C. James Putz wrote:
>>The older I get, the more I am leaning towards becoming a vegetarian.
>>Not for any health reasons but it seems so hypocritical of me to care
>>as much about animals as I do and then consume them.
>
> There are some people on this list who will call you names and tell you in
> the most vulgar language that you will contribute to more animal deaths as a
> vegetarian than as a non-vegetarian.

How do you justify the deaths of animals, birds, and fish from the use
of heavy machinery, pesticides (even in organic farming), storage, and
transportation? The only thing that changes in a veg-n diet is that one
no longer EATS animal parts. That does nothing to change the fact that
animals still die horrid deaths from flooded fields, pesticide use,
being run over by combines and other farm machinery, etc.

> There are other people who argue
> strongly to the contrary.

Yes, without any facts.

> All you can hope to do is research the issues for
> yourself and make your own decisions. Think with your brain and your heart.

Your heart doesn't think, it only bleeeeeeeeeeeeeds.

>>My problem
>>(which I hope is not unique) is this: I was raised in a "meat and
>>potatoes" family. Every meal, every day, had some form of meat, from
>>bacon in the morning to a roast etc. and night. Somehow the idea of a
>>meatless meal seems like no meal at all. For instance, I could eat
>>salad to the point of bursting but when I get up from the table I
>>wonder, when are we having the real dinner? I have tried Garden
>>Burgers and the like and, while the flavor was acceptable if not good,
>>the texture obviously is not at all close to a hamburger. It is
>>possible, I suppose, that the tactile part of eating meat plays a
>>part. Is there any choice between continuing to eat meat and never
>>really enjoying a meal again? If there isn't, I will probably choose
>>to pass on enjoying food but I'd rather there was a choice. Can
>>someone suggest a cookbook that may benefit someone such as myself?
>>Is it simply becoming used to meatless meals and how long does that
>>take? My thanks for any guidance you may provide.
>
> One of the benefits of vegetarian lifestyle is discovering that meals don't
> need a central focus. I think that always having same meatotato:vegetable
> theme for every meal stifles most kitchen creativity.

You have no creativity. None. Remember?

> Getting past that
> limitation opens up lots of new possibilities for combinations of
> vegetables, legumes, grains and fruits that make cooking and dining much
> more interesting.

It's not a limitation if you're creative.

> Getting to that point may take some time depending on how
> far entrenched you are in the meat focused lifestyle.

You've been vegetarian for a long time and you still struggle.

> Until then, there are
> lots of meat and dairy substitute products on the market with widely varying
> facsimiles to the real thing. The key thing to remember is that they are not
> meat, so don't expect them to taste exactly like meat.

What's the bloody point in eating something that's supposed to look,
taste, and/or feel like something you *won't* eat? Hypocrite!

> Regarding cookbooks, go to the nearest bookstore and browse the vegetarian
> cooking section for something that appeals to you. There's everything from
> "Almost Vegetarian" cookbooks to vegan cookbooks. While you're at the
> bookstore, check the magazine rack for "Veggie Life" and "Vegetarian Times"
> magazines. They have lots of good information and recipes for all levels of
> vegetarian preferences.

Vegetarian Times sucks.