W9 To Be or Not To Be...Vegetarian

Being a Vegetarian isn't always based purely on the ideal of resisting animal cruelty or murder; but for a more health based reason. I was raised to live and love meat, practically gnawing/gumming on rib bones pre-teeth. However, while I have grown and most recently my last two and a half years on college I have taken in substantially less meat to the point that sometimes the thought of eating it brings on tides of nausea blowing around in the pit of my stomach. Why did this happen? Also, why do I still have cravings for meat but when I think of taking a bite I turn my head in revulsion? It isn't because I picture little chicken, cow, or pig heads on my plate so what?

The first thing that created change was dinning halls; the most grotesuqe of food establishments, with twice-baked processed meats tossed in flour bread crumbs and fried. There began my life of an practically vegetarian Italian. The preparation of the meats were unappetizing and unsanitary in my imaginative mind; I would have vibrant daydreams of how the meal in front of me came to be. The second thing to change my eating habits would have to be my friends; once in a house and living with a veteran vegetarian, meat just never seemed to find a way into our fridge. Lastly, the knowledge gained form classes and the every popular internet; images and documentaries depicting the lives these animals go through, the inhumane, unjust, and disgustingly unsanitary venues in which this meat is pumped out. After declining to purchase most of the main name brand meat labels out in the market place I'm left with little options and after so little meat why even start. 

My opinion in the matter is everyone should switch to local meat, grass raised and fed meat, and free range animals. But the biggest change I think should happen in America is society should switch to Vegetarianism at least three days out of the week. You will not only save on money spent at the grocery store, but your medication and doctor's bill will most likely take a nice black diamond ski slop level plummet. I also think that one of the greatest advantages to these simple change is the ability to add and challenge your creative mind. People think so narrow with vegetables and fruits; there is a broad range of cultures and cooking style recipes easily attainable. A mouse click away if you will. You can have parties with friends and families and have a contest on who brings the most creative and delicious vegetarian dish to the festivities. Possibilities are endless. And why not start off the younger generations right? With them growing up in such creative and healthy atmospheres they can take advantage of the knowledge and help lower obesity for future generations.

In conclusion, the need for vegetarianism is vastly overlooked in this society. Try it, do it for a few days a week and play with you food! Be bold and daring and notice the change that can come over you and your family; being vegetarian or even a half vegetarian doesn't have to be this big political statement if anything do it for your self, set high standards, and have fun.