Leaving Meat Behind...Part 1

I became a vegetarian about 5 years ago. I just discovered, slowly (like I discover everything) that I felt better when I didn’t eat animal flesh. I must insert here that I still ate fish. I’m not sure how I decided that fish wasn’t animal flesh but I reasoned that since I didn’t feel poorly after eating it that it must be OK.

As the years progressed I became aware of the problems associated with farmed fish and the toxicity of unfarmed fish. Still I decided I’d cut back on the wild-caught and just eat it once or twice a week. That till I learned that our oceans are 70% fished out. Now I was in a conundrum. I didn’t want to contribute to the extinction of any creature.

One afternoon I was hanging out at the lake near my house and a young boy was fishing for tilapia by throwing out a net. Over and over, as he pulled in his net, he would grab the fish and throw them onto the grass where I watched them suffocate. One fish was tossed only a few feet from where I walked. I swear he looked right at me. I looked away. I couldn’t watch his agonizing death. At that very moment, I decided to “consider” not eating any more finned fish.

Maybe a year or so later, while at the now-ex’s river house, I sat along the edge of the canal in the late afternoon, fishing, a cold beer by my side. I found fishing to be fun and relaxing and I rationalized that I would just catch and release. But that evening, I ended up with a bucket full of nice-sized fish. The neighbor came over to clean them and within an hour they went from swimming along happily living their lives to swimming in hot boiling oil.

Nope can’t do that anymore, I decided, though I did continue my catch and release practice until one time I had so much trouble getting the hook out of the fish’s mouth, causing unbelievable damage to him, that I finally quit altogether. How cruel, I thought. Who’s to say how much pain they feel? I know a hook in my lip would hurt.

Still I ate shellfish and mollusks.

About six months ago I made the decision to research all aspects of the farming and meat production industry and after my investigations, I decided I HAD to go completely vegan. I’m surprised at the responses of other people. EVERYONE, and I mean everyone, has an opinion. I do not try to persuade or evangelize anyone to my way of eating. It does have its difficulties and I’m still learning but it is a choice I’m very content with.

A Yummy Dinner

I won't usually share recipes because that's not what this blog is about but I did fix a delicious dinner tonight and thought I'd contribute this recipe. It's not an original. It's from Alicia Siverstone's book The Kind Diet, a vegan cookbook. Yes folks, I am a vegan but we will not get into that tonight. Now to the recipe. I paired it with one of my favorite wines, a red which my cardiologist INSISTS I have a little of every day. Who am I to argue with a professional, right?


Here it is:

Summertime Succotash

1 T Earth Balance Butter

1 t. olive oil - (I pretty much doubled that)

1 c diced red onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1 10 oz package frozen baby lima beans, thawed

1 c fresh or frozen corn

1 c cherry tomatoes, halved

2 T fresh parsley, chopped

2 T fresh basil, chopped ( Since I grow both these herbs, I just walk out to the garden and snip what I need)

1 T white or red balsamic vinegar

Heat butter and oil together in a lg skillet over med heat. Add onion, saute for 5-7 min. Add garlic, cook another min. Stir in limas and saute for 5 min. Add corn and tomatoes and saute 1 min longer. Remove from heat, stir in herbs and vinegar. Serve warm or chilled.

Especially good with a spinach salad minus the bacon, of course.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!! I did.