Earlier this month in a video, Vlogbrother Hank Green said the production of meat accounts for about the same amount of greenhouse gasses as the transportation industry, and if we give the edible food we feed to livestock to starving people, no one in the world would be hungry.
“And yet, I still eat meat,” he said. “I know it's bad, but I keep doing it, because I like it.”
Challenging the Nerdfighters to give up meat for a month, he said, “Try it out, knowing that denying this one indulgence actually is going to make you a little better of a person.”
I, Justin Strawser – small town newspaper reporter, YouTube vlogger, obsessive tweeter, social network aficionado, and (most importantly, at least for the sake of this post) proud eater of animal flesh – will give up meat products and become a vegetarian for a one-month experiment in July. We'll call it VEDJ (Vegetarian Every Day in July).
Not only will it be healthier for me, it will also allow me to lower my ecological footprint a small amount. Depending on how I feel come July 31, I might continue this whole thing. Plus, you know, it's a challenge, and I'd like to see if I'm capable of this kind of self-control – because I really, really love meat (that's what she said in Vegas).
While I still need to have a Vegetarian Training Course with my friends Dylan, Emily, and Amanda, I've already listed a few of my observations and rules.
- I will not eat meat (which includes, but is not limited to: beef, chicken, and pork). I don't know whether seafood is allowed, but I've never been a big fan anyhow. I'm still not sure about the whole egg issue.
- I will try tofu options, even though they terrify me.
- I will consume less dairy and milk-based products. I will not cut them completely out of my diet, and I will sample substitutes such as soy milk.
- I like peanuts, cashews, almonds, etc. etc. These are a great protein replacement for meats.
- I like fruit. I like salad. I like vegetables in stir fry. I will take advantage of this. I don't need to be afraid that meat won't be my main dish, because fruits and vegetables will fill me up.
- I hear portabella mushroom are excellent, but I don't like mushrooms. This will not stop me from trying it.
- Beef and other meat broth is defeating the purpose of this experiment.
- Pasta is my friend, but be warned of the sauce.
- I will not replace my meat cravings with unhealthy options, such as six slices of pizza, candy, cakes, cookies, etc etc).
- While we're out it, I will limit my soda and energy drink intake. There are plenty of fruit juices that are just as tasty.
- This is the 21st Century. I'm willing to bet that vegetarian meals are not as bland as I think they are.
- It will not be the end of the world if I give in to my carnivorous desires. After all, this is an experiment.
This is going to be new and somewhat frightening experience for me and I'd love to have some help, support, and accountability. If you have suggestions, recipes, or words of wisdom, please leave 'em below.
It won't be the end of the world for you, but it will be the end of the world for some sentient being ;P
ReplyDeleteGood on you with the soda and energy drink thing. I want to challenge you one further: quench your thirst with water. Perhaps save the fruit juices for meals, or a snack or whatever. If you want something to drink mindlessly, or drink because you're very thirsty, go for water.
These are so good: http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Lentil-walnut%20burgers
Also, the other day I bought some SmartDogs, which aren't that super on their own, but I took some of the lentil walnut burger mix I had and made chili dog topping by using it in a standard recipe in place of the beef or whatever it called for. So good. I also like to top my burgers and dogs with some pea shoots. Mmm. (And ketchup. I've got HFCS-free stuff. Of course I do.)
You probably get a lot more protein than you need. If you're doing intense amounts of exercise, you'll need more protein. If you're walking to your car, getting in it, driving somewhere, and just poking around a bit, you reaallly don't need a lot of protein.
A complete protein is made from a monocot and a dicot. A monocot is a seed that doesn't split (think a corn kernel) and a dicot is one that does (a cashew). If you eat these within 48 hours of each other, you've got a complete protein. It isn't really something you'll need to worry about, if you're eating a variety of things. But if someone in the sticks challenges you about it, at least you'll know. http://www.fitsugar.com/Whats-Complete-Protein-Inquiring-Vegetarians-Want-Know-165298
When I woman ovulates, she either menstruates or becomes pregnant, depending on if there are sperm present to fertilize her egg. When a hen ovulates, it lays an egg regardless of the presence of sperm. She lays an egg that will either become a chick, or won't. If you're eating eggs from hens that live in battery cages (standard cheap grocery store eggs), you aren't getting fertilized eggs. When do those ladies have time to get their mack on? This will hold true for "free range" eggs and many other things, less you're buying them from a farmer, who might actually have hens walking around getting courted by roosters. Eggs are animal products, but they aren't necessarily animals. Not yet. And generally, not ever. The eggs my ladies lay will never become chicks, even if I let them go broody and sit on them. They'll never hatch.
If you do it right, you won't miss eating meat. The flavors imparted can be replicated... after all, we usually use some form of garlic / cumin / salt / pepper anyhow. The textures can be replicated too. You'll be fine, dude.