Want to be a real vegetarian?
Posted on Dec 28th, 2006
by
Robert
We can all agree that the most common definition of vegetarian refers to someone who doesn't eat meat. But if we go a little deeper into the etymology of the word vegetarian and even vegetable we find: from Late Latin (c.300-700) vegetabilis "animating, enlivening" and further back Proto-Indo-European (~5500 yrs ago) weg- "to be strong, lively." So please allow me to go so far as to say that vegetable could be defined as "a lively food" and a vegetarian as "someone who is strong and lively."
It is one of my primary goals in life to find a diet that enables me to give my highest gifts for as long as possible. If my own experience and trusted research is proving that meat protein and fat can help me acheive this goal than I would like to say I want to be a vegetarian who eats meat.
My nutritionist Seth Braun of High Energy Health coaching gave me a copy of this life-changing cookbook bible: Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats.
It was edited by Sally Fallon, who is the head of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Weston Price traveled the world in the 20s and 30s studying the nutritional habits and dental structure of native and industrialized civilizations. The non-native cultures were found to have lower lifespans and dental degeneration while the native cultures were the opposite. The foundation website states: "Dr. Price's research demonstrated that humans achieve perfect physical form and perfect health generation after generation only when they consume nutrient-dense whole foods and the vital fat-soluble activators found exclusively in animal fats." The foundation continues to do research on the cause of heart disease, the dangers of soy, and the value of animal fat and lacto-fermented beverages.
I want to emphasize that this is not your average vegetarian cookbook. This is the result of decades of research about what keeps people healthy. This book cites resources that challenge the common notions that animal fat and red meat cause heart disease. According to the research: vegetable, soybean, canola, safflower, and similar oils should be avoided in favor of animal fat, olive oil, and tropical (coconut, palm) oils. The book descibes how and way native cultures throughout history have managed their diet.
It begins with a 70 page introduction describing in-depth what we all should know about fats, carbs, proteins, sugar, milk, etc. It will truly blow your mind. If you're skeptical, I will personally buy you a copy if promise to invite me over for dinner.
I chose to eat meat because, as physically demanding a life as I've chosen, I felt it was more responsible than being a lazy vegetarian who wouldn't get the nutrients I needed. As I walk the long path towards becoming the ideal practitioner I so often vision, I want to open myself to every possibility so I can find what will work best for now and every now to follow. This book offers a beautiful peak to aim for as I walk...

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ooooh, you did not just say that in Zaadz! I would love to read this book. I have been eating pescatarian with a few red meat indulgences for about 6 months and it seems to be working well. I would love to learn the nuance of various oils and fats i could add conscious effort to.
ILP, yeah you know me.
Nutrition is complex, and I don't doubt that some of the claims in this book are correct for some types.
But none of these arguments answers the ethical and environmental arguments for vegetarian diets.
case: “ooooh, you did not just say that in Zaadz! ” hilarious.
and, agreed, duff.
this line rocks, Robert: “It is one of my primary goals in life to find a diet that enables me to give my highest gifts for as long as possible.” Great post.
In seeking the ideal that works for each of us!
Actually the book does address the ethical and environmental arguments for vegetarian diets. I really liked the way she addresses these issues in a level headed manner (p. 29 discusses the spiritual aspect of vegetarianism and other sections address ethical treatment of animals and sustainability). The animals endorsed by this book and the WAPF are organic/pasture fed animals. Happy chickens make healthy eggs and meat. Happy cows make healthy milk. Happy cattle make healthy meat. Using corn and soy to feed this animals is barbaric and unhealthy for both them and US! That is one of the main problems. Corn subsidies need to END, so we can stop this insanity … okay, I could go on, but it's time for bed …