Vegetarian Planet -George A. Polisner

Why am I a vegetarian ?  Is it because I live in California and after days of surfing, meditating and dude, catching some rays there is nothing like a sprout sandwich ?  Well, my detractors from the East Coast may think so. Nevertheless, as a thinking, feeling human being I have determined that if I can obtain my sustenance from something that is not grown, and fed for the purpose of slaughter so I can put it on my dinner table then why not ?  As I became more interested in vegetarianism, learning how animals are treated during their lives that come to an abrupt and violent end, I simply could not continue to eat meat or meat products.  Are we not all God's creatures (without regard, to whose God ?)

My body has been generally meat-free since the end of 1997.  This means no steak, hamburger, prime-rib, turkey, chicken, etc.  And I say generally since sometimes, despite inquiries into restaurant-served broths, pasta sauces, taqueira beans and/or rice, etc. -chicken stock might be used or lard might be used in the preparation.  

Last year (2002) I started to drop dairy products as well.  Now, if there is a piping-hot Cheese Pizza calling to me like a siren, I do not ignore its seductive song.  However, in my own food preparation, I now use soy cheese and soy milk products.  And food allergies prevent my consideration of fish and eggs, however based upon my present philosophical leanings I would not touch them with a fork, I would not eat them, or a cork, I would not eat them in a boat, I would not eat them in a coat (lest, I digress with apologies to Dr. Suess).

Also, there is a significant amount of food grain (and thus, food and water resource) that is now required to produce feed for animals that will die for my carnivore peers. Thankfully, food vendors and grocery stores are becoming more sensitive to us "Plantivores" --a term my boy Nicholas, or Nick-Zilla as I lovingly refer to him as, coined at age 7.  Vendors like Gardenburger, Tofurky, Boca, Amy's, Yves's and many more all do an excellent job in satisfying my appetite for meat-type food product using Soy and other vegetable, non-meat or dairy product.  The food is far more delicious to me knowing that no one gets hurt!

Thus, to be a better global citizen and 100 year marcher, I believe that vegetarianism is a much kinder and gentler way to live on this planet.  Nevertheless, some of my dear friends continue to devour animal product despite my subtle encouragement, and that is ok.  However, I know exactly what is in my Veggie Hot Dog!