Eating...

I've always considered that what you put into your body is a completely personal and intimate choice.  This is why since I've become vegetarian I've tried really hard not to preach to anyone else about it.  I'll answer questions and fight back when people pick on me for it, but generally when I sit down to eat with a group of my very carnivorous friends I don't criticize what they choose off of a menu or harass them about it.  Even in spite of all of that I get picked on all the time about what I choose to eat...or rather, what I choose not to eat.

For the most part my closest friends who've watched me make the transition are supportive in my decision even if they choose not to follow it.  Nevertheless, as I've continued to educate myself on the ways of the "animal market" I've come to the conclusion that at some point in the near future I might actually have to become vegan.  Granted, I'm the only one holding myself to this particular statement but based on what I believe is right and what I currently eat, I'm somewhat of a hypocrite.  This is why I'm thinking that "veganism" is on the horizon.

My major concern through the changes that have taken place over the past year or so is the impact that its put on my social life and more importantly the impacts it will have going forward.  Its a rather drastic change when you think about the impacts it has on the people you're around.  For example, if I'm with my friends we can't go to a bbq joint because I can't eat anything there...except maybe potato salad.  Also, something I haven't had to deal with yet is the holidays.  How do you go to a holiday party where you won't eat the turkey or the ham or the stuffing that was made with chicken stock? If its family maybe they'll understand, but if you're a guest somewhere...well, its easy to come off as being rude.

The more interesting part for me is the whole dating scene.  My most recent ex boyfriend was reasonably understanding of my decisions but I always got the feeling that he sort of hoped that I'd eventually eat a steak with him now and then.  The boyfriend before him, very recently, has stated that he could never date a vegetarian because he likes to cook with meat and wants to be able to cook for the girl he dates.  

I guess, in reality, eating is not very personal or intimate at all.  Its probably one of the most social aspects in your life and making a decision alter your diet is going to have significant impacts on the people in your life.

So, this whole vegan thing...yeah...it has me wondering, will my diet change who I hang out with, who my friends are and, eventually, who I end up marrying?  I know it sounds like a drastic question but, think about it...I could never date someone who made fun of me for not eating meat; meeting the boyfriends family over thanksgiving could become extremely awkward...the kind of man who could eat meat and date a vegetarian/vegan would have to be a truly rare person.  Especially since I want to date someone who likes to cook and generally meat-eaters who like to cook don't really know how to cook w/o meat (see ex bf above) so it would take an effort to want to learn.

Maybe this is all to premature or maybe it shouldn't really matter.  After all, its my body, and I have the right to choose what I put into it.  And, its not really like I'm dating anyone or really super concerned about whether I'll get married ( I mean c'mon...its *me* after all ;) ).  But, seeing as I'm on the verge of having to make this decision and implement it...its got me thinking....

Why should changing my diet into a more environmentally and animal friendly one have this much of an impact?  Why do people care so much about what I do with my own body?  Why is being vegan or vegetarian such a threat or turn off to meat-eaters?

Its my body...not yours...