Hot on the heels* of the UN report on the catastrophic consequences of climate change, I have decided to act.

I stated at the beginning of the year that I wanted to try to go vegetarian, and since skipping meat and dairy is apparently among the top things a person can do to combat global warming, it seems only self-preserving to do so.

Of course, the notion of devouring other living beings is only normal because our culture tells us it is**. I will have to challenge my own inherent belief system.

Besides, having read the great book The Inner Life of Animals I can’t morally defend taking the lives of other sentient, feeling beings for my (unnecessary) pleasure any more, if I can learn to do without. The real question is, can I?

It will be a big change, that’s for sure, and an even greater mental leap – merely thinking about forsaking meat makes me have visions of entrecôte, bacon, smoked salmon… carnal thoughts indeed.

This personal carnival will also entail quite a steep learning curve, as none of my go-to recipes are the least bit vegetarian. I have identified as a cis-carnivore all my life, after all. I’ve not been as much as a little bivorous – I didn’t even experiment with veg during my college years. Salads were for bunnies when I grew up, and that was the end of it.

Luckily I have two good veggie restaurants near my work place, so I can eat out, but cooking is a different matter. Simply put: I will have to re-learn how to fend for myself in the kitchen. I have asked vegetarian friends to provide me with recipes for their favourite, easy-to-make dishes, but still, I anticipate that the transition will not be entirely smooth, and certainly not easy.

Since I’m continuing with weight-lifting for fitness, getting enough protein is another concern, but I won’t be going vegan, so eggs and cheese and other dairy are still on the table***, at least. I’ll track what I’m eating via the MyFitnessPal app to be sure I get what I need.

Will it work? Time will tell, I guess. I will publish weekly updates, so if you want, you will be able to follow my progress (or lack thereof) here in Diary of a Hesitant Herbivore. Any and all efforts to help will be greatly appreciated!

—–

*Literally…

** And yet we curiously delineate between this and that species – no one I know thinks eating cats or dogs is normal, and yet they happily munch on piglets and lambs.

*** See *.