Matt in a Tux

Today is my one year vegetarian anniversary. Well, technically the 29th of February is the date, but I’ll forgo worrying about whether the anniversary was yesterday or today (probably, it should have been celebrated yesterday). But in any case, it’s been a good year.

What have I eaten?
Overall, my eating habits have been much healthier than when I ate meat. How so? For one, those nights after the bars are no longer consisting of three double cheeseburgers and a McChicken. So, to fill this void, I’ve migrated 75% of my fast food business to Taco Bell. It’s the cheapest form of Mexican food (though its a shame to call TB Mexican food) and it has great hours. The other 25% of my business: Burger King. Veggie burgers at a fast food joint are amazing.

Another way it has positively impacted my health is in an unintended side effect. Over the year, I lost about 35 pounds. My typical habits, which I did not change, are as follows (first summer, then winter): biking, eating chocolate, walking, disc golf, frisbee, a little tennis, relaxing outside, sitting inside in the warmth, shivering outside, lifting a little bit, wishing it was summer, eating chocolate. The only variable: eating meat. I guess my metabolism was finally able to keep up now that I got rid of the fats in the meat and grease and the byproducts (read: gravy), the serving sizes of steaks and large burgers, and just the general unnecessary negative effects it has on our bodies.

So, briefly, I eat noodles, beans, peppers, potatoes, greens, etc. And it is delicious. (More variety than meat dishes, if you ask me.)

Do I miss meat?
Nah. I miss convenience, but I don’t miss meat.

What have I learned?
People like to give hell to vegetarians sometimes. I don’t like to sound preachy, nor high and mighty, but in these cases I usually just say I don’t have an excuse for my morals. Then again, there are cool people out there that are just curious about why or how long, etc. A couple of my friends from back home actually moved from the former category to the latter; that was pretty awesome.

I’ve also learned that other people around you can also benefit from vegetarians; if

I’ve also learned that talking about the morals aspect is important, but only under certain circumstances. In some cases, its not a good idea.

Will I keep going?
You know it. Deli sliced meats look disgusting, and the responsibility is necessary under all ethical standards.

Nothing to celebrate after this year; its just normal now.

If it seems like I’m talking myself up on this, its not intended to be that way; I’m just giving my account of this past year.