In regards to this particular post, it’s something my husband and I have talked about frequently. I had a very close friend who’s been vegetarian/vegan for the majority of our post-puberty lives, so I get the reasons behind making the choice. In her case, the no-meat decision was based off the idea that she simply didn’t like it, and going vegan was the ultimate result of developing a dairy allergy. I myself gave up red meat for awhile due to learning about the conditions in factory farms and hormones being pumped into our food supply. I went back to eating meat because, well, I like it.

Now, I am much more conscious of what I eat in general. In terms of personal aesthetics and what people like and don’t like, and how your food makes you feel, I support anyone’s decision to take care of themselves. I don’t however, support vegetarianism/veganism from a purely ethical standpoint, and this is only because there are serious ethical issues in the produce and agriculture industries as well. Not eating meat due to animal mistreatment I can understand, but in reality, there are humans rights violations across the industrialized food industry as well. A lot of our out-of-season produce comes from farms in California – farms that are staffed almost entirely with illegal Mexican immigrants. I don’t blame the immigrants – I blame the twisted system that provides us with our food.

In my humble personal opinion, if a person wants to eat ethically (and by extension, more healthfully) we should be focusing on locally grown sustainable foods. Animal products or not, this is the healthiest way to eat, and the best way to feel good (physically and mentally) about what you’re eating.

I’ll be adding you to my blog reader – looking forward to more!

How is restricting your diet in these ways any different than living life as a vegetarian or vegan? I have been a vegetarian for 8 years. There was a period during that 8 years that I was overweight. Obviously, being a vegetarian did not have an affect on my food consumption. I still ate plenty. I just wasn’t responsible about it.

Now, like you, I am a vegetarian and a runner. I understand how food fuels my body much better than I ever did 8 years ago or before that when I was eating meat. I really believe people have been brainwashed by the meat and dairy industries to believe their products are necessary to live a long and healthy life. It’s simply not true. And on the contrary, I think it’s harmful. That being said, it’s MY CHOICE. I never expect that others will agree. I simply expect respect of my choice.

Let’s also not forget that this started with a question about whether your husband had a DONUT. Probably the least nutritious semi-consumable product ever created. Your husband didn’t want a donut because it wouldn’t do anything for him but, apparently, make him more socially acceptable. (I’m postulating here of course!) From there, this man assumes you have an eating disorder? That’s quite a leap.

I could go on all day. Sidebar… I too stopped eating meat because the smell began to turn my stomach. That’s it. I just didn’t like it anymore. The notion that shifting to a vegetarian diet was more eco- and animal-friendly was just icing on the proverbial cake.

The Bible is clear that while Man has dominion of animals, land, etc., he has to treat it all with respect. Animals are God’s creation, too! I agree that Christians can be so ignorant of animals, but that’s not an error in the Bible, it’s an error in the person. It’s sad, but I really hope that I can help change that!!!

Thanks for stopping by! I am so proud to be a No Meat Athlete!!!