One Month Challenge: Gone Meatless, Week 4

October 23, 2010 4:00 pm     Posted in Body, Health, Reality  Emmy g+ page

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. This month, Emmy's going 31 days without beef. Or chicken. Or turkey. Or....you get the idea. Last week's attempts at tofu didn't go so well, so how did she fare this week?]


By Emmy

Okay, so it’s been kind of a busy fall season so far, and I haven’t had a ton of time (read: any time where I wasn’t either studying or drinking) to call home (delinquent daughter… whoops!). Anyway, my family had no idea that I was going meatless for a month, and I just mentioned it in passing to my mom on the phone, and she laughed. She thought I was joking.

To be fair, my mom knows that I LOVE meat, and so she was really concerned that something was wrong because there was no other plausible explanation in her mind as to why else I would stop eating it. So after some intense mother calming (during which I was chowing down on some delicious hummus), and multiple reassurances that I was still getting plenty of protein and not about to pass out at any moment, my mom finally let up on the whole issue.

To be honest, hearing other people’s reactions when they realize that I’m not eating meat for a month has been one of the most interesting parts of this meatless commitment. It seems like eighty percent of people that I encounter respond with something along the lines of, “Oh my gosh, I could NEVER do that, why in the world are you doing that?” I’m not even a full-time vegetarian, and I’m still rather offended by the way people speak to me about it. I mean, honestly, I say more power to vegetarians; it is so much healthier for you and your body, and there are countless environmental, humanitarian, not to mention nutritional reasons to make the choice to be a vegetarian or even a vegan. While, yes, obviously I will be the first person to admit that meat is incredibly delicious… it still doesn’t seem appropriate for strangers to insult or question someone’s life choices, even if it isn’t meant in an intentionally harmful way.

Vegetarians out there, is this something that bothers you, or something that you’re just used to by now?

On other vegetarian related issues, everyone told me that not having as much protein would make me feel more tired and lagging (that was one of my mom’s main concerns), but I haven’t noticed it at all. On the contrary, despite the fact that October has been an insanely busy month for me  (a ridiculous amount of midterms, our sorority’s new members preparing for initiation, health and safety checks that I have to perform as an RA, and a general lack of sleep), I am not any more tired than I was when I was eating meat. That makes me wonder if I’d have even more energy if I maintained this diet during a more normal month.

Finally, just during this past week, a huge group of my friends went out to Flat Top (a stir fry restaurant), and I tried cooked tofu there. It was a considerable improvement from my attempt at cooking it, but I’m still not particularly crazy about the texture. There’s just something a little off there for me, but the taste is not nearly as bad as I was expecting it to be and I didn’t feel as overstuffed and lethargic as I normally do when I fill my bowl with meat, meat and more meat.

Looking back on my challenge so far, I’m honestly a little shocked that I have made it 23 days without meat! There are only eight days left until I can chow down on beef once again and while I am seriously considering limiting my meat consumption once October is over, I know I’m going to end this whole thing about 12 hours early. Why? Uh, free burritos at Chipotle on Halloween, that’s why. Yes, they do have lots of veggie options, but the steak there just calls out to me. Loud and clear. It’s been hard enough to turn it down when I have to pay for it, but it’s FREE!

What can I say? I’m only human.

So, only eight days to go. I just hope that, after 30 days sans meat, indulging in it won’t make me feel icky (as I’ve heard it does). But at the end of the day, that’s a risk I’m willing to take. I mean, it’s FREE CHIPOTLE. If there’s one thing that’s worth a little pain, that would be it.

10 Comments on "One Month Challenge: Gone Meatless, Week 4"

  1. Cassandra says:
    Sat, 23rd Oct 201011:09 am 

    um, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I heard Chipotle isn't doing the free burrito thing this year. They're doing like a two dollar burrito if you're dressed up, i guess.

  2. Emmy - Loyola Univer says:
    Sat, 23rd Oct 20102:20 pm 

    Ahhhh NOOO! This is the worst news, not that I'm not trusting you, but I really hope it's not true!

  3. kelly says:
    Sun, 24th Oct 20105:18 am 

    I used to be one of those people who always responded that way to vegetarians. I thought I could never do it, I always ate meat with every meal…but then I tried and yes I get those responses all the time. I never know how to take it, though. I don't know if they are insulting me or flattering me because it's something they find too difficult to do. If only everyone would give it a try, they'd see it's really not too hard…

    I think what's worse than that is when you're having a meal with someone that they prepared, or at a restaurant that they picked out, and you tell them that you can't eat it. They are appalled and think that it's some statement about them as a person, but they just don't understand that you can't "make an exception." Sometimes I want to, just so that they could see how sick eating their food would make me. I always think that this is rather rude of them. Also what's great is when you go to a vegetarian restaurant (or suggest it), and a meat eater says something like "will they have something for me?" well… I don't know what they expect. It's not like meat eating is mutually exclusive of plant based eating. It's like they don't realize that they eat anything besides meat.

    It'd be really interesting if you would do a follow-up article about how you felt after you ate meat again.

  4. Rachel says:
    Sun, 24th Oct 20105:30 am 

    I totally agree with Kelly – it's really annoying when I take a meat eater somewhere with vegetarian options and they are worried they won't have anything to eat, as if they've never seen rice or pasta or any vegetable. Furthermore, it's kind of ironic considering that meat eating is such a huge (and unnecessary) part of the American diet that I am constantly at risk of having nothing to eat anywhere I go with them.

    While I kind of understand the "You aren't getting enough protein" thought, I am always struck by how ignorant some people are…as a biochemistry major, and someone who has done significant research into veganism (which is what I am), I can tell you that most people get plenty of protein, and often too much – when is the last time you heard of an American suffering from a protein deficiency?

    The absolute worst thing, however, is when someone flat out disrespects my beliefs. Obviously, my lifestyle isn't hurting anyone, so I don't understand why they feel the need to say "Mmmm dead cow…want some?" Rude. I love when people are genuinely interested because I am passionate about it and feel like that is an opportunity to educate people about my lifestyle, but whenever someone tries to put me down for it, I have to wonder about their motives.

    Veganism (and vegetarianism) ARE more difficult, but I also think they have amazing benefits, both to your health and to your conscious.

    I'm so happy you're doing this post!

    =]

  5. chesirecat says:
    Sun, 24th Oct 20106:29 am 

    Something I've noticed when I give up any usual habit, is that it is never as hard as I thought it would be. I once decided to cut back on watching tv to only one hour a week and I thought I would really miss it. Instead, I hardly ever cheated and I didn't miss it at all. I think it would be the same with many other things. Until you give it up you think you can't live without it, but when you do you wonder what the fuss is about.

    As for the chipotle thing, you could always get it to go and wait the few extra hours :)

  6. girlnextdoorfashion says:
    Sun, 24th Oct 201012:22 pm 

    I agree, I still hate tofu after nearly 10 years of not eating meat.

    I absolutely hate being the awkward person who has to check they can eat something. It's even worse here in the US. I feel at home in England I can usually get something at most places, but here it's a struggle.I don't really like pasta or anything too cheesy or creamy and everything in the US just seemed to have unnecessary meat in!!

    My mum was on at me this week for not eating enough protein. She is very supportive but worries. She even went vegetarian once for me. She always cooks vegetarian stuff for the two of us when I'm home, but my dad won't eat it.

    I do know that i occasionally don't eat enough protein. I tend to eat a lot of vegetable-based meals but because I eat fish I decided to buy a lot this week to make up for it!!

    Charlotte xxx

  7. Tracy says:
    Mon, 25th Oct 20104:13 am 

    I'm vegan (which resulted after a month long attempt like yours!). And I have to tell you, there's nothing more annoying than people treating you like a weirdo for it. I know it's different. But I totally agree, it's rather insulting. And if one more person asks me "can you eat fish", I'm probably going to scream.

    Congratulations on making it the month, so far. It's not easy to do alone. I had a vegan boyfriend to show me all sorts of awesome food to eat, so it helped. :)

  8. Andrea says:
    Mon, 25th Oct 20101:13 pm 

    I'm so happy you're doing this, not only for your health, but it's always great to see someone stick to their guns when it stands in the way of the mainstream. As a vegetarian, I used to get irritated when I'd hear others' obnoxious and ignorant comments…but I've also learned a lot more tolerance in general by refusing to eat animals. People in general act as if we are at "the top of the food chain" and as if nature is something separate from our realities. When you make the decision to respect your fellow mammals, you rediscover your placement in nature, and live a more connected life. :) whoops tangent, but seriously, its great that you're doing (and promoting) something to make yourself a better and happier person.

  9. Tori says:
    Tue, 26th Oct 20101:24 pm 

    Well, first I have to say that I am really happy you wrote this article! My friend facebook messaged me the link( thanks Alex! :]) and even though you aren't planning on staying vegetarian after your 31 days I am very happy to hear that there are people out there, like you, giving it a try. I would have to agree with you when you say it is insulting for people who judge you for being a vegetarian or vegan, it is a personal choice and no one has the right to tell you it's wrong. And to be honest I cannot STAND the jokes and comments people make as if you were not human for not eating meat. Sorry I actually care about the treatment of animals and don't want to have any part in their torture. But that's besides the point. haha :] I hope you are able to make it the full 31 days without giving in early! I agree with cheshirecat, take it to go! :D

    <3

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