A whole new chapter

I think the tipping point was my friend Ragnar deciding to take the leap, thanks to the influence of Paul and Linda McCartney.

I knew my time had come.

I couldn't deal with the realization that too many animals suffer far too much to feed us when we have so many other healthy alternatives.

Realizing just how inhumane corporate slaughter is finally did it for me.

As of January 1, I am eating veggie.

I have been considering it for a very long time. Problem is, I - basically - do not cook. I don't eat "fast food," either. It's easy for me to grab prepared foods - and there are more vegetarian dishes that are actually tasty now.

I pay more attention in the frozen healthy foods freezers at grocery stores now - and have been choosing more and more veggie selections as I find what tastes best.

I actually love vegetables and find steaming them is fast and easy. I'll still eat dairy products, so massive amounts of broccoli with cottage cheese and/or tofu actually sounds good to me these days.

My start to consciously making this decision was choosing to eating eggs from cage-free hens fed organic meal. More expensive, yes, but I've cut back my servings from two to one - which is plenty for me.

Even though fresh vegetables and fruit are expensive, I've actually started to save money as I learn how to waste less food - how to shop properly by preparing menus.

My attitude toward cooking is changing - it does consume time, but I am finding I can prepare stuff, toss it in the pan to steam while I do other things, then bingo - it's ready. The frozen meals are also a snap.

The fewer ingredients, the faster the process, the less money I spend, the happier I am.

Some vegetarians I've known have had a certain pungent smell in their homes that I'd just as soon avoid; come to think of it, they probably feel the same way about my house. I'm avoiding the seasonings that apparently permeate walls.

Interestingly, one of the world's foremost vegetarian icon/cooks shares my name.

Colleen Patrick Goudreau is not only an expert in vegetarianism, but holds cooking and other classes IRL and online, running a virtual dynasty to educate the world in a way to help its people make informed choices about what they eat.

We have expressed a mutual admiration for each other, but I've been a little queasy about staying in touch because I haven't gone completely veggie - which is my problem because she has never been judgemental about the what anyone chooses to eat.

I believe I was uncomfortable because I knew I could treat myself, animals and the world a little better by going veggie. So making the firm decision feels like I'm taking better care of myself, animals and by extension, the world.

It's going to be a challenge - changing longtime habits is always a tough go. But I've been working at it for a couple years. First, becoming more aware of what I'm eating instead of eating stuff just because I always do. Or have. Or it falls into the category of "comfort food."

I have generally seen eating as something that I must do rather than a spiritual experience - and when I consider all the evidence, it seems like the way we treat our bodies is in fact a spiritual relationship. I've always thought of my spirituality taking place in my head, soul and heart - a key component was MIA.

No more.

Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite thing to do is learn - and I know I have much to learn in this new way of eating.

I think the first thing I'll do formally is figure out the tastes I like; actually write what I love and don't love; seasonings I like and don't, and grow from there.

Simple and easy does it for me.

Baby steps.

I guess even with great veggie knowledge and educators, we students need to be ready to listen and willing to learn in order to make the difference in our own lives as well as others.

I figure this is a much easier time to go veggie - thanks to so many like Colleen, Linda McCartney, Amy's frozen foods and more who have developed good veggie choices for us uninitiated folk still finding our way.

Having said all this, I'm sure to let my friends know that this is my decision, which is significantly affecting several aspects of my life, but I don't expect anyone else to do what I do. I will only share the experience of my journey.

How to be kind to animals - and yourself

If you're not a vegetarian (vegetarians already know this) but want to do something to be certain animals that are part of your diet are treated kindly?

Eat eggs from non-caged chickens who are fed organic meals.

The vast majority of eggs sold to us are laid by hens who are not ever allowed to move. They are pinned in cramped cages where they can only lay eggs. I won't tell you the extremes some corporate farmers go to in order to assure these poor birds cannot even walk, but just know that they are trapped, and fed whatever helps them lay more eggs more often in their short, miserable lives.

More, they are fed food containing animal parts instead of the purest, healthiest feed.

Humane farmers have created farms that allow their laying hens to safely roam freely; most free-range farmers also feed their birds organic food. Healthy birds fed healthy food = healthy eggs.

Look for the labels on egg cartons: cage-free, free-range or words that specifically and legally denote that the chickens are not constantly confined in cages AND that they are fed organic feed.


















The "down" side is that cage-free, organically fed chicken eggs are more expensive, but I decided the extra cost is worth it to me.

I eat one egg for breakfast on a slice of dry whole grain toast with fruit or half cup of juice three mornings a week -guilt-free - knowing the farmers I support care enough about their animals to treat and feed them well; in turn their chickens produce rich-in-protein great tasting eggs.

I used to have two eggs with buttered toast and a tall glass of juice. My "new" breakfast portions are plenty filling and tastier.

Thanks, cage-free, organic food feeding farmers!

Thanks to My Pet Chicken for the photos!