​It'a pretty obvious from what I write I am an "Animal Respecter"  Yes Respecter.  To say I am an animal lover is in my view a bit lame. Incidentally, as I’ve already said the most well mannered animals, I know of, just happen to be veggie, and the most salient fact of all is this. The vast majority of meat eaters I know. Only eat Veggie/Vegan animals, with the exception of Fish.

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My self and my wife Sylvia haven't  eaten Meat for over 30 Years now, so what happened before that was the product of the society we were part of.  We made the change and we think we are better for it.

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Last time we eat meat was in the early 90's, which is when I started writing the ""A GROUP OF HUMANS" series of poems, "VICTIM VERSES'.  Trying to empathise with their plight when suffering at the hands of my fellow species members.

 

That probably means we're Vegan, but the definition of that demands a lot of strict requirements, for us to fully deserve the title.​

 

I know and have met people who say they like Cats, Dogs, Horses; more than they like people. These three drive the thrust of this statement, being in the main "Pet" groups, but really it can't be possible to like animals over people. Not unless  you are going to live "Off Grid", and set yourself  up as a one of the gang. I.E. Go wild and take your chances as one of them.

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It's just not practical. At some point you will have to face the more dominant species and make unpalatable choices. I.E. Kill or be Killed.

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I prefer to think of myself as a "FELLOW SURVIVOR" and keep my distance until they should require my assistance or protection. The latter is much more likely in a well organised sophisticated society such as ours. (Do I hear laughter from cynical people).

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WE DON'T EAT THEM

Of course, it follows that I am vegetarian, along with my wife Sylvia.  What we eat is all pretty good stuff.  Plant based, and no Meat, Fish, Dairy, Eggs, or Honey. 

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I hope that my consumption (Or lack of it) of Animal Products allows me to use the title. No doubt I will be guilty of some breach somewhere.

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When you consider we were raised in a meat consuming world (We are in our late seventies), where the concept of being vegetarian was just unheard of.​​

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I know I've said that writing the Poems turned me veggie, and it was definitely a parallel event.  

 

PLANT BASED

Maybe I could sell the poems as a cure for carnivourism if there is such a word.  Also another word I heard recently is Necrivore (Eater of dead flesh). It was on Facebook.  Well the spell checker doesn't like it, but  we all know what I means.  It has to said. Now with so many people making the move towards a plant based diet, the conversation is opening up. 

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HUMAN VICTIMS

Inevitably I had to consider the plight of other Humans as "Victims” as well, so the list of little verses grew to 20, and although I doubt  their importance is diminished, only 12 are about the plight of animals. The other 8 of course are about our fellow humans. 
 

ON A LIGHTER NOTE (Well a little bit lighter)

If I may; a word about eating out as a vegetarian. Well it's getting better, but most people, and most chefs,  just don't get it.  It's always a challenge, even in these enlightened times. 

 

Happily I can report a resounding success. Check out this plate of Veggie Spaghetti they     served me regularly in the Hotel Cala Bona in Mallorca. Yes, the plate (or more accurately "Platter")  of Spaghetti below, was all intended for me, and of course, it was made ("Sin Carne") without meat.  That's all that is missing. The method of preparing cooking, and "EATING" it are the same!

 

The Spanish are; as we know committed meat eaters, and they do sometimes take notice when a request is made for "No Meat".

 

Fair enough it was bigger than the normal portions they serve, and the Buffet Counter "Capitain" chose that Serving Platter, because I might have mentioned once or twice that the portions were small. Now honestly though it would have been rude not to finish it.  

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As I say above most Chefs, and unfortunately some Waiters just don’t get it. Which means you are in the hands of an incompetent.

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Especially in a foreign country. They write down what you ask for and they deliver the note to the kitchen.  

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One chef (There were many) got it right because he got the concept of “Sin Carne” (No meat) and was making my one and only main dish at that Hotel for years.

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My wife, never one to complain or insist, would have salad and chips.

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When I returned after the Covid break, he told me they would not allow him to make my dish, another mature chef had been detailed to make it.

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It wasn't right. The mushrooms were mixed in and chopped small. It was dry. whereas the previous chef (still working in same kitchen). used to prepare a bowl of tomato sauce to accompany the main.

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I naturally commented on the result, and the changes were made, but it just wasn’t the same. 

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It had taken many visits (Two a year) to get it right. So! Kitchen politics made a contribution to us not returning to that hotel. 

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Another minor point, if I may.  This confirms my belief that too many people in the food industry/, really do not get the “Plant Based”, “No Meat”, concept.

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On two occasions I ordered a sandwich in local shops. The first one I asked for a Salad Sandwhich. I was seven a sand which with, yes salad, but! with ham as well.

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When I handed it back the assistant took it put it to one side, and angrily made another sandwich, with no meat.

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The second shop I orderd the same to take to airport. When the assistant was wrapping it. All done very nicely with foil and paper bag,  she kept asking what I wanted in the sandwich. I also kept saying “Salad”, I even detailed the ingredients (In Spanish).

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She finished wrapping it, but was unable to hide her dismay, disbelief. even distain, plus a pinch of  anger.  Well let’s be honest. My diet had pissed her off.

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​Conclusion. Being Veggie or Vegan puts you at the mercy of the food professionals, which is not professional.

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By contrast, Britain is becoming quite the leader in the plant based revolution. One small caveat though. When you go to a private event. the vegan options are on the Buffet, or spread. The meat eaters take the opportunity to try vegan things, perhaps see if they die or not. The result being there is nothing left for the Veggies and Vegans.

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