vegetaianism and conversion?

[4elise]

The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability by Lierre Keith

Part memoir, nutritional primer, and political manifesto, this controversial examination exposes the destructive history of agriculture—causing the devastation of*prairies and forests, driving countless species extinct, altering the climate, and destroying the topsoil—and asserts that, in order to save the planet, food must come from within living communities. In order for this to happen, the argument champions eating locally and sustainably and encourages those with the resources to grow their own food.

Further examining the question of what to eat from the perspective of both human and environmental health, the account goes beyond health choices and discusses potential moral issues from eating—or not eating—animals. Through the deeply personal narrative of someone who practiced veganism for 20 years, this unique exploration also discusses alternatives to industrial farming, reveals the risks of a vegan diet, and explains why animals belong on ecologically sound farms.

Review
“Everyone who eats should read this book. Everyone who eats vegetarian should memorize it . . . This is the single most important book I’ve ever read on diet, agriculture, and ecology.” —Aric McBay, author, What We Leave Behind

“This book saved my life . . . [It] offers us a way back into our bodies, and back into the fight to save the planet.” —Derrick Jensen, author, Endgame

“[Vegetarian Myth] is one of the most important books people, masses of them, can read, as we try with all our might, intelligence, skill, hope, dream , and memory, to turn the disastrous course the planet is on.” —Alice Walker, prize-winning author, The Color Purple

“We may not want to face the facts, but Keith sees this as no excuse to stay in denial. If delivered as a speech, you could see that no one in the audience would be [seated] at the end. I have never seen such rousing prose.” —www.ZoeHarcombe.com (August 7, 2011)

“In The Vegetarian Myth ex-vegan Lierre Keith argues that saving the planet and ending the suffering found in factory farms can not be achieved by refusing to eat animals, it can only be achieved by boycotting modern agricultural practices, which Keith calls ‘the most destructive thing that people have done to the planet.’” —www.mercola.com
*
About the Author*

Lierre Keith is a writer, a farmer, and a feminist activist. She is the author of the novels Conditions of War and Skyler Gabriel. She splits her time between Northampton, Massachusetts and Humboldt, California.

Did you read this book? If so, what did you think of it?

 

[Christine85]

Hi Christine: I looked them up and it sounds like a great path. Are you starting sometime soon?

Your friend,
Sufjon

I have to have been a Confirmed Catholic 5 years to apply , This April will be my first year as a Confirmed Catholic. 4 years to go Living with high hopes and constant prayers about this +++

 

[Filii_Dei]

Here is what Scriptures says:

Romans 14:2 RSVA
One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables.

That’s not a very nice way to characterise many monasteries.

 

[maryjk]

Thank you for taking the time to respond so completely - it is not my intention to judge others who eat meat, or who find the practices of factory farming removed enough that they do not feel that they are culpable.

I started as a vegetarian and then over time moved to vegan as I learned about how most eggs and dairy come to market… Today there are so many options that going vegan is easier than ever… But if someone is still not ready or doesn’t want to give these up, I say then give up everything else ;-)0

What do you mean when you say “not ready?” Or when you say “give up everything else?” Both of these seems to indicate that you DO want everyone to give up meat and animal by products.

 

[Catholic90]

One absolutely does NOT have be to vegan to be a good Catholic.

As I have stated before:

There are good a faithful Catholics who are omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans.

If God had not wanted us to eat animals, he would not have made animals out of meat!

Meat is delicious.

Tofu, beans, and rice…not so much.

For those who cannot tolerate a carb-heavy diet, meat is much better. Lots of protein. Filling. Satisfying.

 

[4elise]

What do you mean when you say “not ready?” Or when you say “give up everything else?” Both of these seems to indicate that you DO want everyone to give up meat and animal by products.

Sometimes when someone learns that I am vegan they will say “oh, I would like to do that but, I could never give up cheese” - or - “oh, I would do that but I love bacon too much”

So - to me the easy answer is go ahead and continue to eat cheese - and don’t eat meat and chicken, or eat bacon and don’t eat the other things… just if one thing is what would be too hard to give up - than give up the other things if the person wants to take a step to become vegetarian -

For me fish was the last thing I gave up, and was the hardest thing! I always looked forward to fish Fridays - so I think that defeated the purpose as much as families I know who always went out for a big shrimp dinner, or parishes that put on huge fish frys for lent… just my opinion, and taking the thread even farther afield!

 

[4elise]

One absolutely does NOT have be to vegan to be a good Catholic.

Agreed.

As I have stated before:

There are good a faithful Catholics who are omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans.

Agreed.

If God had not wanted us to eat animals, he would not have made animals out of meat!

Meat is delicious.

Tofu, beans, and rice…not so much.

Disagree

For those who cannot tolerate a carb-heavy diet, meat is much better. Lots of protein. Filling. Satisfying.

For some - for others the tofu, bean, nut source of protein works just as well.
Blessings

 

[RebeccaJ]

Thank you for understanding for some of us this choice IS about following our conscience, and doing so in light of our faith!
Blessings,

I think the best post for this was back a bit, where someone quoted a vegetarian priest who said he doesn’t eat meat so others can have more to eat. I like that one. Of course, there are other reasons of faith. It is up to the individual.

 

[4elise]

I think the best post for this was back a bit, where someone quoted a vegetarian priest who said he doesn’t eat meat so others can have more to eat. I like that one. Of course, there are other reasons of faith. It is up to the individual.

Amen!
Resources are a tremendous reason to make this choice! As you say for some there are other reasons, I find so many! Blessings

 

[RosalieM]

Amen!
Resources are a tremendous reason to make this choice! As you say for some there are other reasons, I find so many! Blessings

Personally, I find being a vegetarian helps me spiritually.
(Disclaimer: I don’t mean that vegetarians are superior spiritually. After all, Hitler and Charles Manson were vegetarians.)
Just sayin’ I feel it helps me to be closer to the gentler side of life.:heaven:

 

[Sufjon]

Personally, I find being a vegetarian helps me spiritually.
(Disclaimer: I don’t mean that vegetarians are superior spiritually. After all, Hitler and Charles Manson were vegetarians.)
Just sayin’ I feel it helps me to be closer to the gentler side of life.:heaven:

Great explanation Rosalie. For some of us, we just know it’s part of our particular path, and it doesn’t diminish someone else’s pat in any way.

Your friend,
Sufjon

 

[Catholic90]

For some - for others the tofu, bean, nut source of protein works just as well.
Blessings

I cannot stand tofu. It is just nasty. Believe me, I’ve tried. I do like some beans. Black beans in chicken or steak burritos are good. Baked beans made with pork sausage are good. Green beans with butter are good. Green bean hotdish made with cream of chicken soup is good. Beans in hamburger chili are good. I will toss some nuts in a salad made with bleu cheese, strawberries, and spinach.



I can never see myself not eating animal products. It is all just too good!

 

[RosalieM]

I cannot stand tofu. It is just nasty. There are some amazing tofu recipies. Tofu can take on many tastes.Believe me, I’ve tried. I do like some beans. Black beans in chicken or steak burritos are good. Burritos are great without the meat, with sour cream, avocado, cheese and beansBaked beans made with pork sausage are good. Morningstar Farms makes fake pork sausage (breakfast links) that are tasty with zero cholesterol.Green beans with butter are good. Green bean hotdish made with cream of chicken soup is good. I’d substitute cream of mushroom soup.Beans in hamburger chili are good. Chili is a popular vegetarian treat. Stands by itself without the hamburger
I will toss some nuts in a salad made with bleu cheese, strawberries, and spinach. That sounds good to me!



I can never see myself not eating animal products. It is all just too good!

And I see myself eating so much better without eating animals.

 

[Catholic90]

Originally Posted by Catholic90
I cannot stand tofu. It is just nasty. There are some amazing tofu recipies. Tofu can take on many tastes.Believe me, I’ve tried. I do like some beans. Black beans in chicken or steak burritos are good. Burritos are great without the meat, with sour cream, avocado, cheese and beansBaked beans made with pork sausage are good. Morningstar Farms makes fake pork sausage (breakfast links) that are tasty with zero cholesterol.Green beans with butter are good. Green bean hotdish made with cream of chicken soup is good. I’d substitute cream of mushroom soup.Beans in hamburger chili are good. Chili is a popular vegetarian treat. Stands by itself without the hamburger
I will toss some nuts in a salad made with bleu cheese, strawberries, and spinach. That sounds good to me!

I can never see myself not eating animal products. It is all just too good!
And I see myself eating so much better without eating animals.

Why, why, why would anyone use fake meat in place of real meat? Fake pork sausage?!? I don’t think so. Cream of chicken is the standard passed down through the generations recipe. Meatless chili is basically tomato stew- I will add meat. I have chicken or steak, black beans, rice, sour cream, guac, salsa, cheese, green peppers, and romaine lettuce in my burritos. Delish! I will never cook with tofu. Nasty stuff. And it’s from soy…no thanks.

I am making eggs this morning.

 

[RosalieM]

Why, why, why would anyone use fake meat in place of real meat? Fake pork sausage?!? I don’t think so. If one is vegetarian and likes the taste, it’s a good and healthy item.Cream of chicken is the standard passed down through the generations recipe. Didn’t mean to offend family tradition.Meatless chili is basically tomato stew- I will add meat. I have chicken or steak, black beans, rice, sour cream, guac, salsa, cheese, green peppers, and romaine lettuce in my burritos. Delish! …and it’s delicious w/o the meat too. I will never cook with tofu. Nasty stuff. And it’s from soy…no thanks.
I am making eggs this morning.

Scrambled tofu?

 

[4elise]

Why, why, why would anyone use fake meat in place of real meat? Fake pork sausage?!? I don’t think so. Cream of chicken is the standard passed down through the generations recipe. Meatless chili is basically tomato stew- I will add meat. I have chicken or steak, black beans, rice, sour cream, guac, salsa, cheese, green peppers, and romaine lettuce in my burritos. Delish! I will never cook with tofu. Nasty stuff. And it’s from soy…no thanks.

I am making eggs this morning.

why, why why?

Because the choice to not eat meat - for many of us here at CAF - isn’t about how food taste - but because of the many reasons shared here, resources, the environment, ‘the gentler side’, — if one makes this choice for these reasons, I believe, it makes the food taste even more wonderful.

There are today so many options for ‘fake meat’ for those who still want to replace what they were eating before - veggie burgers, I make a loaf out of bean, wheat gluten and tofu that we use as anyone would use sliced turkey - I make tempeh and serve it barbecued and we enjoy that - it took some time to come up with recipes once we made this switch, but it was a commitment not made because of how food taste - but all the reasons that we have shared. But all the whole foods, veggies, fruit, nuts, beans - delish for everyone!

 

[4elise]

Scrambled tofu?

mmmm - scrambled tofu!

 

[maryjk]

why, why why?

Because the choice to not eat meat - for many of us here at CAF - isn’t about how food taste - but because of the many reasons shared here, resources, the environment, ‘the gentler side’, — if one makes this choice for these reasons, I believe, it makes the food taste even more wonderful.

There are today so many options for ‘fake meat’ for those who still want to replace what they were eating before - veggie burgers, I make a loaf out of bean, wheat gluten and tofu that we use as anyone would use sliced turkey - I make tempeh and serve it barbecued and we enjoy that - it took some time to come up with recipes once we made this switch, but it was a commitment not made because of how food taste - but all the reasons that we have shared. But all the whole foods, veggies, fruit, nuts, beans - delish for everyone!

This is great, for you. But not for everyone.

And being Catholic, we can be vegan, vegetarian or as a friend of my says, a meatetarian. It is wonderful to be Catholic, we are so diverse yet we all have common ground. I love it.

 

[RosalieM]

mmmm - scrambled tofu!

I make it in olive oil, dash of turmeric for color, garlic salt, mush it up and fry!

 

[4elise]

I make it in olive oil, dash of turmeric for color, garlic salt, mush it up and fry!

I fry up some onions, bell peppers, mushrooms first then add all the rest! Oh I’m hungry now! Oh, then sprinkle with nutritional yeast and a bit of dill!