Last week, we talked for an hour about our respective diets, mostly our conversation was him telling me why I should go meatless and me trying to pull him back over to the dark side. He recommended that I “at least try” one of the raw-food or vegetarian restaurants he swears by. Now, I know what you’re thinking. And, no, this story doesn’t end with me having an epiphany about the benefits of only eating plants. But I’m curious to know why meat is the first thing that “healthy eaters” cut out of their diets? So, I did some investigating.
My friend and neighbor Rob, who hasn’t eaten meat for 15 years, came by with a chickpea roti a few days ago and talked to me about hormone-laden chicken and the slight guilt he feels about eating living creatures. “Have you ever been to a slaughterhouse?” he asked me. Uh, that would be negative. More importantly, why has he? Another friend, Michelle, gave up meat in high school “to have a cause” and eventually got grossed out by the idea of consuming animals because it reminded her of her dogs. Alec, a vegetarian for the last 11 years, says since he stopped eating meat, he has a lot more energy.
Okay, okay, it’s true. Our bodies take longer to digest meat. And eating too much of it is linked to serious health issues. And, yes, some animals are too cute to slaughter. I get it. But while recovering from the trauma of surgery, my doctors suggested that I eat lots of protein. Meat protein that is. I also remember reading that leading anthropologists believe eating cooked meat is what made it possible for humans to evolve bigger brains. Meat fueled Homo erectus’ brain, giving early man longevity unlike our smaller-brained ancestors who died off. Isn’t this proof enough that God wants us to eat the beasts that live on planet Earth?
But I’m a good sport. So, in between interviewing all of my meatless friends, I decided to give Kirk’s restaurant, Angelica Kitchen, a try (see photo at right). It wasn’t bad at all. In fact, my red lentil soup and roasted vegetable salad were quite tasty. I’m just not sure if I could eat like
that all the time, or that I’m necessarily interested in giving up meat. Kirk assures me that I wouldn’t miss it, but I’m not so sure about that.
My boyfriend makes a truly delicious steak. Two weeks ago, I had dinner at a friend’s house in Brooklyn, and she made the best short ribs I’ve ever tasted. And could I really never have another pork bun from Momofuku, a great little noodle bar on the Lower East Side of Manhattan? One word: heaven. And, yes, I eat pork. So all you holier than thou, I-don’t-touch-the-swine black folks just back up off me. I can see you shaking your head in disapproval, and I don’t know what to tell you. Plus, Dr. Tom Fisher eats pork, and he’s a brilliant young physician in Chicago. If it’s okay with him then that’s good enough for me.
Interestingly enough, nearly all of the vegetarians I know drink. Kirk says he’s good for throwing back a few. Michelle drinks like a champ. And before my chemo-induced liquor hiatus, I spent many nights with Alec holed up in a bar ordering just one more round. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Darren and Tina, my vegetarian friends who eat fish. Every time I hang with them, there’s liquor involved. But, I’m a drinker, so I have no intentions of pointing out the evils of alcohol. Plus, all in moderation, right? And isn’t that what healthy eating is all about? Balance. A little yin with my yang, a little sweet with my sour, a little ham with my burger. I mean, can’t the meat and vegetables (and alcohol) all get along?
So while there may be no persuading me to give up my carnivore lifestyle, I feel good about going vegan for one day. In the end, it didn’t require that I give up meat. I can appreciate both. And I’m sure I’ll make my way over to Angelica again, especially since the steak house I’ve been wanting to try for years is right down the street.
My doctor tells me I drink like a champ because I have so much extra energy from not eating meat. I’m just saying . . .
–Michelle
LOL C. this was a good one. Everytime I talk to my mom (who you never met but knows all about you) she says (in a Haitian accent) “tell your friend she needs to eat all organic vegetables and no meat at all”. Although I agree with eating certain foods in moderation, you only have this one life to eat all the delicious meals that are out there so raise your big ole wine glass and eat on… Bon appetite!
Great article Chana. I’m on the side of just all getting along. I am still smiling behind that burger I had last night at Marvins after some great libations from The Gibson (of course with moderation). And let’s not forget the great salad full of Chop’t vegetables for lunch!
You mean bacon isn’t a vegatable?
No seriously, I gave up meat for awhile and then when I started back, it made me sick. That suggests that maybe it’s not too good for me. Red meat has also been linked to colon cancer. But I feel you on your point that there are some other things that we do that are more toxic than meat. It would be kind of silly to be a vegan who smokes cigarettes.
I gave up the swine for years until I started working at a black-owned company. Now the swine calls to me in my dreams
Ok Chine, this was pretty hilarious. All I have to say is meat ROCKS!!!
LOL… I don’t eat meat with every meal, but every now and then I just have to have some bacon. This is a pretty post!
Chana,
so good to read your blog
Martha
Girl – I am cracking up!! Tessa
LOL – great piece Garcia! I don’t know what to tell you!
good stuff…
I already know one day I’m giving up meat…and it won’t be some big ceremonial quitting either…I’ll just stop eating it. I already feel my body naturally moving away from it so I know it’s only a matter of time…
One of my exes used to order us food from this Vegan fast food place somewhere close to the junction…they make all types of stuff with tofu…and it tastes just like chicken! really good…
But I’m with you, girl – one life to live. do whatever makes you happy! someone get this girl a pork sausage!!
Pork eaters unite! I also have friends who espouse vegetarianism/veganism, but I don’t think I’ll ever abandon meat fully either. I’d also like to point out to vegans who feel a way about eating another living thing that plants are living things, too. And why is animal life more highly regarded than plant life? Anyhoo, I might have to hit that steak spot down the street with you. You know I’m always down for some beef.
This was high-larious, Chana! I gave up pork for about 10 years after I was grossed out by that book, “How Not to Eat the Pig,” and I stopped eating red meat for about two years. However, everything switched up when I got pregnant and had a strong craving for some lamb chops. In addition, I also craved ice cream and green grapes during my pregnancy. All of these cravings pointed to some deficiencies in my body (iron, calcium, and folic acid). And even after I gave birth, my cravings for certain foods never went away. To this day, I’ll run to the store and buy cheese to snack on cuz I just gotta have it.
My philosophy: Your body tells you what you need if you listen to it. Maybe some people never got a calling for a juicy steak (cow or pig), but if you do, your body’s probably trying to tell you something.
Well for me; I can’t do the vegan but the only meat I do is either Feathers or Fins! No soft fur for me!
I tried Vegan but needed to gain some weight because the protein I was lacking so seriously. Some people have gift for making it up but for me needing all the energy I can to fight; I have to have some protein other than beans which give me horrible gas and sometimes I’m so blocked that I can’t fart. Just being honest! great post and best of luck!)
LMBFAO…on that one…I guess you put this black person I-ain’t-touching-swine-in her place. This was informative, and funny. I am awaiting next weeks posting now. lolol
Oh yeah…how could I forget…I DO NOT DRINK!!
i just got to this blog and it was really funny, I have had conversations with my friends about how hard it would be for them to give up meat, but these same friends tear up my faux meat dishes … anyway, I also have a vegan friend named Dana who is a drinker so I wonder if there’s something to that. By the way, I am a fake vegan, meaning i don’t buy milk products, but I’ve been known to consume a pack of oreos and I love pastries on the other hand, I drink like twice a year if that.
I haven’t had red meat since Easter. So far I haven’t really missed it. I was never a big beef eater but I love lamb. THAT’S going to be tough to give up… I love lamb chops and leg of lamb. We’ll see how long I can last.
I just discovered your blog and it’s awesome! My mother has been going through Stage III colon cancer and I found your blog while searching for cancer links.
Red meat has been linked to certain cancers (like colon cancer). I’ve stopped eating meat recently since her diagnosis, and am at the dojo (I take up jiu jitsu and arnis) 3x a week.
One of my senseis told us that the Buddhist monks who don’t eat meat (religious reasons) invented Muy Thai. Their monasteries kept getting sacked and they needed a form of self-defense. My rationale is — if vegetarian monks can kick ass (literally), then so can I as a vegetarian.