Detour into vegetarianism leads to surprising pleasures
Recently I decided to venture off the path of my common eating routine. I had fallen into the habit of cooking the same meals and using the same familiar ingredients. I was in search of a better understanding of my “foodie self ” and, although nervous, I decided to shake things up.
My new path was simple, but unlikely for me: I would become a vegetarian.
At first it seemed crazy—a guy who is infatuated with all things culinary giving up his favorite dishes of Parmesan chicken and pulledpork sandwiches, trading them for vegetable stir-fry and lentil soup! But my habitual-self was yearning for something different. I was craving something challenging, exciting and new.
That’s when it hit me: I was going through a food phase. I started slow. First I gave up red meat, then turkey, pork and finally chicken. To my surprise, a world of possibilities opened. I was satisfying my craving for a new way of eating and I began to question why more people don’t live this way.
Before this food phase, I found myself only searching for my next delicious meal. It was as if I didn’t care where my food came from. As long as it tasted great, I was happy. But as I challenged myself to this new way of eating and cooking, I noticed that the more I understood about my food, the more I learned about myself.
I took to the kitchen making new versions of my favorites. Instead of my beloved Parmesan chicken I learned to make and enjoy tofu tacos; I replaced those pulled-pork sandwiches with veggie burgers. Along the way, I realized that I’d become open-minded to new foods and more confident in myself as a cook.
Like many vegetarians, I discovered that my compassion for animals is extremely strong and I understood the impact that my meat consumption had on the environment. Ultimately, I came to understand that the food we eat is not just random fuel to sustain ourselves, it is a reflection of who we are.
I’ve been a vegetarian for about 6 months now. In that time I’ve begun to see myself as an individual who loves to find a balance between healthy living and indulgences—and I extend that to others through my cooking.
I still consider food to be the vehicle that brings us together, but since becoming a vegetarian I can offer my friends and family healthy and guilt-free eating that tastes great. I find that this shows the care that I have for others.
I’ve become especially proud of the fact that, when I set out to challenge myself by changing my diet in a big way, I didn’t back down or let people’s opinions set me back. I followed through with the promise I made to myself at the beginning of giving up meat (searching for a new way of eating) and I did it for reasons that I held in my own heart. I didn’t do it because it was a trend or something that other people encouraged me to do. I did it because it felt right to me at the time. I find that to be incredibly fulfilling.
I also see myself as open-minded to all aspects of life. I’ve had conversations about being a vegetarian that have been incredibly enriching. I’ve talked to people about their food choices and never once have I pushed my views. We all choose to be different and it makes me proud to know that I’m accepting of people from all walks of life. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to eating meat. Right now, eating a vegetarian diet feels like the right thing to do. I can say that if I do choose to eat meat again, I will approach it with a much more conscientious and respectful way of eating. I would definitely rethink where I purchase meat and be sure that it feels like the right thing to do when I’m doing it.
So now it’s springtime—a time to renew. We open our windows and clean out our homes. During this time, think about cleaning out the old food habits of your life. Take inventory of your connection with food and forge a new foodie path. You don’t necessarily have to become a vegetarian—simply try new ingredients, recipes and types of cuisine
I hope that the details of your food phase reveal themselves with joy and excitement. I hope you discover new things that you never knew. Most of all, I hope you like what you see. Be open to change, move forward with confidence and be fearless in the kitchen.
Matt LaBombard is associate publicist and social media coordinator at Storey Publishing. Matt is a Berkshire County native and enjoys spending time cooking and entertaining for his friends and family.
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