So I am still continuing the vegetarianism stretches. It’s not really because of moral reasons. It’s like 70% because of environmental impact of meat, especially red meat, and 30% health. Humans did not have meat this frequently or in this quantity for nearly the entirety of human existence except for the last 120, 130 or so years. [Some exceptions in certain environments. Areas were farming is more difficult or less available than hunting or animal domestication. The artic comes to mind]
Plus, look, this earth is the only one we have. It is rapidly changing because of our actions. The planet will survive regardless. Eons of life have existed before us, and eons more will continue.
But what if we change the environment so drastically that we can’t live here anymore? What if we are our own extinction event?
We’ve already started one. [see Holocene extinction] We wipe out coral reefs and rainforests, introduce invasive species faster than any land bridge, poison the oceans and food chain with plastic, and dramatically change weather patterns.
And it’s all of us. It’s you. It’s me.
With every plastic fork, every article of clothing, every steak, every straw [#skipthestraw] I am contributing to the problem that is dangerously close to being insurmountable as a species.
In a futile effort to combat this, I plan to have 2 spans of vegetarianism each calendar year. They would try go for at least 4 weeks, and challenge for is to make 6+. Eggs/milk okay, seafood is cheating.
This time I started Feb 1 and only lasted a week, because I was in New Orleans and I couldn’t not eat everything. Some Tortas. Some Crawfish. BBQ! Oysters! Ugh, the gumbo.
I picked it back up on the 14th after arriving back in New York [honestly, my system needed the cleansing] and kept it up until the 7th of March, where, [after 36 hours of what competitive eaters would call, repeat reversals of fortune] ate whatever I could stomach to get weight back.
So, a very average execution on a solid commitment. [4 nonconsecutive weeks]
However, a great side effect is my regular routine has change towards more vegetarianism.
Breakfast continues to be fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, and occasionally eggs or [if I’ve been good] an everything bagel w cream cheese.
Lunch varies a lot from Chopped to brown bag to [the lazy and expensive option] building cafeteria.
Dinner is generally cooked at home, any time I’m not eating out or succumbing to the temptations of Seamless. [Around 65-35 home v out]
The routine hasn’t changed, but what’s on my plate is different. I find myself able to use eggs or tofu or forgo protein all together with much greater ease.
What’s more, I find myself satisfied with smaller portions of meat and am inclined to load up on beans and greens.
My aim now is to continue to eat as I do but add more fruit as snacks and strive for a greater variety of vegetables in my diet. This will look like challenging myself to find new ways to cook different produce, shopping at more places like my weekly farmers market, and eating unfamiliar cuisine/dishes.
It will also mean having fruit on hand. I would like to use berries as recovery snacks, as antioxidants are supposed to be effective after exercise.
This drive to be healthier is as much to fuel my Ironman training, as well to stave off the reaper. My body needs recovery and nutrition to train and race. I also have this outside bet that I could possibly see medical science reverse the aging effect in my life time and I’d like to be a good candidate for treatment. Or clone therapy. [They’ve done some science on mice with interesting and promising results]
It’s also nice to strive towards reducing my impact on the planet. Like, not to get preachy [I already have!] but I took my family out for soup dumpling and we straight up got served out of 5 plastic Tupperware containers, eating in. With lids! It horrified me enough to bring the recyclables home [they didn’t have non-bottle/can recycling] and write them a feedback letter! I’m a goddamn busy body!
Look. I’m nowhere near carbon neutral. I produce so much garbage. Every Seamless order is like 3 pounds of plastic, wrapped in paper, wrapped in plastic. I do my serious thinking in long showers. I have half a dozen reusable grocery bags in a basket that I cannot ever remember to bring to the store, and am always too lazy to turn back for, halfway down the block. I’m horrific.
I’m not saying I’m holier-than-thou for trying stretches of vegetarianism. I’m just here trying. Anything I can do to help, even the tiniest steps, in the dance of hypocrisy [or occasional rapid back pedaling. *cough*flying*cough*] is worth the intention and execution. I don’t know that I can make a difference. But I don’t feel comfortable not doing anything.