intro - Pamela (becoming vegetarian)

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, glad to be here. My name is Pamela and I've been changing

my diet quite a bit these past four years.

 

It started with the doctor suggesting I try going without dairy to see

if my stomach problems stopped. They did. That was 2002. (Funny that

dairy's so bad for me given that I'm blood type B. Any blood type Os

on this list? The blood type book says that O is a meat-eater; my

husband is an O and can't imagine becoming a vegetarian.)

 

Shortly after dropping milk and cheese, my dad told me that wheat made

him " have to clear his throat " and I realized after experimenting that

wheat had the same effect on me. I lessened wheat, though it's been

difficult for me to totally remove it from my diet. (My tastes run

" dense. " )

 

Then the mad cow scare here in the U.S. made me want to stop eating

beef. When I tried again a few months later (with organic beef from a

reputable place), I found that I'd lost my tolerance for it. Never

wanted beef again.

 

In April 2006 I read a spiritual book that suggested one could have

more energy by not eating animal flesh. That coupled with my concerns

for the environment (too many land resources going to grazing cattle,

cruel treatment of livestock, genetic modification, fueling trucks for

interstate grocery deliveries, etc.) cinched it. I decided to stop

eating meat and poultry but still eat fish. Also joined a community

supported agriculture (CSA) farm. Discovered that my energy levels did

indeed increase. Sometimes I go days without fish (but do eat a boiled

egg practically every day) and my body seems to hint that I need a bit

of grilled salmon or canned sardines for fortification. I listen to my

body, have some fish, and feel instantly better. My body has never

craved the other stuff - beef, chicken, pork, etc.

 

I'm open to any thoughts about pesco-vegetarian diets (fish plus veg)

so please send your thoughts my way.

 

Questions for you experenced vegetarians and anyone else with diet

peculiarities:

Do any of you get asked how you get enough protein, and complete

protein? I don't know how to answer that one except I have a boiled

egg every day. Also, how do you all deal with going out to restaurants

with friends, or a prepared meal at a friend-of-a-friend's house, or a

catered event (like a wedding) that offers beef, chicken, or salmon?

And how about making veggie meals, especially with fresh foods, when

money and/or time is tight? (Not as simple as a box of macaroni and

cheese, eh?)

 

Domestic stats: Only (pesco-)vegetarian in my house, although my

17-year-old daughter is, like me, lactose-intolerant. Husband and

18-year-old stepson like the typical American diet (although husband

has recently wanted to eat " more healthy " ) and " the boys " often choose

to not partake in my limited repertoire of vegetarian/fish dishes. My

daughter initially liked my dishes but soon tired of them, preferring

to make herself some carb-intensive meal, such as a peanut butter

sandwich. Sometimes I make breaded chicken thighs or spaghetti or some

other American dish for the family (in addition to my dinner) and

other times I let them all fend for themselves.

 

Looking forward to meeting you all and hearing more about vegetarianism!

 

Pamela

[Guest guest]

This is a good article on protein and the vegetarian diet.

http://www.vnv.org.au/Nutrition/Protein.htm

 

There is a chart at the bottom of the page. It is well worth the read. Lots

of great info. You'll have no worries after reading this about being vegetarian

and staying healthy.

Judy

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Judy! That helps a lot.

--Pamela

 

, " wwjd " <jtwigg wrote:

>

> This is a good article on protein and the vegetarian diet.

> http://www.vnv.org.au/Nutrition/Protein.htm

[Guest guest]

Could you tell me the name of that book (blood type diet book) cause im

interested. Does the RH factor have anything to do with diet too? Im just

currious.

 

 

Chantelle

 

--

" Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. " - John Lennon

 

Faith, no matter what we believe in is an important motivator in life. There

are reasons why something is the way it is, though we dont always know why.

Problems are never a way to punish us, sometimes they are a way of making us

better and stronger, more compasionate and knowlegable people inside. We

may worry, we may feel down on the world but we must always remember that

faith is what brings us together and that god, no matter what we call him or

her has not punnished us, only trusted us with an extra special gift. ~ Me