Nah, this was before any of that was invented or became available. No growth hormone, steroids, creatine, any of that. Just soy powder. Yuk!

Cut out all fake food and get back to basics. A thick slice of Spam fried in real lard. Can't get any better than that!

Oh yes, SPAM: Some Parts Are Meat.

Old joke.

Anyway, back to meat analogues (that's what they're called): tofurky, chik'n, field roast. All things that are made to resemble meat, or pretend to resemble meat, or cut like meat, taste like it, etc...but are absolutely not meat.

Vegans: if you really don't want to eat meat, that's your prerogative. But it's kind of self-defeating if you're just going to pretend you're eating meat. Either you want meat or you don't. If you do, stop whining about killing Porky, enjoy your bacon, and be done with it. If you don't, stop pretending to eat the stuff. It's embarrassing.

Good grief. You know there are some really AWESOME things you can eat, that aren't meat, and aren't trying to pretend to be meat either.

Plant-based foods that are delicious in their own right. Like hummus. And falafel smushed into a pita pocket with lettuce and ripe tomato and tons of tahini dressing.

Some folks absolutely love fried eggplant. There are some kickass bean soups that don't have even a smidge of animal product in them.

I just don't get the whole "fake meat" nonsense. Either eat meat, or don't. Eating fake meat is just fake eating.

I feel the same way about sugar substitutes too. Corn syrup is corn syrup, not a substitute for sugar. Same with maple syrup, honey, and agave. They're normal natural sweeteners that don't have to be fake anything. Sucralose, splenda, aspartame, sweet n low, all these things are fake. They're chemically created sugars and artificial sweeteners that are disgusting and your cake really tastes horrible when you bake with it, no matter how polite your guests are when they pretend it's delicious.

Diets are a funny thing. For me, carbohydrates are poison. Anything with white flour or sugar in it is never going into my mouth. I eat meat but seldom, mostly fish, beans, nuts, eggs, whole grains, fruit and vegetables. An occasional lean steak or pork loin is a treat, but not an everyday part of the diet. My three sisters are all vegetarians, and two of the three are seriously overweight. They claim that they eat healthy, but don't make the mistake of putting a box of Whitman Chocolates anywhere near them or they will disappear before your can blink.

It’s so difficult to go very low on carbs.

"Vegans: if you really don't want to eat meat, that's your prerogative. But it's kind of self-defeating if you're just going to pretend you're eating meat. Either you want meat or you don't. If you do, stop whining about killing Porky, enjoy your bacon, and be done with it. If you don't, stop pretending to eat the stuff. It's embarrassing."

I disagree with this. Some people stop eating meat because they don't believe in killing animals for food, and because raising animals for food creates an environmental hazard when done on a large scale. That doesn't mean they don't like the taste of meat. There are many reasons to stop eating meat. If someone comes up with a viable alternative for these people, it's not embarrassing for them to eat it. It is in keeping with their particular philosophy or health needs. I don't find that self defeating at all.

An old classic, along with this one... :D


http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads...AK7795yfK7.jpg

Those are the exact people I'm addressing. They pop up in fora all over the internet. At one point you'll see them say "even the smell of meat, seeing meat on someone else's plate, disgusts me. Every time I see a pork roast I'm reminded of those totes adorbs pigs back home who lived in our house and used the litter box OMG someone make them stop serving our sweet Betsy and Jimbob to the guests!" or some equally asinine tripe.

If it disgusts you, if the idea of eating meat gives you the creeps, then stop reminding yourself of meat by eating foods that are shaped and seasoned to smell JUST LIKE meat.

It's hypocritical and demonstrative that you're only choosing a vegan lifestyle because you got caught on the trend and backing out would prove you were wrong. And you can't do that.

I have seen perhaps - three people on the internet, and met one person in real life, who was vegan and actually walked the walk - embraced the lifestyle with their soul, rather than just their behavior.

Talking about personal beliefs, such as why a person is a vegan, lacto ovo, gluten free, or otherwise if you are not asked about it is just as impolite as talking about politics or religion. It is a personal belief or need and it should stay personal. To expect the world to follow is ridiculous.

I know in my old country parents and grandparents would cook something and try to force it on you whether you wanted to eat it or not. To me it shows disrespect. It is not ok to evangelize one’s beliefs except under the appropriate conditions. It is saying, “I’m right, you better listen to me!” It shows trying to control.

If someone serves something you don’t like, a “No, thank you” will do, and if you can’t stand the smell of meat (I seriously can’t stand the smell of cooking meat) then walk away or get a mask. If people want you there, they’ll ask why. Then you can say something as you have been invited to. Even evangelize. Usually if you relate it to good taste and health people will listen.

We have allowed insanity to take over
 

All you need do is suspend your prejudice and look at the digestive system of the animal. A cow is designed to digest a bulky with little nutrition diet-grass. To do this it has three stomachs. A rabbit another herbivore and another odd but effective solution. It puts out different forms of stool. One of them it picks out, you can see the difference, and it re-eats them-sends them through again. The human is by design an omnivore. You do best on a diet of meat and vegetables.

As to fake meat. See the obvious. While I've not tried it, I have read about it. Realize it looks something like meat and tastes something like meat-hum, your body is telling you something.
Also, from what I've read it is not particularly good for you-high in fat and salt.

Just so you won't feel like an "embarrassment" for being vegan but eating food that tastes like meat.

From The Guardian US edition:

Most of the meat people eat in 2040 will not come from slaughtered animals, according to a report that predicts 60% will be either grown in vats or replaced by plant-based products that look and taste like meat.

The report by the global consultancy AT Kearney, based on expert interviews, highlights the heavy environmental impacts of conventional meat production and the concerns people have about the welfare of animals under industrial farming.

“The large-scale livestock industry is viewed by many as an unnecessary evil,” the report says. “With the advantages of novel vegan meat replacements and cultured meat over conventionally produced meat, it is only a matter of time before they capture a substantial market share.”

Here's the whole article, although I'm not sure you can read it without signing up for a (free) account:
Most 'meat' in 2040 will not come from dead animals, says report | Environment | The Guardian

I've noticed that everything the experts say will help with your heart, lungs, weight, etc. is in addition to exercise programs. I would assume a 30 minute daily exercise routine would would work just as well without eating plant based food. In reality very few people exercise 30 minutes per day.

I have no idea what cows and rabbits digestive systems have to do with me slipping my cousins dog a few bits of meat, but thank you for the information.

100% true. But do the kids think about the trees being KILLED???? OMG!!! Amazing of what they believe....

Talking of "false meat, I hate Spam, but many Pacific islanders love the stuff. Try feeding that to Taylor and Hunter :-)