Where's the Beef?

"Why on earth would you want to give up meat?"  That's a question that every new vegetarian will be asked. After all, you can't have a balanced diet without meat, right? Don't we need meat in order to get the right amount of protein? Well, the answer to that question is no. There are plenty of sources of protein in plant-based foods.

On April 6, 2016, I decided to drop all meat from my diet and become a vegetarian. Not once have I wistfully looked at my plate and cried, "Where's the beef?"  On the contrary, one night I dreamt that a friend invited me over for dinner and the only thing on my plate was the beef, and it wasn't even cooked!  Talk about a nightmare.

Four weeks into this adventure...

• I feel great! -- with more energy, a greater sense of well-being, and excitement about trying new foods and discovering new information. I am convinced that part of my increased energy is a result of not having to digest foods I probably shouldn't be eating anyway, including meat, refined foods, and sugar.
• I feel empowered to finally be able to take control of my weight and my health. My whole life I have struggled with being overweight. As a middle age menopausal female, this has been especially bothersome. To add insult to injury, a recent physical revealed that my cholesterol is elevated and I am considered obese. Now that I have cut meat (and most dairy) out of my diet, the needle on the bathroom scale is moving in the right direction! I have hope that by the time I have my next physical I will have lost the 20 pounds the doctor told me to lose and my cholesterol reading will have improved significantly.
• I have discovered there are things I can do to help the environment and show compassion to our animal friends. Did you know that animal agriculture generates a lot of methane (a greenhouse gas) and results in the destruction of the planet's rain forests? Those poor cows have to graze somewhere! Have you seen the inhumane methods used to produce the meat we eat? If not, watch Vegucated, the film which was the catalyst for my decision. It might just make you think twice about picking up that package of steaks in the meat section of your grocery store.
• I enjoy grocery shopping now! Each trip is an adventure and an education experience as I read labels, try new foods, and check out with a cart full of healthy fare.
• I am genuinely happy!  Happy to be on my way to better health. Happy to be doing something positive with my life, in partnership with my daughter, for the benefit of mankind, our animal friends, and our planet.

Maybe you don't think the vegetarian lifestyle is for you. After all, it's kind of hard to imagine giving up that favorite cut of steak or chicken. Or, maybe you aren't aware of the health benefits of a plant-based diet or the environmental impact of animal agriculture. If that's you, I pray you will take a look at the information linked on our Links &  Resources page and begin doing some research of your own.

We aren't here to sell you a product or make you any promises regarding your health, but rather our desire is to educate you so that you can decide in your heart what action you need to take. It's up to you to make the choice.