One plea for vegetarianism.

[Chrissi]

If you entered this topic knowing that nothing would sway you, and intend to reply with a flaming post, shame on you for already knowing that nothing I can say can do anything, yet you'll look at it anyway, get angry because this isn't what you believe, and bitch me out.

If you entered this topic figuring "eh, it can't hurt", please know that I don't intend to convert anybody with any of this. I intend to make people THINK. If you enjoy your diet, I don't want you to change. Hell, nobody can make me give up my jelly belly jelly beans, even though I know they're bad for me. Because I like them. Now don't call me a hypocrite and go "Oh but I love meat - that's why you eat things that are bad for you, eh?" I didn't say to give up your diet.

I'm asking you right now to think.

And if you don't wanna think, just ****ing leave already, because entering a topic just to flame is amateurish 11-year old behaviour. You at least have some idea of what lies ahead. If you don't want to read it, or will be offended, leave - the same way you'd leave a violent film that depicts a person's head getting blown off when you are a queasy-stomached person. You know the reality exists, you just don't want to hear it, so leave.



Now, I'm not a pushy type of vegetarian - I hate when people try to force their ideals on me, so I would never force my ideals on anyone else. Pushy religious bigots piss me off big time, and I know that's exactly what pushy vegetarians are doing when they try to educate others about the dangers of meat.

But there are two things I want to say to you guys, just for kicks.

1) When I was younger, I had 4 ear infections and countless colds, but being an otherwise healthy kid, I just figured it was typical. Ever since I went vegetarian (9 years ago or so) I haven't had a single ear infection or cold. Yes, I haven't had a cold - most people get one every year, but I haven't had a single one since I stopped consuming meat. In fact, I have not been sick. I get stomachaches - I think it's acid - and I've had my blood taken and my levels are all good. So anyway, to continue:

2) This little bit of text was inspired by a page I saw today: http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas98.html I know, it was written in 1998, but hell, the benefits of a vegetarian diet are timeless.

So you guys can figure this out yourselves.... read that page if you like, and hear my story. Even if you don't care two ****s about animals and would rather they were dead, there are health reasons too.




Originally I thought that going vegan was a bad idea. I thought that it deprived your body of essential vitamins. How the hell do you get protein and calcium on a vegan diet? Then I realized a few things.

1) Have you EVER heard of anybody who didn't get enough protein? I haven't. Upon further research, I don't think it even happens.

2) Milk and cheese simply smell rotten. Period. You smell them, they smell like rotting matter. I can get my calcium elsewhere. If you haven't noticed it yet, take some time out and smell your milk. Smell your cheese. Smell your yogurt. You might not smell these things normally because you are accustomed to the smell, but if you really think about it, and smell - they smell rotten. Now go smell a vegetable. Not even close. Potatoes smell like earth. Lemons smell like springtime. Celery smells beautiful. Grains smell wholesome.




I would never say that we would be where we are today without animals in our diet. I would never say that the consumption of animal matter and dairy products haven't done us good. I think that a lot of the reason we exist today as the most powerful race on the planet is because of our ability to utilize these different types of food sources, and to capitalize on the ones that are nutrient-dense. Being an omnivore sure has its perks.

But I'm saying that, now that we are at the top - we've got better ways to live. Slaughter is no longer necessary - meat is no longer necessary - in fact it's harmful.

And I'm not saying you're going to fall over and die if you continue eating meat like you do. I'm not even saying you'll live longer if you stop eating it.

But read just that webpage (http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas98.html) concerning reasons to be a vegetarian, and I'm sure you'll find at least one that really does matter to you.


Sorry this was a bit longer than I thought it'd be. All I want anyone to do is open their mind - some people are so ****ing closed down that they don't know how to look at anything else objectively. And hey, if you love meat, go ahead and eat it, but eat less, or skip that burger - or at LEAST know that this is something detrimental to your health, the same way a piece of chocolate cake isn't so good, but we'll still eat it anyway.

Peace.