Twas the Month Before Meatless

Post #1 = Why I am Here and What I am Doing. This blog is partly a gift to my brother and partly a gift to myself. For Christmas this year, I made the decision to sacrifice meat and become a vegetarian for a month as a gift to Chip (a.k.a. #1 Cool Bro). He's been going through this "phase," if you will, for like more than 1/2 his life - some 15 years at least - so I figure maybe he's serious about this. But since I'm the one giving the gift, I picked a month that would be the least painful for me. So, the month is March. One of the longest months of the year, but with the least pitfalls for me. A win/win, I'd say.

At first, I was kinda' jazzed about the idea. I felt cool, hip, and trendy or something. But as I approach the beginning of The Meatless Month, panic is setting in. Ever since making this commitment, I've become aware of just how much meat I actually consume. This fact alone does not make me feel the slightest bit guilty (I am, in fact, a proud carnivore), but gives me reason to question my ability to actually give up meat for a full 31 days without losing my mind. Or cheating.

I know that I need some method for public accountability. This is why I decided to journal the experience. I hope that in addition to sparing a few animals in the name of sisterly love, the blog will show Chip how much I love him as I struggle to find meaning in a life without meat. And I hope to actually FIND meaning in the experience and come away with a whole different perspective on food and sustenance. And I also hope to figure out exactly what "tempeh" is and to learn to speak fluent tofu.

But above all, I want to connect with my #1 Cool Bro in a way that is unique and profound. After all, I love my brother more than bacon, hamburgers, BBQ ribs, and pepperoni. And that is a fact.