Semitarians: Like Flexitarians, But More Dedicated

The Atlantic Food Channel:

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but my first thought after reading Aglaia Kremezi's vivid account of slaughtering a pig was, Gross. Dedicated vegetarian or not (and I am), the phrase "head cheese" is upsetting the first time you hear it--especially when it comes with photos. But then I read the piece again and something changed. I looked past words like "innards" and "cleaver" and started to see the beautiful Greek traditions Aglaia wrote about, the ancient culture that has celebrated pork the same ceremonious way for centuries. (It also helps that Aglaia is a wonderful writer and one of the sweetest people on the planet.)

Read the whole story: The Atlantic Food Channel

Comments

[CTModerate]

My approach is pretty much like Bittmans, except I'm generally a raw vegan until dinner, and many days I go completely raw vegan. I moved in this direction for health and weight loss reasons.

I managed to lose close to 40 pounds eating this way, losing more than 4 inches off my waist and hips. I write about it on my blog: http://losingweightafter45isabitch.blogspot.com/.

Why don't I go comletely vegetarian or vegan? Well, I really don't have that much empathy for farm animals (or wild ones for that matter since I eat game and wild caught fish).

It's also a matter of flexibility. I'm sorry, but all you vegetarians and vegans are major pain in the asses when it comes to inviting you over for a meal or going out to dinner with you (as is anyone on Atkins, South Beach or any other "you can't eat this" fad diet du jour.)

If I'm invited to someone's house and they serve me a Perdue chicken, then I eat it, even though I would never actually cook and eat a Perdue chicken. That's what called being a good guest. I don't annouce to my host that I'm a raw vegan and push the chicken off my plate. That's what called being rude.

[cookingwithdia]

I think your comment is a little ignorant. Most vegans and vegetarians don't announce it at the dinner table, if they are eating with friends, their friends will know they are vegan. How is a certain diet a pain in the ass? According to your philosophy, you are basically saying if someone is on a gluten free diet because they are a coeliac, they should eat bread just because their host made it for them, and then suffer the consequences later? Do you know what would happen? They would get very sick! And so would anyone who has been on a meat/fish free diet, to suddenly consume it out of politeness would cause extreme stomach problems. You shouldn't guilt people into eating a certain way, so if you don't want die hard vegans guilting you into cutting meat and fish out of your diet, don't expect to make a vegan eat meat just because you think it is "rude" for them to not eat it.

[cookingwithdia]

I am vegan/macrobiotic. I'm vegan because I don't want to eat anything that comes from abuse or neglect or murder. I am macrobiotic because I am very sick with a brain tumor. That said, do I ever crave meat or fish? I would be lying if I said no. I have a weakness when it comes to things like tuna, but I no longer crave red meat or poultry. The beautiful thing about cutting all of these things out, is suddenly your taste buds grow a brain. What I mean is, you prefer only vegetables, and start trying new things. You stop missing things with a face. :) If anyone is worried about going vegan or macrobiotic because they feel they will be missing out on wonderful "comfort foods" or "quick ready meals" please visit my food blog at http://cookingwithdia.com I try to create yummy recipes for macrobiotics, vegans, coeliacs, etc. I always suggest try cutting out all meat and fish for 30 days, and see how you feel, see what you start noticing and how much you are opening up to other flavors. It won't kill you! In fact your health will benefit from this.

[NoSillyName]

I haven't read the article or the article that is mentioned (don't want to read about butchery), however I'll say that "beautiful Greek traditions­... the ancient culture that has celebrated pork the same ceremonious way for centuries.­.. " have nothing at all to do with the way hogs are slaughtered now. So, what is the point?

I eat very little meat, but I agree... bacon is tasty.

[shpjohns]

This is yet again another stupid commentary about dietary habits by meat-eating apologists. Bottom line: if you eat animal meat along with fruits and vegetables, you are an omnivore. That's it, there should be no other freaking term. These are invented terms by people who selfishly cling to their bacon while knowing full well there is no adequate justification for its consumption. It makes them feel better about themselves knowing that the only reason they eat meat is because of taste, a bunch of selfish little children. It placates their inability to make meaningful sacrifices in the face of a slew of healthy alternatives.

[TheBlackCat]

Great tactic buddy! Let's go after the people you are trying to convince, call them selfish children! That will REALLY make them interested in animal welfare and vegetarianism!

If only all vegetarians cared as much about animals as they care about feeling morally superior, then the movement might look less than a political/religious fanatical one, and more like the public campaign for health, safety, sustainability, and humane farming that it should be.

I am a vegetarian, and I once thought just like you....the­n I hit age 13 (became a veggie at 11), and I grew the hell up.

[odyssey58]

Have you ever watched how your grains are grown? The earth is ripped up by fossil fuel driven machinery and in most cases a myriad of oil derived chemicals are then sprayed all over it, sickening the workers and polluting water. It's not a pretty sight.
And this scenario also applies to vegetable growing.
I do not need to apologize for eating grass fed animal products. I do it because the alternative is unconscionable.
Maybe you need to sacrifice you self-righteousness and do what's truly best for the planet.

[odyssey58]

Have you ever watched how your grains are grown? The earth is ripped up by fossil fuel driven machinery or sprayed with oil derived herbicide. Herbicide and pesticides continue to be sprayed, sickening the workers and fouling the air and water. It doesn't matter if the grains are grown for animal or human consumption. And there is also the issue of GMOs. It's not a pretty sight. And it's not much different for vegetables.
I'll stick with grass fed animal products. They don't depend on OPEC. How would you maintain your vegetarian diet if we were cut off from oil?
Perhaps you need to sacrifice your self-righteousness and think about what's truly best for the planet.
I eat meat because it's best for my body. I know this from 25 years of experimenting and listening to my body. I've given up the rice and bread that I love because that's what's best for my body and the planet. No apologies are needed.

[Cosmic-Zantor]

You know what helps your movement?

Acting like a self-righteous jerk.

(Sarcasm)

[ldillworth]

I'll consider vegetatianism when the the Vegetarians convince carnivorous animals that it's cruel to eat animals. Til them I'mma enjoy my bacon cheeseburbers

[TheBlackCat]

I don't think there's anything cruel about simply eating meat. It's the way it is produced that is the problem and the rate at which it is consumed, which is the entire piont of the article, not that eating meat is inherently bad.

You might want to actually READ articles in the future before commenting on them.

[Cosmic-Zantor]

I'm not a vegetarian, but scientifically speaking it's unlikely humans evolved to eat meat. We share no characteristics with any other carnivorous species.

[Vickster]

First, humans are omnivores, not carnivores. We also have more in common with carnivorous mammals than we do with true herbivores (assuming there are such beasts).

[classicalgeek]

My religious practice requires vegan observance about one-third of the year. When I am in a fasting period, I find I get praised for not eating meat--UNTIL people find out why, and then I am ridiculed for being so simpleminded as to believe in religious practice. I don't get it--I'm behaving exactly the same way. Oh, well.