I think that I'll not exaggerate when I will say that here is the most important (for me) of my previous posts. Personal, because it deals with what is most important to me. Pleasant, because of theme - eating and illustrations - that is what tigers love the most :D Awaited, because the images, thoughts, photos were waiting for months in folders, drawers and in my head of its time.
And time - just before spring and fresh vegetable attack - is probably quite right. This post will be about my vegetarian world.
I'm not going to persuade anyone to stop eating meat - you must just feel ready for it. Many people ask me how, what, why - and then, after short conversation, they often saying: "Actually I could live without meat ..." These repeated questions - like the sight of colorful vegetables on the plate - were inspirations to create this post.
Although nearly seven years I do not eat any kind of meat (including fish), animal fats or gelatine, definitely I don't feel expert in this field. Going through periods of "junk vegefood", I still have a weakness for sweets (fortunately, I'm trying to make them by myself). I'm still learning, still recognize the new colors and flavors - in the kitchen, with a fork, and nearby the sheets of paper, grabbing a pencil. Exploring, tasting, creating - this is what connects two of the few most important things in my life - illustration and vegetarianism. And this is just the coolest! :)
Returning to the questions - the first four of them I hear most often, and the last two - often runs through the vegetarian world:
I don't think that cow, pig, hen or doe are worse than my little friend. And I know that it would be very hard for me to eat her... even if sometimes I wish to make it because she's such a sweet one ;)
Animals can amaze us with their wisdom and sensitivity. Acctually... where does this surprise came from? Are those features some kind of exclusiveness, reserved for human being? Other creatures also can feel, learn and create families - not from today.
Some people stop eating meat for health reasons, others - simply because they do not like it. Many people - including me - are choosing this for reasons that I described above.
What else? Tribute to any fruits, vegetables, seeds or groats means the raibow on my plate, which I just can't refuse to myself! :)
Yeah, right - how can you recognize a vegetarian? He loses his teeth on the street, he has no strenght to pic up the pen, and when he stands against white wall, he disappears like a cameleon ;) Well, vegetarians, which I know apparently are sneaking schnitzels when no one is watching, because they're looking really healthy :)
I don't mean to praising vegetarianism as a diet-miracle, which makes a man transformed, winged and generally unrecognizable. One thing that I must say - as a child I had a period of a "little sickly meat-eater", today I'm getting cold less (I do not know if vegetarianism is doing that, but even if it does not help here - it certainly does not harm), also I'm developing my culinary imagination, sensitivity to new flavors, and I do have more power than many people after eating sandwich with ham.
On veggies you really can survive - this diet can be unhealthy as any other, if you'll not think what you eat. And I think that the carrot which is a little bit faded is less damaging than the stale meat.
And, at last - the most important thing: vegetarianism it's not only about stop eating meat. First - it's about eating healthy.
Sometimes I'm answering: "you know, sand, grass, little concrete" (yes, I go sarcastic ;p), but really it's not so easy to answer for this question in two short sentences. The cook does not create his meals using only the meat - he can choose thousands of other ingredients that "we, no-meat-eaters" also can use freely. During combining them together, we can run the imagination... So when I'm hearing this question (and, surprisingly, I hear it quite often), I begin to wonder what can be the first mention:
Beets fried with oatmeal and honey? (1.)
Balls made of dried fruits, seeds and honey? (2.)
Carrot gingerbread sprinkled with minced almonds
(Well, how could I give up sweets ;>)? (3.)
Gazpacho, the chilled tomato soup with black olives and cucumber? (4.)
Gazpacho, the chilled tomato soup with black olives and cucumber? (4.)
Roasted peppers stuffed with Armenian paste made of bean and walnuts? (5.)
Dosens of salads, raw salads, creamy soups?
Or maybe precious fruits - as a snack or dessert?
Favourite curry lentils? Whole-wheat pasta with cheesy sauce and spinache? Carrot fried with honey and roasted sesamy? Oh, I'm getting lost ;p
1. Recipe - here:)
1. Recipe - here:)
2. Also here.
3. You can find the recipe on one of the sweetest blogs under the sun - Cioccolato Gatto.
3. You can find the recipe on one of the sweetest blogs under the sun - Cioccolato Gatto.
4. You can find many versions of gazpacho in internet. Find the best for you :)
5. For the first time I had the opportunity to eat this at the Armenian restaurant in Wroclaw. This simple dish tasted so good for me, that I decided to find the online recipe - and here is my version, modificated a little bit :) Since then it's a frequent guest at our table, last time - in the company of roasted peppers.
And at the end of this post - a little "bonus" - links for couple of interesting (not only vegetarian) things :)
And at the end of this post - a little "bonus" - links for couple of interesting (not only vegetarian) things :)
On one of the blogs that I like to follow (and it's called Mad Tea Party) this question has appeared between comments one time. The author of blog explained that after eating any kind of plant consumer (animal, man, any creature) can excrete seeds, and this can help them to spread - than plants would be able to continue to grow. Food plants gives life. Food animals - unfortunately, quite the contrary. And this argument makes sense;)
When you're pick the tomato from the bush you will not make the whole bush die in the sufferings. Eating an apple, you'll probably not make tree cry or be despaired. I think it will happen to a cow, when you take away her child and lead her to certain death.
When you're pick the tomato from the bush you will not make the whole bush die in the sufferings. Eating an apple, you'll probably not make tree cry or be despaired. I think it will happen to a cow, when you take away her child and lead her to certain death.
Vegetarianism is often associated with intricate, exotic dishes, the names "from the Moon" and the fruits that you can find only on the other end of the world ... Hence the fear of "whether I can afford it"? Yes, it's better to spare on something else than on food (of course, only if you know that you're not frittering it) - and quality costs. But seasonal fruits, vegetables and other delicies like that, which are available at each market are often enough treats! A meat, contrary to appearances, also is not cheap - unless you want to eat the one with good quality.
It don't have to be difficult - base plus add-ons is a good recipe - not only in fashion but also in the kitchen ;) Here can be useful: a small collection of jars with spices ...
...herbs...
... grains and groats, which - combined with vegetables, fruit, honey and other ingredients - can bring real specialties.
I think that (regardless of whether scathing or not) is a good question. It would not be wrong if every vegetarian ask himself this question at least once (and some of them - even regular ;).
At first this post was supposed to be just the answer to that last question - but during the months spent in the kitchen;), with cards and aquarells, with reading wonderful culinary blogs and other sources of inspiration it grew, as you can see :D And for this question I can only answer for myself:
I do not think that vegetarianism is always about being better or worse. There are people who - though they eat meat - they have so much patience, love and kindness that I could learn from them all days. But I do think that vegetarianism can make the world better place to live.
I really don't like the attitude of vegetarians who at every turn emphasize their superiority, by the way calling other murderers. And now will be something for those who are already sitting in vegetarianism, but still are not cool down after the "rejection of chops". Dear Vegetarian:
Ok, so you don't eat meat. You wearing a "go vegetarian" tee, eco-bag with Mother Earth on top. You liked thounsand eco-bio Facebook sites - and that's a lot. Jumping all over others, that they showing themselves on the street with hot-dogs or gummibears - that's enough. It can rather make the opposite effect, and mix of those "ingredients" can make people to recognize you rather as a vege-hipster than as truthsworthy animal lover and righteous carrot eater.
Do not wrap around the bush - vegetarianism helps you feel better man. We can feel that we are doing something for the world - and even if it is a drop in the ocean, then drop to the drop - could do a lot. Such an attitude can be dangerous to flatter your ego, p
If we think that eating without meat can be something natural for us, why should we treat it as something extraordinary? Better to simply treat a tasty dinner and show that it really works ;)
At first this post was supposed to be just the answer to that last question - but during the months spent in the kitchen;), with cards and aquarells, with reading wonderful culinary blogs and other sources of inspiration it grew, as you can see :D And for this question I can only answer for myself:
I do not think that vegetarianism is always about being better or worse. There are people who - though they eat meat - they have so much patience, love and kindness that I could learn from them all days. But I do think that vegetarianism can make the world better place to live.
I really don't like the attitude of vegetarians who at every turn emphasize their superiority, by the way calling other murderers. And now will be something for those who are already sitting in vegetarianism, but still are not cool down after the "rejection of chops". Dear Vegetarian:
Ok, so you don't eat meat. You wearing a "go vegetarian" tee, eco-bag with Mother Earth on top. You liked thounsand eco-bio Facebook sites - and that's a lot. Jumping all over others, that they showing themselves on the street with hot-dogs or gummibears - that's enough. It can rather make the opposite effect, and mix of those "ingredients" can make people to recognize you rather as a vege-hipster than as truthsworthy animal lover and righteous carrot eater.
Do not wrap around the bush - vegetarianism helps you feel better man. We can feel that we are doing something for the world - and even if it is a drop in the ocean, then drop to the drop - could do a lot. Such an attitude can be dangerous to flatter your ego, p
If we think that eating without meat can be something natural for us, why should we treat it as something extraordinary? Better to simply treat a tasty dinner and show that it really works ;)
Comments, stories, reflections and curiosities - not only from vegetarians, of course - welcome ;)
----> HERE'S THE BONUS! :)
