Vegetarian experiment

So as some of you know, I've been experimenting with being a vegetarian over the last few weeks. The intent is to give it a go for a month and then see how I'm feeling and whether I'd like to carry on with it. For me, the trial is excluding fish, but I'm not going so far as to exclude rennet (I love cheese too much...). The main intent has been the unsustainable way meat is being produced and the impact that it has on our climate. We can't continue to cut down rainforests just so we can eat hamburgers.

The month is up this weekend and I have to say, I've actually really enjoyed it! We've definitely eaten a whole lot more vegetables - you plan the meal around the veges rather than the protein side of things I find - but it has helped that I do really like tofu and quorn. And while I know that the idea of quorn can be a bit icky (fungus cooked in large vats...mmm...not), it's actually really handy to have on hand. We've had two quorn meals - nachos and Thai red curry - but have always bumped them up with beans or mushrooms or something else. I haven't felt too tired or anything, but Adrian has noticed he's had to have a bit of steak occasionally because he's doing quite a bit of training at the moment (oh, and fyi, 1h32 and 12th place in the Winchester off-road half marathon yesterday - awesome!!).

I did have a slight faux pas moment when I ate a tuna sandwich offered to me without even thinking about it (my head was elsewhere), but as it was completely unintentional I'm giving myself a free pass for it!

So, do I think I'll continue? The main downside has been eating out. We went to a Vietnamese place in Chinatown and of the bazillions of choices, about two were vege and they were so disappointing. Another example, we were in a pub in Winchester yesterday and it was either a plain salad or a mushroom suet pudding. I'll just let the thought of what a mushroom suet pudding would look like sit with you for a second shall I?? (Needless to say we went elsewhere).

I think that the final conclusion is that while I won't buy any meat to eat at home anymore, and will actively look for the vegetarian option, if I really want to have a piece of salmon or some roast lamb when I'm out, then I will. I think reducing my meat consumption (albeit dramatically) rather than having none at all is the most sustainable option long-term for me.