A Shift In Tastes

I am starting to lean towards becoming a vegetarian. In fact if I could find more "real life" vegetarian recipes I probably would have already made the transition. Ironically, I was raised on a beef farm. Red meat was a staple in our household, but that is part of my problem. For 18 years I ate meat that came from cattle that spent their days out on the pasture. We "finshed" them with corn and grain and then had them locally butchered. I ate meat with no dyes, no additives, and no chemicals. Our cattle lived like cattle, not standing in feed lots. I can actually smell and taste the difference in "local" beef and "store" beef. Once I became pregnant with my son I couldn't stand to even be around it anymore. Now that the USDA (or is it the FDA) is requiring meat to be labeled with it's source, I am amazed to see where it is coming from. None of the local grocery stores have had meat strictly from the USA. It has all been a combination of several countries. I don't know about you, but that is scary to me.

We have 60 acres here, and I could easily raise my own cattle for beef, but I honestly just don't have it in me anymore. I would be the one doing the feeding and care and I have just become too soft to kill and eat an animal I raised.

In my search for vegetarian recipes I cam across several published in a book by Dr. Dean Ornish. Our local hospital uses the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease and I was interesting in finding out more about it. I am impressed with what he has to say. He isn't promoting a fad diet, etc. but a lifestyle that will make you as healthy as possible. The more I read, the more I think my decision just may be a great one for me.

We will see how it goes. My husband is going to be less than thrilled, so I will still be cooking with chicken and fish. Yes, I know that the same issues apply to those too, but as of right now the smell and taste of them does not make me ill like beef or pork do.