Blame it on Paul and Linda McCartney. Paul, as in the singer and songwriter with the Beatles and Linda, the photographer and singer with Wings. A fan of both bands, I became more enamored with them in the early 90s. I had been thinking about making a major change in my life for quite some time and when I saw the McCartneys grace the cover of a food magazine touting an Exclusive Interview with them including a few of Linda’s recipes, I read the article. Then I struck out on the long and winding road that led me to vegetarianism.
From my journal, January 3, 1991, Redondo Beach, California
“Last night was my birthday dinner at Barnaby’s and my last meat meal. Today is my first day of being a vegetarian! Made pasta sauce from scratch – tasty! Trying recipes from Linda McCartney’s Home Cooking…really am enjoying experimenting with new foods…”
The first reason I decided on a plant-based diet was compassion for animals. If you’ve ever had a pet, you know what it’s like to look into their sweet eyes and know they love you. I know that feeling well, as I come from a family of animal lovers. Often stray cats and dogs found their way into our home and into our hearts. My dad was the real softie when it came to pets, always persuading my mom to take them in. I recall caring for and enjoying their companionship. Yet, in time I learned that while some animals were considered pets, others were considered dinner.
As kids, my dad often took us to a farm where we became acquainted with all creatures great and small, especially the cows. We even named them. But we knew they weren’t pets because when we heard one had gone on to “greener pastures” we knew my dad would be coming home with her wrapped in white sheets of freezer paper. I remember my younger brother, Rich got really attached to one cow and when we sat down to dinner, he blurted out, “We’re eating Daisy!” Although I continued to be a meat eater, it did leave an impression on me.
Years later, I had my own “Daisy” moment while preparing chicken for a meal. The connection between what lay in front of me and the living breathing creature that once was, gave me pause. Why was I going to eat it? Because I always had? Although I understood that some animals were raised for food, I had no idea of the process they went through. I, like so many others, simply went to the grocery store and picked out cellophane wrapped meat, poultry, or fish on a Styrofoam container to take home and cook.
Another reason I took the vegetarian route was that I learned that eating meat destroyed precious resources, leading to topsoil erosion, depletion of ground water supplies, and killing off wildlife habitats to convert them into grazing lands. By eating a plant-based diet, I felt I was being a part of the solution, instead of the problem.
I also thought about my overall health. A little research on the benefits of forgoing meat pointed to less hypertension, lower rates of heart disease, and cancer. Knowing heart disease ran in my family, I thought I could up my chances of keeping my heart healthy by cutting out animal proteins.
From my journal: January 17, 1991, Redondo Beach, California
“I understand why it is hard to make changes in society, just from my own experiences with vegetarianism…Been meat-free for 14 days…it takes time and effort to shop and find foods for healthy well-balanced meals, not to mention having to cook many nights…Some people seem put off…this is a big commitment.”
Even though this was my decision to make, it affected all of my family and friends. Robert was supportive, which made it easier. However, I was a little nervous about telling his family who we got together for meals with at least twice a month. At a gathering in late January of that year, I told them my news. Their response? Lots of questions, but overall acceptance. Yay!
From my journal: February 25, 1991, Redondo Beach, California
“Paula sent Robert home with a huge basket of veggie foods for me! So thoughtful. More than this gift, I appreciate their support.”
Not everyone was as open to my new way of eating. My mom who has always been my #1 cheerleader, just said she hoped I wouldn’t get sick more often. But my dad, he was not keen on my choice at all. Having spent most of his younger years working on a farm, eating what you raised was just what you did. His reasoning was if it was good for him and the rest of our family, why wasn’t it good for me? Though I was twenty-nine years old at the time, my dad was still my dad. Though in time, he did come around. And five years after I gave up meat, Rich who had the Daisy epiphany twenty years earlier asked, “Do you really think being a vegetarian makes a difference?” I answered with a simple, “It makes a difference to me.”
I would continue on my vegetarian path for more than 21 years until a turn of events led me to change my mind, and ultimately, my direction.
A Journal Journey 