Vegetarian partners & family, Photoxpress
Speaking about our four legged family members and whether we should subject them to our decisions with vegetarianism in the previous article, Vegetarian pets, about the rest of our family?
When you are living with just one other person, whom we'll title here as your significant other, it's much easier to make your own decisions on what you'll eat without a huge impact on them, especially if they decide to be vegetarian with you. Although, in certain cases it can still take it's toll. Here's some issues you may want to familiarize yourself with.
Say for instance, they choose not take part in your vegetarianism. Just like in the previous article with buying dog food, would you still be okay with the notion that your household is in fact still supporting the meat industry, whether you specifically eat it or not? You also have to keep in mind that you'll be sharing your fridge and cabinets with meat products. A vegetarian friend told me her story of when she came home to her boyfriends traditional Irish dinner preparations of a seasoned sheep's heart in her fridge. She was fine with it, and many people are, just don't be alarmed with surprises in your fridge.
That brings us to shopping and stay at home meals. Especially when cooking together, the easiest way to limit your double meal making is to directly replace whatever meat is being used with an alternative substitute. Tempeh, tofu and often potatoes are among the easiest and quickest. Pretty soon a method will work out for the two of you, but cooking the meat options separate from the rest of the meal, then adding the protein before serving makes both a vegetarian and a meat maven happy.
As for shopping, make sure that you are both on good terms with what each other needs. Your meaty partner may not be familiar with fueling a continuous supply of tofu towards your fridge. If what seems obvious to you, is not to them, make sure to provide lists of grocery items needed. And vice versa for you. You may not know how to pick out a good looking beef tenderloin, or ask for pork chops in pounds, but if you want your partner to comprise, you will have to as well.
Then there's the consideration that you must have towards your significant other, or any of your friends and family for that matter. Often times meat eaters find it rather frustrating to have to eat with a veggie head (let alone someone with even more restrictions such as vegans, gluten-free, allergies, etc.). So know your options. When eating out, have a list on hand of restaurants that you're willing to eat at, and let them pick from there. Also, know how to order. Vegetarianism is quite common throughout the restaurant world today, and so you should be able to find something on the menu, but for such circumstances where they don't have that quesadilla overloaded with cheese, here's some pointers.
- Almost every restaurant has some sort of salad. it may not be exactly what you had in mind for your perfect dinner outing, but it will do.
- Furthermore, you shouldn't be expecting that perfect dinner outing (unless you're going to one of the restaurants on your list). Realize that since you basically decided to put yourself into the "special needs" category, it is an unfair request to make everyone in your party bend over backwards for you. Don't make four suffer when just one will do.
- Along with not expecting much, you may also have to succumb to the fact that you might in deed be eating that quesadilla filled with goddess only knows how much American cheese in a white flour tortilla. Unless you're the utmost health fanatic, just think of it more as a sinful delicacy you generally don't allow yourself. Again, sulking, moaning, sighs, rolls of the eye and/or anything in between makes you out to be a horrible dinner date. Only if the night is all about you (and even then there should still be some compromise) try to be a good sport, and enjoy the company of close friends and family.
- Remember that not all carnivores are going to like your wholesome, organic, avocado and sprouts restaurants. Make sure to have some well rounded options in your restaurant list. Pizza parlors are a great resource for all things veggie and meat, and most places will even split the pie into topping sides so you don't have to order two separate pies (unless you want to). Italian, Mexican, Indian, and most other Asian restaurants are also great sources for vegetarians that still adds plenty of options for your meatier friends.
Read more: Vegetarian morals part one, Vegetarian pets
And for a great how to story: Vegetarian love with an Omnivore by our SF Vegetarian Examiner
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