In 1987 my 15 year-old daughter became a vegetarian. I believed she did it only to inconvenience me. Ten years later she had the pleasure of hearing me say 'you were right'.
In February 1996 my doctor told me to just go home, dial 9-1 and wait for the stroke/heart attack to hit before I dialed that last 1. I was 47 years-old, 40 pounds overweight, and my cholesterol was 427. Serendipity rules, and at home I had a newly purchased book by Dr. Dean Ornish, HEART DISEASE REVERSAL in which he professed 'no meat, no fish, no chicken, no eggs, no oil, no cheese'. He recommended 'cold turkey' so to speak, as drastic steps bring drastic positive results so I went that route. I did miss meat and chicken for a year or so, but the immediate increase in energy, well being, and feeling clean were big payoffs.
I would never, could never, go back to eating meat, fish or chicken. I did not last long without eggs and cheese, but today I'm at a healthy weight and my cholesterol is (drum roll, please) 156.
The only type of restaurant I avoid is BBQ. I recently ate at a popular steak house and while I ate a vegetarian meal the smell of cooked meat permeated my clothing, skin and hair. I showered when we got home.
I sound flippant but I assure you that spiritually I could never kill an animal and eat its decaying flesh. I have learned that my body can be nurtured with plants, fruits and vegetables and I feel more compatible with the earth now than if I were requiring the death of pigs, cows, chickens and fish for my eating pleasure.
Ann Marshall, Kansas City, MO
my favorite vegan things:
Turning Meat Recipes Meat-free
Roast brussels sprouts, eggplant, broccoli and cauliflower in the oven and mix it with whole wheat penne, drizzle on a little olive oil and a little balsamic vinegar.
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