Sleepy Saturday 11/15

Food is NOT a Religion

Cassey Ho, creator of POP Pilates/Blogilates, posted this video yesterday and it is just too perfect not to share.

Awhile back, Cassey posted a video of what she eats in a day. She also posts pictures on instagram from time to time of her meals. In the the video above she discusses the hate she receives on a regular basis with people claiming she eats too much, she eats too little, she doesn't eat clean etc. You can watch the video to hear the rest but I've been where she is. I mentioned a few posts back that I am a vegetarian and I was quite surprised to find out how many people are bothered by it.

Let's start way back when. I was not raised vegetarian but roughly 10yrs ago my mother and I decided to try the south beach diet. The south beach diet may be different now, but back then it called for you to eat lean meats so we gave up pork and a majority of beef. From time to time I would still go to McDonalds for a burger but at home - no beef.

About three years ago I decided I wanted to be a vegetarian. My mother was concerned and unsure of what we were going to eat because she is a diabetic and can't eat too many carbs. I didn't jump right into being a vegetarian either, I slowly cut out turkey and then chicken and it wasn't until about 3 months ago that I cut out fish.  I still eat dairy because I like cheese and ice cream and have not yet found vegetarian or vegan forms I like. So technically that makes me a lacto-vegetarian and is normally frowned upon by people that are vegan or fully vegetarian.

I think there is an assumption about vegetarian and that is 1.) they are going to be PETA crazy and dump paint on you for wearing fur, spew facts about the abuse animals face and and what meat eaters are REALLY eating. 2.) we are incredibly unhealthy, eat a ton of carbs, boxed/processed foods and missing out on major vitamins and nutrients.

Before I became a vegetarian I thought all vegetarians were pushy and would try and convert others. I don't know many vegetarians, I am actually the only one in my family (aside from my mother) and the only one in my group of friends. But seeing as I am the only one and still have plenty of friends I must not care too much about what they eat.

I don't brag about being vegetarian or even randomly tell people. The only time it comes out is if i am asked to dinner, or if you're on my facebook I may post recipes that give it away.  However, even though I don't bother people, people bother me. I have had people tell me they would make me eat meat. I've had people post obnoxious articles to my facebook about why being a vegetarian is unhealthy and why I NEED meat, I have been in debates/arguments simple because people can't drop the subject. I have had people tell me soy products are no good for me, or people telling me what I eat is disgusting and that I don't get enough protein.

That is insulting because all of these people are insinuating I am stupid and assuming that I didn't look into this before becoming a vegetarian. I did my research. I am well aware that TOO MUCH soy is bad for me but it is okay to eat. I also know that the soy has to be organic and GMO free. I don't eat a ton of carbs, and I eat very few processed foods. I also take vitamins to make up for any I am missing out on. Lastly, beans, tofu, nuts, milk, and a lot of greens have protein that makes up for me skipping out on that juicy Texas Roadhouse steak.

Overall my point is, and this applies to every aspect of your life, if it does not affect you personally - mind your business. What I put into my body does not hurt the person next to me. What they put into their body doesn't hurt me. It's disrespectful to try and shove your thoughts and beliefs down someone's throat, quite literally in this case. Everyone wants respect but isn't willing to give it. For every article out there people find about why being a vegetarian is bad, I can find the same amount that says eating meat is bad. The thing is I respect people enough to let them do as they please. It's all about respect and realizing people are different and that's okay. Would you want everyone to think the same, be the same, eat the same, dress the same and look the same? I don't. I quite like me and don't want to be someone's carbon copy or clone.