Exceptional Indulgences

Ah, the end of the year! People are running around buying gifts, decorating their homes, travelling and sending best wishes. Little children are on their best behavior, whispering sweet wishes to Santa and if you live in the city, doormen and supers of your building are extra, extra nice.
Me? I’m indulging. Sweets everywhere! A gift for grandma=a gift for me! Jose has a company party so I have an extra 3 hours to myself on the weekend! Eating out, ordering in, dinner parties- wine, wine and more wine! It doesn’t stop but I LOVE it. The only problem is that back in October, I decided to become a vegetarian (more on that later). Up until Thanksgiving, I did really well (except for the time I snuck in a single croqueta de pollo). I had planned on eating turkey with Jose and Diego and gave myself a pass. Not much of a vegetarian you say? Not really, I’m still eating seafood. So no chicken or red meat for 2 months except those 2 little things that crossed my way. I even made it to Chicago for four days without eating meat!!! I thought I was doing well but then Jose’s birthday rolled around and he really wanted to have steak (we didn’t) and now Christmas in Chicago is coming and I am already giving up before I even try to not give in and eat meat!
This time of year people talk a lot about forgiveness, peace, love and compassion but what about these things for us, personally? I’m not going to beat myself up during the holidays for eating meat. I love meat. I have a few reasons why I’m giving up meat. A couple of these reasons: animal cruelty and pollution. I have come to the conclusion in the last two and half months that I am not going to single handedly stop factory farms or clean the air, but I will try to be intelligent and well read when people ask me why I decided to become a vegetarian. I’m getting there. S L O W L Y. Not much of a vegetarian you say? It’s okay. “Tis the Season” to forgive me! So, I’m not beating myself up and I also don’t want to turn away that delicious carne de puerco en salsita verde or the gorditas de chorizo that my mother-in-law will be making. I’m indulging only in situations like this. I will continue to focus on my goals as a future vegetarian and be at peace…with myself.
Xoxo,
Betty
Update: I wrote this yesterday and today I had some time to continue reading “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer. It was an awakening reminder and confirmation on my decision to become a vegetarian. I won’t be at peace with myself if I make exceptions or can justify every time I eat meat. Holidays or not, I’m going to really, really try. I’ll just have more wine and chocolate! :-) I'll keep you posted.