"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian."
-Paul McCartney
-Paul McCartney
Hhhmm... I am trying to decide how long I have been a vegetarian. It was the middle or end of March. If I really wanted to know the exact date, I could just look in my journal. I am too lazy right now. Anyways, people are always asking me why I am a vegetarian. Health reasons? No. Meat grosses you out when you think about the fact you are eating a dead carcass? Nope. Ethical reasons? Ding-ding-ding. We have a winner!
My sister decided to be a vegetarian just over a year ago after seeing a cow get slaughtered on TV. At first she didn't eat beef because it made her sick, but soon enough she couldn't eat any meat. Then early on this year, my brother asked me why I wasn't a vegetarian. Duh! Because I think meat tastes yummy! He went on to explain that he thought it was strange I was such a big animal lover and yet I didn't mind the fact that animals were killed for my enjoyment (not that I enjoy watching them killed or anything, but I enjoy eating them). I thought about that for a while and I finally I decided to do some research. Big mistake!
I went to the PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, website and started reading about the conditions in slaughterhouses and what animals had to go through. Of course that made me feel terrible! After reading about it, I went and watched their little videos that were supposed to make people want to stop eating meat. I can even remember the names of them, 'Meet Your Meat', & 'Chew On This'. Watching those two videos wasn't the best idea I ever had. I bawled like a baby. Seriously, I cried for like four hours. It was just horrible!
After that night, I stopped eating meat. And I'm not going to say it was easy. It was really hard. Especially at first. I really couldn't imagine a meal without meat as the main course. I craved it like mad and every time I saw someone eating it, I wanted it! It got better though. Now I don't really even think about it. One day I hope to be a vegan, but I really can't imagine cutting milk and eggs. Think about how many food items that eliminates! Bread, tortillas, most pasta, etc. Those are staples! Can't imagine not eating bread and such. Maybe one day I won't be so selfish. Haha. Oh well, being vegetarian is better than nothing!
I am quite proud of myself. When my sister first told me she was going to be a vegetarian, I laughed. I think I even made fun of her a bit. And I can remember thinking, 'I could never give up meat'. Funny thing is, every time someone finds out I am a vegetarian they say the exact same thing. Now don't think I am trying to talk you into becoming a vegetarian. I'm definitely not. I think it is one of those things you would have to decide for yourself. And no it doesn't bug me to be around meat or to watch people eat meat. In fact, I think my sister is the only vegetarian I know....yep. So everyone besides her eats meat in front of me! Anyways....that's it. The end!
"Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human-like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family." -Berke Breathed
Side note: About the picture of the bunny, I know we don't eat bunnies, but you have to admit it is a pretty cute little thing. Anyways...
