Comments on: COMPLICITY IS NOT A CHOICE

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:33:10 +0000

Hey Keira, first time commenter, long time reader. Just wanted to say that this was a great post!

I chose to become a vegetarian just over 3 months ago as well (April 14).

Like many of the commenters on here, I used to think I could never give up meat. I *loved* the taste too much and felt like I was doing well because I would have a couple veggie meals a week and I tried to keep things as organic as possible (which was not possible 100% of the time, though I did eat mostly organic meats).

I realized though that liking the taste of meat and pretty much being afraid that I couldn’t be happy as a vegetarian were not good enough reasons to keep eating meat when compared to the three HUGE reasons for becoming vegetarian – my health, the environment and no longer participating in the cruelty the animals I ate faced.

After 3 months, I know I still have a lot to learn and a lot of new foods to try, and that’s really exciting! This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

I think one of the hardest parts has been other people. Non-vegetarians don’t want to discuss the health, or any other, benefits of vegetarianism too deeply. I think most see it as an indirect attack/judgment on their way of living, even though I don’t feel that way.

I’ve never grilled (no pun intended) anyone on why they eat meat, but I’ve sure be asked to answer a bunch of intrusive, uninformed, annoyed (them, not me) and judgmental questions about why I know longer eat meat. It doesn’t really bother me though, I don’t mind arguing for my beliefs and if the other person is dead set against them, it’s all the most interesting!

Anyway, sorry for the long comment that’s just about me! This post in particular just really resonated with me, though I love your blog in general

By: takeitasred

takeitasred — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:54:50 +0000

If you’re interested, you might want to check out Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” I’m about 12 hours in on audiobook (out of 15) and it’s been fascinating – aside from his look at the dubious practices of large-scale commercial farming, he explores the ethics of vegetarianism as well. He describes the example of a particular organic, free range farm (Polyface farm) which utilizes productive links between waste and food cycles of cows and chickens, and quite graphically describes both an organic farm abbatoir (slaughterhouse) and a industrial-scale slaughterhouse. This is not the “certified organic” farm which has one window open to the outside in a room full of chickens, either: this is describing chickens which graze outside eating the grubs found in cow dung. I’m sure vegetarians and meat eaters will take away what they will from the book – either a desire to become vegetarian after being faced with the reality of killing animals (which he does not shy away from in the least), or a conviction that it’s ok to eat meat, but you better know where the hell it’s coming from, how it lived and how it died if you want to consider it at all “ethical.” At any rate it’s a worthwhile book that educates the consumer about all food, animal and vegetable, and its source.

By: angekins

angekins — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:13:36 +0000

I have only one thing to say…

YOU are my amazing, funny, compassionate, intelligent, caring, earth-mother loving friend…and now are the animals hero. They LOVE you and of course so do I, even the carrotts. We are WOWED.

And P.S. Earthlings should become school curriculum.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:02:15 +0000

I feel exactly the same…I think once you make that emotional connection between what you’re consuming and the horrible reality of where it comes from, it’s difficult to ever go back. I’ve known chickens with great senses of humour, dogs who are unabashed loving, and affectionate horses….they are individual “persons”, and every single one of them deserves the same appreciation as we do. Not as a means to an end, but because each of them is a life with inherent value.

By: Jocelyn

Jocelyn — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:41:03 +0000

Hi Keira!

Quick question that’s a little off-topic from the previous comments. I know you’ve mentioned on your blog in recent months that you’re also making positive changes in your life in terms of setting your budget and setting some financial goals.

I know meat isn’t exactly cheap money-wise either, but I’ve heard from different friends who live a veggie lifestyle that it can get pretty expensive. Are you finding any strain with your budget in putting together balanced vegetarian meals at home?

Just curious because I’d like to incorporate more vegetarian meals into my own diet. I’m pretty sure we’re both in about the same place in life from various things you’ve mentioned in previous posts (decent job, late twenties, single) and I’m wondering how you’re finding buying all veggie friendly foods is affecting your budget if at all.

I was a vegetarian all through high school but, sadly, gave it up at the direct orders of my father (a doctor) when I came home from first semester of university for Christmas break with a huge case of protein and iron deficiency. Sadly, at that time, the dining hall vegetarian options weren’t just “wah, wah! I don’t want to eat a salad every day” – they were virtually non existent. Tater tots served up on plain hamburger buns anyone? Not a vegetarian entree in my universe.

By: Keira-Anne

Keira-Anne — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:32:33 +0000

@Kim – I couldn’t agree more! And regarding the carrots, like I said above, plants are scientifically proven to lack the central nervous system and brain required to feel and register pain. So, in fact, you are not torturing those little carrots by chomping down on them

By: Kim Lavender Kitch

Kim Lavender Kitch — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:28:32 +0000

Good job Keira!
I haven’t had red meat in, oh, well since grade four, and no poultry for the last five years and I don’t miss it a bit. I stopped eating dairy over a year ago-but baby craves it so like you said, only from organic local and humane sources.
I feel so good every meal knowing that I can enjoy every bit because nothing had to suffer for my dinner. Except all the dumb, well how you you think the carrots feel, they are living too, comments. Urgh. Seriously!

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:33:52 +0000

I don’t think I can be as committed as you are regarding eating meat but I have cut down considerably. No meat for breakfast or lunch and at least 2 or 3 dinners a week are meat free. I have seen Earthlings and I can’t say it didn’t leave an impression. It is getting harder to swallow a piece of steak without thinking of where it came from. I commend you for taking a stance for what you believe and following through with it.

By: Marlee

Marlee — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:04:45 +0000

I couldn’t give up meat in a million years, I have tried to substitute meat for other proteins but it just never seems to satisfy me. I respect people that can, I just never could. I need to eat a small amount at least once a day and then I’m happy. However since I was a kid my family and I would shoot our own moose every year, and my mom and stepdad raise cows and they kill one every year or so as well. Chicken we always had to get from the store and same with pork because no one raised them in the area (small town.)

Sadly there are still places that do not have the option of whether or not their chicken was shoved in a cage with a thousand others. It is coming around though, slowly but surely.

By: Kater

Kater — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:30:15 +0000

I saw “Food Inc” last week at 5th Avenue Cinema. It is based on the books “Fast Food Nation” and “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”. I wish that it were required watching, and that people who watched it (and therefore learned a little bit more about where their food comes from, and what it is made out of) would take that knowledge and make better choices about the food they eat.

It’s not easy watching, but it is reality.

I have been a piscavorian for around 15 years and as I learned more about fisheries and fish stocks I have made the choice to go vegetarian. It just feels right to eat local and organic.