A little soul searching...

This weekend was our first barbecue since I decided to swear off meat. Of course, us being in cow country, my in-laws had T-bone steaks the size of Utah. I brought my little Boca burgers and was completely happy.

The only problem? Apparently I missed the memo that said when you don't eat meat, everyone and their mother decides to give you unwarranted opinions. "Yeah, well all I'm going to say is I don't agree with it, but do what you want." Um, and you agree with eating steaks the size of your plate? Gross. "What kind of vegetarian are you, you don't like asparagus?" Just because I don't like ONE vegetable doesn't mean that I don't meet the qualifications to not eat meat. "Don't you think it's selfish that you won't eat meat and people in Uganda can't even get food?" And eating steaks bigger than your head isn't selfish? Give me a break. "So what do you eat? Like, lettuce?" DUDE, I just don't eat meat! It's not like I swear off all normal eating!

Through all of this though, I found out one thing. It's not eating meat that I have a problem with. I have a problem with the way the animals were treated prior to being on my plate. It's the way they were slaughtered. So, because of morons giving opinions and asking 5-year-old questions, I've made a decision. I wanted to swear off meat simply because of the mass production of it. Sunday morning, I called Central Market and they have free-range/antibiotic free/hormone free meat. I don't think I will be eating it much, but I will every now and again. This still means pretty much being a veg head at get togethers and whatnot. I would never make people pay the amount of money I am paying just to feed me.


I still feel good about this decision. It's still something I can be proud of, and not feel like a selfish human while eating.