If you want to get technical, I am a lacto-ovo-pescetarian (which means I eat dairy, eggs and seafood), though I usually just tell people that I am a vegetarian with a weakness for sushi and French toast . True, I don’t go out of my way to eat dairy products and eggs; I certainly don’t avoid them either. It’s almost humorous if you think about how much importance is placed on food. So when Rosemary blogged about her experience , I had to tell my story :)

During my first few years of college I was a big advocate for animal rights. Don’t get me wrong, I am still passionate about the humane treatment of animals, I’ve just mellowed out a bit. I had a stage where I was really into dark-haired vegan/vegetarian musicians who encouraged me to join them at anti-meat rallies. And I admit, proudly, I have been to a fur protest or two in my day.

I met a boy named Kory who was vegan, political, and into punk rock. He even had a tattooed sleeve that invited any on-looker to intake his political stance on a variety of issues, and though “fascism” was spelled “facism” on the headstone of his tattooed graveyard scene, I thought he was beautiful and idealistic. Young and impressionable, I fell deep into folds and frustrations of teenage infatuation.

One night a group of us got together and on our way to our destination I felt a rumble in my stomach. I asked Kory to pull over at Taco Time and we went in and I got a veggie burrito. Mind you, I did not eat fish at this time in my life. I was “higher up on the vegetarian food chain,” nearer to Kory’s peak vegan position. Excited as I received my food, I remember taking those first few bites, sour cream and cheese goodness flooding my taste buds. My stomach was silenced and oddly enough, Kory was too. I remember gazing into his dark seductive eyes and nearing in for a kiss (I was infatuated, remember?). Just before our lips met Kory stopped me and asked if I could drink some water to get the “dairy taste” out my mouth. Offended and a little confused, that was the beginning of the end of our relationship.

I’ve done my research, and feel comfortable having an educated conversation about the pros and cons of meat and with anyone up for it. There is a wonderful book called Diet for a New America by John Robbins that gives plenty of information on many aspects of a vegetarian diet. There are also a variety of websites that can fill you in, my favorites are: chooseveg.com, vegan.org, and gentleworld.org. If anyone is interested in books on the issue I will gladly suggest some titles.

As long as the person I am dating respects what I choose to eat, I will do my best to respect their eating habits as well ;-)

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