I’m eating meat again
Unfortunately, I am starting to eat a little meat again. It’s been 6 years since I became a pescatarian, i.e vegetarian, but eat seafood.
Actually, I tell a lie, I’m my own definition. I also eat kangaroo or wild animals. I confuse the crap out of people when I explain my eating choices. Most people think vegetarians choose that path because of animal cruelty. I chose it for health reasons and because of the impact farming has on the environment, hence the eating of the wild animals. See they don’t use a shit load of grain or water to cultivate their meat.
BUT, since having to embrace a gluten free diet, I am totally struggling with a vegetarian and gluten-free diet. I am completely fine when I am in my own kitchen.The problem is, I have a lifestyle that takes me away from my own kitchen a LOT!
I had my first bit of chicken a few weeks ago at a friends 40th. I was totally starving (and getting way to drunk on my empty stomach) It’s amazing how many chefs and caterers don’t understand that vegetarians can also be gluten free. Generally, it’s either one or the other. When the chicken wings went by me, it was far too much temptation. I grabbed one and ate it.
It happens at almost every party or event I go to. Even on hosted famils, I’ve gone all day without food because I’m a fussy gluten-free vegetarian. Imagine if I stuck to also being dairy-free and sugar-free. I’m getting so sick of it that I’m just succumbing to the fact, I have to eat meat every now and then.
This road trip is proving to be more than a little tricky. The other night, I had chicken and then sausages, purely because in the local supermarkets, there were no other choices for me. No kangaroo, no vegetarian gluten-free sausages, or fish.
I’m kinda fed up trying to feed my children vegetarian as well. Kalyra is pretty good, but Savannah doesn’t want to eat anything. I gave her a chicken nugget the other day and she loved it. What do you do?
So, I am only going to eat it when I have no other choice, and no more than once a week, if that. To be honest, I really don’t like the taste of meat. After every bite, it feels fatty, and quite tasteless.
You cannot get more variety or flavour than with a vegetarian based diet. Meat often seems like a pointless addition. It only becomes a point, when you’re starving and have no other choices.
Comments
Paleo Cafe
Hi Caz, we’ve got new locations opening around the country (hopefully Mornington Peninsula will be open by the time you get to Victoria, it’s slated for the last couple of weeks of November) and have Adelaide, Perth & a few other locations in the works for late 2013/early 2014 so hopefully we can follow you around a little bit and help you out because as you know everything on our menu is gluten free (and there are vegetarian options).
Caz Makepeace
That is exciting news. I so love your cafe. We will be in Mornington in Dec/Jan so that is perfect.. And the other locations will fit too. How exciting for you! So glad to hear how well it is going for you. The more it spreads the better, as options are so limited and I love to eat out! Thank you
Meghann
Hi Caz! It’s Meghann here, the owner of Paleo Cafe Mornington Peninsula. Part of the reason we’ve taken on this business is because as parents of young kids, we were constantly frustrated with options for eating out. Please do send me an email when you’re heading my way. I’d love to meet you!
Caz Makepeace
For sure Meghann, cannot wait to come visit the cafe, and have my children appreciate healthy food that tastes good!
Leigh
Traveling with a specific diet can be really difficult. It seems to me that ultimately you (me, everyone) has to do what works best for your health, yourself and your family. If you’re not feeling well or your kid is hungry, it makes travel really unpleasant.
It’s great that you’re able to look at your life and prioritize based on where you are now and not on an ideal that doesn’t necessarily fit at the moment.
Caz Makepeace
That is so true. I just have to let go of my disappointment and a sense of guilt or failure that I couldn’t stick with it. But, my health and well being is more important. I really don’t like to be hungry 🙂
Leigh
I find feeling a bit of guilt and worrying that we’re disappointing ourselves and others goes hand in hand with being a mom. I know it does for me. From my perspective, you’re doing really well. Eating a bit of meat doesn’t change that in the least. 🙂
Caz Makepeace
Ah yes Mother’s guilt is a killer. I think often as to how we can make it vanish, then I just accept that it’s part of the job and probably never will.
Johanna
It is so difficult isn’t it Caz, when you’re on the road to stick to your normal diet. I only said that to Dave the other day when we’d been away for a few days, and I came home feeling sluggish and bloated, all because of my diet. Definitely gluten, particularly bread is a stumbling block for me, I love it, but it hates me – and when you’re out, there is always So Much bread on menus. Like you, I’m often starving because we are more active when we’re away from home, so then chips or wedges sound great to fill the gap! Poor tummy. I’ve found out that for my blood group, I should be eating meat and more protein, so I’m going to up the chicken, fish, and Tofu and try and stay away from grains. Wish there was a Paleo cafe in our neck of the woods.
Caz Makepeace
It’s so so hard. We passed through a small town yesterday where the bakery didn’t even know what gluten free bread was. Shocker!! It’s amazing how different you feel after getting off the grains. You’ll love the Paleo Cafe when it opens in Perth, it’s so awesome
Val
I am sure you are still being true to yourself. You will eat your familiar ways when you can and you will embrace those places you travel to which enable you to be satisfied like you once were. In the meantime, no need to be regretful or even to explain why you are eating meat once again, no one would think of judging you on that. Perhaps enjoy it while you can? There will be lots of sustainable farms you may encounter and you can enjoy he best of what Australia has to offer. As for kids….feed them whatever keeps them quiet! Enjoy!
Caz Makepeace
The only problem is if I’m going to eat meat again, I really want to have a meat pie, but I can’t because it’s full of gluten!!! Cruel twist of fate
MrsCeeeCeee
I started eating meat again last year after a big healths scare where my iron levels dropped off the radar.
I don’t particularly enjoy it (it’s a taste thing rather than a statement) but I do what I need to for my body. Sometimes, you just have to go with what’s best for you at the time…xxx
Caz Makepeace
At least now I don’t have to listen to my doctor’s lectures about iron levels!! I’d get it every time I visited.