I have been a vegetarian for about 20 years.  I have gone through periods of going back to chicken and fish – although not for the last five years or so.  I have struggled with exactly why I do it, but the reason became clear to me about a year and half ago – I LOVE ANIMALS.   It is hard to explain, but after reading The Kind Life by Alicia Silverstone, my decision to not eat animal flesh felt really right to me.  It fit me.

Being a vegetarian is not always easy for me.  If we go to a dinner party and meat is served, I fear that someone will mention that I am a vegetarian and my host will be made uncomfortable.  I try to approach it in a kind way – if served meat at someone’s house, I will eat it with pleasure.  If given my choice, I will choose vegetarian; if it is not my choice, I am fine with what is served.  If my goal is to reduce the cruelty to and inhumane treatment of animals – how is my refusing to eat a meal already made going to help meet this goal?

I also approach eating vegetarian in restaurants with kindness and caution – really, do you want to be rude to someone who is going to handle your food?

One of our favorite restaurants is Driftaway Cafe.   When their new menu came out, I asked the waitress if the chef would mind making me a Chicken Sandfly Sandwich, but hold the chicken.  After a strange look, the waitress said she would ask – and she came back and said he was delighted to do so and appreciated me asking in a nice way and not being demanding.   That is now my regular order and the chef surprises me each time with an incredible and different sandwich.  My husband and I met friends at Driftaway tonight, and look at my beautiful wrap – full of delicious vegetables.  The homemade chips are to die for as well.