You know you’ve arrived when MizFit calls you badass. Ahhh, happiness.
I spoke too soon when I said I wasn’t sore from the triathlon this weekend. My leg/groin/”special area” is back to that stabbing, searing pain. I have pretty much laid off exercising for the last three days, which is freaking KILLING me. I’m really hoping the rest does the job, because I have two half marathons in two months. Meeps!
Plus, I just entered the POTM (Piling on the Miles) challenge that Bobbi and Caitlin threw down. I don’t know if I’ll be in the running for any prizes, but I’ll do my best!
So, I was reading Huffington Post today and read this blog post by Natalie Portman: “On How Eating Animals Changed Me.”
Jonathan Safran Foer’s book Eating Animals changed me from a twenty-year vegetarian to a vegan activist. I’ve always been shy about being critical of others’ choices because I hate when people do that to me. I’m often interrogated about being vegetarian (e.g., “What if you find out that carrots feel pain, too? Then what’ll you eat?”).
I’ve also been afraid to feel as if I know better than someone else — a historically dangerous stance (I’m often reminded that “Hitler was a vegetarian, too, you know”). But this book reminded me that some things are just wrong. Perhaps others disagree with me that animals have personalities, but the highly documented torture of animals is unacceptable, and the human cost Foer describes in his book, of which I was previously unaware, is universally compelling.
I’m a meat eater, and while I eat more vegetables and vegetable-focused foods than most, I’ve never given too much thought to going vegetarian. But Natalie raises an interesting debate in her blog post, and it got me thinking…could I go vegan for a month? One of my favorite blogging duos, Andrea and Erin from Care To Eat, did a Vegan challenge not too long ago. Matt from No Meat Athlete blogs about becoming a vegetarian while staying strong as an athlete. And Brendan Brazier, vegan triathlete, has some amazing recipes in his book.
I’m not sure what to think, and if I floated the idea by Lucas…well, I think he might recoil in horror. Stay tuned, though — I love a challenge.
Would you consider giving up meat and animal products? Why or why not?
I totally know what you mean. I wont eat any more meat anywhere unless I know exactly where it came from–and it has to be humane. I don’t feel deprived. Although, it’s hard to go out sometimes. Otherwise, I feel like I am doing my part.
I eat primarily vegan. I can’t handle dairy, don’t like eggs and don’t enjoy the taste of meat. However, I do it for taste not for the environment which is an added bonus. So I will eat chicken or turkey (rarely if ever red meat) before a big run for fuel that won’t mess w/ the tummy also I WILL be enjoying turkey on Thanksgiving. I do eat baked goods not vegan on vacation. I try not be strict eat what I want that is as good for me and the environment as possible. Eat clean I say
I couldn’t do it. I tried years ago and lets say I didn’t feel so hot. I have changed the types of meats I eat and how I cook it. Whenever I get the chance, I eat buffalo, elk or some wild game. All of those are lower in cholesterol and VERY low in fat. I RARELY eat fried chicken. I tend to also stir fry or sautee instead of frying (although frying alone isn’t bad but how food is fried). I tend to drink thinks like green, black or passion tea (mixed with lemonade or some fresh juice). Don’t mix with organic juices because the sugar content is very high.
No I could not stop eating meat!! If I did I would wolf down as much pasta and potatoes as possible! I do not eat meat 2x per week and that is all I can do…would love to see how it effects your races if you stop eating it…you go first!
Natalie Portman is beautiful!
I definitely recommend trying out a vegan diet for a month. In September I did a “vegan venture” month where (primarily for health reasons) I experimented with veganism. I LOVED IT! In the end I made the decision to continue a mostly vegan based diet.
(Mostly because if I ever go to Italy or anything again, I’ll be eating gelato lol). Not only has it been wonderful for my health, clearing up a lot of digestive issues I had, as well as improving my asthma, but despite doing it for health reasons, it has made my heart so much more compassionate to animals than it already was. I can’t even walk by the meat counter at the grocery store anymore, and I abhore the stories you hear about the meat/ poultry/ egg industry.
This is long enough, but please – if you have any questions or anything, feel free to email or tweet me up.
yeah, there are lots of books on vegan eating.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, healthwise/genetically, it is not for everyone.
Some people do GREAT and GREAT on a vegan diet and therefore think it is for everyone.
Others literally fail to prosper.
One month is not the test, body depletion takes longer.
Over the years, I have found that it is best to listen to my compassion/heart AND my body.
Hard lesson to learn, but a good one.
Start reading the raw foods books. Adding more raw food creations into a diet can be one of the healthiest things to do. I am all for “adding” instead of restricting.
Sounds like it could be a hip problem. Most of my worst pain comes from that area and I need full replacements of both hips. May be a good idea to research some hip stretching exercises. Do you take any type of a supplement to aid with joint repair? http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/supplements/a/glucosamine.htm
I supplement with Osteo Bi Flex daily – http://www.osteobiflex.com/
Also an anti inflammatory, ibuprofen/advil, will help if there is any inflammation in the joint.
I went vegetarian for a few months, and honestly it’s just not right for my body. I put on weight, and just in general was not happy with myself. I think what works for others does not work for everyone. That said, it’s worth a try! See if it works for you!
Katy -
I couldn’t contact you cause it says your mailbox is full. I just wanted to let you know you got accepted for foodiefights this week. email me when you get a chance.
If you’re curious, I think trying out a vegetarian diet for a short time would be great. Since it’s a limited time you shouldn’t feel deprived but you’d get a chance to see how you like it.
I’ve been vegan for four months and love it. I think it was easier for me to eliminate all animal products since I had been a vegetarian for 9 years prior.
Good luck!
I think doing a 1 month challenge is a great way to “jump in” to veganism and see how it suits you. I basically went vegan as a New Year’s resolution, and it actually stuck 4 years later. If you enjoy cooking and making your own food, being vegan is really easy. There are also tons of great products on the market that make the transition a lot smoother. I say give it a try. What do you have to lose anyway?
definitely a well-deserved bad-ass
i think i am similar in my current situation, but i don’t know that i could ever be vegan as i love eggs, yogurt, and cheese. i have made decisions to eat less meat,and choose meat and the above dairy as good as I can (grass-fed, organic, etc.) if $$ allows!
I eat mostly vegetarian, and could pretty easily give up meat for good. But I don’t think I could ever get by without dairy (soy substitutes make me sick) or eggs or fish. Sushi is my favorite food. I do make sure to buy organic dairy and eggs, and whenever possible I get them from small local farms.