the down side of being vegetarian

i became a vegetarian about 5 months ago. and at home it is pretty easy, i just don't buy meat, i get things like tofu, soy milk, etc...
but this summer i spent three weeks at my grandma's house and i had to eat meat, she knew that i am vegetarian, but simply didn't know how to cook for me, same with when i went to great-grandma's house. Grandma asked and she tried, but she isn't vegetarian and she isn't about to make two meals (i wouldn't expect that), so even though i'm sure she cut back in her meat consumption, i still had to digest the stuff. ick!
even when we went to restaurants, it's hard cuz i find that most restaurants don't offer any vegetarian meals other then soup and salad. how boring is that! grrrrrr

 

Ummmm...... I know this may be a bit radical, but did you ever think of cooking for yourself?

 

like i said, at MY house it's easy. at other peoples houses its just rude to let them make dinner then then go make your own meal.

 

Ok, next time you're at someone else's house you can say something along the lines of:

"I'm sorry, your meal looks delicious but my ethical beliefs have led me to become a vegetarian. I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind if I ate/made an alternative meal?"

 

Or just bring along a large salad for everyone to share, and you could just eat the salad.

 

Why's that rude exactly? You have a diet that they find hard to cater for, so rather than expect them to cook for you, you make the effort to cook for yourself. Surely that's the polite thing to do?

 

I have lunch every Sunday at my husband's grandmother's house with his whole family...they are all meat-eaters. I always bring a dish that is friendly to my diet, that everyone can eat, as well. They tried to accomodate for me, but I felt bad and told them that they shouldn't plan the meal around me, so I decided it would be easiest for me to contribute something that is veggie-friendly. It really isn't hard. If you just talk and pitch in, it is very easy.

 

There's nothing wrong with bringing a vegetaran dish along, especially you make enough for others to share. Honestly, I know how you feel, there were times when I ate a pickle sandwich at people houses! You just have to become really dedicated to your beliefs about health or animals, whatever your motivation was to become a veggie person in the first place. There are plenty of vegetarian options at restaurants...

Italian: Pasta and Marinara, Eggplant parmigiana, pasta with veggies in white wine sauce etc.

Pizza places: Fried mushrooms, bradsticks, Pizza, french fries.

You'll get used to seeking these kinds of dishes out!

 

I always get Marinara confused with Marijuana, to think of all the recipies I've screwed up!

 

LOL


I've never had that problem. Just explained what I would and wouldn't eat and offered to provide my own food. Nothing rude about that.

What is rude is expecting to be accomidated without offering anything in the way of help or advice.
Would it have killed you to cook a meal for both of you, thus saving any food and/or hurt feelings.
I've found that people who do a lot of cooking are grareful for any meals made for them. Even with tofu in.

 

Restaurants are easy there are plenty of dishes and pastas that you could just ask them to exclude the meat, people ask for their meals minus all kinds of things.


And with your grandparents I don't even think you have to go so far as having an alternative meal, I'm sure they're eating more than just meat, the side dishes can be your main dishes it shouldn't be hard to do that at anyone's dinner, even without notice, but if you must remind them to make enough veggies or pasta or whatever b/c you won't be eating the meat you can make that your meal. Be creative.

 

Good points


Every omni I've know has been really suppourtive. Even my grandparents, though they cook for me. No one really understands, but they know me and can accept it.
Just have to bite my tongue sometimes and explain that, no I don't eat fish (as if that is something bizzare for a vegetarian)

 

vegetarians eat fish, eggs and drink milk. If you don't, then you're a vegan

 

ehh...EVERYONE ate my pasta marijuana?? What? WHAT? What's so funny?!? LOLLLL

some italian restaurant in amsterdam should have that on the menu.

 

Are you kidding? I hope so.

Fish:

1) Any of numerous cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates of the superclass Pisces, characteristically having fins, gills, and a streamlined body...

2) The flesh of such animals used as food.

 

And just incase you need more clearing up as to why vegetarians don't eat fish:

veg·e·tar·i·an

1. One who practices vegetarianism.
2. An herbivore

Why, whats an herbivore you ask?


her·bi·vore


1. An animal that feeds chiefly on plants.

 

Yo, Joe, whats a plant?!?!

plant ( P ) Pronunciation Key (plnt)
n.

1. Botany.
   1. Any of various photosynthetic, eukaryotic, multicellular organisms of the kingdom Plantae characteristically producing embryos, containing chloroplasts, having cellulose cell walls, and lacking the power of locomotion

 

Aah... you're such a nice person because you made it so easy for the ignorant of facts.

~ George

 

This person may be able to bring a meal, but its pretty difficult to bring meals for a 3 week stay. Thats a pretty long time. You could always say, I'll have what your having if you just leave out the meat.

 

im an "omnivore" and i would respect anyone whos a vegetarian or a vegan and cook speshul stuff for them, or just cook a vegan meal for everybody (i love tofu, veggies,.. and all vegan meals as well)u dont have to feel like u have to eat meal, just ask for meat-free meals, its not that hard, and pple who wont do that for u are just not your friends