Where's the Beef?

Happy Monday, everyone!

I was planning to write a post about vegetarianism, and I think today is a perfect day to do it!

I went vegetarian the summer before senior year of college when I moved to NYC to intern at ELLE. I had always wanted to try it, and I figured when I was living on my own would be the best time. I felt like I made healthier food choices when I chose a vegetarian option. (Because, like, pepperoni pizza has more calories than plain cheese.)

At first, it wasn’t a healthier option for me, because along with meat, I cut so many other good things. Also, I had no concept of, um, protein. This should be a vegetarian’s big concern, but I didn’t know how much I needed, and I definitely didn’t come close to getting enough. (See, skinnier does not always equal healthier.) When I went home in July, my hairdresser was shocked at the condition of my hair. It was breaking off. So…it was time for a real education on vegetarianism! (And a bob.)

Once I got a better handle on the nutrition involved, it turned out to be great for me. I chose to put good things in to make up for what I was taking out. I also felt like it went well with my attitude on the environment, agriculture, and social policy; I am a bleeding-heart liberal, after all. And my family history of heart disease was good motivation. Once I did my research and discovered protein, it helped me build an extremely healthful diet. I didn’t miss meat, and I ate tons of veggies. It helped that I was resourceful and liked to cook and try new products. In 2008, I dabbled in veganism for a few months, and I learned some things worked for me, and some did not. But I felt like the experience helped me be more open-minded about food, diets, and nutrition. Also, it made me spend more time in health food stores, which doesn’t hurt, and discover new foods I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Then this past fall, I had a moment. A drunken late-night moment with a boy at a falafel cart where he ordered me a lamb gyro and I ate it! The next morning I ordered bacon at brunch–with same said boy! This had never even been a temptation before, so I’m not quite sure what I was thinking. (And I’m just going to avoid any bad jokes about meat and bones right now, if that’s OK with you.)

Moving on…

Bacon really went viral right around that time last fall, with all these new bacon products filling the blogosphere. It was calling to me, with bacon cupcakes for God’s sake. I became a pretty lazy and uncommitted vegetarian.

So meat started to come and go from my diet. It wasn’t a major player, but I had it from time to time, if I really wanted it. I still mostly wasn’t into it. But then I did a high-protein diet (hence all my turkey burger salads and pork dinners as of late). I was eating more chicken than I had in years, and I really didn’t like it. I also realized how expensive meat is, and how annoying it is to wonder if I’m giving myself salmonella every time I make a salad. I just missed my tofu and beans!

So now I guess I am a “flexitarian.” I prefer “bacon-tarian,” although I can’t see that catching on as a buzzword. I am happy to go back to a more plant-based style of eating, for all the reasons I started it in the first place.

Anyway, that’s my personal relationship with animals, vegetables, and bacon. And now, with all that said, there’s a movement called Meatless Monday I thought I’d talk about!

The intention of Meatless Monday is to help prevent heart disease, cancer, and stroke by reducing saturated fat intake. One way to do this is to cut out meat one day a week! (It also is truly one of the best ways to go “green.”) This isn’t an excuse for a mac and cheese with a side of fries binge, though. It’s a reminder to fill your plate with more healthy items! It’s also a great opportunity to experience new foods and recipes. I am going to start posting a vegetarian meal, recipe, or tip each Monday (starting this afternoon).

You can find out all the details of Meatless Monday by clicking on the image below–they have good advice on nutrition, as well as recipes.  Some whole cities have adopted Meatless Monday, when no schools or government offices serve meat. I definitely encourage people to try vegetarianism, even if it’s part time, or just until dinner!

Tagged as: Diet, Meatless Monday, vegetarianism