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SVMc · Feb 19, 2004, 01:55 pm

Actually according to studies only around 1% of the American population are vegetarian, less are vegan. So there is a higher number of vegetarians here.... that's probably because vegetarians will read this thread, and people who want to "flame" them will vote

I've been vegetarian for most of my life, vegan for 8 years. We had meat very infrequently when I was a child (holidays and such) I really just never aquired a taste for it. Origianlly there was very little thought into being a vegetarian, it was just a preference. I'm not a member of PETA and I've never asked any omnivore to switch. My signifanct other does eat meat although voluntarily reduced the amout over the years... not because I asked, I support my partners choice as long as mine is also supported. On the other hand a vegetarian diet has provided my partner the opportunity to experience more varieties of international foods than the meat and potatoe family backgroud.

Now that I've been vegetarian / vegan for a long time I've gotten used to being picked and proded about my choices. Retrospectively now I do believe it is more ecological, recently Canada, as part of signing the Kyoto protocol listed eating a vegetarian meal every other day will reduce greenhouse gasses by one metric tonne per year. Also factory farming practices have done some serious damage to our ground water.

I also realize not all "vegetables" are equal. I try to buy organic and local to avoid issues of GMO's and exploitative industry-agriculture which can be really repressive to people and animals alike.

I don't ask anyone to follow my example, I do it because I feel healthier when I eat this way and I think that even if it only makes a small difference it does make a difference.

Tread lightly on this earth.

Feb 19, 2004, 01:55 pm	#49 (permalink) (top)
SVMc Lazy Sniper Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 513	Actually according to studies only around 1% of the American population are vegetarian, less are vegan. So there is a higher number of vegetarians here.... that's probably because vegetarians will read this thread, and people who want to "flame" them will vote I've been vegetarian for most of my life, vegan for 8 years. We had meat very infrequently when I was a child (holidays and such) I really just never aquired a taste for it. Origianlly there was very little thought into being a vegetarian, it was just a preference. I'm not a member of PETA and I've never asked any omnivore to switch. My signifanct other does eat meat although voluntarily reduced the amout over the years... not because I asked, I support my partners choice as long as mine is also supported. On the other hand a vegetarian diet has provided my partner the opportunity to experience more varieties of international foods than the meat and potatoe family backgroud. Now that I've been vegetarian / vegan for a long time I've gotten used to being picked and proded about my choices. Retrospectively now I do believe it is more ecological, recently Canada, as part of signing the Kyoto protocol listed eating a vegetarian meal every other day will reduce greenhouse gasses by one metric tonne per year. Also factory farming practices have done some serious damage to our ground water. I also realize not all "vegetables" are equal. I try to buy organic and local to avoid issues of GMO's and exploitative industry-agriculture which can be really repressive to people and animals alike. I don't ask anyone to follow my example, I do it because I feel healthier when I eat this way and I think that even if it only makes a small difference it does make a difference. Tread lightly on this earth. Capitalism is: Man exploiting man. Socialism is the other way around.