A Veteran to the Program -- New to the Vegetarian Group (Long Post)

[Guest guest]

Hi Karen and Heather,

 

I'm catching up on these posts and found this thread interesting. I am starting

to confront

my aversion to and feelings about eating meat. I came to RR as a vegetarian who

was

getting by on very little protein. However, as I'm trying to work on Step 3,

I'm revisiting

the issue. Here are some reasons why I'm reconsidering meat:

 

 

==First is that I get hungry more often than I want.

==The act of eating vegetarian food seems to take more work than eating meat--I

have to

eat more of it to get adequate protein

==there's more chewing required

==it seems to take longer to eat because of all the bulk

==a veg. meal doesn't hold me 5-6 hours

==I spend a lot of time preparing food, and then I use it up relatively quickly

because I

have to eat large amounts to get adequate protein.

==Cheese is a good protein source, but like Heather said, it can be addictive

and is high

in fat.

== Also I'm having some digestive " issues " with beans.

 

 

I've been doing Step 1 for just over a year and trying Step 2 on-and-off for

almost a year.

In the past few months, I have found myself seriously craving meat for the first

time in

many years. (I've had passing cravings in the past but nothing as strong as

now) These

cravings suggest that my body is trying to tell me it needs more protein.

 

So meat starts looking more attractive. I see it as an efficient source of

protein that will

help me get hungry less often.

 

But then the ethical and health issues surrounding my choice to be a vegetarian

resurface.

Were humans made to eat meat?

 

Can I get used to the idea of consuming animal flesh?

 

Is meat a healthy enough protein source?

 

If I do eat meat, where will I get it? I cannot abide factory farming b/c of

the miserable

conditions in which the animals are raised. (Alternatively, last weekend I

visited a family-

run farm outside of the city and purchased a frozen chicken from them that was

raised as

happily as a chicken can be raised. It is still in my freezer.....)

 

What about the impact of meat-eating on the environment? Raising animals for

meat

requires more energy than it takes to raise crops that are protein sources.

 

 

Some of these issues are probably my sugar sensitivity making me hyper-sensitive

to so

many issues. Maybe I'm creating too much drama around the issue, but

unfortunately it

has always been a complex issue to me.

 

 

Do any of you have issues like these? If so, how do you deal with them? Why

have you

decided to eat meat or not eat meat?

 

 

I apologize for the long post. I'm not sure if these issues are appropriate to

be discussed

here. If it's not appropriate, please tell me.

 

Thanks to everyone for reading.

Leah

 

 

 

 

 

 

, " Heather and Jon Dillon "

<hjdillon

wrote:

>

> Hi Karen,

>

> I'm am new to the group, too and have been on the program for awhile as

> well. I have been vegetarian in the past, but have relied on animal protein

> mostly since being on the program. I believe I needed it in my healing

> process. But I am wondering the same thing, Karen, about being vegetarian

> and on this program. I don't generally like to eat that much soy and the

> processed products tend to have things I don't want or can't have (like

> wheat).

>

> I have started playing around with things a little. I'm cutting back on

> animal protein at meals and using only really dense browns (no flours or

> processed) and lots and lots of veggies (more of a whole foods approach than

> anything). I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian/vegan meals as well

> and see how my body feels about that. I'm okay with eating some animal

> protein, but I also don't want to be reliant on it at every meal. So, I will

> continue to experiment, but I am also curious about how others are faring.

>

> Also, the Indian food thread is fun to read. I would like to make more

> Indian food at home. Eating out is always sketchy for me with wheat being a

> problem. Heather D.

>

> _____

>

>

> On Behalf Of KP

> Monday, August 14, 2006 4:41 PM

>

> A Veteran to the Program -- New to the

> Vegetarian Group

>

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> I've been doing this program since around 1999. Having been a vegetarian

> before (not a very good one) I began eating meat in 1999 after reading

> Potatos Not Prozac.

>

> Always feeling like a vegetarian at heart, a few months ago, I started

> eating mainly vegetarian food. I'm finding I am tired. I started

> journaling again, and I think I am just not getting enough protein.

>

> Part of my confusion is my doctor advised me to stop eating soy, especially

> the processed soy vegi burgers. And if I did eat it, to eat it in

> moderation. Everyday for lunch is too much!

>

> Anything anyone can suggest would be appreciated.

>

> Karen

>

[Guest guest]

Leah,

 

What can we do to help you with Step #2?

 

If someone eats meat or does not eat meat it simply does not matter, do what you

need to do

to heal via this awesome program. The ethical questions are a little out of

context for this

group.

 

My opinion is, as long as sugar sensitive people are eating they are in

recovery. It's nice to

have you here, journaling can be fun. Do you have a journal from the RR Store?

The RR Store

Journal has a very easy format to work with...

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Bob

[Guest guest]

Hi Leah, Yes, it is a bit harder to do the program as a vegetarian. In answer to the ethical questions you ask, I can answer strictly for myself only, as it is such a personal decision. I became a vegetarian nearly 38 years ago because it seemed to me that there was enough food on the planet that I could eat without taking a life. GailLeah <leah.blatzer wrote: Hi Karen and Heather,I'm catching up on these posts and found this thread interesting. I am starting to confront my aversion to and feelings about eating meat. I came to RR as a vegetarian who was getting by on very little protein. However, as I'm trying to work on Step 3, I'm revisiting the issue. Here are some reasons why I'm reconsidering meat:==First is that I get hungry more often than I want. ==The

act of eating vegetarian food seems to take more work than eating meat--I have to eat more of it to get adequate protein==there's more chewing required==it seems to take longer to eat because of all the bulk ==a veg. meal doesn't hold me 5-6 hours ==I spend a lot of time preparing food, and then I use it up relatively quickly because I have to eat large amounts to get adequate protein. ==Cheese is a good protein source, but like Heather said, it can be addictive and is high in fat. == Also I'm having some digestive "issues" with beans.I've been doing Step 1 for just over a year and trying Step 2 on-and-off for almost a year. In the past few months, I have found myself seriously craving meat for the first time in many years. (I've had passing cravings in the past but nothing as strong as now) These cravings suggest that my body is trying to tell me it needs more protein. So meat starts looking more

attractive. I see it as an efficient source of protein that will help me get hungry less often.But then the ethical and health issues surrounding my choice to be a vegetarian resurface. Were humans made to eat meat? Can I get used to the idea of consuming animal flesh? Is meat a healthy enough protein source? If I do eat meat, where will I get it? I cannot abide factory farming b/c of the miserable conditions in which the animals are raised. (Alternatively, last weekend I visited a family-run farm outside of the city and purchased a frozen chicken from them that was raised as happily as a chicken can be raised. It is still in my freezer.....)What about the impact of meat-eating on the environment? Raising animals for meat requires more energy than it takes to raise crops that are protein sources.Some of these issues are probably my sugar sensitivity making me hyper-sensitive to so many issues.

Maybe I'm creating too much drama around the issue, but unfortunately it has always been a complex issue to me.Do any of you have issues like these? If so, how do you deal with them? Why have you decided to eat meat or not eat meat?I apologize for the long post. I'm not sure if these issues are appropriate to be discussed here. If it's not appropriate, please tell me.Thanks to everyone for reading.Leah , "Heather and Jon Dillon" wrote:>> Hi Karen,> > I'm am new to the group, too and have been on the program for awhile as> well. I have been vegetarian in the past, but have relied on animal protein> mostly since being on the program. I believe I needed it in my healing> process. But I am wondering the same thing, Karen, about being vegetarian> and on this program. I don't generally like

to eat that much soy and the> processed products tend to have things I don't want or can't have (like> wheat). > > I have started playing around with things a little. I'm cutting back on> animal protein at meals and using only really dense browns (no flours or> processed) and lots and lots of veggies (more of a whole foods approach than> anything). I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian/vegan meals as well> and see how my body feels about that. I'm okay with eating some animal> protein, but I also don't want to be reliant on it at every meal. So, I will> continue to experiment, but I am also curious about how others are faring. > > Also, the Indian food thread is fun to read. I would like to make more> Indian food at home. Eating out is always sketchy for me with wheat being a> problem. Heather D.> > _____ > >

> On Behalf Of KP> Monday, August 14, 2006 4:41 PM> > A Veteran to the Program -- New to the> Vegetarian Group> > > > Hi All, > > I've been doing this program since around 1999. Having been a vegetarian> before (not a very good one) I began eating meat in 1999 after reading> Potatos Not Prozac. > > Always feeling like a vegetarian at heart, a few months ago, I started> eating mainly vegetarian food. I'm finding I am tired. I started> journaling again, and I think I am just not getting enough protein. > > Part of my confusion is my doctor advised me to stop eating soy, especially> the processed soy vegi burgers. And if I did eat it, to eat it in> moderation. Everyday for lunch is

too much! > > Anything anyone can suggest would be appreciated. > > Karen>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob,

 

I'm sorry that I posted about ethical issues of meat-eating here. Thank you for

saying that

this is out of context for this list. I haven't found a good place to talk

about the ethical

issues of eating meat. And reading my post again, I realize that I got carried

away.

 

I've tried Step 2 for a long time without much success. I have the RR journal.

I have filled

one and am working on my second. Unfortunately both are spotty in terms of

consistency.

I get going for several days and then lose my motivation.

 

I'm on the Step 2 list, and I recently read an email exchange in which Kathleen

said that if

someone has struggled with Step 2 for a long time, they could skip it

(temporarily) and go

to Step 3. Of course, eventually I'll have to return to Step 2. I know it's

not possible to do

the program without it.

 

My difficulties with Step 2 aside, I'm very happy with the RR program. Although

my

previous email may sound otherwise, I have noticed progress in many areas of my

life due

to just doing Step 1 and trying Step 2. My tastes are changing to crave more

savory, less

sweet foods. I've even started planning ahead some for meals, which is

necessary for a

vegetarian who prefers to cook bean dishes from dried beans. And this program

has really

made me aware of the importance of protein, which was almost completely absent

from

my diet before I began RR.

 

Leah

 

 

, " Bob " <yogabob7 wrote:

>

> Leah,

>

> What can we do to help you with Step #2?

>

> If someone eats meat or does not eat meat it simply does not matter, do what

you need

to do

> to heal via this awesome program. The ethical questions are a little out of

context for

this

> group.

>

> My opinion is, as long as sugar sensitive people are eating they are in

recovery. It's nice

to

> have you here, journaling can be fun. Do you have a journal from the RR

Store? The RR

Store

> Journal has a very easy format to work with...

>

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Bob

>

[Guest guest]

Leah,

 

No need to apoligize, it's ok. I really enjoyed reading your post. Along my

step #2 also

found my journaling to be " spotty " . Then I read a post from someone on the

Forum whom

linked sugar feelings (or the addiction) to what was keeping her from being 100%

on

target with the journaling. Remember that's what " woke me up " to diving

completly into

and staying with the journaling pool.

 

Sugar or addiction to things has kept me back in several areas in my life.

However by

working the steps I've found that it's possible to move forward. Let me share,

Lately I've

been having at least one " Very Difficult and Confrontational " meeting every

week. It's only

possible for me to handle these as a direct result of the doing the program.

 

When I met Kathleen for the first time in person @ Ranch, gave her a big hug and

said,

" Thank You for Saving my life " . That's still very true today. Leah, you get a

" Big Gold Star "

for sticking to the program for so long. Sounds like the healing process is

setting in and

please remember that this program will work for everyone.

 

Nice Talking with you,

 

Smile,

 

Bob

 

 

 

, " Leah " <leah.blatzer wrote:

>

> Hi Bob,

>

> I'm sorry that I posted about ethical issues of meat-eating here. Thank you

for saying

that

> this is out of context for this list. I haven't found a good place to talk

about the ethical

> issues of eating meat. And reading my post again, I realize that I got

carried away.

>

> I've tried Step 2 for a long time without much success. I have the RR

journal. I have

filled

> one and am working on my second. Unfortunately both are spotty in terms of

consistency.

> I get going for several days and then lose my motivation.

>

> I'm on the Step 2 list, and I recently read an email exchange in which

Kathleen said that

if

> someone has struggled with Step 2 for a long time, they could skip it

(temporarily) and

go

> to Step 3. Of course, eventually I'll have to return to Step 2. I know it's

not possible to

do

> the program without it.

>

> My difficulties with Step 2 aside, I'm very happy with the RR program.

Although my

> previous email may sound otherwise, I have noticed progress in many areas of

my life

due

> to just doing Step 1 and trying Step 2. My tastes are changing to crave more

savory,

less

> sweet foods. I've even started planning ahead some for meals, which is

necessary for a

> vegetarian who prefers to cook bean dishes from dried beans. And this program

has

really

> made me aware of the importance of protein, which was almost completely absent

from

> my diet before I began RR.

>

> Leah

>

>

> , " Bob " <yogabob7@> wrote:

> >

> > Leah,

> >

> > What can we do to help you with Step #2?

> >

> > If someone eats meat or does not eat meat it simply does not matter, do what

you

need

> to do

> > to heal via this awesome program. The ethical questions are a little out

of context

for

> this

> > group.

> >

> > My opinion is, as long as sugar sensitive people are eating they are in

recovery. It's

nice

> to

> > have you here, journaling can be fun. Do you have a journal from the RR

Store? The

RR

> Store

> > Journal has a very easy format to work with...

> >

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > Bob

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Gail,

 

Congradulations on being a Vegetarian for 38 years, WOW. Just wondering if your

getting

enough protein or if your all set?

 

Smile,

 

Bob

 

, Gail Shapiro <weedabutt wrote:

>

> Hi Leah,

> Yes, it is a bit harder to do the program as a vegetarian. In answer to the

ethical

questions you ask, I can answer strictly for myself only, as it is such a

personal decision. I

became a vegetarian nearly 38 years ago because it seemed to me that there was

enough

food on the planet that I could eat without taking a life.

> Gail

>

> Leah <leah.blatzer wrote:

> Hi Karen and Heather,

>

> I'm catching up on these posts and found this thread interesting. I am

starting to

confront

> my aversion to and feelings about eating meat. I came to RR as a vegetarian

who was

> getting by on very little protein. However, as I'm trying to work on Step 3,

I'm revisiting

> the issue. Here are some reasons why I'm reconsidering meat:

>

>

> ==First is that I get hungry more often than I want.

> ==The act of eating vegetarian food seems to take more work than eating

meat--I have

to

> eat more of it to get adequate protein

> ==there's more chewing required

> ==it seems to take longer to eat because of all the bulk

> ==a veg. meal doesn't hold me 5-6 hours

> ==I spend a lot of time preparing food, and then I use it up relatively

quickly because I

> have to eat large amounts to get adequate protein.

> ==Cheese is a good protein source, but like Heather said, it can be addictive

and is high

> in fat.

> == Also I'm having some digestive " issues " with beans.

>

>

> I've been doing Step 1 for just over a year and trying Step 2 on-and-off for

almost a

year.

> In the past few months, I have found myself seriously craving meat for the

first time in

> many years. (I've had passing cravings in the past but nothing as strong as

now) These

> cravings suggest that my body is trying to tell me it needs more protein.

>

> So meat starts looking more attractive. I see it as an efficient source of

protein that will

> help me get hungry less often.

>

> But then the ethical and health issues surrounding my choice to be a

vegetarian

resurface.

> Were humans made to eat meat?

>

> Can I get used to the idea of consuming animal flesh?

>

> Is meat a healthy enough protein source?

>

> If I do eat meat, where will I get it? I cannot abide factory farming b/c of

the miserable

> conditions in which the animals are raised. (Alternatively, last weekend I

visited a

family-

> run farm outside of the city and purchased a frozen chicken from them that was

raised

as

> happily as a chicken can be raised. It is still in my freezer.....)

>

> What about the impact of meat-eating on the environment? Raising animals for

meat

> requires more energy than it takes to raise crops that are protein sources.

>

>

> Some of these issues are probably my sugar sensitivity making me

hyper-sensitive to so

> many issues. Maybe I'm creating too much drama around the issue, but

unfortunately it

> has always been a complex issue to me.

>

>

> Do any of you have issues like these? If so, how do you deal with them? Why

have you

> decided to eat meat or not eat meat?

>

>

> I apologize for the long post. I'm not sure if these issues are appropriate to

be discussed

> here. If it's not appropriate, please tell me.

>

> Thanks to everyone for reading.

> Leah

, " Heather and Jon Dillon "

> wrote:

> >

> > Hi Karen,

> >

> > I'm am new to the group, too and have been on the program for awhile as

> > well. I have been vegetarian in the past, but have relied on animal protein

> > mostly since being on the program. I believe I needed it in my healing

> > process. But I am wondering the same thing, Karen, about being vegetarian

> > and on this program. I don't generally like to eat that much soy and the

> > processed products tend to have things I don't want or can't have (like

> > wheat).

> >

> > I have started playing around with things a little. I'm cutting back on

> > animal protein at meals and using only really dense browns (no flours or

> > processed) and lots and lots of veggies (more of a whole foods approach than

> > anything). I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian/vegan meals as well

> > and see how my body feels about that. I'm okay with eating some animal

> > protein, but I also don't want to be reliant on it at every meal. So, I will

> > continue to experiment, but I am also curious about how others are faring.

> >

> > Also, the Indian food thread is fun to read. I would like to make more

> > Indian food at home. Eating out is always sketchy for me with wheat being a

> > problem. Heather D.

> >

> > _____

> >

> >

> > On Behalf Of KP

> > Monday, August 14, 2006 4:41 PM

> >

> > A Veteran to the Program -- New to the

> > Vegetarian Group

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi All,

> >

> > I've been doing this program since around 1999. Having been a vegetarian

> > before (not a very good one) I began eating meat in 1999 after reading

> > Potatos Not Prozac.

> >

> > Always feeling like a vegetarian at heart, a few months ago, I started

> > eating mainly vegetarian food. I'm finding I am tired. I started

> > journaling again, and I think I am just not getting enough protein.

> >

> > Part of my confusion is my doctor advised me to stop eating soy, especially

> > the processed soy vegi burgers. And if I did eat it, to eat it in

> > moderation. Everyday for lunch is too much!

> >

> > Anything anyone can suggest would be appreciated.

> >

> > Karen

> >

>

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob - I have become much more aware of protein needs since starting RR. I have been on Step 7 for almost a year and eating enough protein has made a world of difference as I'm sure you can imagine.Bob <yogabob7 wrote: Gail,Congradulations on being a Vegetarian for 38 years, WOW. Just wondering if your getting enough protein or if your all set?Smile,Bob , Gail Shapiro wrote:>> Hi Leah,> Yes, it is a bit harder to do the program as a vegetarian. In answer to the ethical questions you ask, I can answer strictly for myself only, as it is such a personal decision. I became a vegetarian nearly 38 years ago because it seemed to me that there was enough food on the planet that I could eat

without taking a life. > Gail> > Leah wrote:> Hi Karen and Heather,> > I'm catching up on these posts and found this thread interesting. I am starting to confront > my aversion to and feelings about eating meat. I came to RR as a vegetarian who was > getting by on very little protein. However, as I'm trying to work on Step 3, I'm revisiting > the issue. Here are some reasons why I'm reconsidering meat:> > > ==First is that I get hungry more often than I want. > ==The act of eating vegetarian food seems to take more work than eating meat--I have to > eat more of it to get adequate protein> ==there's more chewing required> ==it seems to take longer to eat because of all the bulk > ==a veg. meal doesn't hold me 5-6 hours > ==I spend a lot of time preparing food, and then I use it up relatively quickly because I > have

to eat large amounts to get adequate protein. > ==Cheese is a good protein source, but like Heather said, it can be addictive and is high > in fat. > == Also I'm having some digestive "issues" with beans.> > > I've been doing Step 1 for just over a year and trying Step 2 on-and-off for almost a year. > In the past few months, I have found myself seriously craving meat for the first time in > many years. (I've had passing cravings in the past but nothing as strong as now) These > cravings suggest that my body is trying to tell me it needs more protein. > > So meat starts looking more attractive. I see it as an efficient source of protein that will > help me get hungry less often.> > But then the ethical and health issues surrounding my choice to be a vegetarian resurface. > Were humans made to eat meat? > > Can I get used to the idea of consuming

animal flesh? > > Is meat a healthy enough protein source? > > If I do eat meat, where will I get it? I cannot abide factory farming b/c of the miserable > conditions in which the animals are raised. (Alternatively, last weekend I visited a family-> run farm outside of the city and purchased a frozen chicken from them that was raised as > happily as a chicken can be raised. It is still in my freezer.....)> > What about the impact of meat-eating on the environment? Raising animals for meat > requires more energy than it takes to raise crops that are protein sources.> > > Some of these issues are probably my sugar sensitivity making me hyper-sensitive to so > many issues. Maybe I'm creating too much drama around the issue, but unfortunately it > has always been a complex issue to me.> > > Do any of you have issues like these? If so, how do you

deal with them? Why have you > decided to eat meat or not eat meat?> > > I apologize for the long post. I'm not sure if these issues are appropriate to be discussed > here. If it's not appropriate, please tell me.> > Thanks to everyone for reading.> Leah> > > > > > > , "Heather and Jon Dillon" > wrote:> >> > Hi Karen,> > > > I'm am new to the group, too and have been on the program for awhile as> > well. I have been vegetarian in the past, but have relied on animal protein> > mostly since being on the program. I believe I needed it in my healing> > process. But I am wondering the same thing, Karen, about being vegetarian> > and on this program. I don't generally like to eat that much soy and the> > processed products tend to have

things I don't want or can't have (like> > wheat). > > > > I have started playing around with things a little. I'm cutting back on> > animal protein at meals and using only really dense browns (no flours or> > processed) and lots and lots of veggies (more of a whole foods approach than> > anything). I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian/vegan meals as well> > and see how my body feels about that. I'm okay with eating some animal> > protein, but I also don't want to be reliant on it at every meal. So, I will> > continue to experiment, but I am also curious about how others are faring. > > > > Also, the Indian food thread is fun to read. I would like to make more> > Indian food at home. Eating out is always sketchy for me with wheat being a> > problem. Heather D.> > > > _____ > > > >

> > On Behalf Of KP> > Monday, August 14, 2006 4:41 PM> > > > A Veteran to the Program -- New to the> > Vegetarian Group> > > > > > > > Hi All, > > > > I've been doing this program since around 1999. Having been a vegetarian> > before (not a very good one) I began eating meat in 1999 after reading> > Potatos Not Prozac. > > > > Always feeling like a vegetarian at heart, a few months ago, I started> > eating mainly vegetarian food. I'm finding I am tired. I started> > journaling again, and I think I am just not getting enough protein. > > > > Part of my confusion is my doctor advised me to stop eating soy, especially> > the

processed soy vegi burgers. And if I did eat it, to eat it in> > moderation. Everyday for lunch is too much! > > > > Anything anyone can suggest would be appreciated. > > > > Karen> >> > > > > > > >