White Orchid Melody

People who knew me before I became vegetarian would have unanimously agreed that I’d be the last person on the planet to give up meat and subsist on vegetables.  So how did a meat and potato girl turn tofu?  I thought my story might be of use to some who may have toyed with the idea of vegetarianism or even just eating healthier.  Like with jogging, I believe if I can do it, anyone can do it!  My trip down vegetarian lane began with a book, The Food Revolution, by John Robbins.  I highly recommend this book, but it isn’t for the faint of heart.  If you don’t want to think about what is really in your food, don’t read it.  But you should.

What is a vegetarian?

A vegetarian, by definition is a person who does not eat meat or meat.  There are also vegans, who don’t consume any animal products at all.  Lacto-ovo vegetarian is the actual term for those who eat dairy and eggs.  There are also some folks who call themselves vegetarian but still eat fish.  It is my opinion that any step you take that gets you closer to a plant based diet is a good one, even if it is only eating a vegetarian meal once a week. 

Why go vegetarian?

So why should you move toward a plant based diet?  Well, first of all it is better for your health.  Plants are easier to digest than animals.  They are also lower in fat and cholesterol.  Before we went veg, my husband and I both had digestive issues.  The introduction of more vegetables has completely regulated our systems.  It is really amazing.  My neighbors are big meat eaters and so of course I’ve been proselytizing to them for a long time.  Well, the wife had to go to the hospital with abdominal pain, and they told her it was digestive.  So, I started up again with them on the benefits of eating their veggies!  This time, they heard me and started incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their diets.  The other day, as I was coming home from work, the husband was outside, about to take his son for a walk.  “I gotta tell you,” he says, “I’ve been eating all these fruits and vegetables and I’ve never felt better!  I have more energy, and I don’t need as much sleep.”  How’s that for a testimonial?  And it is true.  That is what really convinced me that I’d made the right choice by going vegetarian.  My body felt fueled not burdened by my diet.  I had energy after eating, rather than needing a nap. 

In addition, a plant based diet can be easier on the budget.  This is true if you focus on legumes/beans as your protein source.  Processed foods such as soy meat-replacement products can be just as expensive as meat (but again, better for you).  Our diet consists of both beans and meat-substitutes.  If you are going vegetarian for the financial savings, you should avoid the meat substitutes.  Also stay away from convenience foods, as it is much cheaper to cook in bulk and then freeze for quick meals. 

The environment also benefits from your reduced meat consumption.  It takes less resources to grow beans than cows (and there are fewer waste issues).  I won’t get into too much of that here, as I think your own health should be more motivation.  But the internet and your local library are good places to look for more information on the environmental impact of meat production.

How do I get started?

I read the above mentioned book and was so grossed out by the meat production industry that I actually went vegetarian cold turkey, or cold “tofurky” shall we say.  That is not for everyone.  It just happens to be what worked for me.  I have some friends who eat vegetarian through the week and then have meat on the weekends.  That is a good way to start.  Or even just try a new vegetarian recipe one night a week (visit my blog for Recipe Thursdays for ideas!).  Click here for a great book to help you get started. 

One thing you will find is that your dining habits will become much more diverse.  Instead of thinking “what’s for dinner–chicken, beef, or pork?” you will have a wider array of possibilities.  I usually organize our meals by ethnic variety.  When I worked full time, we stuck to a schedule of “mexican monday, pasta tuesday, stirfy wednesday, soup sunday” etc.  Now I have an arsenal of recipes and enough time to plan the meals in a less structured fashion.   Ethnic foods are a great way to get started eating vegetarian though.  Indian food is an excellent source of protein, as much of the dishes are legume based.   Mexican food is also a good option as you can create a variety of dishes with refried beans (get the kind without lard).  I also use soy crumbles, which are a ground beef substitute, to make tacos.  Soups are great too, as you can make a batch each week and have lunches to take to work or school.  I’d recommend getting a couple of good cookbooks (I always scout the bargain tables) with pictures.  I don’t know about you, but I like to see what it is supposed to look like when I’m trying something new!  Your local library is also a good free resource for cookbooks.

Speedbumps

There may be certain situations where you find it difficult to follow a vegetarian diet.  Depending on your personality, you can have a varying degree of flexibility.  I occasionally eat meat (but I try to get organic when I do), for example, when I visit my family in Alabama.  They are not vegetarians and they think it’s crazy that I am.  This doesn’t bother me.  But when I go to my grandmother’s house, I eat fried chicken.  First of all, she makes the best fried chicken on the planet and it will only be available while she is around, so I take advantage of it!  Second, she loves to cook for us.  It would really hurt her feelings if I said I didn’t want to eat her food.  So, for the two or three times a year I visit, I eat chicken.  That isn’t going to ruin my diet.  I’m not going to fall off the bandwagon or anything.  But for some people that might be a possibility.  Know thyself.  When I first started out, I didn’t eat any meat at all for a really long time, just to establish the habit.  You might find that if you have meat occasionally you’ll fall into bad habits again just because it is easier and more familiar.  Or maybe not. 

Anyway, most other situations are managable with a bit of planning.  Invited to a dinner party?  Let the host know your dietary preferance, but in a nice way.  Offer to bring a vegetarian dish.  Or, if that isn’t appropriate, just ask her to make more of the side dishes, so you can feast on those.  Above all I try not to be difficult.  I really love to eat, but some things are more important, such as relationships with your friends and loved ones.  I don’t want my diet to be a damper on our fun times.  So, I keep an open mind about exactly what constitues a “meal.”

Same thing applies when going out to dinner.  Be prepared.  Call ahead to find out what is on the menu.  Even the most “meat and potato” geared establishments have salads and side items.  I’ve made a meal of a potato and salad on occasion.  Or check the appetizer list for meat-free items.  Most restaurants also have pasta dishes that you can request without the meat.  One of my favorite restaurants here has several vegetarian items on the menu, but I still like to make a meal of side items there, like garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, and mac and cheese.  Another trick I’ve learned is to always have snacks on hand.  I eat three meals and two snacks everyday, so I have foods that I like to snack on at home.  But I try to keep some trail mix or a granola bar on hand when I’m out and about as well.  So if I end up meeting a friend at a deli for lunch and there is literally nothing to eat but lettuce, (this very rarely happens) I won’t starve.  Just be prepared for the occasional speedbump and you’ll get along just fine. 

If you have been thinking of giving vegetarianism a shot, go for it!  And let me know how it goes.  I’d be happy to answer any questions about my diet or the process of switching over.  Bon Appetit!

Today was my first day as a bike commuter.  Brian had the car, so I was reliant upon the bike to get to my job at the gym.  I guess I’m setting a good example for the members!  I was so tired on the way there, I didn’t think I was going to make it up all the hills!  But I made it, and I daresay the fresh air was good for me.  We’ll have to see how it goes as my belly grows!  My knees were already hitting it!  I think I might have to switch over to one of those beach cruiser types with the low seat and high handlebars!

Meanwhile someone came by this afternoon to look at the Miata.  He was playing up everything he didn’t like about it, prepping me for a low offer.  Yet I was still shocked when his offer was about $2500 less than the asking price.  I could get more than he offered trading it in to a dealer!  Craziness.  So, maybe someone else will come along before the ad runs out.  If not, I’m not sure what we’ll do.  We talked about possibly trading it in for a used Honda Civic Hybrid, but that’s not really the simple one-car thing we were trying to do.  Of course, we aren’t sure that will work out.  As I mentioned, the bike and the belly aren’t going to be compatible for long, but we’d like to at least give it a shot.  Probably the thing to do would be to trade in the Miata and the Element for a hybrid and save lots of money on gas!  But the Element has been really nice with the rehabbing and general hauling around of things.  Hard to say what we should do.  Ideally someone needs to fall in love with the Miata and make a realistic offer.  It is rather frustrating.  The last car we sold was a Toyota Corolla and it sold in two days!  I guess that spoiled me. 

In the past 50 years, our definition of “enough” has changed greatly.  The average size family home has doubled since the 1950s.  The current square footage for the average American home is approaching 2500.   Keep in mind that average includes all the smaller homes that were built in the early 20th century.  New homes today start with a bare minimum of 2500 sq ft and just get bigger from there.  Everyone gets their own bedroom and bathroom.  The family room is separate from the living room.  The kitchens would make some small restaurants envious. 

Compare this to homes built in the first half of the 20th century.  Rarely did a home have more than one bathroom.  My neighborhood is comprised of homes built between 1920 and 1940.  With one and a half baths original to its design, my house is an anomoly.  Of course many people have come in and updated their bungalows with extra bathrooms, but that is a modern day “neccessity.” 

Some of the older folks around here tell me about growing up in St. Louis and how they lived in a 3 room shotgun style apartment with their parents and 2 siblings.  I wonder how much of that generation’s character was built from growing up closely connected to their family, being forced to share one bathroom.  (Oh, the horror!)  It seems like today, each person in the family has to have their own space so as to avoid interaction with anyone else.  Home and family magazines run articles about the novelty of family dinners.  Kids are eating in their rooms in front of their own TV’s.   

So, what then is the benefit of a small home in a society that craves independence and individuality?  Social values aren’t always reflective of individual values.  Some of that is just a keeping up with the Joneses mentality.  You think you must have certain things because of all the social input you receive from media and advertising.  Those things don’t neccessarily make you happy once you have them.  The more stuff you have the more stuff you have to do to pay for and maintain all of it.  It has been said that people crave isolation because of their hectic daily lives.  That is sacrificing your family relationships for distractions that don’t really matter in the long run.  Perhaps if we didn’t spend so much time surrounded by people we don’t want to be around (at work, for example), we wouldn’t crave that isolation.  And simplifiying your surroundings could go a long way toward making your daily life less-hectic.   I think a lot of people actually like their family and would like to spend more quality time with them.  

Moving our home office from the 2nd floor down to the first floor has made it much easier for my husband and I to spend time together.  We also added a comfy chair to the office, so if I’m here working on the computer, he can spend some time there working on the laptop or relaxing.  If I’m in the kitchen cooking, and he’s in office working, we can still hear each other, which offers a sense of connection.  Previously, if I was working in the office when he got home from work, he wouldn’t know where I was, or if I was even home.  Now when he comes in and puts his things down, he can see right into the office.  It may not seem like much, but even a few extra moments a day of feeling connected can go a long way towards nurturing your relationships.

Another benefit of a smaller home is that it is easier to clean and maintain.  This also increases the time you can spend with family or on leisure activities.  With a husband, two cats, and a dog, 1400 sq ft is the most I can manage.  As it is, I don’t exactly stay on top of everything.  I can’t imagine having twice that space!  Furthermore, the less parts involved, the less things you may have to repair.  Replacing the roof over an 800 sq ft footprint is much cheaper than once twice that size.  And speaking of cheaper, the utilities are far less on a smaller home.  Why pay to heat and cool spaces you aren’t even using?  How much space can one human being occupy at a time? 

The environmental effect of small spaces is much lower as well.  You use less building materials to start with, and then have fewer repairs.  A small home requires less energy to build, maintain, and occupy.  The whole concept of “green-building” has come into fashion recently, offering alternative building materials and on site energy generation.  But what good does all of that do on a massive, sprawling home?  Not much, some would say.  I read of a green designer who refused to work with people requesting homes over 2000 sq ft.  His philosophy was that no one needed that much space and that a conventionally built 2000 sq ft home was more ecologically friendly than a “green” 4000 sq ft home.  People have to realize that a lifestyle change is in order. 

There is a paradigm shift occuring.  A well designed small space is, in fact, much more comfortable than a sprawling expanse.  Building homes is expensive, and often buyers exchange design and details for square footage.  How many new homes today have the charm of a 1920s Craftsman Bungalow?  But, recent polls suggest that increasingly buyers would rather upgrade features than increase space.  When remodeling, people are reconfiguring the space they have, rather than investing in an addition.  This suggests that it is design is becoming more important than square footage. 

I think mentally, it is still difficult to get around the idea that bigger is better.  It is so ingrained in our society, from big box superstores to 7 seater SUVs.  But when you really look at it, smaller is easier.  The older I get, the less stuff I want around me and the less work I want to do.  Taking care of a small house is easier and saves time and money.  It is absurd to pay a premium for real estate to store a bunch of stuff I rarely use.  When I look at what I really need, my house is more than enough space.  Our starter house won’t just be the first step in a lifetime of upgrades.  In fact, I think if we ever build, we might go smaller.

My vision for simple living is “simple abundance”–not necessarily frugality.  Right now I practice frugality out of necessity, which is good because it helps one to focus on what really matters.  I have to prioritize how I spend my money.  This is a useful exercise in that it defines values and develops good habits. 

 One thing I value that is being vetoed out of frugality is organic food.  Ideally I’d buy everything organic.  But often, organic food is twice as expensive as conventional.  When the price is less than 30% more, I opt for the organic option.  And I buy organic dairy whenever possible.  My diet is 99% ovo-lacto vegetarian; but occasionally I have a steak, maybe twice a year.  On those occasions I buy organic beef.  Stores like Trader Joe’s make it possible for me to buy some organic foods. 

But I have this constant moral dilemma going on inside my head.  I feel very strongly about the importance of organic food production, yet I try to keep our grocery budget at a reasonable level.  Today as I was driving home, I heard on the radio that Monsanto had announced that it would be investing $28 million into genetically-modified “stacked trait” soybeans.  In case you don’t know, soy is in nearly all commercially processed food.  And as a 99% vegetarian, I eat quite a lot of soy.  So, it really disturbs me to think that the soy is going to be even more heavily modified.  Right now, the soybeans are genetically modified to be resistant to Round-up.  This means that whereas a farmer would previously have only been able to spray herbicide on his fields before or after the growing season, he can now dump Round-up all over the actual soybeans.  Great, more herbicide at the dinner table and more chemicals in the ground.  The “stacked trait” soybeans will have the herbicide resistant feature plus other special features such as pesticide resistance (add some pesticides to your plate).  They are also working with Iowa State University to market a low-linolenic soybean which could make a more stable cooking oil with no trans-fat.  Genetic engineering at its finest–producing foods to help Americans keep eating crap without suffering the consequences.

For more information on what’s really in your food, check out The Food Revolution by John Robbins.

Anyway, hearing things like that really makes me want to avoid any conventionally grown food.  Many people argue that buying local is better than buying organic.  I disagree.  I’d rather not encourage my local farmers to continue dumping herbicide and pesticide all over the neighborhood.  Yet I sit in Monsanto’s back yard, so my grocery dollars have little effect on that system.  Perhaps I will run a little experiment next month and buy only organic.  I’ll compare my usual grocery bill with the organic bill and see exactly what the difference would be.  And of course, I’ll publish the results here.