Here we are at day number three and I'm not tempted to throw in the towel yet. I enjoy the feeling of doing something good for my health. I feel accomplished everyday that I stick to being a vegetarian.
It is a new world though to me. People look at you differently, at least when they hear you say you are a vegetarian. It seems just uttering the word brings out passionate opinions from everyone you speak to. I must admit that this quirky detail took me aback. This is a personal choice I am making, it is not a decision that I took lightly. It certainly is not an easy lifestyle choice at all. I have done this for myself and I don't expect anyone else to conform to my thinking, and yet some people act like I have raised a personal afront against their way of life.
It is amusing to me the need that arises in some to talk to me and help me see the error of my ways and come back to the light. Some have been humorous and others passionately serious. I had my first restaurant experience as a vegetarian today. I ordered a very yummy lunch and asked that they hold the shrimp, a very short time later the cook came out and asked me if I was sure. She said "You always get the shrimp when you come in ." ( I swear I have only been there a few times) I explained that I was a vegetarian now and she asked me why. Now, she was very nice and sweet and meant no harm, but what a reaction.
I get asked the age old question all the time as well; "Where will you get your protein?" I think vegetarians have been asked this for years. I am trying to be healthy and take care of my body. I am fully aware that I need protein and vitamins and iron. There is no need for a lack of these things in a vegetarian's diet and many staple foods in this are filled with protein and iron.
It is funny that no one seemed nearly as concerned with my eating habits when I was killing myself with fast food and sweets, but now that I am eating healthy people can't seem to "help" me enough. I get it though. Change is uncomfortable even to watch in someone else. There is a deep, underlying urge when we see someone who's path is different than our own, to reach out and try to pull them along side us. Maybe it is a need to feel validated and right about our path and choices in life. I really don't have the answer, but at 34 there is one thing I finally learned. Life is never black and white and I am so happy about that. There are so many colors and differences and I have no control over any of them.
There is a word made popular in Yoga and used in Napal and India; Namaste. Literally it means "I bow to you". It is a show of respect to another. It has come to have many different meanings today, but the basic idea is, "I respect you and recognize the worth in us both." What a beautiful sentiment. In the words of the great Maya Angelou, "We are more alike than we are unalike." So walk my path or have another way, but just remember that in the end we are all in this world together.
Namaste
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On the dinner plate tonight: I made a spanish rice in the slow cooker today. It had bell peppers, green onions, cilantro, chilis, tomato sauce, brown rice and cooked in beer (yes, I said beer). For the main course we had hot portobello mushroom sandwiches with spinach. I loved the sandwiches and enjoyed the rice. It was a bit rich, but good. I will admit that Mike was not a huge fan of it at all so we will not be seeing a lot of it in our future. Hey, we are learning as we go right? :) 
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