"C. James Strutz" > wrote in message
...
>
> "WD West" > wrote in message
> om...
> > 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.
=======================
No, there hasn't been anybody that says you will 'always' cause more death
and suffering, only that is is possible you will. And there are no vegan
that have ever been able to refute that fact. They rant and rave about the
killing they think others are doing, but always ignore their own
contributions. That way they can feel good without having to actually
making any changes that would really make a difference.


There are other people who argue
> strongly to the contrary. All you can hope to do is research the issues
for
> yourself and make your own decisions. Think with your brain and your
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. 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.
==================
LOL What a crock. The same combinations are available with or without a
meat dish added.


Getting to that point may take some time depending on how
> far entrenched you are in the meat focused lifestyle. 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.
====================
Which really kills me... This ones always a hoot! You take something and
make it look, feel and taste like something you claim to despise.
Answer this. How many animals do you figure die in the production and
prosessing of 100lbs of tofu meat substitute? How many animals do you
figure died to provide 100 lbs of grass fed beef, or game? Tofu is a
process dependent product. Besides, why would anyone want to knowingly feed
soy products to kids and pre-teens when it is touted as a hormone
replacement food for post-menepausal women?


>
> 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.
>
> Good luck with it...
>
>