Brand New Year, Same Old Me

Its that time of year when everyone is throwing away junk food and reaching for carrot sticks. It’s the nippy chilly time of year when people realize that a few carrot sticks will never take the place of a steaming hot bowl of chili. And so dies another resolution.

As for me, I really don’t have any idea about what I want to change about myself in the new year. I got Rosetta Stone software for Christmas, so hopefully this year I can resolve to learn Italian. I’m quite excited about that prospect actually.

Another thing I’ve been toying with is trying to cut back on my red meat intake. Long ago, in another life called college, one of my favorite people in the world went on a rampage against vegetarians. Dear Peyser went on and on about the people who become vegetarians to save the lives of cows. His point, and I do think that it was a valid one, was that there are more cows in the world when more people eat cow. It all comes down to simple supply and demand. If more people demand steaks and burgers, more cows will come into existence. I believe his actual quote was, “If you’re for cows, eat them!” He got himself pretty riled, hardly a record for him, what he didn’t go into is that the same principle holds for vegetarianism. The supply and demand of vegetables is a good thing. The more vegetables there are in the world, the better the place will be. That’s not objective, that is a fact. The more plants there are, the better the air quality, the better the planet. Period. So, If you’re for cows, eat them, but also if you’re for veggies and plants, eat them. Or so Peyser railed. Not really an earth shattering declaration but it has been in my mind more as 2008 opens its eyes and screams at the world.

The thing is, I think I’m not for cows. Cows are wonderful things, they produce milk that I enjoy on my cereal and they are a source of income for thousands of Americans. I do not think that any living thing should be extinct (the plight of the dodo still haunts me), but I’m not for cows. Cows also take up valuable space on the planet, too much rainforest has been cut down for grazing land, too much methane is going into my atmosphere. I don’t know how I can claim to be an environmentalist and still support such an industry.

I’m not saying that I never want a hamburger again, what I am saying is that, sometimes ground turkey works just as well. Sometimes beef isn’t necessary in my life. I truly enjoy Portobello mushrooms, and grilled they make a damn fine burger. Honestly.

Now, some people have scoffed at my little idea, some are sadly under the impression that vegetarians do not eat cheese and eggs. False. VEGANS do not eat cheese and eggs. Vegans don’t eat anything really. Vegans eat nothing that comes from the “enslavement” of animals. I will never give up cheese. Never. Even though it gives me stomach aches and makes me sick, I will eat cheese until I whither away. Cheese is good. So is milk, so are eggs. So is bacon! BUT, sometimes turkey bacon is good. Sometimes you have to say, I can eat fake bacon instead of putting one more nail into the coffin. Some things are bigger than your love of meat.

So that’s me. Lets see what 2008 really comes up with. 2007 was a big year, so heres hoping that 2008 can come up with a few curve balls.