Are Fishes Animals?

As a devout reader of this blog, you are no doubt aware that I gave vegetarianism the old college try. The month of May was to encompass my animal free days. The short version: I did it. The long version: being a veg can be a pain in the butt (in a good way, mostly).

During this one month I have never thought about food as deeply. I read every label, considered every ingredient, looked over every shelf at Walmart (yes I shop at Walmart). It was a great challenge to find foods that were truly vegetarian. Some soups, for example, are in fact not. Vegetable soup, one might think, should fall in this category. But upon reading the back label, it's clearly made with either chicken broth or beef broth or emu broth or something otherwise from 4 legs.

But the most challenging part was lunch. For those who may not know, I work on a college campus. As part of my employment, I'm given a meal plan - a wonderful and generous perk. I've been going to the student cafeteria for about 13 years (17 if you count my student days). Often I would arrive for lunch, walking up and back examining the day's offerings. The ever-present salad bar was always an option. But I don't do rabbit food (doesn't make much sense, does it?). So I would often settle for a cheese sandwich with various accoutrements like beets, egg, onions and the like. I can't say they were great meals; but it made me realize just how challenging this can be.

I think what I missed most was protein. I have a friend who's a veg and I'd ask him how I could get more. "PB&J works" he'd reply. I'm sure it does. But I couldn't picture myself having PB&J 3 times a day. Although looking back it's clear that this became my go-to meal. Aside from this, I tried to eat eggs, cheese and some nuts from time to time. Truthfully, though, I think I really missed the boat on the protein. My running weakened a bit; and I'm still wondering if this lacking contributed to my poor marathon showing (see the BONK blog).

Enter FISHES! And shellfish. And all other things sea-dwelling. I liked not eating cow or chicken or pig or whatever. I feel good philosophically and physically. But two things became apparent to me. First, I really like sea critters. Can't fudge that one. And yes I live in a pretty land-locked area. But I can still get some frozen goods that are decent. Second, I really need protein. I feel strongly that nuts and eggs and whatever just isn't cutting it. Yes, I could do a shake or a protein bar or something. But in response to that I'd say take a look at my first point.

Therefore and thusly, I'm am now officially a "pescetarian." Seriously? Yup that's the label. Basically means someone who eats fish type stuff. Who knew there was an actual label out there? I sometimes envision the various "arians" (vegetarians, vegans, pescetarians etc) getting into turf wars over who's the most righteous.

Anyway, I'm not in to all that. But I do feel really good about this. So I'm going to give it a while. How long? Well that's hard to say. But long enough so I can really figure it out. I'm not going to lie either - sometimes walking by that grill gets the old chops watering with the smell of cow. Maybe I'll go back some day; for now, though, I'm swimming with the fishes.

See you on the pavement.