That was a quote from my friend and yoga-teacher-in-training, Nicole. On Tuesday, she came over because she needed a “student” to practice on for one of her classes. While I was in one of the poses, I guess my kidneys weren’t buoyant enough. I have no idea what she meant, but I just rolled with it. It was fun working with someone one-on-one – my only experience with yoga is at the gym, so I never know if I’m doing a pose correctly. I’ll definitely take a lot of what she had to say with me the next time I practice yoga – which is hopefully soon. I’ve really missed it.
If you haven’t noticed, Erin is taking the week off from blogging. I guess she’s to busy becoming a Doctor (Ph.D.) to entertain us. Whatever. 
I told her I would make sure you Care to Eaters got a daily post from us, but I failed last night. In my defense, we have no internet (yet) at the new house, so I have a valid excuse! Instead of posting, I did a bit of this:
That would be me finishing New Moon for the 2nd time. I had to refresh my memory before the movie tonight. Is it 12:03 a.m. yet?
Unless you’re living under a blog-free rock, then you know today is “Vegan for a Day” in blogworld. I’m very much participating in it, but won’t be able to recap the day until tomorrow.
Caitlin wrote a great post about hypocrisy and vegetarian/veganism on her blog this morning. I thought that many of her points mirrored my beliefs in a lot of ways.
I’ve been a “vegetarian” for almost two years. Even though I love all things meat, I’ve found vegetarianism to be rather easy. For the first year, I didn’t eat meat AT ALL. The past 6 months or so, I have eaten meat on a couple of occasions. Most recently, it was yesterday.
My boss made some turkey noodle soup and brought it into the office. It takes her days (plural!) to make and it was unfreakingbelievable. It was seriously the best soup I ever had. I may have had three bowls. Okay, I did have three bowls
Did I eat turkey? Yes. Do I still consider myself a vegetarian (even if you may not)? Yes.
I look at it this way – I don’t buy meat at the grocery store. I don’t order it at restaurants. If I could control my environment 100% of the time, I would never let myself have the opportunity to eat meat. If I didn’t eat and enjoy that soup, somebody else would have. Not eating the soup wouldn’t have given that dead turkey his life back. I’m not making excuses – I knowingly and willingly ate that poor bird.
You better believe though, that while I was scarfing down the soup, I told my boss that I was only eating it because it was very special that she made it. I also told her all the reasons why she should have used a free-range organic turkeys and chastised her for not doing so – 39¢ a pound my ass.
So, am I a hypocrite? I suppose. And I’m okay with that
Posted by Evan Thomas on November 19, 2009 at 1:50 pm
You’re making me want that soup now.
And lol at explaining to her what type of turkey she should buy. When I told my mom I only eat organic or wild fish or meat, she was very confused about the difference. I think she still is
Posted by Graze With Me on November 19, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I love eating vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and omnivorous. I can see how some people would want to label themselves as one or the other but I don’t really like imposing restrictions on myself that way. I’ll eat vegetarian for the most part but if I’m out for sushi I’m definitely getting some fish!
Posted by Mama Pea on November 19, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I think Nicole meant you need to drink more. I still call you a vegetarian. Daddy had fish tacos the other night and I still call him vegetarian. Labels are stupid.
Posted by Andrea on November 19, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Then it’s a good thing I’m meeting a friend for Happy Hour tonight!
Posted by MelissaNibbles on November 19, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I’m a vegetarian and I’m very nervous about Thanksgiving. We’re going to my bf’s friends house for dinner and I was going to bring eggplant parm until they asked me if I would bring a pie instead. What the hell am I going to eat now? I offered to bring both, but the girl hosting it was very firm on me just bringing a dessert. Do I just eat the turkey for the reasons you said (it’s already there and it’s a special occasion)? I really don’t want to, but I don’t want to starve either. Help!
Posted by Andrea on November 19, 2009 at 2:43 pm
If you don’t want to eat meat, DON’T eat meat! And if you do, DO! I wanted to eat that soup, so I did – guilt free! I would never eat something out of obligation. I could tell you to just eat side dishes, but a lot of them will probably have broth/stock in them. I don’t know if you explained your dietary needs with the host, but personally I would bring my own meal – even at the risk of offending the host. If she’s not willing (or able, which would be understandable on T-Day), as the host, to accommodate all of her guests, then she shouldn’t stop you from taking care of your needs.
Posted by li08622 on November 19, 2009 at 2:34 pm
agree with erryone here! What everyone else thinks about you (ultimately, and unless it’s only good things) never matter anyway- it’s what makes you happy! and if delicious turkey noodle soup did that, well you’re doing a good job living your own life.
-Lindsey
Posted by eatingmachine on November 19, 2009 at 2:49 pm
i always love those things yoga teachers say that sound like gibberish “ok now we’re massaging our internal organs”… yeah.
i like teachers that help you correct. if you take ballet a good teacher moves your leg/arm/etc where it ought to be. which is awesome until they decide you leg can be higher tahn you think it can. ouch. but awesome.
Posted by ksgoodeats on November 19, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Ph. D. – whatever, like that’s a big deal or something….
This is kind of random but I really like your furniture. I don’t think you’re a hypocrite at all. I actually agree with you 100%. I don’t eat meat for my own reasons but I always tell people to eat what they want – who cares about titles/labels. I think that titles and labels get a little annoying to be honest! Why beat ourselves up trying to define how we eat? Just eat!
Posted by Whitney on November 19, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Dude just drop the label. Who cares if you are a vegetarian who occasionally eats meat or an omnivore who rarely eats meat. Tomato Tohmatoh.
Posted by Katie on November 19, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I raaarely eat meat. I think I will be on Thanksgiving though. It’s a holiday and I’m vegan most of the time. So I say bring on the bird for the holiday. It’s one meal
And the bird is free range!
And I’m totally going to start the Twilight stuff ASAP. I haven’t read a single page or watched a single minute, and I’m sick of being out of the loop.
Posted by nkello on November 19, 2009 at 4:28 pm
yes, go drinking then i can give abstract instructions about your liver
Posted by Stephanie on November 19, 2009 at 4:29 pm
YEAH, 12:03 baby and I’ll see you at the theater!!!!!! I’m so excited!!!!! I’m going to be all riled up from the concert before, but I’m so excited to see the movie! I didn’t get to refreash on my reading this week – but oh well… I won’t admit how many times I have read it… I’ll just say enough that I won’t get too lost following the movie
YEAH!!!! The actor’s – RPatts and KStew (or whatever they call them) – were both on the today show yesterday and today – they are so freakn’ awkward! I cringe everytime they do interviews…. where’s Taylor Lautner when you need him…
see you tonight babe!!!
Posted by merittothecarrot on November 19, 2009 at 4:43 pm
That’s exactly how I am, with the whole ‘carne-consuming’ situation. I cook dinner for the whole family every night, so I can’t serve them vegetarian dishes all month, so I’ll add some chicken to make them happy
Thus, I eat chicken, but only occasionally.
Posted by Yools on November 19, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Preach girl. Preach. I think I’m gonna have some doctored Annie’s mac n’ cheese tonight with frozen broccoli and edamame and corn. Reminds me of you.
Posted by Yools on November 19, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Oh, also, I bet that hubbard squash would taste great in that kabocha recipe I just posted on ze blog.
Posted by Jessica on November 19, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I think it’s totally fine if you want to eat meat, but I don’t think you get to have the label of vegetarian. To me, a vegetarian of about 10 years, vegetarian is a label I wear proudly. It means that I make conscious decisions about what I eat and I don’t eat and those decisions make a statement. So like I said, it’s totally fine if you want to eat meat, but you’re definititely not a vegetarian, by anyone’s definition.
Posted by kbwood on November 19, 2009 at 6:36 pm
hahah you are hilarious
Posted by Katy on November 19, 2009 at 6:53 pm
It’s support from bloggers like you that make #VeganWeek not only possible…but a blast to do! I’ve loved getting to “know” you and Erin, and I can’t tell you how much it means that you’re both so real, and so friendly.
LOVE YOU GUYS!
Posted by Erin on November 19, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Well, I think hypocrisy has a place in life!
And labels – as evidence by the above comments, their use depends on the person.
I find labels useful in defining who I am. When I’m confused, I can look to my labels as reference and use the label of choice (vegan, grad student, spouse, raging diva bitch) to guide my behavior. They seem to clarify my attitudes. And I just love that!
Less than one week!!
Posted by carolinebee on November 20, 2009 at 6:17 am
Erin so smarrrrt! Can’t follow that, so amen!
Posted by Andrea (Off Her Cork) on November 20, 2009 at 7:00 am
I’m with Mama Pea, I despise labels. Meh.
Miss you E!
Okay, answer for reals now. I truly believe that one can improve their diets by buying and supporting local. Some small farms might not be labeled as “organic” (which at this point I think might be used too much and now doesn’t mean what it used to but that’s a whole other topic) but run their farms totally natural. Talk to them and find out, you might be surprised. I think by exploring our area and finding out what is available to use, will help us make better choices and thus have a better diet because of it. I know that doesn’t really address the veggie verses non but that’s okay.
Oh and MelissaNibbles, girl Thanksgiving is no biggie, don’t sweat it! Listen up sister, eat *before* you go over to Family-whoevers house. Load up on what it is you like. Then at dinner, put lots of veggies on your plate, maybe some stuffing, and a little bit of turkey. Eat everything but the turkey and just spread it around on the plate, no worries. If you don’t even want it on the plate but don’t want to say you don’t eat meat, just tell them you are allergic to the tryptophan in the turkey. You break out in hives and can’t breath (be sure to avoid gravy too then!). How can someone get annoyed at that?
Rock it girl!
Posted by Kristen on November 20, 2009 at 9:15 am
Eat what you love! Love what you eat! I am vegan now… but it started slow… I can remember the first Thanksgiving where my father announced that “Kristen doesn’t eat things with legs” (I was still eating eggs and fish) The entire family – all 17 people sitting around the table – got a real kick out of it! We are a loud opinionated family…but really supportive. I heard got some sh!t for it but it was all in good humor. I don’t yell at them for eating turkey – they don’t yell at me because I don’t.
A Portland question for you: I am looking to travel to portland in January. What is the weather like? Would it be better for me to come in the summer time? My best friend and I want to take a trip for our birthdays – right now Portland is at the top of the list! =)
Thanks for any Portland advice!
Posted by Andrea on November 20, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Portland weather in January? In a word – shitty.
Summertime in Portland is amaaaaaaaaaazing – it’s why I live here and can survive the winters. If you’re into the outdoors, definitely come in the Summer. If you more want to explore the city, then January will be fine if you don’t mind a little cold rain
Feel free to email me if you have any Portland questions. I love this city and am always willing to share!
Posted by rebecca lustig on November 20, 2009 at 10:07 am
Hi, I just found your blog upon reading Jenny’s. I’m also a vegetarian and someone who keeps kosher and I believe that everyone has their own personal definition for ‘kosher’ or ‘vegetarianism’ that makes it meaningful/spiritual for them. So, good for you!
Have a fabulous friday lovely lady! look forward to your next post
becca xo
Posted by Melissa S. on November 20, 2009 at 10:28 am
hey, as long as you’re ok with what you eat, who cares what others think. enjoy the food, right?! hah!
and don’t you love that you can catch up on so much reading when you don’t have interenet!? on my last job internet was limited and tv was none, so i read over 20 books in 3 months. madness.
Posted by Amko on November 20, 2009 at 8:54 pm
You can eat whatever you want, but don’t put a false label on yourself. It makes it that much harder for those of us who actually are vegetarians.
Posted by Marianne on November 21, 2009 at 1:36 am
Hmmm…turns out I do live under a rock – I didn’t know it was Vegan For A Day day. Bummer.
As for whether you consider yourself a vegetarian or not, does it really even matter that you have the label? I think we get so caught up in giving ourselves a label so we belong or identify with a group, but in the end, I don’t know that it matters. You eat what you eat, for your own reasons. In the end, that should be enough.
Posted by Nicole, MS, RD, LD on November 21, 2009 at 8:40 am
That soup looks great! Maybe you’re a flexitarian with vegetarian habits? : )
Posted by Simply Life on November 22, 2009 at 6:09 am
Oh that soup looks delicious!