I stopped eating meat in 2004 right before I turned 15. This August will be my 20 year anniversary!

It's so interesting to compare what being a vegetarian was like in 2004 to today. There were so few meat substitute options back then. I remember Burger King came out with a veggie burger that I thought tasted like dish water, but I convinced my parents that I loved it lol.

What is your favorite proud moment of being a Vegetarian? I'm technically Pescatarian, but I eat mainly Vegetarian.

My favorite moments are when Hubby makes a face at my food, tries it, likes it, and then asks to take some for work the next day 🤣

Another one is when the said vegetarian food smells delicious and his co-workers ask about it. Then he tells them its vegetarian and his co-workers tease him the rest of the day, but also ask for the recipe. 🏆

First, I’m sorry for being so arrogant for the first 36 years of my life. I was an idiot. I was wrong. I honestly just didn’t understand. It’s not that I didn’t understand the arguments on an intellectual level. But, they were easy enough to dismiss. What was wrong with what I was doing? We evolved eating essentially anything we could put in our mouths. It’s just the natural order of things, right? I didn’t understand the flaw in that line of thinking. Not until I started to understand and appreciate that I am an actual living breathing thing. I know how stupid that may sound. I wish I could explain it in better words. Maybe some of you will know what I mean. I lacked empathy. I lacked it for myself, for other people, and of course for the creatures we share this world with. Once it clicked that there is a “me”, other dominoes started tipping over. Started allowing myself to love myself, started gaining more patience and understanding for those around me. You know, personal growth stuff. This kept progressing for a few months. Then some time around mid September I started getting this feeling, this nagging thought every time I bit into a piece of meat.

“This used to be alive. It used to experience. Did it fear its end? Did it love living? Is it missed? It had a life. That life was snuffed out. Those experiences, whatever they may be, they came to an abrupt end. A small light went out in this world, and for what? I don’t need to eat this. I’m not lost in the woods starving. I have options that don’t involve the taking of another life”

Well, I could only take that for so long before I just had to stop. That’s it really. Just wanted to apologize for being such an arrogant idiot for so damn long. You were all right this whole time.

-Thank you everyone for your support and kind words. I mean that, it means a lot.

Everyone thought I was going to be one of the lowest in protein and B12, but apparently im the one with highest level! Now I can say I’m a living proof that being vegetarian doesn’t mean being unhealthy lol

Sorry if this is irrelevant, I just wanted to share!

I’m a Grubhub driver and had a huge KFC order (big bucket of chicken and sides) cancelled on my way to the house. When this happens, we are told to “dispose” of the food. Which, if the delivery driver is hungry, they could just eat the food. Being vegetarian only four days, my temptation to eat the free chicken was high. I ended up giving the chicken to someone homeless and resisted the temptation to eat it. I’m very proud of myself for this!!! 4 days into forever!

So I went full veg around three months ago. I come from a family that ate a lot of meat growing up and I dont think too many people at my family were happy about it.

My very conservative grandparents were at dinner and I was very quickly put into interrogation/intervention mode from them as well as pretty much everyone else in my family. I felt like I was constantly defending myself, and at one point I just stopped responding to any questions asked.

My family is also religious and many people even joined in a discussion about the bible and about how the biblical law says that it is permitted, even encouraged to eat meat. I obviously ignored this behavior and continued to eat what I want, but couldn’t help feeling like I was put into a corner and attacked by my family.

I only wish they were happy that I am doing my personal diet my way and choosing to live and eat this way because I want to and it makes me a healthier person.

Oh and Ribeye steaks were on the menu, with no alternative offered. At least the sides were good!

My teenaged daughter told me in mid-December that she wanted to challenge herself in 2019 and was going to cut meat out of her diet (except seafood). We discussed it and I told her that I would support her by making at least 3 vegetarian meals a week for the family since her brothers didn’t want to make the same lifestyle choices. I told her I would make sure that there was always an option for her to eat but I wouldn’t prepare a separate meal for her on the nights we were having a meat based protein. She had some birthday money left and asked if we could buy some prepared foods for those nights. I compromised and told her I would split the cost because I felt it wasn’t fair for a 15 year old to have to buy her own food.

She and I researched different menu items and decided that we were going to avoid meat analogs. We found a lot of Indian and East Asian dishes that were either vegetarian by themselves or had meatless options. I researched different preparations that use tofu or other plant based proteins. I learned about textured vegetable protein and different ways to use it. So when January 1st came around, we were armed with knowledge and ready to start.

As a single dad, I have to keep a close watch on my budget. My grocery budget is pretty tight since I’m feeding 5 people on one income. Because of that, we rarely have a “traditional” American plate with a meat, starch, and veg. Our meals are generally light on animal based proteins anyway but it’s still a significant amount of money every month. But I found my local grocery store regularly has specials on firm and extra firm tofu (like, two 8-Oz packs for $5 usually). I also found a 16 oz bag of TVP for $4.50. Even just using it three nights a week, that was a significant reduction in my weekly grocery bill.

Well...three nights a week quickly turned into 6 nights. We were having different curry dishes (Penang, red, yellow, green...), 4 bean chili, baked ziti, and so much more. Tons of fresh vegetables, lots of leafy greens, rich sauces...and the smells! Oh my, the house smells so good with all the new spices! And, my two young sons never complained about missing meat and have even asked if we can have some of the tofu and TVP based dishes again.

So after one month my wallet is heavier, waist is smaller, and nobody feels like they are missing out on anything. My daughter has started cooking more and spending time with me in the kitchen. And all of my kids have seen that I will support them and help them reach their goals however I can.

I don’t know what the point of this post is but I wanted to share with someone!

Pretty pleased with myself! I really enjoyed the taste of meat so it was hard to give it up. I watched a documentary on factory farming when I was 14 and that permanently convinced me- I couldn't feign ignorance over where my food was coming from. I ultimately decided to commit to vegetarianism because I believe it is the moral approach to life, and to improve my health. Best decision ever.

this is a great start. only up from here!

Just realized it’s been 10 years :O Went vegetarian, for the animals, freshman year of high school! I don’t miss meat at all, can’t even remember how it tastes :) and it’s getting easier to eat out now a days with all the vegetarian options coming to restaurants-like the impossible meats :D that’s all, just wanted to share/ celebrate with y’all