Five years ago, my best friend became one and I thought how cool it was to do such a thing but I was a BIG bacon girl. So, my dad and I placed a bet on who could be a vegetarian the longest. I, of course, won like a champ. Then I kept going and did more research and I very quickly found out that this was the lifestyle for me.
It is said to consult a doctor or nutritionist before making this decision, but I didn't. I slowly worked my way into vegetarianism starting with cutting out all red meats, lamb, pig, and game animals. It wasn't easy at first but I soon got a hold of it. Then, when I knew I was ready, I cut out all meat. Even fish and seafood.
I have many reasons why I stuck with it. I'm very careful what I put in my body, and I liked that organics and Whole Foods made it soo much easier being a vegetarian. I'm really big on health food and all natural because It's sooo much better for you and it tastes soo much better! Also, because I never really agreed with raising animals to be killed for our enjoyment. I wish for them to have a full life not in cages or farms. I do not agree with eating meat off the bone because I feel that's kind of barbaric.
I do, however, hunt. I've been born and raised in the mountains and that's just a natural mindset for a girl like me. When I do go hunting I will humanely as possible kill the animal but I wont eat it. My family will. I do not clean or bone the animal either. When I hunt I have the mindset that these animals have had a life outside of humanity, they have lived, and they were peaceful when they died.
As most of you know, I'm a religious person and it angers me when people use my religion as something against me for being what I am. Yes, God put animals on this earth for the intention for eating and enjoyment. But, he loves us for us and our choices; because he has blessed us so dearly with choices. My choice is to be a vegetarian and I feel like I'm not defying God in anyway.
The question has came up if I would raise my kids meat eaters or not. Or if I would marry a man who eats animals. Again, It doesn't bother me that people choose to eat meat. It's their decision not mine. I'm dating a guy who eats meat and I don't love him any less. I will let my children choose if they want to live a lifestyle of vegetarianism or not.
Also it has came up that I will die sooner because I'm a vegetarian and I'm not as good a athlete because of it too. Which is completely absurd. Actually, in a research study, among the lifestyle choices investigated, a vegetarian diet was estimated to confer an extra 1–1/2 to 2 years of life. The researchers concluded that "the life expectancies of California Adventist men and women are higher than those who ate meat.So there.
I love who I am and my lifestyle.
Until Next Time,
Madison
XOXO
