I am just curious how many/who of you are vegetarian or vegan?
I am vegan except for honey.(sorry, bees, I do feel bad).
I know Linda was vegetarian.
I am really curious.

Jovette

I AM I AM I AM

HeLLO Jovette, feLLOw VegetarIan.
I have to say fellow VEGETARIAN because I'm
not a Vegan yet. I'm working on it though.
I started to follow Linda's advice about the 15 year process of becoming a breatharian, but, it may take me longer than fifteen years to reach my goal.
I'm on the first five year period, I've eliminated red meat from my diet. Which has been a bit of a struggle for me. I live in OK, right smack in the middle of cOw cOuntry!yOw!!!!!!!! Sometimes I feel very lonely. I'm surrounded by Ranchers and people who eat meat 3xper day...sausage for breakfast, bologna for lunch and steak for dinner! Depressing, isn't it. But I've stood my ground through it all! And I have met a total of three vegetarians, 4 now that I know you. So I'm happy to be able to express my feelings about being a vegetarian safely,if you know what I mean! Those rednecks can be a little brutal with the vegetarian jokes.
But seriously, it really isn't all that bad.
Even though my life isn't always smooth sailing I do have a great deal of fun! When I first became a vegetarian I was a bit fanatical about it, but I've lightened up a great deal about it. Oh I still get some very weird looks, but I laugh about it now.
Yes I'm in cattle country all right and I live in the country, so any time I go somewhere I pass fields of cOws. And every time I see em, I'm glad I don't eat em! HaHaHa
Seriously though, I'd like to see a survey of how many vegetarians actually live in OK as compared to the other states.
OK isn't all that bad though, we are also known as Native America.
And I'm sure most of you know our Indian Ancestors were a very gentle people. Perhaps not all of them, but most of them were. They had much more respect for the animals than many people do now. Even if they did hunt, they knew the value of ALL LIFE. And today many of our Native American elders know what you take into your body is very important. And when animals aren't treated with LOve and Respect when they are raised for food, then this produces very negative vibrations in our environment and in our bodies.
So we must all do what we can to end suffering wether it be human or animal suffering. Because when the animals suffer, we do too.

LOve and LIght
SeaJ

Cool.
I love cows.
I am very sensitive and compassionate towards animals.
Too bad you live in an area that is not diverse in that way.
Peace,

Jovette

Jovette,
At present; sadly, the people in the area don't have a lot of LOve or cOmpassIOn towards our animals; but the LIGHT Is expandIng.

KeepIng the FaIth,
SeaJ

I'M VEGETARIAN !

I have been predominantly vege for 10 years now but I have been resorting to white meat a bit through convenience and from people hassling me all the time about my lack of mass (skinniness). It's hard to stay on track with others continually telling you you need more protein through meat. I used to also eat a bit of seafood but now I feel it's time to go fully vege and to make the effort to eat a variety of vege foods. Don't you just love those yummy lentil indian dishes and rice! I'll miss seafood but I know it's the right time now. I've warmed up to it for long enough. I can feel fruit calling me soon too !

Guys, tell me where OK is - us foreigners don't always understand the abbreviated US states

Ahhhhh yes SeaJ, respect and tribute to animals is soooo important

LOve and LIght, moonglow

Me too

And me.

HellO LOvely MOOnglOw,

OK stands for Oklahoma. We are located right above Texas. If you look at a map of the US, you can't miss Texas we are directly above them.
Also, I understand exactly how you feel when people hassle you about not getting enough protein, but you can stop there hassling by slapping them in the face with a few facts about protein, and they won't hassle you for quite some time.
Here are some facts about protein from the book HEALTHY HEALING:
"The protein deficiency health threat has been over-emphasized in wealthy countries, and today, most Americans take in too much protein for good health. Animal protein does not burn cleanly, it leaves behind nitrogen waste that the body must metabolize and eliminate. This can be especially taxing to the liver and kidneys, so too much protein is harmful to persons with kidney disease or diabetes. Further, excessive protein irritates the immune system and keeps it in a state of overactivity. Too much protein may cause fluid imbalance, so that calcium and other minerals are lost through the urine. Large amounts of animal protein actually contributes to osteoporosis, heart disease and certain cancers.
Black Beans in particular, are an excellent source of absorbable protein that can also alkalize an over-acid system. Synergistic vegetable protein combinations are black beans and rice, beans and tortillas, or whole wheat flat bread and stew or soup made from a variety of legumes.
Tofu, a delicious soy food, supplies the same amount of protein as 3 1/4 oz.beef,5 1/2oz.of hamburger, but is lower in fat than any of these. Tofu is also a good
replacement for milk in shakes. Tofu mixed with bannanas and a teaspoon of brewer's yeast is delicious. Just put them all in the blender and whip untill smooth. This is tastier and healthier than ice-cream and very high in protein.
And here is a bit of Native American Wisdom for you MOOnglOw (you may have read this before):
The Earth does not belong to man.
Man belongs to the Earth.
All things are connected like the blood
which unites a family.
Man does not weave the web of life,
he is only a strand in it.
Whatever happens to the Earth
happens to all of us.
Whatever man does
to the web of life on Earth,
he does to himself.

Native American belief.

SeaJ

Thank you dear Heart you don't realise how much I needed to hear that SeaJ! Especially the Native American Indian belief You lightened my day.

I'm a vegetarian... have been since I was 9 years old..

Dear SeaJ,

Thank you :0 for the explanation on protein, bit on beans, recipes and Native American saying!!

Blessings,
Annie

I have been mostly vegetarian for about 15 years now. I dont cook meat for my kids but have recently been to a naturopathic doctor who told me that different blood types need different diets for optimum health. For example, I am type A and this type does very well on a vegetarian diet. Type A usually begins to eliminate meat on their own as they grow up and make food choices. They sense what their body is telling them and naturally avoid meat.

One of my kids is type O and these types can use some red meat in their diet. Type B is good either way. This food science info makes sense to me. Intuitively I feel that I need to accomodate my familys different requirements for optimum health.

When you think about it, every living thing on earth requires nutrition and uses different kinds of nutrition to achieve life and health.

Breatharian? I dont think we will need our bodies when we accomplish this feat.

Love,
Seashell

I recently became vegan. It makes sense both scientifically and compassionately. Mind you, what makes it hard is when you want to visit other people, but I've let everyone know now and I intend to stay vegan. I'm hoping it will resolve a form of exzema I have; it already appears to be calming down.

LOtsa LOve and Peace,
EsOtericEm XXXXX

I've been trying to become a vegetarian/fruitarian lately but it's extremely hard when i'm living in my parents house.

One day when my family and i were eating dinner, i said that i wasn't going to eat any red meat from that day on. My dad got really angry for some reason and kept asking me "why?" "what's your problem?"...He's always saying "Your mom spent hours in the kitchen cooking that. EAT IT" I guess since i'm kinda on the skinny side, and for the respect of my mom's cooking, my dad will always keep me from becoming a vegetarian...I think my dad's also afraid i might get "too skinny" but it's not like i'm giving up white meat and fish...i dunno, i guess eternal life will have to wait until college...

Dear Everyone,
Thanks for your nice responses.
SeaJ,
My favorite thing to eat is burrito's. People think it's hard being vegan, but I don't. I can go to any mexican restaurant and order a vege burrito, "no cheese or sour cream". What can be better than black beans 'n yummy tortillas?
Gohan,
I feel bad for you that your parents don't understand. That must be so hard, knowing ethical/health truths regarding animals and have someone shoving it in your face. It doesn't sound like a win situation. What about telling your parents that you might start eating on your own a few nights a week? Or presenting them with brochures/factsheets about how animals are treated and/or health factsheets? I hope I'm not being too nosey, pardon me if I am.
Thanks everyone,
Jovette

hello SeaJ, I want to thank you for that info also. I havent eaten red meat in several years but I do still eat chicken and fish although alot less than I did when I first started down this path. I've never had tofu and just had a couple of questions. I have heard that it comes in 'flavors'. If this is correct then what 'flavor' do you usually use for your shakes? And how much do you use in them. They sound good and Id like to try them if you could help me out with this. THank you.
LOve and MagIck,
Krystal

Dear Krystal,

I know you posed your question towards SeaJ, so I hope you don't mind me answering. I never thought I would like or could get used to tofu. I now eat tofu burgers, tofu scrambles, tofu stirfry's, and frozen vegetarian entree's that have tofu in them. You can use plain tofu in shakes. You would add your own flavors in the shakes such as banana's, strawberries, chocolate soymilk, etc. Many vegetarian/vegan websites have recipes. Here are a few; http://www.govegan.net/ http://www.veganoutreach.org http://www.vegsource.org
Good luck!
Jovette

Thanx for the URLs Jovette. My boyfriend and I have been vegetarian for 4 years now and we're always looking for new recipes and info (since we're constantly having to justify our vegetarianism to friends and family).

Actually, I just had a Nutritional Consultation yesterday (just to make sure we were on the right track with our diet) and we got a big Bravo from the Consultant, much to my Mom's dismay (she was hoping he would convince me to start eating meat again!)

Peace+Love
Heather

Dear Heather, I couldn't help but notice what you said about justifying your being a vegetarian. And this vegetarian has had it!
And I'm speaking for mys-elf when I say this. I am so tired of people giving me a trip when I tell them I'm vegetarian! Especially when I don't ever push MY beliefs on them! Yet they try to push their diet on me!!! I admit, it makes me angry! In my opinion no one, not even the meat eaters should have to JUSTIFY their food choices.
I don't understand why the people I'm around at work won't just let me be?!?
For example, I have been vegetarian for over five years now and people in my own family still, to this very day give me grief over it.
WHY?
Sometimes I wonder, and I think maybe it's Karma. Or perhaps it's a power struggle. I just don't know.

Gohan,
I don't want you to be disrespectful to your parents in any way, but I agree with Jovette. Just go slowly, if you do decide to go vegetarian. Approach the subject cautiously, because I've discovered from experience that it is a touchy subject for many.
I'm not sure how old you are gohan, but I'm sure you are old enough to know how very important thinking for yourself is. And if you let what others think about you decide for you, then you lose personal power in this way. It's kind of like losing your spirit. Think about it.
Trust Your S-elf.
And either way God Loves us All, wether we are Vegetarian or Not. God Loves us ALL.
SeaJ

Y'all are making me feel so BAD for eating meat! (Sea j, I know what you mean 'bout cow country, i'm in Kansas City, famous for Bar B Q!)
Don't feel you have to JUSTIFY your beliefs!! You are all doing something very good and right! Whenver I read Star Signs, and get to the part about becoming a vegetarian, and that you won't achieve a higher level of being if you're polluted with animal carcasses, I feel the urge to slink down in my chair out of shame!!
I can't help it. I'm a carnivore. Does this make me bad?
What makes me feel even worse, is that in my "neck of the woods" here in the center of the U.S., I'm fairly known for having a "way with animals", that I can catch ANY critter stuck in a house, rescue and repair injured wild animals, even teach baby birds to fly!
I LOVE the idea of being a vegetarian. I could probably give up red meat and poultry. But I admit... I love sushi. I know, I'm awful.
Sometimes I think I'm a little too in touch with my Leo nature. Y'know, the whole predator thing!
Anyways....
that's enough rambling for now
-maya

Dear Maya,
Of Course It DOES NOT make you bad!!!
It's not eating meat that spreads bad vibes.
No, that's not it at all!
It is the way the amimals are treated that is what I am trying to say. The way people are so careless and cruel towards the animals.
Also, it's the whole idea of accepting. Accepting each other and Loving each other.
Are you open to change? Are you open to peace?

Maya, No one is here is above anyone else.
We are all teachers to each other. But since you did join us on this vegetarian thread I would like to say something in favor of a vegetarian lifestyle. There is now scientific and medical proof that a meatless diet is better for people. Maybe you are ready for a change? Perhaps that is why you are joining us on this thread?
I ask once again, are you open to change?
Try to imagine how utterly dull and boring life would be without change. Sometimes change is hard, but
CHANGE IS NECESSARY TO LIFE.
Change keeps life interesting and change keeps us young.
Without change we would all be prisoners of our past.
Without change there would be no evolution.
No growth.
No changing seasons.
So just keep an open mind and heart and never stop learning.
SeaJ

I am a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian. When I first became a vegetarian, I thought that it would be so hard when other people around me were not (except my boyfriend at the time)! In fact, my Aunt gave me all kinds of grief over it for a long time. She kept telling me that I was being brain-washed and blah, blah, blah. I think now she respects my decision. It is really hard when dining out though, at least in the midwest. Everybody wants to shove a cow down your throat! I found that in Ireland, last summer, it was much easier to get vegetarian entree's. It seems that Europe is alot more into it than America. I even wrote a letter to McDonald's, to ask them where the branched in Ireland get their veggie patties, and they were so rude about it! It made me mad! I suggested that they have them here, but I got a big fat "NO WAY!" SOmething about they didn't think that there was enough of a demand for them here. I told them that they were wrong.... Oh, well!

Acutally, your chart tells you what you should be eating for your health.

Look at the 6th house which shows what we need to maintain the health of the body. Very briefly, Saturn there needs to be vegetarian but if retrograde it is not enough and needs other foods for supplementation. Uranus here is also much inclined to vegan diets and often have some peculiarity of the blood (Type A??) which benefits from a big reduction or elimination of meat. Mars is red meats but in Scorpio includes offal (yuk!) but never deny the wisdom of the chart - those with Mars in a water sign needs some particularly in soups. The Sun is white meats, like poultry and pork. Venus is sweets, being sugary - if it is ill-starred or badly aspected, honey would be much better for you. The Moon here is dairy products.

If you have Chiron here, you are inclined to dietary fads. If it is retrograde here or in aspect to the 6th house planets or ruler, you will need vitamin and mineral supplements.

I do not agree that spirituality is in any way linked to diet, having seen the charts of many with a strong spiritual life. Prayer and meditation are the most effective means of developing your spiritual nature. Of course, a healthy body supports a health mind, as the Romans were eager to point out - which is the only relevance diet has to spiritual development.

However, fasting is a most useful way of maintaining great health and eliminating toxins - it is very important to do so if 6th house planets or the 6th house ruler are badly aspected.

So what does your chart advise you to do?

Spica

GENESIS, 1:29 ~ (as God spoke to Adam & Eve)
"And behold, I have given you every herb-
bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree-yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) ~ "How can we ourselves find peace, when we are the living graves of murdered animals?"
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) ~ It ill becomes us to invoke in our daily prayers the blessings of God, the compassionate, if we in turn will not practice elementary compassion toward our fellow creatures.

Dear Jovette,
Thankyou.