Vegetarian?

[Gemini]

I know we have at least 3 vegetarian members here.
Has anyone else been vegetarian at any stage, or vegan? Could you become vegetarian or vegan, or is it something you could never consider?

My eldest daughter became vegetarian aged 12. I remember thinking that if it had only been her and me, I would have joined her. In my heart I am vegetarian, but I'm not one. I eat meat and fish, not a lot of meat but I do eat it. I could easily be veggie, and if my partner or whoever I lived with was, I almost certainly would be.
Veganism is another matter. I love cheese and eggs, and butter on scones and toast I couldn't give those up. I have had some nice vegan meals as we have vegan in the family, but I couldn't eat like that all the time.

[Skye]

I have been a veggie for nearly 30 years now, my then teenage son started the trend (he's been an on-off veggie ever since) while I've never lapsed, mainly because it has become a way of life. I have been tempted to become a vegan, but love cheese too much, though my cheese has to be vegetarian, ie made with vegetable rennet (I've already gone off eggs and have almond or soya milk). But I hate preaching one way or other....

[ZIZI]

i don't mind eating veggie or vegan but really in my heart I am a meat eater. My favourite is chicken. In all honesty I don't think I could be vegan or veggie full time. I too love eggs, cheese and butter (dislike margarine intensely). Ben is turning out to be a pescatarian and that is fine. Anything he eats with gusto is a very definite bonus after all these years of pleading, begging and negotiation to get him to eat anything even half nutritious.

[MillieB]

My youngest daughter became vegetarian at age 12 too. I was still a meat eater then. My friends, who are vegetarians for health reasons, enrolled her in the junior vegetarian society and she received quarterly magazines. Having read the articles in these I decided to join my daughter in her diet choice. This was 27 years ago. My eldest daughter tried for a week but luncheon meat fritters were on the menu at school and she didn't stick to it!
My OH is aa steak man so has never been tempted to join us! When DD2 left to go to uni and her sister also left home everyone said that I wouldn't manage to keep cooking two different meals but I just got used to it. It is a lot easier now it is more acceptable. After I retired from teaching at 52, I worked at a vets and knew that I couldn't eat any living being but I still cook for my husband and friends.
I can cook more variety of vegetarian meals than meat now.

[Oma]

Never i couldnt do without my Bacon sandwiches , i love vegie meals and we have Vegetarians and Vegans in the family, my niece is a natural Vegetarian she is 42 and never ate meat from being a toddler just didnt like the taste or texture , My other niece was a Vegetarian for 12 yrs but eats fish now and chicken . The other niece who is Vegan is a nightmare to go to a restaurant with she asks what everything on the menu even Vegetarian options have in them then ends up after about 45 mins to just have steamed veg drives us all mad . What i dont like with our lot is when they come to our houses we do everything we can to cater for there dietry needs but if we go to there house they dont cater for us , i know thats not all Vegetarians as my neighbour is Vegie but most of her grown up family are meat eaters and she always makes meat meals for them

[Daisy]

I don't much like meat - neither the taste nor, more importantly, the texture which always seems like chewing on woollen blankets. However I really like liver, kidney and other offal and the texture is better. I eat a lot of fish but over the last few years I've tried to include meat a couple of times a week, mainly because it's a good way of getting iron and I have a problem with a form of anaemia.

[Plantaholic]

I very rarely eat meat apart from chicken but I could easily give that up but I do love fish and eggs

[Libra Gran]

I am afraid I like meat also,my favourite is roast beef but we eat a lot of chicken so versatile, casseroles/curries/ stir fry's etc.. I learnt recently through youngest DD that estranged son and his wife are vegans. They went to hers for Sunday lunch and she had to rustle up a vegan meal and dessert.She made a courgette cake which she said was delicious,Taren even asked for seconds although DD told her what was in it after she had eaten her 1st piece lol

[Nanto2girls]

No way could I become a vegetarian. I love all meats. Couldn't go without bacon sandwiches,roast meat,steaks or homemade pies, stews and casseroles. Beef,pork ,lamb and chicken all on the menu here.Also love cheese.

[Libra Gran]

Oooooooooooooooo cheese yum,the stinkier the better.

[Oma]

Only Cheese i eat is Brie or Philly, hate hard cheese although if its melted on toast or pizza or such like im ok with it

[Elisi]

Not veggie here either but do keep meat to about 4-5 times a week, fsih other then one day veggie. A balance really I hope. Rarely eat red meat.

[ZIZI]

I love stinky cheese as well. I like really strong cheddar, if it isn't strong it is it worth having. I am not that keen on Philly but use it in cooking. I tried the chocolate Philly and I know some thought it was wonderful but it just did not sit with me. I love blue veined cheeses especially the ones that go runny when warm and if husband is working a late shift I will happily devour a plate of plain water biscuits and various cheeses for dinner (I am rather lazy and do not cook for myself).

[Libra Gran]

Stilton,gorgonzola, Roquefort all yummy,even a good extra mature cheddar.Love em all.Both myself and my 2 sisters have inherited the love of cheese from our Father.

[Plantaholic]

I love cheese, a good cheddar, Brie and I know it isn't everyone's choice but I do like goats cheese