6 Reasons Being a Vegetarian Sucks!

Ball parks, restaurants, parties, fast food, bbqs, holidays.

I've been a vegetarian for 11 months now, and I've come to the conclusion that it kind of sucks. It doesn't always suck, though, but there are very distinct times when it does. The afore mentioned occasions make me feel like like being veggie is the same a being an alien.
As many of you know, I'm a huge Timbers soccer fan. I love going to the staduim to see games. However, the foood selection at ball parks is VERY limited for me. Don't get me wrong, I love veggie dogs, and Portland does a good job of having them as an option for veggie people, but other than that (and maybe cheese pizza), I'm stuck. On the other hand it is saving me from spending a fortune on ball park food... hmmm maybe that doesn't suck.
Restaurants are a challenge if you're not going to a vegetarian or vegan place. People are like, oh, you're a vegetarian, is it ok that we eat here? Yes, I can always ready salad or pasta, but there is only so much you can take before you get sick of lettuce! On the other hand, it's a lot easier to choose what to eat. And most of my friends have been very supportive.
Parties are acutally kind of difficult at times. Most people throwing parties will have a veggie plate of some kind, but that's usually about it! I walk around eating chips and pretending that I'm not starving, while everyone else chows down on meatballs and chili-cheese dip! And then if people know I'm a vegetarian they go out of their way to make (or buy) me something special; which makes me feel bad. So, I've learned to just eat before I go to a shin dig.
When I lived in Portland I loved Burgerville! They were the only place I could eat veggie fast food. And of course, their food is delicious (and local)! But as I learned on the road trip down to California, there really aren't many fast should options for vegetarians. On the plus side, that keeps new from eating a lot of junk that I would otherwise, but man it's inconvenient!! Not gonna lie, I sometimes miss a good burger or a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit from McDonald's. But I'm sure my arteries didn't miss them!
A friends of mine had a BBQ at his house this summer. Everyone brought burgers and ribs and steaks galore. I had some veggie dogs and potato salad, but man, that meat smelled amazing!!! It was incredibly hard not to grab a rib and go crazy on it. But I reminded myself of the about of space and resources it took to raiser that cow, of the crappy conditions it probably endured during its life, and the terrible manner in which it died. Then I was very satisfied with my soy products fruits, and vegetables.
Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was lovely. But again I feel like I was an inconvenience for my hosts. They did make me a wonderful vegan stuffing, and I ate the veggies, but I felt weird that I needed special accommodation. And the turkey did look amazing! With Christmas next week, I will be home with my mom and will cook with her, soi that will berth much easier. But know I'm going to smell that ham and want to break down and eat it!! Maybe if we get an organiclly, locally raised little pig I won't feel as bad.
I have to say being vegetarian has been a fun, sometimes difficult, and educational adventure this year. I will probably add some meat (fish, poultry) back into my diet on occasion next year, but I've definitely learned a lot about the food industry, sustainability, and my heath. I'm in much better shape than I was last year at this time, plus I feel better, and have more energy!
So, being a vegetarian doesn't really suck, it just takes work and discipline. It made me more contentious about what I put in my body and where it came from. Plus, it made me think of the world around me and the impact that I have on it. Yes, it was a bit inconvient at times, but overall I'm very glad I did it! I've created habits and gathered knowledge I'll have for life. And hopefully I've added a few years to it too!!