Speaking of my journey (and really I need a better word. "Journey" is kind of a turn off for me. If you have a recommendation, I'd love to hear it), it has been going well. Shopping, cooking, eating out, eating in general, have all gotten easier. I'm starting to get this veggie thing down. So much to learn still but I am comfortable so far with where I'm at. I haven't lost any more weight, just my ten, but my body feels so much better. Like literally, I can rub my hands all over me and that buddha belly does not have so much buddha in it anymore. yes! I had to go out and buy three new pairs of jeans because my other jeans weren't fitting so well. My hubby really likes my butt. It's not great when my jeans sag off so much it looks like I pooed myself. SEXY! So, I bought the new jeans and guess what? Lost 2 inches in my waist. bye-bye buddha! hellooooo - hubby grabbing my ass! love it!
I recently ate for the first time at a veggie/ vegan restaurant. It was awesome!! I loved not having to wonder what was in the food, instead making my choice solely on what appealed to me. As my good fortune would have it, everyone shared so I got to taste a little of everything. Some of it was ok (sushi), some of it was awesome (orange chicken - mama like!) and some was a big, fat tofu PASS!!! But now I know and it makes me happy. :) I will eat here again. Thanks K.
The only struggle I seem to have nowadays are other people's attitudes. i know, shocking right? It of course, can never be my attitude that's bad. But seriously, it's not me! It is amazing to me how the word "vegetarian" brings such a strong response from a non-vegetariian. And don't even say the word "vegan." They either think you called them a name or you're speaking alien. Actually, go ahead and say it. Then laugh at the confusion. Uh, whatis that?? (ok, not nice)
Seriously though, I promise, I have never tried to shove a carrot, zucchini, tomato, squash, cucumber, soybean, potato or tofu, down any one's throat. However, the personal offense some seem to take to my eating habits can stun me speechless. (another shocker) Just for beans and tortillas, let me write a few of my favorites. (oh, and any names will be changed to protect the Well-Meaning Ignorant and Judgemental A-hole alike). Yes, I am a respectable veggie. ;)
1. Mr. Smith - "What? What do you mean you are vegetarian now? Shannon, Shannon, look at my teeth. See these right here? (yes, his mouth is open, upper lip pulled back, and pointing at the two front "fang" teeth) What do you think these are for? EATING MEAT, that's what they are for!" This comment/ question actually came from a well-meaning, I don't want to say ignorant because I like and respect Mr. Smith, so we'll call him a Caring Opinion Spouter. Ahhh yes, grasshopper. Thank you for showing me the TWO teeth that are shaped like fangs. I did not point out though that the remaining 30 teeth are flat and designed for chewing veggies. I let this one pass. We'll call it a Get out of Henry's free card.
2. Me - "Maybe it would be a good idea to incorporate more salads into their meals. Bags of lettuce are cheap and it's easy." Mr. Buttface - "Um, excuse me but we are all MEAT EATERS here." (and yes, there was a scowl along with a finger doing a BIG circle in case i didn't know what "here" meant). This is obviously from a judgemental A-hole. Well, um, excuse me for trying to encourage a little nutrition. Last I checked, even medical meat eaters would agree veggies are a good idea on a regular basis. duh. It's called the food pyramid dummy.
3. Ms. Skinny Pants - "So I here you are vegetarian now." Me - "Yes, I am." Ms. Skinny Pants - " Well I hope you are going to be a good vegetarian, not one of those that goes to McDonalds and orders 4 bags of french fries."
Uh, I actually agree with Ms. Skinny Pants here. Potatoes soaked in oil and coming from McFatness does not equate healthy to me. I mean, if we're going to stop eating meat, why destroy our arteries with that crap and why buy it from a place that puts so much, excuse me ladies, SHIT in their food??? Come on veggies - be healthy! Maybe now I'm being a judgemental A-hole but really, that doesn't make any sense. Save a potato dude. Save a potato.
4. "Yeah, I'm a veggie now so no more meat. I'm not eating much dairy anymore either. Well, except for eggs. I am still eating eggs." Hi dumb ass. Just a little fyi - eggs are not dairy. What came first, the chicken or the EGG?? (so this was actually me that said this. See? I can hate on myself too. ;) Luckily i have a no bullshit friend who kindly pointed this fact out to me. Of course, I had probably already said it to at least 5 other people. Those 5 people - "see what happens when you stop eating meat? You turn stoopid."
5. This one is my favorite and really, I have to rant a little. This is the luxury of being the writer - I can rant whatever, whenever, I want. But since I'm not mentioning any names, this buttface is still protected. I'm ranting politely. Nice.Veggie.
Me - "I don't really feel comfortable with so, and so, and so, getting this shot. It hasn't been tested enough and I'd rather wait. You know, to see if there are any side effects we don't know about yet, because it's only been about, oh, five months. Maybe the gourd the size of a large eggplant doesn't start growing out of their necks until 10 months. You know, let's wait."
Mr. Buttface - Silence.............Silence..........BIG SIGH "HUH"......Silence............ "You know, just because you're..."
Me - "Don't even say it Mr. Buttface. This has nothing to do with my eating habits."
Mr. Buttface - " Yes. It does."
Me - "Um, no it doesn't."
Mr. Buttface - "Yes it does, now that you are vegetarian ....."
Silence. Word hangs in the air. Spoken with contempt and disgust and yes, judgement. Because now that I am vegetarian everyone, this MUST mean I have lost all common sense. Well golly, I didn't even realize common sense and sound judgement came from meat??? Is that in the chicken or the beef? Can I order a shot of it with my burger or steak? Kind of like a shot of wheat grass being put into a smoothie at Jamba Juice. Maybe the next time you eat with a friend of yours and she decides to order chicken wings, tell her to get a side of motherly love and parentall skills with it. After all, we don't want a parental deficiency on our hands. No siree. All us veggies, we are low on protein AND common sense. Now, why in the hell didn't I read that memo??? oh, probably because I am reading "Natural" magazine instead of Playboy.
I feel better. you?
I must say, being veggie is teaching me a lot about others and myself. I sound angry I know, and hey, sometimes I am. It's allowed. For me, a veggie, and the meat eater. See? We are more alike than you think.
Being veggie is showing me that people are afraid of what they do not know. You may think you already know this and to be honest, I knew this as well. It was just applied to different areas of my life. I guess you could say I became comfortable with the fear in those other areas so they aren't as shocking to me when I am confronted by them. I am prepared for those fears. This is new.
And for some reason, very personal.
Not to me, but to those that are around me. News flash. I'm not asking you to change. I'm not suggesting you do anything different in your life. We all make our own choices. I'm simply asking for a little respect, as a human being. Not a veggie freak show. Just a little joe-blow, every-day, we're all here living in this world together, respect. You don't have to agree. Nope. Not at all. Just try not to be insulting.
And so will I.
Much love to you Well-Meaning Ignorants, Caring Opinion Spouters, Judgemental A-holes, Veggies and Vegans, and yes, even you Mr. Buttface. We don't have to agree but we can all learn from each other. Perhaps we can discuss it, over a burger and a salad. Rock on.
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