I would like to clear something up for my omnivorous friends - vegetarianism is not a dirty word. In the four years since I made the decision to go "veg," I've encountered people who are confused, suspicious and occasionally openly hostile to the idea of removing meat from my diet.
As a service to the community, I'd like to let you in on a few secrets known to us herbivores, because I have a dream that someday, people who eat meat and people who don't will be able to go to the same restaurant and enjoy their meals peacefully.
1. Vegetarians can read the menu. And given that your average Applebee's or Chili's has two to three veggie options, it doesn't take long to figure out what we have to choose from. There's really no need for you to highlight those options for us either verbally or by holding up your menu and pointing to them.
My well-intentioned parents still find this an amusing game to play at restaurants, but trust me, when I tell you that the fun is all on their side of the table.
2. Militant vegetarians are few and far between. We're generally pretty happy to have a conversation with you about why we made the choice we did, but that doesn't mean we're soliciting your membership in the community. If you want to convert, that's cool, but no one's holding a gun to your head, or your plate.
The rare times I'm hostile about my food are generally not with strangers and occur when I feel like my eating habits were attacked first.
3. There are good things about People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. That's not to say they don't have their share of crazies. Of course people exist who think it is a good idea to throw blood on their fur coat-wearing neighbors. But they also do a lot to help expose animal cruelty and assist new vegetarians with starter kits.
They're good and bad, just like most other lobbying organizations.
4. We don't like it when you insult our vegan friends. Frequently when I share with someone what exactly I mean when I say I'm a vegetarian - that I still consume dairy products but no animal flesh - I get a response along the lines of, "So you're not one of those." Those meaning vegans -people who eat nothing that comes from animals.
However, I'm not particularly flattered that you're relieved I'm not a dietary extremist, especially since I'm planning on becoming one in the next couple of years. You never know if a vegetarian is in transition to becoming or from having just been a vegan, so it's better to err on the side of silence and not offending someone.
5. Tofu tastes good. This is the hardest one to believe, right? It looks like a big block of off-white mushiness, or paper Spam. But truthfully, tofu can be delicious. It all depends on how it is prepared, because tofu tends to take on the taste of whatever it's cooked with. I love it when it's fried all crispy brown on the outside, but still tender on the inside.
So there you have it - the five secrets vegetarians want you to know. Maybe you already knew all this, maybe it was a quick refresher, or maybe I've blown your mind with these insights into the psyche of the average vegetarian.
Whatever the case, take your veggie friends out to dinner this weekend and enjoy your food for its real purpose - bringing people together and nourishing their bodies while they nourish each other's spirits.
Send tasty tofu recipes to: hanna.ricketson@asu.edu.
