I called my friend Allison the other morning to discuss our upcoming summer plans. We always veer off topic so here’s how part of our conversation went. . .
Me: “I’ve been watching a lot of documentaries lately. Documentaries like Forks over Knives.”
A: “I can’t bring myself to watch it.”
Me: “Well, don’t, because it will change your mind about the food you eat.”
A: “I won’t watch it then.”
Me: “I’m thinking that what I’m really getting at with this locavore stuff is I really want to be [insert deep breath and short pause here]…a vegetarian.”
A: . . .
Me: . . .
A: . . .
Me: “I know, Al.”
A: “Rachel Nora, that is horrifying.”
Me: . . .
Of course I went on from there to explain my position…and then admit my obsession with grass-fed, locally raised beef…only to realize I could never give up dairy.
Allison’s reaction to my vegetarian confession parallels most everyone’s feelings about my locavore diet. Shop owners say, “ONLY local? That seems impossible.” Restaraurant owners sputter, “WHAT do you eat? And WHY?” This locavore concept is a foreign one to many in my part of the world.
So far through my local experiment, I’ve concluded that any eating habit change requires a lifestyle overhaul. Not only have my eating habits changed, but I now shop at new places, spend more time planning and preparing my food, avoid chain restaurants, eat more vegetables, and generally think about food from a completely different perspective. All the thinking about food and where it comes from and what it does to my body has raised the vegetarian question for me. But I’m still mulling that one over.
When all is said and done, I’ll probably bring a vegetable loaf to a party, like this guy. . .
Who else has considered becoming a vegetarian and stuck with it?
Anyone out there share Ron Swanson’s sentiments? (“So not only does this thing exist, but you have also deprived everyone of cake.”) I heart Ron Swanson.
{This post part of Fight Back Fridays on Food Renegade}
Rachel's Table 
This is a great read Rachel, so interesteing to see how things can evolve so much! I’ve been veggie my whole life (never have eeaten it!) but married a meat-eater (who tried ernestly to be veggie). He doesn’t eat a lot of meat but needs it in his diet. Moderation and awareness is so important and it sounds like you are already there, so bravo for that, I love reading about your journey!
Thanks, Shira! I felt like I had an epiphany. I realized it’s not really about local eating; it’s actually about knowing where my food comes from and how it works in my body. I think I’m leaning toward the veggie side on this one. 🙂
so many extra *e’s*…
I am a carnivore to the core but still love you, Rae ; )
I know you’d love me no matter what, Allison! You’ve always been supportive even when my 15-year-old dating choices were suspect. 🙂
Ron Swanson said it best. But I don’t eat beef or pork…just chicken and fish. Is there a name out there for me? I want a label!!
Haha! Isn’t it like a piscesvore or something when people only eat fish? Maybe I just made that up. I think we should come up with a name for chicken and fish eaters, because I do the same. Haven’t had red meat since February, and don’t plan on eating anytime soon.
Polpescetarian. 😉
Ah, that makes sense. 🙂
I stopped eating meat three and half years ago, and recently cut out fish (about two months ago). II only find it difficult in social eating situations where people question my decision and loudly and obnoxiously proclaim their distain. If you’re really considering this, you should read Eating Animals. It’s enlightening. Also, Animal Vegetable Miracle is a great read about locavorism.
Hi Frankie! I can imagine it would be difficult in social situations. A lot of the restaurants I go to have many vegan options, so I’m okay there, but it would be hard to eat at friends’ houses. I have read Animal Vegetable Miracle. It was on of my inspirations for trying the locavore thing.
You know, I thought about this the other day (vegetarianism, not veggie loaf) because as we have been eating more local foods, we have also been eating less meat. Part of it is budget (quality over quantity) and part of it is that we are having a lot of fun with vegetables. I don’t think I could swear off meat and fish though, but I could ALMOST do it 🙂
I eat WAY less meat! And yes, I too pay more for quality meat. Like I said in the post, I’m still mulling it over, but it would be such a lifestyle change. I’m not sure I’m ready for it yet. I would have to change the way I cook, too, I think. Also, I really like seafood. Hmmmmm….maybe I’m not mulling it over, maybe I’m just a mostly vegetarian that eats meat sometimes. 🙂
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I love how you told this story – dialogue and Parks and Rec, two of my favorite things. I’ve come to expect no less of you. (I LOVE that scene.)
And so you’re with me on the dairy thing. I don’t think I could commit to the local thing like you do either, though. I WAS a vegetarian my entire teen life, and it wasn’t hard at all, I just had to be wary of the common places meat products sneak in, like soups and fried foods, etc. And I still ate a lot of crap. Of all the healthy lifestyles around, I think what you’re doing makes the most sense to me.
This gives me the perfect opportunity to redeem myself regarding another well-loved show, The Office. I watched the last four or five episodes. I stopped because I was sad about Michael Scott. But you’re right, it is still good. The characters are still funny. I was wrong. Please forgive me.
Moving on…
I don’t know why I can’t picture you as a teen vegetarian. I think there’s a post there; your fans want to know.
Thank you for the encouragement, Jules! Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to me. haha. We will see what fall/winter bring for this locavore.
You are forgiven. Ha. And yes I’ll be curious to hear how you fare in fall/winter but I’m sure you’ll make it work!
Annnnd, since you mentioned it… I SO went there in my early days: http://gojulesgo.com/2011/04/04/my-most-shameful-guilty-pleasure-of-all-time-a-k-a-little-slice-of-man-meat-no-this-isnt-the-one-where-i-talk-about-daniel-radcliffe-in-equus-nice-try-though/