How to be a vegetarian? (And also, why to be one?)

[Aroura]

So, after becoming aware of a number of facts over the last few years, and most recently learning that animal husbandry causes more environmental damage than all of the planes trains and automobiles TOGETHER (and checking that fact, and finding it to be true), my family has decided, as a group, that we are going to be vegetarians.

LOL> you've been duped by Big Oil..how does it feel?

This isn't a huge leap, because we have slowly been reducing meat in our diets lately, but eliminating it entirely is still a big step to take.

We have 3 main reasons for doing this.  The Pros:
1. It is what is best for the health of the earth.
2. It is what is best for the health of ourselves.
3. It is what is best for the health of the animals in question.
4. I want my kid to have a future, for there to be a rainforest, fresh air and water, seas filled with life and not dead zones and plastic islands.  I want my kids kids kids kids, and so forth, to have the same.

1. Okay......I think that this is too nebulous to comment upon.
2. Not even remotely true, although it's completely true that most of us could eat a lot less meat, and different kinds of meat, and it would be much more healthy.
3. If, by health, you actually mean "extinction"...sure, I guess?
4. Your kid is going to have a future regardless, the rest...TBD, but it may be that meat production is the thing that ensures that your child has fresh air and water, seas filled with life.

Just a few years back, I was defending eating meat.  I know that humans have evolved to consume animals.  I grew up on a farm and helped kill and prepare chickens, turkeys, and even rabbits. But my views have changed over time, and I now look back on my old self as both ignorant and selfish.

Why...did your family engage in poor practice?  Describe their operation?

(mind you, I applaud your decision to make your dietary choices a focus in your life, and wonder what those consequences are.  Your vegetarianism hurts no one and is your own  decision....but these clams above...another story.)

You've been duped by a bunch of farmers, how does it feel?
Pretty was to make an insulting assertion. Ha!

Farm animals do not need to become extinct....just less populous. Vegetarians still need milk cows and egg laying hens, milk producing goats, etc. Thanks for the straw man though.

I'd like any example of how meat production could possibly be in any way responsible for ensuring clean air, water, and seas filled with life? That is like saying the way solve overfishing is to eat more fish.

I'm not trying to convince anyone else, but I find the immediate defensiveness of some people over my choice to be almost, but not quite amusing. I used to be the same way, so I get it.

Anyway, I was really looking for support for this lifestyle change, and sime new recipes. I should have known better.