Sunday, March 7, 2010

The social implications of not partaking in the Rite of Dead Cow

So if you've been keeping tabs, which I totally wouldn't blame you if you're not, I'm on the 'eat vegetarian' portion of my 2 Week Resolutions. Which means I've been a vegetarian for...about a week.

(Since I've also been denied dairy, wheat, and sugar by the naturopath, I'm having a hard time with the meal planning. Lint, anyone?)

So far, it's pretty easy. Other than when I have any social contact whatsoever, that is.

Living in a bubble for one? Eating vegetarian is a breeze. Living with and (gasp) socializing with other people that reside in this redneck province? Um...not as easy.

The second day of my vegetarianism, we were invited over to a friends' house for Sunday dinner. I don't really know these people that well, they're more hubby's friends than mine, so I didn't feel totally comfortable announcing my recent conversion. I mean, there's a conversation custom-designed to make you feel like a tool:

"Oh! I'm a vegetarian, I can't eat that fragrant, delicious-looking, Flinstones-sized slab of ribs."

"Really? I didn't know you were a vegetarian."

"Um...well, just this week. And next week. If it lasts."

"You're a vegetarian for 2 weeks? Why?"

"...just because?"

Anyway. I now have an extremely belated sympathy for my friend Politika, who doggedly remained a vegetarian in this animal-flesh-loving prairie town, all through high school and maybe a little while afterwards until she could make her escape to the much more enlightened West Coast. It couldn't have been easy, trying to eat out and attend social gatherings like barbecues and dinner parties and the annual Bacon Dance. All the while obnoxious, meat-eating heathens demanding to know why you couldn't just eat ONE bite, I mean, c'mon, it's not going to KILL you. It's delicious!

(I may or may not have been one of those people. I refuse to answer on the grounds that it's pretty fucking obvious that I was.)

Like most places, social activity here just revolves around food. And the assumption is, on the prairies, that food means meat. Usually red meat. And potatoes. With beer. (Sometimes one or all of those things is deep fried.)

My third night of vegetarianism, hubby and I had a pre-arranged date night. At a steak house.

Tomorrow night? Fundraiser steak night.

Well...ONE bite isn't going to kill me, right? C'mon.

(...This resolution is doomed.)

26 people talked back :

♥ Braja said...

Oh well, my post today is totally for you.

with love,
the Blogging Vegetarian Yogini :)

♥ Kathy said...

lol definitely doomed :) I understand the feeling uncomfortable about the not eating stuff...not meat for me but I have food allergies. Here's my list:

Tomatoes
Onions
Berries with Strawberries being the worst
Mushrooms
Peppers

See my sadness? I have to ask a complete ingredient list before I take a bite of anything and most the time I piss someone off for not eating their food. They're allergies people! I can't help it :(

But, back to you...I bet you can do it! Just keep trying!

Martha said...

I'm a vegetarian too! And trying to eat out is a HUGE pain... really trying to eat any meal that I didn't prepare is a pain. My own mother refuses to acknowledge that I no longer eat meat.

Good Luck!

Becky said...

Bacon Dance. This is made up, right? RIGHT?

Cole said...

Bacon is yummy!

FoN said...

I feel super guilty about my brunch bacon now. Sorry.

Gillian said...

Rather you than me.

slommler said...

I had a wonderful vegetarian brunch yesterday...a quiche with cheese, spinach, mushroom, onions and jalapenos! It was delish!!! You can do it!! I know you can!!
Hugs
SueAnn

mo.stoneskin said...

Do they let vegetarians into steak houses?

I would have thought they would have a "No Veggies" sign on the door for consistency.

Jenni said...

"I may or may not have been one of those people. I refuse to answer on the grounds that it's pretty fucking obvious that I was."

Killed me. And the Bacon Dance? My ribs are aching. My delicious, meaty ribs.

Mrsbear said...

The fact that you could decline a Flintstones sized rack of ribs, clearly means you have some ferocious willpower. Two weeks will be a breeze, then afterward you can put yourself in a bacon-coma.

Cassie said...

Beef! It's what's for dinner.

AmyLK said...

Oh no! Good luck with the resolution.

VandyJ said...

Hey, I'd call it a success if you manage to be a vegetarian at home. That counts right? You get a pass for those times when you must eat out.

Mama Badger said...

Bacon is a condiment, right? Dude, more power to you, but I couldn't do this, even for two weeks.

CaJoh said...

Funny… you don't look vegetarian.

I gave up caffeine one year. Of course that was the year that Jolt Cola came out. Instead of toasting with champagne, I toasted with a six pack of Jolt.

The best of skill in avoiding the dead cow.

Babes Mami said...

I was a veg for 2 years but went back to chicken. My brother is vegan however and he says it's pretty hard to go out with carnivores. They just don't think about his needs. His words. But good luck to you!!!

beth said...

Americans are truly cow parasites! Just think of all those calories you're missing and that should hold off the meat urges!

Ellie Belen said...

You'll feel accomplished! You'll reek with willpower! You can do it.

But if you really need help, go watch that movie, Food Inc. That movie has turned three of my family members to vegetarianism.

I haven't seen it and am afraid what it might do to me.

WhisperingWriter said...

Good luck!

I know I'd be lost without meat.

gretchen said...

Actually, it sounds like you have incredible will-power! No ribs? No steak at the steak house? You're doing well.

anymommy said...

You are a brave, brave girl. I wouldn't even try.

Sandy said...

I feel your pain. When I was single I never cooked meat at home unless I had company. I wasn't a vegetarian but I only ate meat when I was out. It really worked out well.

Then enter Paul into my life and that was over. I'm the cook here and trying to diet and feed him is so difficult. Good luck with your diet.

lizgizzy said...

I tried to go vegetarian, my hair fell out, so that came to an abrupt end. Good luck with the whole no meat, no wheat, eggs, or dairy thing. Lint is suprisingly satisfying.

Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip said...

Was raised a veggie, but am now a devout meat eater. Except for cow. Don't like cow very much, unless it's from Taco Bell. How's that for random? Good luck with your meatless quest. I'll be thinking of you as I eat this extra large burrito.

Casey said...

I love meat but I could possibly give it up, I dunno. My good friend is a vegetableian and I mock her every chance I get. Her toddlers are too.

So how long have you been off of wheat? You know we're off of it too, right? Possibly dairy next. You have health problems? Huh? Stupid wheat. Lemme know if you need recipe ideas, I'm getting good at it.