From diary-pages of the Part-time Vegetarian (Seq. II)

”How often, under the shadow of these rocks, 

have I shared your outdoor repasts, 

which cost no animal their lives. 

[...] Gourds full of milk, of newly laid eggs, 

of rice-cakes upon banana leaves, 

baskets laden with potatoes, with mangoes, with oranges, with pomegranates, with bananas..."

(From Paul & Virginie, a novel by Bernardin de Sainte-Pierre)

...Acc. above cited romantic figure (& forerunner social utopist/adventurer of his own times), people of the best healths maintain vegetable diets. (He even lists the pythagorians(?) and Spartacians, those much admired antique "folks". Also, acc. St. Pierre ; ”The peoples living on vegetable foods, are, of all men, the handsomest, the most vigorous, the least exposed to diseases and to passions, and whose lives last longest.” )

...If I should believe that (as such) for a fact, is a whole lot different matter, but can't say of been disappointed to my vegarian diet during these summery Months. The above cited view against the animal eating I actually thought to as cite for the latter sequel of these 'vegarian posts' (The last chapter I – at the moment - plan to devote to more 'philosophic matters' ie it shall mostly discuss the vegetarian ethics.) Each of these sequels is supposed carry some 'motto', so that makes a few good old classic 'verses', very often cited also elsewhere...and I also suppose, that people on his times (St. Pierre's) were as much eager to adopt those high ideals but far less for adopt them in practice.

Map-Butterfly - Since few recent decades it has established itself on Fennosc...But not too often can be seen on open; (I think) it prefers moisturic meadow. (For some speciality, also has two completely different looking generations at Summers.) The caterpillarts feed on nettles.

So, (Therefore having that problem from the admirable role-models and false noses now neatly solved) I also decided offer a place on this the nice and beautiful Fennoscandian butterflies. Just from reason – what like any insect enthusiasists would know – butterflies are the most exclusively vegetarians of any insect group. They're also some of most numerous, and yet; Not a single species  preys directly other animals. ...Meaning predative on their adult phases, of course. Caterpillars of some species do live as parasites at other insects nests, fx (Lycaenids in the ant nests, perhaps most famously). And, also many butterflies actually do favor digesting the minerals and liquids from rock surfaces, rotten carcasses, ao places (instead of the nectar from flowers.) – Yet, no predative species on adults. (At least acc. my knowing; And of the day-time species; And if that should still represent the most recent findings by science...The Moths perhaps are not too well known from and about, for they mostly fly only at nighttime.) 

 ...Often/sometimes that orthodoxic dietary specialisation is explained from their (relative) recent evolution – In lack of any other available ecological niches in the natures, the butterflies have evolved that strickt dependency/relation with the plants. (As actually quite a logical following from that, many, like the Moths caterpillars especially, are known being very serious pests of certain trees, food crops, etc.). Naturally, we don't have get (too) serious about this and so – for the fun of it - I just think of the butterflies as some advanced vegarians (In fact, them are among most evolutionary advanced order from insects). So let these 'idealized fairies' now give us some guidance from the sustainable diet and all the other good things in life... (Although, I've yet to see any wearing that Foxglove-hat.)

Anyway, during these diets of mine (and, much like I expected/ You might have guessed...), I've found it not any kind of trouble living without meat past these summery Months. A bit more surprising (to me) is that...I've also discovered feeling somewhat better and healthier due because that. Yet, I've fx noticed that living mostly on veggies demands some properly maintained system and...I've probably eaten my meals on more regular scheduel, perhaps.

As I've probably also eaten a bit more often (and slightly more by amount), gives me a place for an additional joke (If you allow me this comparison...:) Probably, earlier I ate little like a (large) bird, but now I'm eating even more continuosly and steadily, like some ruminant or a horse. (But, I don't have any additional stomachs, of course.)

Mostly/mainly this manner from eating because I regularly consume quite lot physical energy on movement; walking, biking, ao. Of course, there's also regular pauses like should be for any healths sakes. ...What comes for those few physical obstacles mentioned on preceding post, they're gone (for good). But, if you have lot body mass and/or feel like running (/jogging /whatever) much, I suggest it's probably sensible start first slowly by reducing the amount of meats from diets...or smght like that.

(Like was mentioned), my diets regularly also have contained some fish. At first I planned it so because it felt necessary for body healths (contains selenium, magnesium, ao). Also, as I've eaten quite often salads outdoors, I usually also take some schrimps with them. But now having gotten little more accustomed to this 'partial veganism' of mine, I've actually noticed that one mostly can get those ingredients of elsewhere too. (Fx, the dietary selenium can be acquired from nuts, cereal, meat, mushrooms, fish and eggs, acc. the Wikip. ...From the magnesium seems it say that rich sources for that are spices, nuts, cereals, coffee, cocoa, tea, also green vegetables like spinach). And so I've also regularly eaten some seeds and nuts too. About once a week, earlier perhaps twice a week, I've eaten some fish and still do....But I've also not at all tried to replace the animal proteins with the fish (or with anything else). 

 

You might say this veganism of mine ain't too stricktly maintained, and I agree. However, if you ask me (of course you don't, but...) the balanced/ multisided diet is actually the best. ...Earlier on begins of this 'experiment' I even tried acquiring the necessary proteins from only fishes, or soya, or eggs (one week each) + the regular eaten veggies and crops – But I can't recommend that, and maybe it also brought those slight pains at my foots.

Eggs I noticed probably the least necessary part for my diet. Yet, I've also eaten them (quite) regularly, maybe 1-2 pack per week (...of 6 parcel. On occasional weeks I've eaten about that 1 per day, sometimes more, but on some weeks I ate eggs not at all. ...So I guess the said makes about an average. Yet to mention that them appear quite useful on many bakings.)

From the Soya I at first was slightly shun, trying perhaps favor fx the fish and eggs instead. But now I've noticed it a good addition and there's on our times also quite many products of the soya available. (So, that Yoghurt recipe on last post actually now has important part on my current diets.) Then there's also various other soya-products; for example there's grains, slices, tofu, some (soya-)milks, and the sole beans for to cook (make any of the previous by oneself, if wish...) ...Having experimented most of the manufactured Soya-products, I must say I didn't learn to like any of them, except the Soya-Yoghurt and -milk. The soya-sausages and '-beefs' I actually noticed best to avoid for them make one's stomach feel so swelled...but, on a few times I also made a 'quick' meal of those. ...To some conclusion; Unless you have some good alternatives for the soya – and I can't figure what - it's probably necessary eat some (In case maintaining any absolute vegarian diet).

Small Copper. 

(...It's range even reaches from West Euraasia to N.americas.)

In short, what from this 'experiment' (so far) now turns out, as the foremost finding, is that it's basically not necessary at all to have meats on the diet of human personnel (Of the adult, obviously, I've not changed my view about that for the under-aged it's probably recommendable to eat some meat.). I've felt completely and satisfactorily eaten, even without the red meats or poultry.

 ...However, my conclusions are also based solely on maintaining this 'dietary experiment' at conditions of our technologized modern world. (On circumstances where we basically have enough, even excess of the foods...and not need consume very much physical energy on the movement between places, fx.) I don't fx consider rational spending the winter time on similar diet, I feel like it's more practical eat at least some meat then, mainly because of the cold. On cooler regions and during the cold phase of the year some amount of animal proteins and fat is probably useful for body-health. But, not quite so on the warmer parts of the world – I guess, I'd say...ca from 50^th latitudes Southwards about. (Or, perhaps it's more proper say that on the regions where's no colder winter spell.) Aforementioned reservations met – not very much daily physical stresses and the adequate provisions of the food in general – I see not any physical necessicity to (an adult) personnel for eating meats. Of course, I don't either feel like one should have to be too determined or absolute from that...but that's just the plain fact I discovered from this. (...What follows as the logical conclusions is that for a personnel living at our developed world societies, leaving the animal foods for less is probably not just most efficient 'sustainable step' one can do, if wish, but also the easiest some.)

- I suppose you're now humming to yourself; 'But that's just not for me' ...Well, me neither, I don't plan to quit the beefs and meatballs completely, I just mean to reduce those, considerably.

Chestnut He

ath

...Also a straight  vegetarian.

(The caterpillars feed on hays.)

The following 'list' then tries combine most other ingredients of (my) regularly consumed veggies and food-stuffs:

...Of crops I have to say eaten from quite wide variety; (I think) the people didn't start cultivating them by coincidence, many – wheat fx, contain lots of energy.

(Even that the white bread solely is rather unrecommendable food choice.) And; invariably I've also regularly eaten rice, rye, oat, quinoa (,maize, on tortillas), at least ; ...Of the seeds, nuts and milk-products I mentioned on the preceding post (I've used butter less frequently now). ; ...Of my main other 'usual veggies', there's at least, onions & peppers, also spinach. (Ate that often on Spring.) And I suppose shall also use mangold when it becomes harvestable (/Ward, possibly also the word used from it.)

Of the same 'family' there's also this favored tuber of mine, beet. And, of course, carrots, squashes, beans and potato make some of my regular staples (Potatoes I've intentionally mostly tried avoid for those are so common on every other meal; mashed potatoes, french fries, crisps... Still, I guess I've eaten them relative often) ; ...Also I've regularly bought some exotic imported ”delicacies” like the avocados and cassava – and also consumed those usual (imported) fruits like the oranges, pears (and apples), lemon, grapefruit, water melon, banana...In fact, fresh fruits are very important to eat by somewhat. ; ...Of cabbages (and other veggies not yet mentioned) I've probably mostly used broccoli, celery, and swede (and asparagus, of course.) ; ...Various fungi also, every once in a while (Mushrooms mostly, but occasionally some other when available.)

Along with the sometimes bought ready-mades (mixed salads and vegetable stakes mostly) – those were about my main ingredients on dinners. Also pasta I've eaten quite often (w. pesto/bolognese sauce). When eating outdoors I've usually favored salad, more rarely veggie-pizza or soups. The Berries weren't yet that much available - but soon you can harvest of the blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries…

Sweets and other sugarines I don't count but likely I've eaten those relative much (but probably lot less than before beginning this.)

Black-Veined White

...And equally much a straight vegarian. Not too common species, but during flight time, on suitable places emergences sometimes in abundance. (Here on Meadow Crane's-bill.)

”Confezziones” 

 /...During this 'experiment of diets' – that I began from the mid of March - my only dietary exceptions were the following:

 On 9.5 ...I ate a one chicken leg (From my refrigerator and by the excuse from avoiding wasting the excess food. However, it tasted pretty awful.) 

14.5; I ate a batong sandwich (with ham) ...with the excuse from needing a pic of some meat-product to this post as comparables to veggies (Changed my mind from the 'decorations' later then...)

27.5; To offer myself English breakfast I made some from eggs, marmalade and two slices of bacon. (Tasted relative good...Although I had no beans or toasted bread at the moment to it)

14.6 ...Ate one cold sausage, with the excuse from avoiding any waste of foods. (Didn't taste very good, neither bad, just a...sausage.)

On 22.6 ...Ate left-overs from the grilled steak (Prepared for the Mid-Summer feast, and about half-eaten)

30.6 ..Ate a complete steak (of pork)...With the excuse from returning from quite exhaustive stays at the countrysides. (It tasted like typical service station food – Meaning, didn't taste much anything. Yet, as I was quite hungry it wasn't too bad...But not very recommendable either.)

...And soforth, that was about all of the foods and dinners at the Diary page 2 of the part-time vegarian. Final chapter shall (mostly) discuss from and about the ethics for vegetarian diet. I try to find some good exert to cite on begins of that...And no place for recipes this time, so the suggestion is to make some veggie-lasagne (I used for that some onion, swede, beets, fungi, chard + spices etc). The final part...about the harvest time, late August/ October perhaps.
Happy trails! ; [W-G.]