A true vegetarian

Ok, so my friend Tyler just moved back from California....a state packed with vegetarians. I would love to go there and go out to eat. Unlike Columbia, MO, it has more than just one vegetarian restaurant.  He told me he was a vegetarian, and I believed him. The next night, I walked into his place and he was eating spicy chicken strips. "Man these are too good." "I was a vegetarian before I moved back here." Interesting, how one bag of chicken strips was so tempting to him that he ate them. I don't know about other vegetarians, but I don't seem to get cravings for meat. When I think about eating it, I feel sick. So was this a geographical issue or one of just pure temptation? Are people who cave just giving up meat as part of a craze? Any ideas?

Earth Day

Today I went downtown for Earth Day. It was quite the experience. The last time I went to Earth Day was when I was in grade school. I realized it was going to be a good day when I found a barbecue stand that sold not only regular burgers, but veggie burgers also. I also found the love of my life....kettle korn, yes, kettle korn. Main Squeeze had a booth there and so did Cafe Berlin. I haven't had the pleasure of going to Cafe Berlin, but every time I pass the place it's packed. I've never seen more people advocating for a better environment. It was really nice, but I don't think students realized Earth Day was today. I think it was more citizens of Columbia. I hope that changes in the next few years, because college students need the most education on helping the environment than most. 

New Menu

Main Squeeze is one of the few vegetarian restaurants in Columbia. I visited there frequently over the summer. Last week, was the first time I have gone back in a while do to my time commitments, not to mention, most of their food choices are kind of pricey. The first thing I noticed was the menu changed. A few months ago they added new menu Items like the Super Mario, which was a sandwich containing hummus, tomato, lettuce and other items. Most of these options were gone as well as their breakfast selections. I talked with an employer there who said the restaurant would open in the morning, and see only a few people. I was very disappointed not only in the fewer selections, but also the fact that people weren't taking advantage of good vegetarian breakfasts. I think this is a result of an underlying issue of time management. Most people don't have time in their schedules to sit down, and eat a cooked meal in the mornings. Grab a bagel and go to work. A healthy breakfast is important to jump start the body's metabolism. As long as quick trip places like Starbuck's exists, there is no motivation for people to make time to sit down and enjoy this meal.

Recalled beef.

Recently beef that had been distributed to Columbia's public schools was recalled. This is one of many cases when beef has been recalled. It is usually do to improper treatment of cows. Children were at risk of becoming sick. When have vegetables gotten into the same trouble? Unless, you want to get into the pesticide issue. Has anyone ever come up with the idea of vegetarian cafeterias? Of course not. Why decrease the chances of your child getting sick? Stupid. 

Check out the Missourian article on the recalled beef: 

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/02/19/columbia-schools-disposing-recalled-meat/

Vegetarianism in Movies

I was searching for some typical stereotypes of vegetarianism that I encounter. I found this great article by Max Friedman called, "Invisible Vegetarians." I read this and agreed with most of what he said. I do not think vegetarians can just "pass." People I know remind me and others that I am not normal because I don't eat meat every time we sit down for food. "Oh, don't offer her anything, she's a vegetarian." See what you think: "Invisible Vegetarians"

Dating A Meat-Lover

I have been dating the same guy for three years now. He is a meat-lover. He complains just about everyday that I need to eat some meat. We have even talked of marriage and how we would raise our kids. This is a problem I don't want to force my children to be vegetarians. Children need protein, but I also don't want to be living off my boyfriend's eating habits of burger, burger, burger. I raise this question out to anyone married and raising a family. How do I feed my kids and how do I compromise with my husband?

Super Bowl Foods

Surrounded by cheese dips, buffalo wings, pepporoni pizza and potato chips....mmm.(sarcasm) It is sad how tradition involves grease and fat. No matter how unhealthy the foods my friends eat or anybody else for that matter, the reality is, nobody cares. I am criticized for choosing to avoid such foods. As a woman, I am already seen as weak. I want to know what happens to male vegetarians when they are out with the guys. One friend of mine went veg., but after continuous ridicule from his three male roommates, he was pressured into eating meat again. Are vegetables considered weak foods? Where and when did this categorization happen?