Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax

Flexitarianism

Flexitarian: noun, a vegetarian who occasionally eats meat. (from the American Dialect Society.)

I'd have thought such a person would be called "not a vegetarian." That's what I am...not a vegetarian. I do frequently eat meatless meals; in fact, decreasing meat has been a goal of mine for the last couple of years. My sister referred to me as a semi-vegetarian, which is just as silly...wouldn't everyone who ate any vegetables fit into that category? And the labels make it sound like the opposite of vegetarian is one who eats only meat. (I was going to suggest that such a diet would be impossible, but perhaps with Atkins...)

Apparently we occasional eaters of meals without meat are a growing trend, so we needed a name.

I respect vegetarians. I have several friends and a couple of family members who adhere to vegetarian diets (a couple of them are even vegan) and it can be difficult for them. Seeing them making meals out of bread and tossed salad has made me much more aware of having other protein options available any time I'm planning anything with food.

And, well...I'm the kind of person who will drive six hours to adopt a rat so he doesn't end up as snake food. I do feel kinda hypocritical about eating a hamburger. I do buy "natural" meat...those cows were happy, by God, 'til slaughter day!...except of course in restaurants, or when Buddig lunchmeat is on sale four packs for a dollar. And if I had to kill my own cows, it'd be nothing but gardenburgers.

Using that logic, I should be a vegetarian. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

You can call me a flexitarian, but really, I'm just wishy-washy.

Posted by Nic at March 17, 2004 07:25 PM | TrackBack