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

”I remember how, with pride from his originality,an Evangelical preacher, who was attacking monastic ascetism, once said to me, 'Ours is not a Christianity of fasting and privations, but of beefsteaks.'  Christianity, or virtue in general - and beefsteaks!" - Tolstoy; The First Step (Preface to the Russian transl. from the The Ethics of Diet, book by Howard Williams,1883)

”In a way all living things must be contentious. Reproductive capacities are such that any species, reproducing freely, can in short order outrun it's food supply, however plentiful.” - Asimov (Extraterrestrial civilizations, 1980)

Often the best choices are made accidentally. This ”vegetarian” diet-experiment (of mine), lasted from 15.3 until 15.9. I now consider it some of the most advantageous life-style choice I've maintained, lately or recently. 

 

This final part mostly discusses the ethical arguments favoring the vegetarian diet. Naturally it little touches the issues from and about meat production system/animal farming. But, mainly aims consist from thoughts having arised or provoked by this practical experiment (of mine) and also contemplates the various benefits of the vegetarian diet. (Some afterthoughts et similar, but I also try say smtgh on a more general level.)

 ...Along these 'part-vegerian' thoughts here's some examplary plant for pics. Many garden and wild plant are known of their great many uses as healing aids, improving health and on various other purposes throughout human history. Yet, we nowadays surprisingly little find use of them on anything like that. On the other hand there's nowadays variety from imported (so called) super-seeds, -berries, et other stuffs lots advertised and resultatively, often expensive.  - What comes for the plant - wild plants especially, but as well various of the cultivated - one should very well know their properties and looks (at medicinal uses in particular), because renownly some are very poisonic, etc. ...As for some "rule of the thumb", when using any plant one should never take very large amounts, or use some plant for too any extended periods at once. (Also, in short at any slightest uncertainty, always appears preferable consult some medicinalist or other source first.) 
The few exemplary plants here selected are generally known of no harmful side-effects, but noticeable fx some people can be allergic to pollen of flowers, or even for other substances of any particular plant(s). ...Also matters from where the usable plants/herbs are collected, for the ground can contain various toxic, or chemicals, that can end up at the plant. So, know your plants and the places where those picked from. All these - of course - are rather common, easily recognizable species growing/cultivated most anyplace from N.Europes. 
 

 (Pic left) - Mint (Menthe) - There's also wild species of mint, but garden varieties have the stronger aroma (also, there's nowadays hybrids in the natural environment). Commonly used as herb tea due it's good properties (and mentol-oils as soothing aid to coughs, ao) However, the fresh leaves should only be used before the plant blooms. - Also, by chance caterpillars from Rusty Tussock Moth (Antiqua orgyia), can be found from mint leafs...and the other butterfly-species, too.

 

(Pic below) - Calendula appears some of most often recommended garden plants for it's wide variety of uses (Plant originates perhaps from Mid East/Near Asia; Anyway, it was widely cultivated on Europe already on antique.)...The ray florets can be made for some gargling water, but I've few times infused that for tea too; Seems have some effect for preventing colds (When used seldom, not continuosly.) Fresh ray florets are also usable treating skin conditions...and, in the pasts the plant even was believed from magical powers due it's many healthy properties. (As some additional benefit, at garden it also helps repel off pests.)

Garden Marigold (Calendula Officinalis)

Since what presented on recent part at this serie, my few exceptions of the formerly described 'part-vegetarian diet', were only the following: On 15.7, ate half an oven sausage (w. the excuse from avoiding w-o-f), 2.8 ate a couple Frankfurter sausages (of no particular reason), 7.8 ate couple meatballs (Of my own cooking, and just for tastes; Must say them were pretty good), 15.8 ate a one slice of bacon, from no particular reasons, whatsoever.) ...After this half a year-experiment (of mine) I've occasionally eaten meat; Not daily, if fish included probably about every other day (Chicken mostly.) Pieces of cold cuts on bread (ham, liver sausages) perhaps more often. Since that mid-September I've also practically eaten not soya, eggs also somewhat less often.

Of the citates on begins of this, first is via pages from International Vegetarian Society (there's also other authoritative/historical personnels having favored the diets against animal eating, view their pages if wish.) The cited words (by Tolstoy) are from a piece of classic vegetarian texts, it contains the main essence of the vegetarian ethics. The abstainment from eating meat also appears abstainment from the killing; Production of the animal foods, whether or not one cares to think about that, always has involved performance of that mentioned act. (The book from which the cite, is sort of a vegarian 'bible', at least acc. some.) ...The other cite (Asimov) is here only due because it serves for me to enlargen this topic a little. I've often read a parables (from various books) about how some alien visitor, having stopped to observe our planet and human societies, would perhaps mainly recognize characteristic to us our uses of any resources at Earth for our own benefits (includes various animal species). That 'visitor' would then soon find us for an immoral race, also morally inferior, and probably just head for the better planet. (An imaginous comparison, but the question from human population numbers exceeding planets capacity well beyond it's limits, appears some amongst largest problems usually assumed overshadow/grow along with other development during the 21^st century.)

Plantago major

(To the right) - Common Plantain (Plantago major) ...it's leafs are renown as efficient first aid for small wounds. One can also prepare herb tea from those; Usable at flu's (and also coughs, throat infections, etc.) ...The Ribwort Plantain seems actually a more commonly used plant at herbal medicines. But the regular Plantain is far more common and it grows on most every place where there's damped grounds. ...The reason why the indigenous americans even used call Plantain by name the 'Englishman's foot'.

...Along his contemplations, or discussion from the vegetarian ethics, Tolstoy fx makes a visit for slaughterhouses, pays attention to how cruel is the treatment of animals and recommends fasting as the path for any virtous life. To summarize his views (very briefly) what's uniform or typical to all men – fx you and me, means the women as well, of course - is gluttony. Acc. Tolstoy immorality of the meat-eating is tied for our usual habits and attitudes about eating (...he refers at that for the rich classes behaviours of his own times and also relates the question by some part for the inequalities at society. But actually, read the referred text by yourself to have a better understanding.) He also makes a point about how hypocrite all those described behaviours appear in the light of any Christian belief. 
 

...Myself I don't fx consider fasting of any similar importance, even if one wishes think for the development of a moral feeling on humans. Feels to me - probably is more easy think so - that maintaining mostly vegetarian diet can practically take care of the same. However, I fx find quite much truth on his words about those usual hypocricies of the eating and how we often pretend being so virtuous, while in the same enjoying dinners purely because from pleasure of eating (and all that maintained at the cost of animal life). Basically, like Tolstoy, I find (the habitual meat-eating, without necessity) a practice that actually flourishes, more or less, against all the dominating principles of the basic Christian beliefs. 

 

On that sense - seems to me - the modern Christendom is in many ways quite a contradictive religion of it's moral and values; Or, probably better said, from that view-point it's among most ambigious belief-systems I know about (There's many religions that fx limit the uses of animal by some varying regulations, ao...But, with this I don't mean to say that I'd find other religious beliefs – or anything else, by the way - necessary more virtuous when compared for Christianity. Acc. my opinion, there's lot of good in the Christianity. Also, all people must have freedom from decide about their own beliefs and you can't judge any opinion basing to some single aspect like this. There's also quite many values that most credible beliefs share; Like fx abstainment from the use of violence.) However, any saying/arguing that there would be any moral grounds permitting us (the humans), as some higher or morally advanced species taking benefit of the sufferings of other species (ie animals) for to provide us some 'luxurious' dinners, is indeed just some crap of the same. There's a place for relative ethics on many aspects at life, but not on this. Naturally (probably needles say), I don't mean by this (sentence) that there wouldn't be a lots of difference if the animal is slaughtered for foods to feed many, than if the same happens just for benefit of a few. In short, it's actually quite educative little thinking that question concerning our (prevailing) human behaviours, that aspect about gluttony in particular.

(Right below -) The White Dead-Nettles (Lamium Album)
...A lot resembles the Nettles (but it's leaves don't stinge). Dead-Nettles, however, has white flowerings (those not visible in the pic, for the plant wasn't yet flowering). Tea made of flowers is recommended fx on stomach and digestive complaints. (Seems it also said help as some natural sedative and sleep aid too.)

Lamium Album

...Then, on the other hand, must say that physically I'm just not quite so convinced than on basis of these weighty ethical arguments. From this experiment of mine I noticed that one can well get along with a multi-sided diet containing fx eggs and milk and no meat (Not to make any falsifications, I also ate regularly some fish or similar.) Certainly does require somewhat more discipline sustaining w. the vegetable-oriented food - Probably the main reason why that 'First step' (on moral progress) of humanity, so finely imagined by Tolstoy, is yet quite far from realization in practice. As I also liking from keep myself in some condition (relative much jogging, biking, etc), I think it's probably fair to say that if not eating meat at all, acquiring all the necessary nutrients requires likely more carefully balanced diet. (I also noticed that it's perhaps more complicated trying maintain some 'middle-ground' diet. Probably there's also lots variation between different people, or at least somewhat, we are generally quite varying of the physical structure. ) 
This is some relationism, as you might correctly point out, but anyway I also don't consider that any healthy adult would have practical necessity for eating meats more often than perhaps on 1-2 days per week. If doing much physical work perhaps a bit more often. And I even say – contrary to my some former words – that for the older peoples as well it might appear useful to eat meat, sometimes. But I'm also not saying that anyone, if they wish and find that preferable, couldn't do just as well without.

If one then wishes compare human biology/diets for some favored by our close relates, there's actually much interesting aspects. Chimps, the most closely related from primates to us, mostly eat plant and fruit, but some meat too (...likely contains mostly of larvae and termites, but occasionally smaller animals). Gorilla, the largest living primate (-species), and one that has largest body-mass, practically eats just the plant matter (roots and leafs, acc. my understanding). Anatomically nearest human-like species of apes, Orangutan (or better said proportionally; It has average weight almost the same as humans, from males 60-90 kg) maintains a varied diet largely consisting of the fruits...and fx leaf. (Also it's mentioned to eat fx bird eggs, casually. Yet, significantly most part from what it feeds is fruit.). Then, from the species relative close to human lineage, fx Baboons - socially quite human resembling species - are most carnivorous from primates. To the contrary, Gibbons - most flexible climbers from all apes, and, also species quite close to humans - eat only fruit, leaf, flowers. What comes for the smaller existent primates/monkeys, diets probably vary lot, actually them are (probably) even more diverse. On any case, the larger part from the animal species on their 'natural' condition and environment(s) maintain rather strictly ordered diets. Fx,  there's species from monkeys (and other animals) that almost solely feed on trees leaves. And, there's some that eat (mostly) the insects and small invertebrates. Also, of all the (primates) their dietary practices likely aren't too precisely known, fx about the Chimps (social) practice of hunting smaller prey animals it wasn't known before about 1960s (For them weren't observed at their natural environments prior Jane Goodall's studies).

...Humans, quite clearly, are some from the most omnivorous of mammalians (personally I can only think of the squirrel for a good comparison...). Sometimes described been a factor having guaranteed our great success in the pasts. Yet, nothing from the above said (at this paragraph) tells much about the human dietary needs presently, for almost exclusively (we) humans live today on artificially built societies. So, I don't think vegetarism similarly argumentable on the evolutionary basis than it (clearly) is on ethical basis, but as we live on modern civilizations there isn't much real grounds for actual comparisons for our related primates either. Saying that humans (probably) wouldn't have evolved at least some biological dependency towards meat-eating would be incorrect; But, would appear equally false saying that we'd have any biological necessity to that.

...And that's basically most of it, or whatsoever I learned of my experiment. Or what level my 'moral progress' towards a vegarian diet was at this particular time from my life. I don't consider it too likely I'd completely quit eating meats in the future, but wouldn't appear unthinkable to me either; Seems at least proven that for a regular consumer (average paid, living on developed societies) maintaining a healthier and environmentally significant less stressing diet appears not any difficulty. And, there's also a point-of-view that when I go for the shops and grab a packet of minced meats, I usually tend glance at the other varieties of meat available to customers w. more 'carnivorous' diets... And I just can't avoid from now feeling some inherent dislike. 

 (Below) ;  Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) - Rowan-berries make most helthysome accompanient to diet (acc. my finding; fx them contain lot C-vitamin.) As they also are quite acidic the berries have to be precooked for juice, or marmalade (of the latter, see fx from our recipe-posts.) ...Rowan grows, possibly, more sparsely/only at higher altitudes on Mid-Europe, but at Fennoscandia it's very common and there's copses of Rowan often on mixed forests.
 

Sorbus aucuparia (Berries)

But, as I'm only talking from a relative brief period of experience, I'm only saying that people shouldn't too easily pass the ethical argument presented; Tolstoyan view for this. In particular considering how much actual waste - resources, lives, time – contains that 'modern' meat-production system. (...And, of waters - fx, seems that globally most water-consuming agricultural trade-product is - the beef.). So, my suggestion is that absolutism is not the word, but eating better – less of the meats – certainly is. ; [W-G.]

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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.]

From Diary Pages of the Part-Time Vegetarian (Part I)

”The Soul gets the better of the body,
after wasting illness or when a vegetable diet
may have mingled too much ether in the blood.

Vapors then rise up to the brain
and take the shapes that often image falsehood,
but sometimes truth.”

- The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1852)

Was briefly referred on our earlier post, that I was planning some vegetarian diet. Now that I've been (mostly) on veggies for some Months, I'll here makes some series of (short) commentaries from experiences and feelings arised from that.  (You might notice that I'm not following any too strickt vegetarian order, fx I'm eating fish, eggs and milk-products by somewhat. Actually I've only decided to exclude – almost completely – the poultry and meats of my dietary choices. Also due because I was in the Spring exercising relative much, I've not tried to keep this 'experiment' at too absolute. But so far I've actually kept stricktly on this partial vegetarism.)

My motives  to try this kind of diets were mostly ideological, intentional avoidance of the unhealthy foods and - as much as that is possible - avoid the (so called) factorized foods of that 'meat-chain'. Also this was practical choice; Veggies make easy preparable (and cheap) choices as foods. Principal reasons maybe also from the ecological motives, but then this is also a philosophical experiment; 'To eat better is to lead a better life', to loan a most compact and simple statement on this (a phrase, So to say...) However, I've not intentions of complete changing to vegetarianism – even considering the formerly discussed points-of-views of domesticated animals and foods production (I guess I'm just not that motivated, So to say...) But it doesn't seem too unthinkable to limit my consumption of red meats et similar for a period of time. I didn't eat those too much even earlier, but I've not before much tried any vegan diets either.
(Also, it's perhaps noticeable that for anyone like me, living in the developed societies, this is rather easily maintained diets; Significance of it arises just from the fact that we don't have any actual lack of foods here. Wouldn't consider anything like this at the different circumstances. So, this also has ethical motive.)

At this and some later posts I – sort of – try representing some impressions about my physical and mental impressions in during this 'diet' (I plan it to last until the  Autumn.) Brief observations based on this dietary experiment; the feelings, dislikes, or whatever...
Sort of putting at the practice some bad old methods of the behavioral sciences (past 'sect' on the psychology, et similar...), but – instead of observing some guinea pigs – turning that careful scientific watching eye for to observe myself. As you can see, actually this makes just some plain science. (When with the term science is meant solely some empirical methods and results of the lab tests, mostly). However, I'm going on this experiment without laying the consequences  for anyone else's carrying...As for some difference of the favored practice here at the MSW.

...Now, on basis of the preceding paragraph(s) you might think that I'd be considering this for some burden or obstacle, but the truth is quite contrary. Of course, the vegatarism isn't any manner exceptional or rare any more, these days. Most (sensible) people probably think that as much common place as any other habits or everyday choices people do make. Nowadays it's possible, at least on many places/restaurants,  to choose from the vegetarian alternative and also appears (almost) as regular phenomenom like some typical hobbies, (fx jogging, snobbing, diving) – So to say.
Then; On the other hand there's often those everlasting discussions about the pros and cons of veganism (versus meat-rich diets). ...And that claimed necessity or unnecessity of the regular consumption of animal proteins (on human diets). So: If just find the following some bore of the same, part of that never-ending discussion, you can simply bypass these rhetoric questions that I'm asking here from myself at the following. (You can bet your shirt that I'm not trying to claim myself having any neutral opinion about this; You can actually decide from that by yourself on basis our former writings of the foods, meats, etc...)

In during this (partly) vegarian diet, have I felt any weakness or lack of strenght, since I having left the meats out of my foods?

No, not at all. More like I've felt feeling better and healthier of physical condition. Have felt – So to say – more from that 'Lightness of being' (to loan a phrase from name of that popular book by  Milan Kundera. This lightness hasn't felt any manner unbearable, however.) Generally, it feels to me also that eating (somewhat) lighter makes you feel also more optimistic, or smtgh like that...

Have I felt some eagerness to have some meat; Or have I felt any continuous hunger or need to have some meat to chew?

Answer to this also no, not at all. Actually, I've felt very increased dislike towards any meats. I'd say, that on begins of this I was perhaps a bit concerned if was I eating enough, especially from the proteins part, etc. Yet, soon after my body seems been accustomed to this (partial) vegetarism and now I feel no taste for any red meats at all. Of course, like you might be reminded, I've maintained quite much comparables on my diet (fish, schrimps, soya, ...). ...But, I think that the argument from that (claimed) desperate need for animal meat is just a false propaganda of the foods and slaughterhouses industries...So to say. Simply crap. (Some H*******t, so to say.).

And, have I felt any aches or pains on my body parts during this experiment of mine?

Oddly, this is the only question for which the answer is yes (at least slightly). Reasons why are not quite clear to me. Possibly, it may be due from that I've certainly exercised lot more in during the Spring-time than I would in the Summers, so it's maybe just some little aches on my old bones from that...And, I've come to a conclusion that it's at least sensible avoid too heavy exercise at this kind of diet. It hasn't prevented me from going on my regular joggings and skiing (...but everyone possibly has one's own best suitable amounts of the physical stress, found by trial and error, so to say.)  But, if you continuously do some heavier physical task/works I wouldn't propably recommend from complete abstainment of the animal foods part.

...But I guess, I'll have to let the time show if this latter rhetoric question has any relation for my vegetable diets. 

...Partly related to aspects on above paragraphs (perhaps) is the issue from necessity of milk-products on human diets. However,  it can't be blamed of these (little) 'pains and aches' on my case, for so far I've also consumed milk quite regularly - About  acc. the adviced amounts by Health Department (or whatever the name of the official...), couple glasses a day at least (and/or cheese and yoghurt). ...Finally, whatever might be the truth about that Osteoporosis, mentioned for an increased disease on Western societies, fx Saffran Foer on that book of his seems say that there's actually most osteoporosis at countries of world where people eat most milk-products. But I've not any clear opinion or view from that...

All things said for this time, but this seem leave not any place for food favorites  on this part. So, I'll just mention having 'traded' those meat products for to eat (ao foods) quite much of the seeds and nuts (all kinds of.) Also, during summers I plan to eat more berries and fruits, along w. other vegetarian food.  
- A good morning/evening 'snack' I did find from some mag: Pour together some Sunflower seeds, Peanut-/Cashew-Nuts, Flax seeds, Sesame seeds, and crush them together. Then mix that to some Soya-yoghurt and enjoy for breakfast. (There's nowadays lot of these soya-products on sales at the market. Some I've noticed quite eatable, some are just simply awful acc. my tastes. If not following an exclusive vegarian diet, it's not necessary use soya on this and that can be replaced for some natural yoghurt, if wish.)

(END OF DIARY PAGE ONE.)