"Useless Subject" > wrote in message
...
> 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 many times more collateral deaths resulting from crop production
for the cattle industry than it would take to feed an equivalent number of
people directly.

> > There are other people who argue
> > strongly to the contrary.
>
> Yes, without any facts.

I don't see any facts coming from you supporting your wild assertions. Just
a lot of flaming rhetoric and abuse.

> > 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.

At least I have a heart...

> >>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?

I have a lot of creativity.

> > 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.

You don't read well, do you?

> > 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.

I don't struggle at all, except with the likes of you.

> > 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!

Conscience, something you wouldn't know about.

> > 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.

Even you are entitled to your own opinon.