Well you can all let out a sigh of relief now, because I shall reveal all. Now most of you are going to be bitterly disappointed, because you all had your own ideas I guess of what it was to be about. Well, to most people it will be no big deal. But to those who have been in the same position as me, and have fought with their conscience at any time, you will know what I've gone through. In a nutshell, and for those who don't know much about me personally, I stopped eating meat, and became a vegetarian in 1994. Various reasons, but I'd never been a big meat eater, but did eat chicken, burgers, sausages, that sort of thing, but not one for meat that looked like dead animals if you know what I mean. Well when we started keeping chickens, I decided I couldn't eat them any more, nor did I like the thought of eating bits of cows or pigs (I never did eat lamb) so I stopped. I started to eat fish again after a couple of years, because I got pissed off with just having chips whenever we ate out (my other half used to love going to the chippy) and veggie options were very limited back then. So I wasn't a strict vegetarian for most of the time. So the confession is that this week, I ate chicken, in the form of a Chicken sandwich at MacDonalds. And it was bloody delicious. I wasn't sure if I could do it. I'd been thinking about it for a while, in all honesty since MacDonalds stopped doing the deli veggie melt and replaced it with a vile Mexican veggie burger with chilly sauce stuff dripping out of it. The last time I tried to eat "meat" was a bacon sarnie a few years ago, and I gagged, and couldn't swallow it. But this time, I'd made up my mind to try and just didn't think of what it was before. Anyone who has ever given up anything (like smoking I guess) and then started again will know what I'm going through. It's hard to explain. I feel sad, disappointed in myself, but at the same time, elated. The thing is, every time I go out, I see things that upset me, like birds or animals squashed in the road as one example. Everytime I see the news on television, I see something that upsets me. Every time I watch a nature programme I see something that upsets me. But I am powerless to prevent these things, they are still going to happen. And if I stop eating things that I enjoy, because of a principle, it's not going to stop things being killed to eat. And the way I look at it, my health has been crap for many years now, and it may just have something to do with my diet. So I'm prepared to give it a try, and fight the bad feelings I'm getting for giving in.
So there you have it. Not very exciting was it? But a bloody huge decision for me. And the reason I have now confessed is that I did it again today, this time I had a quarter-pounder, the first "red meat" I've eaten for 13 years. And again, I thoroughly enjoyed it. So did Emma, the first bit of burger she has ever had! I still don't think I could face seeing it as raw meat, but the occasional chicken thing or burger isn't going to change the world is it? I am also fed up with not being able to buy so many things because of the meat content. It's going to make life so much easier for me.
Okay to end, two pretty wildflowers that I took on the rough ground behind Morrisons where I took Emma after we had eaten! And it hasn't rained all day either, despite the forecast, it was quite nice for a couple of hours. It is raining now though, and getting darker by the second.
11 comments:
Well, I don't know what to say about it all. As I've probably told you I haven't had meat or fish for about 27 years and never crave it. If I smell it cooking somewhere I almost get sick and can't walk past the meat dept. in the supermarket as all I smell is death. My mind goes to the slaughter houses and I get very upset. However, that's my choice and I don't look down on people who eat meat. If you are comfortable with it, then eat it. Maybe one day you will go off it again. Hugs.
I almost didnt want to post this because of you OC, I knew you would be disappointed in me! It wasn't a decision I took lightly obviously. Like you, I avoid the aisle in a supermarket with the meat, and look the other way if I have to pass a butcher shop. Nothing will change there. Unlike you though, the smell of chicken roasting or bacon frying has always still made my mouth water. I also don't cook much as you will know, and buy a lot of ready meals and am so sick of the same old stuff all these years, and seeing the fridges stocked with dozens of things with chicken in, and about 5 choices in the veggie department. Anyway, I will see how it goes, it won't be something I will be doing every day, but just once in a while.
you said it old crow. With J it goes hand in hand with her tv habit. who cares? If that's who she wants to be, no one will incarcerate her for being that kind of person. I havent eaten meat in ages and it really stinks to smell it cooking now. McDonald's cuisine is a big laugh. Its all packaging. Take fat, sugar, some fiber and add lots of salt and fry it. Graphic design is absolute wizardry. The more you watch tv, the more you are trained to accept what they sell. yummy you respond on cue.
I was just wondering if Diddy the chicken cock-a-doodle do'd at dawn? I was at a plant nursery today with great big chickens running around as bug killers. I think Diddy is really cute. Id like to have him. If you are thinking of eating him, just mail him to me. I'll pay the freight. He could be equal to 2 chick-a-fills.
Becoming a vegetarian is something I could never do--EVER! I am a very big meat eater and couldn't imagine life without. But, to each his own--it would be SUCH a boring world if we all were exactly alike, right? :)
To anonymous - no I won't be eating Diddy, no more than I would eat Emma, or my own arm. And most probably if I still had chickens, I wouldn't have been able to do what I did this week either. And what is this fixation you have about me and watching tv? Because I like Reality shows or what? I am not a tv addict. I didn't even have it on last night, and even when it is on, I never watch anything properly as I am normally on this laptop viewing stuff or chatting on Yahoo. I don't know what you are getting at. Oh, and I don't take notice of adverts either, in fact I can't remember the last time I saw an ad for MacDonalds. I just happen to find it a convenient place to get hot tasty food from when I am in town, rarely do I find anything wrong with it, along with thousands of other people here who also happen to enjoy it. As cmk says, each to their own. :)
Well Jan, I understand it was a huge decision for you. I'm partly vegetarian in that I don't eat red meat, poultry etc but I do eat fish. Like you it's because I was fed up having nothing to eat when we went out, particularly as I can't eat mushrooms and most veggie options have mushrooms in. I've been 'veggie' (I think there's now a word for one that eats fish?), for about 17 years (became one after seeing the disgusting way they keep and slaughter chickens)and can't imagine ever eating meat/poultry again. I still have to prepare it for Clive and raw chicken in particular revolts me, I can't wait to scrub my hands after I've touched it. I've never eaten in a MacDonalds in my life, never wanted to, as anonymous said it's rubbish cuisine - but each to their own, if that's what you want then do it! Life is too short to waste being something you don't want to be. That said, I don't think eating meat in the form of burgers etc will do anything to improve your health. I firmly believe that the illness I have (lupus) is kept at a manageable level because I'm veggie. Also I eat very little in the way of ready meals, I prefer to prepare everything from scratch - then I know what's in it - no colours and additives!
I do think it takes courage to do what you're doing and go back to eating meat after so long. Enjoy!
I wonder what the food situation is like where you live. It seems you are drawn to the rustic life but if you wish are you able to buy farm grown food directly from farmers? such as eggs, chickens, vegatables or even beef? or are you totally limited to the supermarket?
Jan I was veggie for years, about 15 I think, then one day I took the choice to eat meat again and have been ever since, I never liked the smell or taste but now I do, people change we all like what we like and do what we do, nowt to feel guilty about at all.
There is no reason to feel guilty about eating meat. Its just that there are so many delighful alternatives to Big Macs.
Jan, Life is far too short to worry about what others think. If you are happy with your decisions that is all that matters.I respect the views of those that wish to be vegetarians..and i like vegetarian food but I also like meat and fish. I know there are some who would argue that we shouldn't eat them and if thats what they want fine , but I will do what is right for me.
Hey Jan glad you told us what was going on. You have to do what is right for you and only you can do that. It is hard to find a good vegetarian meal when you are out that is for sure so this will make your life easier.
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