Vegetarian Lifestyle?

Question

Last night my boyfriend came home from hunting and said he finally got a deer. I don't support hunting, so I don't do it-but also wouldn't try to stop him from doing it. I started to cry, I didn't realize I was so passionate on the subject. I felt so silly, I eat meat yet I cry when I am told someone killed a deer. That is it!-I want to live a vegetarian lifestyle. Has anyone else expereinced a similar situation? I'm concerned he will tease me about this. It is very important to me, and I get that he doesn't understand...but how can we co-exist in a relationship with such opposing views? What will happen at meal time? Can anyone share stories of related topics?

I'm very impressed with the comment about owning up to what you eat. Good point. If I couldn't kill the animal myself to eat it, now I resort to letting someone else kill it. If I can't do it myself, I shouldn't be eating it. FABLOUS! I do respect the choices of others to eat meat, and I apprecaite those of you who do respecting my decision not to eat it.

Answer 1

Yes, I heard some pigs being slaughtered and it just changed things for me. I don't think it's wrong for people to eat meat, but I think if you cannot handle the idea of killing animals then you should not eat meat just because it is easy and convenient, and let someone else do the dirty work. You need to own up to what you eat. If you're fine with dead animals, fine. If not, take responsibility.

As far as teasing is concerned, he should try to respect your views as long as you don't bug him. For meals, there are many things you can eat together and just leave the meat out of yours.

Don't ignore your true feelings.

Answer 2

Being a Vegetarian in a meat eating relationship is a tough one and very well may end the relationship. That being said there are many ways to change your eating habits just don't expect to change his. There is the Vegetarian Resource Center: http://www.vrg.org/ to get you recipes and help you make sure to get the proper nutritional balance so the protein you need is satisfied through vegetable, legume and if you choose milk sources. I can appreciate that you are saddened by the excitement your BF felt in killing a deer and if you can't share in his passions for hunting it will wear thin on the relationship. A total health change may necessitate a total life change as well. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I eat meat, but I still get bent out of shape about anyone shooting Bambi. The most I ask for is that animals be killed out of necessity, and humanely. I also only buy cruelty free products, and don't guy leather or fur. However, my belief about eating flesh is this: we are part of the animal kingdom. Animals kill and eat one another, it's part of nature and therefore not morally wrong. If you want to be a vegetarian, it's a healthy way to live but realize you have to go through an extra step to get the proper amount of protein. Try it and see if it's right for you. But you can still eat meat and stick to your conviction of treating our fellow animals with dignity and respect. Eat more meat free meals, when you do eat meat eat low on the food chain, and speak out against animal cruelty and exploitation. That's what I do. I consider myself a flexitarian.

Answer 4

i've been a vegan for about 7 months now and it's one of the best choices i've ever made. if you do vegetarianism properly it can make you happier, healthier, more enrgetic and it is also more eco-friendly. many people do not make the switch properly, and are left tired and withdrawn, but since april i've lost 35 lbs, grown nearly 2 inches and my social life had improved quite a bit because i'm much more energetic and well-rested. oh, and by the way, the best way to keep up your iron levels once you've gone vegetarian is to eat a lot of spinach and tomatoes, and a lot of whole-grain things. just a tip. if you go to www.peta.org you can sign up for a free vegetarian starter kit with tons of recipes and tips in it. it's 100% free. i ordered mine in february and i never paid a penny, and it's so worth it.

Answer 5

My cousin is a vegan and it makes life a real pain when food is involved. Everyone has to rearrange recipes and always think of him. People need protein. If the boyfriend did not eat what he shot that would be wrong but since he does eat it and he is not murdering to murder, He simply is regulating overpopulation and providing for his family in a old fashioned way like his ancestors. You need to reflect and realize if no one killed deer they would overpopulate, ruin their environment(starve to death), inbreed and suffer from genetic problems to the point of extinction. If you love animals you need to realize control is part of the key.