humbert

I don't see any reason to cut a tasty nutritious component of my diet out.

I don't think it's cruel to animals, I do accept that beef production is bad for the environment but I don't think anything will change until it's absolutely necessary (i.e. we are all walking around wearing gas masks) and there's a strong statistical correlation between being a vegetarian and being a dry self-righteous whingy bastard.

Aoifey!

humbert wrote: »

I don't see any reason to cut a tasty nutritious component of my diet out.

I don't think it's cruel to animals, I do accept that beef production is bad for the environment but I don't think anything will change until it's absolutely necessary (i.e. we are all walking around wearing gas masks) and there's a strong statistical correlation between being a vegetarian and being a dry self-righteous whingy bastard.

I was wondering how long it'd take before someone came out with something like this. 4 pages, we done well!

humbert

Aoifey! wrote: »

I was wondering how long it'd take before someone came out with something like this. 4 pages, we done well!

Only two pages for me and I hope you're not whinging!

Aoifey!

humbert wrote: »

Only two pages for me and I hope you're not whinging!

Not really, no

SusieBlue

I was a veggie for 6 years, but then I gave up because I'm anaemic.

I'll be honest, I wasn't vegetarian for any noble "save the animals" type reason, I just never really liked meat and the texture of it turned my stomach.

I only eat white meat now, just fish and chicken. I have red meat occasionally, maybe about 4-5 times a year.

kumate_champ07

bogwalrus wrote: »

Veggie abut 6 years now.

No cravings for meet or fish and i was a bacon & steak addict.


Eating a much larger variety of foods that i would never have known about unless i became a vegetarian.

Cooking skills are pretty good now also.


I would like to get back in to eating fish again but it might be a while before i can get my head around it.


The one negative side i would say to being a veggie is that you really have to transform your eating habits not just your diet or else you will become very unhealthy.

I found for the first year that i ate loads more pizza's and chinese takeaway's as meat was excluded from my diet.

It might be difficult if your cooking skills are terrible.

My two cents anyway

that's cool but alot of meat eaters know about many alternative veg too

also imagine 100's of cows taken from a field and dumped in the sea were they drown and die. thats pretty much what happens to the fish in reverse

Ando's Saggy Bottom

Was practically veggie for about a year due to the missus being one when we first met. Id recommend it to anyone. Really diversifies the palate and makes you a far better and more imaginative cook.

humbert

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

that's cool but alot of meat eaters know about many alternative veg too

also imagine 100's of cows taken from a field and dumped in the sea were they drown and die. thats pretty much what happens to the fish in reverse

They bring dead fish back to life (possibly twice), take them out of the sea and dump them into a field :eek:

token101

Raminahobbin wrote: »

I've had quite a few vegetarian dinners parties and barbeques where my more carnivorous friends have thoroughly enjoyed the food and haven't missed the meat.

A BBQ with no meat? Really? I can't imagine charred carrots taste very nice to be honest.

Can understand people being veggies for taste or health reasons, but this animal cruelty stuff is nonsense. You denying yourself a Irish produced steak in Ireland isn't going to stop barbarism in countries with poor animal rights records.

Canis Lupus

token101 wrote: »

A BBQ with no meat? Really? I can't imagine charred carrots taste very nice to be honest.

Regardless of how nice everyone calls her food if there was meat on the menu her vegetarian options would be decidly unloved.

robman60

I've considered it as a possibility for about a year now, and practised it for a while, but it's not really feasible while I'm still living at home. It doesn't help that I can't cook for myself either and that'll probably stay the same while I'm at home!


It's definitely something I'd consider, but you're not really "saving" animals, rather preventing them from ever existing (as in, farmers won't produce as many animals when demand is lower).

Scanlas The 2nd

Never, it's too unhealthy and I value my sex drive.

darlett

token101 wrote: »

A BBQ with no meat? Really? I can't imagine charred carrots taste very nice to be honest.

An interesting experiment though, surely? Going balls out and trying it. One of the nicest foods I ever had was BBQ shrimp. Only problem being, A- Ive never been able to repeat the marinade of my favourite BBQ shrimp, and B- are shrimp and fishfood vegetarian enough to be called vegetarian?

tayto lover

darlett wrote: »

An interesting experiment though, surely? Going balls out and trying it. One of the nicest foods I ever had was BBQ shrimp. Only problem being, A- Ive never been able to repeat the marinade of my favourite BBQ shrimp, and B- are shrimp and fishfood vegetarian enough to be called vegetarian?

I'm definitely going to give the Tofu a go.
(might have burgers on stand-by though)

Aoifey!

darlett wrote: »

An interesting experiment though, surely? Going balls out and trying it. One of the nicest foods I ever had was BBQ shrimp. Only problem being, A- Ive never been able to repeat the marinade of my favourite BBQ shrimp, and B- are shrimp and fishfood vegetarian enough to be called vegetarian?

Sorry to make your vegetarian BBQ harder, but I don't think you can call shrimp and fishfood vegetarian :P

Acacia

I watched 'Earthlings' and was traumatised so I gave it go for about a month, but damn tasty burgers lured me back. Fcuk Eddie Rocket's and their secret sauce.

Cork24

NO, i wouldnt try it..

We have meat for a reason

darlett

Aoifey! wrote: »

Sorry to make your vegetarian BBQ harder, but I don't think you can call shrimp and fishfood vegetarian :P

Awh bugger! A quick google gave me that as Pescetarianism-which just aint catchy enough!-and dates back as far as 1993. A tasty but culturally insignificant step

token101

darlett wrote: »

An interesting experiment though, surely? Going balls out and trying it. One of the nicest foods I ever had was BBQ shrimp. Only problem being, A- Ive never been able to find the marinade of my favourites, and B- are shrimp and fishfood vegetarian enough to be called vegetarian>

Not really, to be honest. I googled Vegetarian BBQ. The rows of avocado and pepper skewers and mounds of couscous didn't exactly make me salivate. Jesus if you like something who gives a **** whether it's 'vegetarian enough' or not. Just eat the ****ing thing and avoid Linda's judging eyes next time you're in the supermarket.

darlett

token101 wrote: »

Not really, to be honest. I googled Vegetarian BBQ. The rows of avocado and pepper skewers and mounds of couscous didn't exactly make me salivate. Jesus if you like something who gives a **** whether it's 'vegetarian enough' or not. Just eat the ****ing thing and avoid Linda's judging eyes next time you're in the supermarket.

Well firstly dont attack vegetarianism on my poorly chosen words...cos Im not a vegetarian, and in general I do eat what I like. And I know little to nothing on the vegetarian BBQ. Ive chewed on donkey, horse, croc and dog(when in rome etc) in my time and Im not very sorry about any of that. But I do think limiting yourself to a certain range of food for a period of time can encourage creativity and increased knowledge.

(I missed the series but I would love to see H F-Ws River Cottage take on vegetarianism.)

Roasted root vegetables? Something I only ever attempted a couple of years ago. Something so easy, simple, cheap, and so so good.

flutterflye

I was a veggie for 3 years.
But I wasn't getting even nearly enough nutrients.
I was only a kid at the time (12-15), so I couldn't/wouldn't make my own meals, but as an adult now, I know I wouldn't be able for the effort involved in making sure I ate enough of everything I needed.
I became a veggie because I didn't like the thoughts of eating animals - these days, I still don't, but I just don't think about it!!
I don't eat much red meat because it's hard to get back into that after being a vegetarian - it's hard on your stomach or something.
I still can't eat lamb if I know it's lamb!
Just the thoughts of a little baby lamb prancing about!

PickledLime

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

Never, it's too unhealthy and I value my sex drive.

It's only a small sentence, but it's just chock full of hilarity.

Also, you've clearly never dated a veggie lass!

Raminahobbin

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Regardless of how nice everyone calls her food if there was meat on the menu her vegetarian options would be decidly unloved.

Actually, there was always the option for my friends of using a second BBQ to cook meat, but they usually chose to eat the food I prepare cos they know it's tasty.

Anyway, look, it doesn't need to be vegetarian v. carnivore. These threads inevitably always end up going this way. God forbid a person might opt to have a meat free dinner once in a while- humans are omnivores naturally. Most of the people I eat with eat meat with 80-90% of their meals, they can appreciate good food for being good food, regardless of whether it has meat in it or not. Sometimes it's nice to mix it up a little.

Obviously, for various reasons, some people remove the choice to explore their carnivorous side, but as long as they don't make other people uncomfortable about it I don't see the problem.

Cork24

Why The Hell do Veggies

Keep Throwing this Sh**t in our Faces.. they think their so high up in their White Horse.

Yes in the EU we dont have it this bad then what they have it in America.. So i think its time for America to take their Heads out of their A** and look at how we do things over here. we have laws on how our animals should live their lives & be killed...

I do eat meat, would i change no i wouldn't.. but i do make small changes in what i take in..

I buy Free Range Eggs not Caged Eggs,, If we did all Stop buying Caged Eggs then that is one Step.. What's an Extra couple of Cent to shut down a Factory that has their Chickens Like that ?

I limit my Pork intake i dont buy it but i would eat it if it was cooked and given to me.

token101

darlett wrote: »

Roasted root vegetables? Something I only ever attempted a couple of years ago. Something so easy, simple, cheap, and so so good.

Boiled vegetables, definitely, steamed vegetables are OK too. And vegetable soup is the best meal ever when it's cold. But roasted vegetables are usually horrible.

darlett wrote: »

Ive chewed on donkey, horse, croc and dog(when in rome etc) in my time

Sorry, but the immature child in me found this hilarious :pac:

nervous_twitch

10 years without meat this year.

I like the idea of 'Meatless Mondays' that various organisations have been promoting; not as a stealth tactic to gradually convert the carnivorous, but because I think Western society is generally over-dependent on meat, and one night a week might encourage people to experiment with various vegetarian dishes that they wouldn't otherwise try.

Raminahobbin

darlett wrote: »

Well I will! Where do you get your tofu or what type do you go for? Ive had it abroad in various forms, and some actually quite tasty, but very hard (possibly Im looking in all the wrong places) to get good stuff here. Ive never actually bought it-or like Aoifey even eaten in Ireland!

It's cheaper from the asian stores so I buy it there. I'm not a huge tofu eater- I literally only use it for the summer months in BBQs and the occasional stir fry, but I try to get a reasonably firm one.

I spent some time in China, and tofu is everywhere- it was my first proper exposure to the different types. While it was nice to begin with, I just couldn't stomach it after a couple of weeks. It's mainly the texture and blandness I hated- like eggwhites but much more jelly like It's only after I tried the freezing and marinading thing that I have started enjoying it!!

Also, while in China, I found loads of completely vegetarian restaurants that specialised in mock meats. They were AMAZING. So unbelievably tasty, and very like real meat. I haven't been able to find anything even remotely like that in restaurants here, but I'm pretty sure they were various forms of seitan, a wheat based meat alternative. I know you can get mock duck in the asian shops made from seitan, but I'm not keen on trying duck so I think I'll just have to learn to make my own :P

PickledLime

Cork24 wrote: »

Why The Hell do Veggies

Keep Throwing this Sh**t in our Faces.. they think their so high up in their White Horse.

Yes in the EU we dont have it this bad then what they have it in America.. So i think its time for America to take their Heads out of their A** and look at how we do things over here. we have laws on how our animals should live their lives & be killed...

I do eat meat, would i change no i wouldn't.. but i do make small changes in what i take in..

I buy Free Range Eggs not Caged Eggs,, If we did all Stop buying Caged Eggs then that is one Step.. What's an Extra couple of Cent to shut down a Factory that has their Chickens Like that ?

I limit my Pork intake i dont buy it but i would eat it if it was cooked and given to me.

Overreacting a bit there? Gist of the thread is 'I've seen this video and after watching it, i'm tempted to try vegetarianism, would you?'

I was a veggie for 7 years (i do eat some meat now but just prefer the cost/ease/tastiness of veggie dishes) and used to love when a meat eater would get all up in my face about it, i'd just deadpan "well have you ever eaten dog? I tried terrier once, t'was fierce chewy" and the look of disgust was just golden :cool:

Raminahobbin

Cork24 wrote: »

Why The Hell do Veggies

Keep Throwing this Sh**t in our Faces.. they think their so high up in their White Horse.

:rolleyes:

darlett

token101 wrote: »

Boiled vegetables, definitely, steamed vegetables are OK too. And vegetable soup is the best meal ever when it's cold. But roasted vegetables are usually horrible.

Au contraire, roasted spuds are ace.

And if you cant make roasted carrots or parsnips or even an onion halved and baked for half an hour to 40 mins yummy...oh just try it again, a bit of blackening of the veg this makes it sooo damn nice trust me

token101 wrote: »

Sorry, but the immature child in me found this hilarious :pac:

Admittedly it does read like a mammoth bestiality session

Pride Fighter

I have been for nearly 3 months. Been off beef nearly 14 years before that and the year before being fully off meat, I'd have it only once every 10 days.

It is a lot cheaper, brown lentil shepherds pie, falafel burgers, vegetarian burritos. Amongst many other things.

Vegetarian food is amazing.

anishboi

I witnessed a cow being slaughtered first hand when I was 7. Since then...always been vegetarian.

Not missing anything

Da Shins Kelly

Just recently became one. Was never a big meat-eater anyway and I don't miss it all. I did become a vegetarian for ethical reasons, but I'm not going to lecture anyone about it. Do whatever you want, but I've decided I don't want or need to eat meat. Personal decision.

lolli

I've been a vegetarian for 18 years now. I have no problem cooking meat for other people.

I know of some vegetarians who lecture meat eaters and that drives me crazy. Each to their own.

TheFruitarian

Vegetarian now for over twenty years but I eat really poorly and couldn't understand why I never really felt much benefits of eating that way, I actually felt better eating meat and so I went vegan but still didn't see the results I that I wanted, still felt ill and lacked energy.

What changed my life when I went 100% Raw Vegan. Initially I felt very ill and craved cooked food like it was crack cocaine but then after around three to four weeks I began to feel like a kid again, that feeling you have as a ten year old of boundless joy and energy.

I get around 70% of my calories from fruits, 15% from fat, 15% from protein.

I believe humans have a species specific diet and that 100% Raw Vegan food is it.

Sulla Felix

I don't understand why so many vegetarians say they know how to cook after making the change. I mean, I can cook, quite well if I do say so myself. Are you sure it's not just that you were a shít cook before and that's what put you off meat?

lolli

Sulla Felix wrote: »

Are you sure it's not just that you were a shít cook before and that's what put you off meat?

Yes i am sure thats not the reason

Da Shins Kelly

Sulla Felix wrote: »

I don't understand why so many vegetarians say they know how to cook after making the change. I mean, I can cook, quite well if I do say so myself. Are you sure it's not just that you were a shít cook before and that's what put you off meat?

Well, I know in my experience anyway, becoming vegetarian has meant I've had to be more creative and thoughtful about what I eat, which has meant I have to make more effort to make sure I'm getting all the nutrients I need. It's made me try out different dishes I've never eaten before to get variation in my diet. I've never been a great cook, but becoming vegetarian has certainly made me try out more and get more practice in with cooking!

Einhard

anishboi wrote: »

I witnessed a cow being slaughtered first hand when I was 7. Since then...always been vegetarian.

Not missing anything

Cows and sundry animals are slaughtered for more than just food- animal by-products are in a myriad of items we use daily, from jelly babies to leather shoes. Do you also refrain from those things? Just curious. I don't really get why somebody would go vegetarian because of the alleged cruelty, and not go fully vegan.

As for moi- I love meat too much to ever go veggie. I do try to buy free range stuff though, and try to buy as ethically as possible.

Mr. CooL ICE

Meat is awesome. Half the food I cook has two different meats in it. Bolognese? Better with sausage meat thrown in. Chicken and veg stir fry? Better with bacon. Beef chilli? Better with both minced round-eye and casserole chunks stewed in bacon fat.

That said, I make a wicked vegan daal. Also, my mother is a vegetarian so was exposed to many veggie dishes which are grand.

Sulla Felix

LordChessington wrote: »

Meat is awesome. Half the food I cook has two different meats in it. Bolognese? Better with sausage meat thrown in. Chicken and veg stir fry? Better with bacon. Beef chilli? Better with both minced round-eye and casserole chunks stewed in bacon fat.

That said, I make a wicked vegan daal. Also, my mother is a vegetarian so was exposed to many veggie dishes which are grand.

Ohh, I'm trying that in my bolognese next time!

Lia_lia

Yeah, been a vegetarian most of my life. Was brought up as one. Except for like 3-4 years when I was a teenager...had to try meat at some point! (BLEUGH!)

I never take supplements or anything like that. Probably should, but meh. I'm healthy enough, never sick or anything.

Meat does taste nice, I have to admit. But I don't really like the idea of eating dead animals, and it doesn't quite agree with my stomach soooo..

JustAThought

I don't eat a lot of meat regularly but somehow the thought if becoming a vegetarian has me already yearning for a thick rasher butty with an inch of lettuce, blue cheese & relish... Mmmmm

I was in an abbitoir once when I was 19 or so & to this day will never forget the look in that cows eye - it KNEW what was coming . But unfortunately that hasn't put me off - we all have bad days/minutes/seconds.

But - I'd really be strongly against battery chickens & would go without rather than buy non-free range eggs. And I'd be very worried about Tofu & GM materials .

Veg's are most probably better cooks ( if you have the time) but the amount if times I've been out in " normal" restaurants & see the look of disappointment on friends faces when their " veg" dish arrives... They really are shirt changed when "shopping" .

Personally I'd miss steaks, washers, fried chorizo for my soups/salads, & FISH. If the world was to be ending I Could never be a non-fisheating-vegetarian!!!!

Jimoslimos

To those who choose vegetarianism/veganism etc for ethical reasons should also consider that most modern crop agriculture practices (whether "organic" or not) will have detrimental effects on the local fauna and ecosystem. So unless you plan on living in a cave eating wild berries and nuts, give the lecturing a rest.

I love my meat and fish, although trying to cut down on my red meat intake. Don't much care for pig products though, pork, bacon, ham, etc which makes me a bit strange I guess.

_petulia_

supackofidiots wrote: »

I'm tempted to go for it after seeing this video which is flying around twitter.

http://hiddenfaceoffood.com/[/QUOTE]

I would like to but I like meat too much.

Having said that I do believe that animals deserve a better standard of care than they are currently receiving in some places - watching Food Inc about the food industry in America disgusted me. People who treat animals inhumanely should be arrested.

I buy organic / free range meat as much as possible now.

Da Shins Kelly

Jimoslimos wrote: »

To those who choose vegetarianism/veganism etc for ethical reasons should also consider that most modern crop agriculture practices (whether "organic" or not) will have detrimental effects on the local fauna and ecosystem. So unless you plan on living in a cave eating wild berries and nuts, give the lecturing a rest.

I love my meat and fish, although trying to cut down on my red meat intake. Don't much care for pig products though, pork, bacon, ham, etc which makes me a bit strange I guess.

Who's lecturing? To be honest, one thing I've noticed since becoming a vegetarian is the amount of meat-eaters who the second they hear you're a vegetarian are immediately on the defensive.

Jimoslimos

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

Who's lecturing? To be honest, one thing I've noticed since becoming a vegetarian is the amount of meat-eaters who the second they hear you're a vegetarian are immediately on the defensive.

Maybe "lecturing" was the wrong word. Smugness or self-righteousness might be more appropriate.

Scanlas The 2nd

Before anyone goes vegetarian they should really read this.

http://chriskresser.com/does-red-meat-increase-your-risk-of-death

Red meat is good for you.

jugger0

Vegetarians are always weeds so no.

whatdoicare

I like to eat a Japanese style diet and pretty much don't think that any meal needs to have meat or fish to be nutritious and filling but I like to have meat in my diet. I eat meat probably one or twice a week and fish probably once a day in some form.
I like the taste and I feel good after eating it.

I could go veggie without too much hassle but I don't feel the need to and I don't actually want to.

Animals in this country are treated well,free range and grass fed. There's no ethical reason here to stop eating meat, shop local and you've done your part.