Stumbling Blocks

The transition continues to prove challenging. For the most part, I can avoid meat with little effort. Somehow, though, cookie substitution, however easy and delectable, doesn’t seem the wisest choice. I need to reassess my dietary needs, big time.

That’s challenge number one, now that I’ve proved I can actually manage abstaining: educating myself appropriately and taking necessary steps towards balance.

The second challenge concerns my obvious lack of forethought. It is a season of meat, just now. In ways unrelated to perversion. Between the parties and the gatherings, and the big meals themselves, December presents a cornucopia of animal flesh foodstuffs. In a cerebral sense this disgusts me. In a habitual sense, it’s a bit more complicated than that. My family’s holiday traditions centre around a Christmas Eve appetizer buffet, heavy on the meat, and the traditional Christmas Day roast beast. I’m not entirely ready to give these things quite up. So instead of imposing harsh restriction and giving in to associated guilt when I inevitably succumb to temptation, I’m choosing to view the celebration as a sort of final farewell, done in proper style (At least our turkey will be local and free range). I’m not  going to be gorging myself on animal products until then, but Christmas dinner will be my official last act of consumptive cruelty. . .in terms of meat, at least.

After that, as soon as I can sort out challenge number three (my finances) I’ll stock my fridge up with vegan alternatives and get this show properly on the road early in the new year.

Forgive me – For I have sinned

Four days slipped easily by, without incident. I was even tempted, once, by a dinner of appetizer-type foods awaiting my return from work, and held firm to my resolve. I think I grew overconfident. I think I assumed it would all be smooth sailing.

“Who needs meat!?” I said to myself, cockiness in my internal tone. Things were going very well.

And then there was poutine. For those of you without a Canadian perspective, poutine is about the most disgusting and glorious combination of foodstuffs ever invented. French fries, cheese curds. And gravy.

I ended up being asked to stay late at work, and hadn’t packed lunch, so I was forced to select from the food court with a limited budget. There weren’t a lot of options. I’m not making excuses here, but the situation was challenging and I succumbed to my more evil desires. As the hot meat-juice touched my tongue, I sighed in satisfaction.

I felt rightfully ill after I ate it. That is some consolation. Back on track today. I need to do some proper research about meatless alternatives to different things.

The Leap

It’s time.

After years of half-hearted consideration and quarter-hearted self-education, and after getting a pesky eating disorder largely sorted, I’ve finally run out of excuses.

Like millions of commendable individuals before me, for reasons without novelty, I am going veggie. If things go well, I hope to eventually follow in the footsteps of Degeneres and de Rossie (in more than the enviable happily-ever-after lesbian bliss), and make a vegan of myself.

This blog will exist to record my journey and all its accompanying exploration and education.

I admit that I’m beginning with limited knowledge and much fumbling will result. I just know it’s a choice I wish to make. The knowledge will come in time, and I’ll be thrilled to share.

So, let’s get right down to it.

In the beginning there is simply me, sat in front of my computer, with a newfound zeal for my dietary revolution. There is also Harry, my spiteful cat. He remains carnivorous, at least for the time being, but his disdain will only urge me forward. As will his fish breath and chubby gut.

 My motivation can be summed up as follows:

1 – I find it increasingly hard to consume meat without picturing the sweet animal upon whose flesh I’m supping.

2 – Though I have cattle farming family and am aware that not ALL farming is factory, and not all practices inhumane, I’m beginning to learn that most are, and do not want to be associated with supporting or condoning the industry.

3 – There are options (more environmentally sustainable options, even) that make renouncing meat and animal products safely and easily possible. To me, it seems silly not to take advantage.

4 – The health benefits that will accompany limiting cholesterol and trans fats, not to mention the less natural substances found in modern-day meats, are appealing.

5 – I’ll get to buy super cool t-shirts with quirky veggie slogans on.

Tomorrow will officially be day one. Stay tuned.