I really, really am just totally curious about this. It reminds me of my own tendency toward all or nothing sorts of thinking.

There was no transition, actually, with the no car lifestyle. Like I said — all or nothin’ for this chick. One day we had it; the next day we didn’t. Then we dealt with that.

I guess the down side is that without a car, it become really difficult to do those other things like going to farmer’s markets etc. In the end, you do what you can and I think if you know that you are always trying to less impactful (is that even a word) all the time, then that’s enough.

There are other choices like I try to buy fairtrade coffee and sugar – I made the switch about 10 years ago and I’m hoping that my consitent buying of this product has made a difference. I chose lamb over other meats as its as near to organic and free range in the uk without the certification. I buy organic free range eggs. I buy more expensive food but drink less wine. I buy fewer clothes but try not to buy cheap ones. I have my shoulds of course … like I’d like to buy more organic (I currently get an organic box delivery twice a month) and I have problems with flying to see my grandmother in australia every few years but the bus takes 3 months and costs £4000! I’d lvoe to take the bus to oz… I worry that I should be growing my food turning my garden into an allotment.

Because of this approach I always now buy only organic, ethically reared meat. If I can’t find this (which isn’t always possible where I live) then I eat vegetarian food. I also try to make meals out of the cheaper cuts of meat (beef shin, making soup stock from chicken bones etc) as the local farmer’s markets usually have these for sale, and it is my way of appreciating the sacrifice the animal has made.

I tried vegetarianism for a while but found myself having to buy meat anyway to feed my pet cats (as cats are obligate carnivores) and it just seemed incongruous that I could buy meat for them but not for me.

Growing your own veg sounds great!! I’m definitely doing the same this year – just waiting for the weather to get a bit better! Hugh FW is behind a programme called Landshare, where people with land can lend it to people who want to grow their own veg or keep some livestock. Great idea!

To answer, I’m really seeing everything as a “see how this looks” experiment. I don’t know that I’ll be stepping back into vegetarianism, if that will work for me, or if being a vegan will work for me. I’m considering a vegan diet because of the immense amount of energy that goes into raising, feeding, and caring for animals (even under humane conditions) when those resources could be otherwise diverted, as well as the CO2 impact of cattle in particular. I’ve also been considering the moral issues surrounding vegan eating–For instance, I wouldn’t eat my cat. I’m experimenting with questioning what value difference (other than a socially conditioned one that I’ve been taught) there is between cats or pigs or cows or dogs. I’m still back and forth a lot on that question! Finally, high cholesterol runs in my family. This past year, my 25 year old sister who eats a diet that contains meat but that is what I would call reasonably healthy was diagnosed with high cholesterol. I find myself wondering if I would be in the same boat, if not for the years of vegetarianism, and if meat eating will put me on the road to the same conditions if I’m not careful.

How did you transition into giving up your car, even in a city with poor public transit? I’m so curious about this; the idea of it seems almost insurmountable in this moment. And I’d also love to hear about the other things that you do!

I was a veg for about ten years and went back to eating meat for energy and health reasons.

I always wonder why people leap so quickly to the vegan thing, rather than simply switching their meat and dairy to local, humane, healthy sources. It’s not easy, but supporting the farmers who do this RIGHT is a good thing. It’s not cheap, but then that naturally decreases proportions to more proper amounts.

Just curious…