I have talked about doing similar, and had a few aborted attempts over the last few years, but have recently enforced 'Meat free Monday' in our household.
Wifey gets anxious and uptight about it - even tho I opt to do the cooking on that night (yes and others too ). Funny thing is she was a "fish don't have any feelings" vego when we met. Er..
MFMonday is working well and wifey actually said to a friend at dinner the other night (as she passed over the roast beef ) that she "felt better and 'lighter' because of the one vego day a week". Imagine if it were 2 days a week (my next aim). "Steady there cowboy - let's not get crazy."
BTW - lunch is fair game and it is only the evening meal that is a no meat zone. When you stand back, it kinda seems ridiculous that it takes effort to think and act so that only one main meal a week is meat free. Says a lot I reckon.
I have always believed that eating a small (and I mean 1-2 small serves a week) amount of red meat and more fish (when affordable) with a vegetable based diet is the winning combo. I try to eat vego (he he - or swimming vego) during the day to balance a bit.
Unfortunately everything in our society is geared towards each meal being focused almost exclusively on what kind of meat we consume and the way it is prepared. The healthiest most neglected aspect (vegies, salad etc) are hastily shoved onto 30% of the plate for a bit of colour.
Meat is a bit like a drug, most folks feel short changed and like they missed a 'hit' when they actually have a meal without meat. Kinda like junk food addicts and Maccas etc.
Wrong philosophy I reckon and if as much effort was made with veggies - they might actually be desired as a main course. Which as the food pyramid shows is the ratio they should actually be.
I'm, not gonna judge carnies, vegos, vegans or any other combo - it's your body, so your choice.
What does surprise me is the resistance and indeed borderline hatred heavy meat eaters (that would be about 80% of the country) have for those that choose not to eat meat. It's like trying to actually take a bone away from a bull terrier. [}:)]Grrrr Grrr.. Territorial lot those carnivores.
BTW - the trick for meat eaters (like myself) to feeling 'full' on vego is to cook something a little stodgy at first. Gives you that 'My guts will be busy with that for a few days' feeling that we love. Last night it was risotto with fetta, fried pumpkin, peas n parmesan. Normally I have proscuito or bacon in there but what's not to love about risotto ect?
Give a night a week vego a shot - you might just like it.
Here's what can happen if you focus too much on a meat based diet. Apparently wifey suggested a quiche for tea.
I've learnt to temper my enthusiasm for the full blown meat diet given a couple of health scares, high blood pressure and a colesterol count that was through the roof.
Haven't cut out meat by any stretch, just moderated the amount eaten and not got too hung up if I have a meal that doesn't have meat in it.
The problem seemed to be the amount of processed meat and junk that was being eaten - along with the whole range of additives that is put in to make it extra tasty. Cut down on the foods that have additives and you are more than half way there. Of course exercise and cutting down on the booze helps as well.
I've had a few interesting meals though where the full blown vego / vegan sitting opposite has taken offence to others eating meat at the same table. To them I say (politely) "Get over it". You've made your choice let others make theirs.
Yeh Diver - i should have mentioned that some vegos and (it seems to me) a lot of the vegans get very snippy about other's choices and particularly meat consumed in the vacinity.
In fairness to have someone with barbequed meat opposite must be as offensive as someone smoking at the table.
Had a girlfriend who was vego - then vegan in the 80s. Vegan was a pain in the @rse. Boy she was hot tho. Worth the pain.
Vego / vegan girlfriends - all that repressed emotion through not having meat has to be let out somehow.
I was a veggie fr years n years through my teens and early 20's
Went back to the veggie diet with fish thrown in recently.
Am now back to eating a bit of chook.
I think a conscious approach to eating meat is the best.
a balance in your diet.
The only chook i eat is free range organic naturally fed from our local organic supplier. Heaps more expensive but no more man boobs for me, plus i eat it barely twice a week.
As for beef etc....nah not interested
Even the Mt barker free range chook tastes 300% better than McBoob brands. Have been chowing on it for years. The slightly higher expense is worth it for sure.