Do you become vegetarian overnight or taper off ?????

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/16/06 6:30:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

thelilacflower writes:

 

> This is a great question to bring up. I did it

> overnight over 25 years ago and never looked back,

 

I did the same thing almost 18 years ago. For me, it had to be all or

nothing since my reasons were ethics based. I just couldn't feel strongly about

it

one day and not so strongly about it the next and have a steak. Didn't work

that way for me. Everyone has to choose the path that works best for them.

 

TM

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Overnight for me also about 6 years ago! I had thought I should be

vegetarian before that, but my hubby was really against it! I did it for

health

reasons, my body just doesn't handle meat well! I still cook meat for my

husband

sometimes, but mostly he cooks it.

Margaret

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I was never a real big meat eater, then I went to only a couple of times a

week for a few weeks and then that was it, I haven't eaten meat in 14 1/2

years. My daughter hasn't eaten meat in 11 years,

I don't touch meat if my husband wants it and he usually does, he cooks it

to go along with what I make for him and our son if he is home for dinner.

 

Everyone has to do what is comfortable for them. I don't force my way of

eating or my food on anyone.

 

g

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

The biggest thing that I have found is that being a vegetarian can be cheap

on the budget!!! It can be expensive, too, but you can get by on some great

meals for next to nothing!!!

 

Marilyn Daub

mcdaub

Vanceburg, KY

My Cats Knead Me!!

-

Donnalilacflower

Saturday, September 16, 2006 6:09 PM

Do you become vegetarian overnight or taper

off ?????

 

 

 

This is a great question to bring up. I did it

overnight over 25 years ago and never looked back, I

went forward and bought every grain, bean, legume or

veggie I had never eaten and experimented. Back then

it was not easy like it is today. No good cookbooks,

no group, support, no veggie burgers, etc.

Donna

 

--- sammythingy <sammything wrote:

 

> Jeana,

> Being new to even the IDEA of being a vegetarian,

> I'm kind of taking

> things on a meal by meal basis, as well as adding a

> new food to my

> menu at least once a week.

>

> I think that it's not something you can do cold

> turkey, especially if

> you've grown up on meat. For example, yesterday, I

> managed to avoid

> all meat, but today, at a BBQ, I had chicken, since

> my options were

> limited, and I was not ready to have any kind of

> public conversation

> on the issue.

>

> Just one meal at a time, and save eating meat for

> when it means the

> most. (ie, a perfect steak). Then, just eat less

> than you really

> would, and don't feel guilty about it!!! It doesn't

> have to be

> overnite:)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I did it just in one day. I wouldn't be a vegetarian for a year now if

I didn't join this group. I only knew how to make a veggie burger in

the microwave and open bags of salad, and heat up cans a soup. Now I

cook because the group taught how.

Paul

[Guest guest]

I did it about 30 years ago. Haven't fallen off the wagon yet.

Was an over-night deal with me.

 

Hip

[Guest guest]

If your heart is in it you will do it on the spot, there is no physical

addiction or having to taper off as far as I can see. I never missed

meat for a second. I eat so much better now and I thoroughly enjoy my

food. before I was in the burger, fries, fried chicken rut.

 

Marsha

[Guest guest]

I gave all my non-veg food away and did it instantly. never even

thought abour trying to taper, I set my mind on my new path in life and

stuck to it. There was no parttime vegin' for me.

 

Fiona

[Guest guest]

Overnight for me, about 7.5 years ago.

 

Gary

[Guest guest]

It's fascinating that so many of you did this over night. I think for

starters, I'm still coming to terms with my reasons Why I'm taking

this path (it's been a very slow process, though in high school I was

an 'unhealthy' veggie for a couple years). Along with being a dietary

issue for me, I'm struggling with my own politics, and being a pretty

picking eater, and choosing my meals carefully while trying to expand

my culinary horizons.

 

I also have to consider my family, and have to create some meals that

can be great eith way, while I introduce the occasional veggie meal to

them. For me, it's very much one-meal-at-a-time right now, for many

reasons. (Example-yesterday, I managed an entire meat free day,

whereas today at a BBQ I found myself having a piece of chicken, and

veggie or non, I felt it was the best choice for me at the time).

 

Not to ramble, I have nothing but admiration for all of you who jumped

in to this with both feet!

[Guest guest]

Here's another one that jumped right in with both feet.

I have no success with trying to taper off of anything. Has to be all

or nothing with me also. Less chance of failure with me.

 

Lawanna

[Guest guest]

Overnight at age seven...although I did almost eat a tunafish sandwich shortly

thereafter bc I forgot I had given up meat. Ha! And vegan overnight. Like

someone else said, it was an ethical choice (both times), so it's not like I

was changing my ethics back and forth. I just acted on what I believed. Both

transitions were fairly easy.

 

 

Lisa

Northern VA/DC/Maryland Veg*n Playgroup

vegetarianchildren/

 

 

 

All-new Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

 

 

[Guest guest]

It can be really hard w/ a family. We struggled (struggle) w/ that

a great deal. We went cold turkey one night and did well for 2

months, then we honestly just had the hardest time affording things,

plus my kids and dh swore they were always hungry. Our area is in

the middle of it's worst drought since like 1950 (we're in Texas -

dfw area), so the cost of produce has steadily increased around

here. Anyhow, so we went back to some of our old ways of eating,

but are still working on it -- and honestly, for us it is and will

be a process, it'll probably be a full year until we are completely

meat free around here.

 

We started by reducing the amount of meat in paticular dishes, using

half as much as usual and adding more veggies, mostly veggies that

could be peeled (like zuchinni) so no one really *noticed* b/4 they

even tried it. Then I started making a few meat free meals here or

there about 2 or 3 times a week. We're increasing that, and don't

have meat very often anymore. I am literally having to " wean "

everyone off of it. On the days we don't eat meat, I do hear a lot

of " I'm still hungry " -- I think part of that is they're more in

tune w/ their bodies -- when you eat meat your body really has a

hard time digesting it, and eating meat in combination w/ certain

foods also is a no-no.

 

Like eating beef with potatoes - it's practicaly an American

standard but your stomach uses different enzymes to break down beef

than potatoes - so your stomach feels " full " because it's " busy "

digesting. When you eat meals that are primarily veggie and carb

(rice, bread, pasta), the digestion process goes much faster, so you

are in essence hungrier more often b/c your body is processing that

food faster. So as your non-meat days continue, make sure to have

lots of options available for your family so they won't be

discouraged and feel like they're starving w/o the meat. You'll

probably find they'll need to eat more often also.

 

One thing I've learned through our experience, is not trying to

simply " exclude " meat from certain meals -- I can't quite word that

right, but what I mean is, there are certain dishes I make often,

and instead of making those dishes and simply omitting the meat ---

I have to make new dishes. When my family eats a dish that

typically has meat in it but I've left it out, then they feel like

it doesn't taste right, like something is missing. Whereas when I

make a vegetarian meal they've never had - they don't feel like

anything is missing. Make sense? That has really helped dh w/ some

of the transition b/c he's so set in certain " food " ways. Some of

the harder transitions for us have been bases, like gravys and such -

- we're still working on those

 

Anyhow, I know I've rambled on a bit. I just wanted to say we're

right there w/ you, and wish you (and us) luck as you change your

familys eating habits!

 

--Stacee

 

 

, " sammythingy "

<sammything wrote:

>

> It's fascinating that so many of you did this over night. I think

for

> starters, I'm still coming to terms with my reasons Why I'm taking

> this path (it's been a very slow process, though in high school I

was

> an 'unhealthy' veggie for a couple years). Along with being a

dietary

> issue for me, I'm struggling with my own politics, and being a

pretty

> picking eater, and choosing my meals carefully while trying to

expand

> my culinary horizons.

>

> I also have to consider my family, and have to create some meals

that

> can be great eith way, while I introduce the occasional veggie

meal to

> them. For me, it's very much one-meal-at-a-time right now, for

many

> reasons. (Example-yesterday, I managed an entire meat free day,

> whereas today at a BBQ I found myself having a piece of chicken,

and

> veggie or non, I felt it was the best choice for me at the time).

>

> Not to ramble, I have nothing but admiration for all of you who

jumped

> in to this with both feet!

>

[Guest guest]

True Confession - I'm not a vegetarian. However, because of having

diabetes, I thought this group would be a good source of information

to eat in a healthier way.

 

Many days I only have vegetarian meals. Sometimes fish. Don't

remember the last time I had meat. The only problem with some of the

vegetarian dishes is that I have to be careful with the

carbohydrates. I love beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc.,

and just freeze portions so I don't eat too much of what I love.

 

As far as the above topic goes, I quit smoking cold turkey (a

lifetime ago)so I would think that's the way to become a vegetarian

also. Maybe it just depends on your reasons for doing it.

 

Thank you all for posting recipes. I've tried quite a few, with good

results. Now that I'm a widow and my children are all married and

out of the house, it's not a problem worrying about who eats what!

 

This business with the spinach is VERY scary. I use many of the

packaged greens and usually get things at Trader Joe's which was on

the list. I will miss it, especially the baby spinach which is good

raw.

 

Joan - In Maryland

[Guest guest]

I was 12 when I made the switch, that was 10 years ago. I had no support from my

family for the first few years, so I cooked for myself if I ever needed to. I

was in middle school at the time, plus I lived in a small cattle town, so

needless to say I suffered endless grief over it. I did it, though, for myself

and for the victims of my previous diet. I had read a book, I forgot the name of

it, but it talked about the horror millions of animals experience at the hands

of the meat industry. I thought about that any time I was being pressured. I

never had a craving, never regretted my decision. One day I stopped eating meat,

and that was it.

I never knew about meat alternatives till I'd been a vegetarian about 5 years.

That was a nice find, just for the sake of variety (I've only now just started

to eat salad again!), though I still prefer a nice bowl of stew or steamed

vegetables.

 

Kadee Sedtal

 

 

 

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Joan,

Nice to have you in the group. You have come to the right place.

Great members with wonderful, healthful ideas and fantastic recipes.

Looks like you are doing a great job of taking responsibility for

your health and happiness. Join in and add your insight and food

ideas.

Sending smiles and hugs your way

Deanna- In , " jjoint2001 "

<jjoint wrote:

>

>

> True Confession - I'm not a vegetarian. However, because of having

> diabetes, I thought this group would be a good source of

information

> to eat in a healthier way.

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- In Maryland

>

[Guest guest]

It hit me in a matter of seconds. I didn't even have to sleep on it. I

was considering it for the longest time but at Thanks Giving I decided I

was not going to eat it any more, and it has been three years and I have

never looked back.

 

 

 

I figure if you try to taper off you still taste it and that is what is

holding you back. If you quit cold turkey (ahh the irony) you no longer

taste it so it is a little easier. I don't look at it like I would

smoking where you need to slowly wean yourself off of the addiction.

Meat is not an addiction it is a food it is a craving that can be easily

ignored. I just look at tapering off as not being strong enough to let

go and there is a better chance that you will turn back to that life

style.

 

 

 

Just my humble opinion

 

 

 

Alysia

, Donnalilacflower

<thelilacflower wrote:

>

>

> This is a great question to bring up. I did it

> overnight over 25 years ago and never looked back, I

> went forward and bought every grain, bean, legume or

> veggie I had never eaten and experimented. Back then

> it was not easy like it is today. No good cookbooks,

> no group, support, no veggie burgers, etc.

> Donna

>

> --- sammythingy sammything wrote:

>

> > Jeana,

> > Being new to even the IDEA of being a vegetarian,

> > I'm kind of taking

> > things on a meal by meal basis, as well as adding a

> > new food to my

> > menu at least once a week.

> >

> > I think that it's not something you can do cold

> > turkey, especially if

> > you've grown up on meat. For example, yesterday, I

> > managed to avoid

> > all meat, but today, at a BBQ, I had chicken, since

> > my options were

> > limited, and I was not ready to have any kind of

> > public conversation

> > on the issue.

> >

> > Just one meal at a time, and save eating meat for

> > when it means the

> > most. (ie, a perfect steak). Then, just eat less

> > than you really

> > would, and don't feel guilty about it!!! It doesn't

> > have to be

> > overnite:)

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thankfully I was raised from birth, by Vegetarian parents and we had a

vegetarian family doctor growing up. Meat has never ever appealed to me. The

thought of consuming an animal carcass just makes me sick as a dog. My choice

is an ethical and for health reasons.

 

I was feeling so sorry for a prisoner in our local jail, that wrote a letter

to our newspaper recently. They were vegetarian and said that all of the

meals served there, were loaded with meat, including the vegetables. There was

nothing they could eat except bread and peanut butter. Now I hope I never ever

have to be in jail or prison. My actions would never warrant it, but you know

innocent folks have been put in all thru out history, many times and only years

later found to be innocent. What a scary thought. to be falsely imprisoned and

to also not be able to eat anything served....... except for bread and PB if

they even served that.

Judy

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Oh I could only imagine. I grew up on a cattle farm and my whole

family is a bunch of carnivores.

Alysia

 

 

, " wwjd " <jtwigg wrote:

>

>

> Thankfully I was raised from birth, by Vegetarian parents and

we had a vegetarian family doctor growing up. Meat has never ever

appealed to me. The thought of consuming an animal carcass just

makes me sick as a dog. My choice is an ethical and for health

reasons.

>

> I was feeling so sorry for a prisoner in our local jail, that

wrote a letter to our newspaper recently. They were vegetarian

and said that all of the meals served there, were loaded with meat,

including the vegetables. There was nothing they could eat except

bread and peanut butter. Now I hope I never ever have to be in jail

or prison. My actions would never warrant it, but you know innocent

folks have been put in all thru out history, many times and only

years later found to be innocent. What a scary thought. to be

falsely imprisoned and to also not be able to eat anything

served....... except for bread and PB if they even served that.

> Judy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Heck, the same thing happens at the hospitals where they think vegetarian

meals includes meats!!! And I have seen this happen. The dietitians do not

know what vegetarian or vegan meals are. I know when I was in the hospital

and on a celiac diet that they served me puffed wheat and I went off because

the dietitian would not meet with me and assured me that I would receive

only a celiac diet.

 

Marilyn Daub

mcdaub

Vanceburg, KY

My Cats Knead Me!!

-

wwjd

Sunday, September 17, 2006 12:28 PM

Re: Re: Do you become vegetarian overnight or

taper off ?????

 

 

 

Thankfully I was raised from birth, by Vegetarian parents and we had a

vegetarian family doctor growing up. Meat has never ever appealed to me.

The thought of consuming an animal carcass just makes me sick as a dog. My

choice is an ethical and for health reasons.

 

I was feeling so sorry for a prisoner in our local jail, that wrote a

letter to our newspaper recently. They were vegetarian and said that all

of the meals served there, were loaded with meat, including the vegetables.

There was nothing they could eat except bread and peanut butter. Now I hope

I never ever have to be in jail or prison. My actions would never warrant

it, but you know innocent folks have been put in all thru out history, many

times and only years later found to be innocent. What a scary thought. to

be falsely imprisoned and to also not be able to eat anything served.......

except for bread and PB if they even served that.

Judy

 

 

[Guest guest]

I think once you have reasoned with yourself not to do

something, it pretty much becomes an all or nothing

thing. I smoked and found myself somewhat out of

breath going up stairs. Realizing this was not a good

thing, I knew I had to stop. Even tapering down, I

would have felt bad each time I had a cigarette. So I

quit cold turkey.

To me, not eating meat is similar. You have a reason

(whatever it may be) and you stop because it will make

you feel bad if you don't. Plus you feel so good as a

result of not eating it that that feeling reinforces

it. I recently told my husband that I have a full

feeling, not a

bloated-I-can't-move-because-I-ate-all-that-turkey

feeling. I used to hate that feeling at Thanksgiving

and used to get up and moving and usually put up the

Christmas tree that day just to get exercise.

I do find switching to veganism a bit harder as

sometimes, unless I've made it myself, I might not

know it had eggs or milk in it. I don't beat myself

up over that.

Debbie - All or nothing for me.

PS My mother smoked and developed emphysema which she

died from several years ago. That reinforces the no

smoking thing. However I guess it affects people

differently. Nurses in the pulmonary intensive care

still went out for smoke breaks. I just didn't get

it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Jim,

I agree with you about the empty calories! I am vegetarian, but I try to

avoid a lot of fat & sugar & all carbs that are not whole or natural. I have

lost 40 lbs. since Jan. & eating a lot of these things would surely put it

back! Glad to see you here trying to be healthy whether a veggie or not!

Margaret

 

I'm not a vegetarian, but really appreciate the benefits of incorporating

more veggies into my diet and have a lot of respect for those who choose

to be vegetarians.

Having said that, I try hard to avoid " empty calories " (a phrase used

by a nurse during a recent hospital stay). I have noticed that some of

the recipes posted are pretty heavy on the butter (or margarine), other

oils, and sugar; those I would avoid or at least try to minimize!

I'm very calorie conscious and keep track of every calorie that I eat.

I've lost almost 50 pounds in the last year, and its staying off.

--

 

James P. ( " Jim " ) Lynch

_jplynch_ (jplynch)

_jimlynch@auburnalumjiml_ (jimlynch)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

I'm a new member. I stopped eating meat overnight (just last week) for

health and ethical reasons. My intention is to be vegan (or at least

as close I can get.

 

If I haven't eaten veal in 20 something years because I don't like the

way it's raised, why was I eating/drinking other animal products?

 

Maggie

San Ramon CA

[Guest guest]

When I was in the hospital I told them that I was a veg. They

brought me chicken vegitable soup. I asked to talk to the cook and

she just thought that I needed lots of vegitables. Needless to say

I prety much starved while I was in there.

 

Alysia

 

 

, " Marilyn Daub " <mcdaub

wrote:

>

> Heck, the same thing happens at the hospitals where they think

vegetarian

> meals includes meats!!! And I have seen this happen. The

dietitians do not

> know what vegetarian or vegan meals are. I know when I was in the

hospital

> and on a celiac diet that they served me puffed wheat and I went

off because

> the dietitian would not meet with me and assured me that I would

receive

> only a celiac diet.

>

> Marilyn Daub

> mcdaub

> Vanceburg, KY

> My Cats Knead Me!!

> -

> wwjd

>

> Sunday, September 17, 2006 12:28 PM

> Re: Re: Do you become vegetarian

overnight or

> taper off ?????

>

>

>

> Thankfully I was raised from birth, by Vegetarian parents and

we had a

> vegetarian family doctor growing up. Meat has never ever

appealed to me.

> The thought of consuming an animal carcass just makes me sick as a

dog. My

> choice is an ethical and for health reasons.

>

> I was feeling so sorry for a prisoner in our local jail,

that wrote a

> letter to our newspaper recently. They were vegetarian and said

that all

> of the meals served there, were loaded with meat, including the

vegetables.

> There was nothing they could eat except bread and peanut butter.

Now I hope

> I never ever have to be in jail or prison. My actions would never

warrant

> it, but you know innocent folks have been put in all thru out

history, many

> times and only years later found to be innocent. What a scary

thought. to

> be falsely imprisoned and to also not be able to eat anything

served.......

> except for bread and PB if they even served that.

> Judy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is very true of hospital food and the dietitians need to be trained for

vegetarians and vegans. I am sure they got some training in school??

 

Marilyn Daub

mcdaub

Vanceburg, KY

My Cats Knead Me!!

-

Alysia Hoback

Sunday, September 17, 2006 4:11 PM

Re: Do you become vegetarian overnight or

taper off ?????

 

 

When I was in the hospital I told them that I was a veg. They

brought me chicken vegitable soup. I asked to talk to the cook and

she just thought that I needed lots of vegitables. Needless to say

I prety much starved while I was in there.

 

Alysia

 

 

, " Marilyn Daub " <mcdaub

wrote:

>

> Heck, the same thing happens at the hospitals where they think

vegetarian

> meals includes meats!!! And I have seen this happen. The

dietitians do not

> know what vegetarian or vegan meals are. I know when I was in the

hospital

> and on a celiac diet that they served me puffed wheat and I went

off because

> the dietitian would not meet with me and assured me that I would

receive

> only a celiac diet.

>

> Marilyn Daub

> mcdaub

> Vanceburg, KY

> My Cats Knead Me!!

> -

> wwjd

>

> Sunday, September 17, 2006 12:28 PM

> Re: Re: Do you become vegetarian

overnight or

> taper off ?????

>

>

>

> Thankfully I was raised from birth, by Vegetarian parents and

we had a

> vegetarian family doctor growing up. Meat has never ever

appealed to me.

> The thought of consuming an animal carcass just makes me sick as a

dog. My

> choice is an ethical and for health reasons.

>

> I was feeling so sorry for a prisoner in our local jail,

that wrote a

> letter to our newspaper recently. They were vegetarian and said

that all

> of the meals served there, were loaded with meat, including the

vegetables.

> There was nothing they could eat except bread and peanut butter.

Now I hope

> I never ever have to be in jail or prison. My actions would never

warrant

> it, but you know innocent folks have been put in all thru out

history, many

> times and only years later found to be innocent. What a scary

thought. to

> be falsely imprisoned and to also not be able to eat anything

served.......

> except for bread and PB if they even served that.

> Judy

>

>

>