Opinion about waiving my vegetarianism for one day (tomorrow)?

Question

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving; the celebratory feast between friends and family. This will be my 26th Thanksgiving, and all the ones that preceded this one were enjoyed with a traditional turkey dinner, whether I was with family or alone. Well, I've been a vegetarian for several months now and I haven't really made any exceptions... But I'm considering making an exception for tomorrow. My reasons for vegetarianism are ethical/spiritual, but in the event of this Thanksgiving dinner with friends, I feel it's an important enough ritual to celebrate in a traditional fashion, especially since the blood has already been shed and many others will be partaking in the animal's flesh. (Whoa, sorry for making it sound so dramatic) Anyways, I'm going to see how I feel about it tomorrow before I really decide what I'm going to do... In the meantime, I'd love to hear your feedback. Also, will eating meat actually make me sick if I haven't had it for a while? Thanks.

Wow, some of these answers provided make me see why vegetarians get such a bad rap... I don't think making an exception for one day disqualifies me as a vegetarian... That's just bullshit. Then what am I the other 364 days of the year that I'm not eating meat, huh?

Answer 1

You already know the answer that you want to hear, so why ask? If you can eat meat tomorrow and not feel guilty, or regret the decision later, than it is up to you. No one can tell you what to do as far as this decision goes, it has to be something that you are comfortable with(no matter which choice it is).

Whether you partake in the eating of meat or not, Thanksgiving is still a celebratory feast between friends and family. You and who you celebrate with make tradition and there is no reason not to start a new tradition of celebrating animal free(not necessarily everyone, but those who choose this).

Many of us vegetarians still cook wonderful vegetarian Thanksgiving meals. Becoming vegetarian does not mean that you are stuck eating side dishes, there are plenty of main dishes that can be made. I am celebrating with family(they all eat meat), and I am bringing my own main dish(stuffed acorn squash), and some sides(green bean casserole, roasted vegetables,etc). I don't feel as if I am missing out on anything, or not partaking in the celebration fully.

With all that said, in the end the decision is completely up to you. You define the length to which your morals hold, and no one can do that for you. People can tell you what they think or how they would handle it, but everyone is different and thinks, feels and believes differently about certain things.

Have a great Holiday

Answer 2

This is your decision and you shouldn't let anyone on here tell you what to do, or that you can't call yourself vegetarian if you do, or whatever else.

If you want to eat the turkey, go ahead. I understand the importance of ritual and family bonding over these rituals. I especially understand not wanting to offend whoever slaved in the kitchen all day to bring it to you. (Especially since I'm the one who's going to do the slaving for my family.)

I don't know if you'll get sick or not. Stick to a small amount of it and go easy on the gravy, though. It *will* be a bit of a shock to your system if you haven't had it in awhile.

Eating turkey once a year doesn't make you a bad person. Whatever your reasons are for being a vegetarian, only you can decide what the effects will be if you make exceptions. Treat it like any other decision... what are the pros and cons and which side wins? Is the family ritual more important, or is the not eating meat? Are the two even mutually exclusive? You might be able to partake in the celebration and feast without partaking in the turkey.

Good luck to you. It's great that you're thinking about this (that is, your relationship to your personal ethics system and how it relates to eating meat) rather than just saying, "Heck, no, not if it crows!" Whatever you decide (to eat turkey or not), you'll have a clearer understanding of your decision and a greater appreciation for the things that are important to you.

Answer 3

I am a vegetarian but I think talking about it making you sick is just that! Sick upstairs. The human race just has too much experience eating meat for that.
But there is something else: the pleasure of celebrating the holiday vegetarian-style. This is your first. But I understand you are participating in a non-vegetarian dinner and wish to participate in good faith. So eat everything but the turkey. True, certain essence of thr bird is liable to be present but so what? In my opinion you would be a better vegetarian to take a small slice of meat without then going back for a full pound, than to be a pompous prude making a sticking point to abstain because you could not otherwise resist the temptation. Read St. Augustine. John the Baptist ate locusts in the desert but was not defiled.
There is one reason to be strict as a vegetarian--and it has nothing to do with ethics but a lot to do with discipline. This particularly applies to couples and families. Because if each member picks and chooses when and where to be a vegetarian, the boat goes down in no time. This is a shame since each member does want to pursue the vegetarian course. In that case, strict rules are necessary. And of course, there are those who are bound by religious restrictions against eating meat.

Answer 4

Paul....I think it's great you had the courage to make the change at your age. I was about the same age when I became vegetarian. I would say that over the last 10-12 years for me, I've consumed meat about 4 times. I won't go into the reasons why, but I'll tell you that alocohol was involed each time and leave it at that. I DID get sick each time. Not incredibly, but stomach pains did occur for a day or so.

This sounds like the first BIG challenge for you. One that we all faced when we turned veggie. But these are the times, in my opinion, that you have to be strong in your beliefs and stand up for what YOU think is right. Not necessarily what tradition has dictated in your family or anyone else. What does PAUL think are the right choices to be made. Thats all thats important. If you were to show up with an alternative to the turkey itself, be a tofurky roast maybe, than I would bet that most everyone will accept your decision and love you the same. Yeah, you might get teased here and there, but most of us do. That's simply because most people arent educated about the entire vegetarian cause.

It's not a bad thing at all. Over time, you might even go out of your way to let others know of your changes and how great you feel. In the beginning, it can be a bit challenging, but I and all other vegetarians/vegans, will agree that it is YOUR choice and no one elses. Don't feel discouraged just because everyone else makes choices other than yours.

You should really ask your mom or even try for yourself, to cook a Tofurky Roast. It's really really good!

Good luck and remember like others have said here, its YOUR choice...but do it for YOU, Paul. Not anyone else!

Answer 5

It would be great to join your family and friends and enjoy the turkey but if you are doubting doing this then do take the time to think it over. I don't think the turkey will make you sick but you do need to watch the portion size because you have not eaten meat in several months. I don't think any of the people eating with you will care whether you eat meat or not. I think the idea of Thanksgiving is just being thankful for the good things in your life. Whatever you decide to do I hope that it is a great day for you.

Answer 6

You can, and presumably did, do exactly what you like. All choices about your diet and lifestyle are yours to make. You have been without meat for quite a short time so I'm sure you've had no physical ill-effects, and I hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

You didn't like some of the answers you got from veg*ns; I bet you didn't expect a character assassination on another member disguised as an answer either did you?

So you have a bit of background to Skully's rant (*verbally berating young vegetarians for working at McDonald's because the need the money* etc) here's a link to the McD's incident

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArY4sF7VYywM4dg1ygPtc_Lty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071115051154AAsuUKZ&show=7#profile-info-IIY3NRfpaa

Michael H is the one saying:

*You are earning your way at 16, congratulations - you've a head start over 90% of 16 year olds.

Plase make you own choices and do what feels comfortable.

I'm sure you'll be out of there as soon as you feel able.*

Another V&V regular - an omnivore - says:

*I think you've just elevated the definition of hypocrisy to a higher level…So you put money before principle?*

Make up your own mind who's doing the berating...

Answer 7

Okay - well, my gut reaction was pretty knee-jerk (IE: how can you be an ethical vegetarian, and then eat meat, even one day a year?)

But...I have to say that--in some ways-- I'm in a similar boat.

I went ethical vegan a year ago, and I'm very happy with the change. I happen to be an exotic food aficiando, constantly looking for different, neat new foods to try out. So when I went vegan, I made a pact with myself - that if a food was new and truly different, I could try it *once*...and then never again (unless I found a suitable vegan substitute.) In practice, I've found that I just no longer wish to eat anything with meat in it - new or not - but I have and will try something with egg or dairy. (Again, just once.) It's a compromise, and one that I could understandably end up taking severe flack for. But my reasoning is that the one tasting won't impact anything overall, and exploring new foods is something I just really, truly enjoy doing.

(Course, it could easily be argued that it's hypocritical, and I shouldn't have anything animal derived at all. And that's hard to argue on an overall philosophical basis...)

But I guess what I'm getting at is that in the end you have to decide your own boundaries. Me, I don't think I'll ever eat turkey again. I've gone beyond that. But go with your own feelings and thoughts, not the "party line". Eventually, you may find that Thanksgiving turkey *isn't* for you anymore...

Answer 8

A vegetarian, doesn't make exceptions to the rule, and that's not bullshit hun!
If you eat meat the days you feel like it, that makes you flexible-flexitarian-if anything.
Not eating meat for years and then digesting it can make your body reject it and you can get very sick. It can even lead to death in people who have never eaten meat b4.
I enjoy thanksgiving without meat. There's a lot that can be eaten. sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, carrots, rice, soy product substitutes (you can bring your own turkey that is made from soy). you can eat the desserts haha.
breads, etc...
but yah, if you choose to eat meat that's your choice, but you can't call yourself a vegetarian -without being a fibber, if you make exceptions..It is truly not fair for the definition of the word and those who abide by it. A nun doesn't have sex on days she feels are holidays- she wouldnt be a Nun..get it?(a person in that case would be able to say they are devote dto God, or religious-but not a Nun) In your case, you prefer veges and fruits over meats- but you wouldnt be a ful fledge vegetarian. Just as person wearing leather can't be a vegan!
You basically have to consider the real reasons you want to be a vegetarian, and if those reasons are good enough to hold up in all situations. If they aren't then maybe you don't have a real cause in the first place.

Answer 9

My adopted sister has been vegetarian for almost 20 years. She says it is no problem under certain circumstances (such as Thanksgiving dinner) and is no health risk with poultry like chicken and turkey. It could however be a problem with beef because some of the enzymes are toxic to your liver but if you are only a few months into your vegetarian diet, even this may be no problem. Either way, just go easy and don't violate your own conscience. I personally am not vegetarian but do fast occasionally for religious reasons and know somewhat about related food and dietary issues. Also, I am closely associated with folks of varying degrees of vegetarianism from vegan to "no red meat". You can sit down at dinner and eat whatever you want to eat or refrain as you wish. You do not Have to eat something you don't want to. It is your choice. My kids are like that too although I do draw the line at twinkies.

Answer 10

It's really up to you. If you have been vegetarian for less than a year, then your body can probably take a moderate amount of meat, but don't overdo it (eating too much meat is bad for your stomach whether you were vegetarian or not). There's nothing wrong with waiving it for a day as long as you don't make a habit out of it. It depends on your reasons for being vegetarian, the type of celebration, etc.