Max: "Cabbages? Fatty don't want no steenkin' cabbages! Heads will roll!"
After a 10-month trial, I am no longer a vegetarian. Granted, I was never a strict vegetarian - seafood, eggs, dairy stuff, 1 BBQ pork rib, 2 slices of beef pot roast, 2 slices of roast turkey... and a partridge in a pear tree. Rather than limiting my culinary palate, I'll put more effort into consuming organic, non-processed, free-range food and following a flexitarian diet - mainly veggie and occasionally, eat meat. I really miss the taste of meat.
According to Wikipedia, flexitarianism is the practice of:
"... eating mainly vegetarian food. Flexitarians prefer to eat vegetarian food, but make occasional exceptions for social, pragmatic, or nutritional reasons. They will eat meat and other animal products sometimes. For example, a flexitarian might make only vegetarian dishes at home, but eat dishes including meat at the home of family or friends."
Clear, now?
A flexitarian is said to be "a vegetarian who occasionally eats meat" which is viewed by many vegetarians as being a faketarian. Counting those five lapses during 10 long hard months, that would mean I was a faketarian all along! 
Hey, it wasn't for lack of trying to be consistent, that's for sure.
You have to understand how hard it is... trying to be a true vegetarian in a Filipino household where everyone thinks a dish of stir-fried veggies with a bit of ground pork counts as a vegetarian meal. Uh-huh. And did I mention that most Filipinos LOVE pork and barbecued meat? Clucks, Oinks, Moos.
Mostly, I blame my weakened resolve to obsessively browsing The food pornographer and Pinoy Cook by Connie Veneracion - drool-worthy food blogs high on meat content. I was undone... damn it, by all those vivid descriptions and tantalizing photos! I. Know. I'm. So. Very. Weak.
And please don't expect me to engage in a discussion on these hot dogs:
- whether meat is murder or not (I respect that the cow may have cried, "moorder", but it's tasty, tasty "moorder" for some people)
- jokes on why vegheads are crazy, angry and hungry all the time (I heard 'em all, including variations on "grass or salad munchers")
- notion that all veggie meals are bland and unbalanced (well, it can be if you're not careful)
The fact is, I'm choosing to eat meat, not because of an ethical - political - theological - scientific - whatever statement, but because I occasionally enjoy the taste and texture of meat. Despite tasty, creative substitutions and cooking pizazz (I consider myself to be an adventurous, good cook), I've yet to duplicate or find an exact replication of that meaty quality.
While I am by no means an expert, I believe that meat is NOT bad for you in reasonable quantities and as part of a well-balanced diet. I respect the choices of others to think otherwise - it's their opinions... their choices. But, please make an informed decision. Do understand that gorging on meat not only stains all your organs, it's a strain on the environment and economy. An unbalanced diet -> leads to unhealthier people -> leads to rising health care costs. Furthermore, raising animals for food requires massive amounts of land, food, energy, and water and contributes to animal suffering. We abuse ourselves, we abuse our planet. One Earth.
In summary, do what yer Momma told ya - eat your veggies! In any case, I'm always going to be a hardcore chocolaterian and maintain my seefood diet (I see food, I eat it). Back to regular silly programming, next entry.
Re: Max. Yes, the furball is fat. Yes, he only eats less than ¾ cup of low fat vittles for the entire day. Yes, he gets annual vet checks - no ailments for the last 12 years. Yes, he's an inactive, indoor cat. Yes, I care a lot. Regular readers of my blog, of course, know all about my futile attempts to get the beloved, furry footstool - slash - family member to lose weight. 
Adieu,
Massa P aka "a partridge in a fruity pear tree"
P.S. Hi Ate (translation: big sister), stopped laughing yet?
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How much does your cat weigh?
Awesome cat, number one. And number two, I get what you're saying about the "flexatarian" thing. I don't really like meat, but there are times it's just awesome, I couldn't see giving it up.
That was a thoroughly amusing blog entry.
There was so much in it, I don't even know where to begin with a comment. I personally see myself as a meatatarian. There's not a lot of veggies I like. I dislike it when people try to force-feed me stuff I hate and tell me I'm stupid for not liking something, yet kick up a big stink when I do the same to them. Anyway, that's highly irrelevant.
Omg that picture of the cat is so cool. Is it your cat?
Good to hear you're not a vegetarian anymore. Personally, I don't know how ppl can be vegetarians… I love my meat, lol.
Omygod, what a fat cat.
And yeah, I guess you can call me a flexitarian too. Hehehe.
Haha yeah, I saw your cat and I was like WHOAH. Did he just gain some weight from the last time I saw him?! o_o
Hmm. I would say I'm a "Flexitarian" too. I would prefer to not have that much meat, but sometimes, it's just cooked so nicely! o_o
That is one fat cat!!! I think there's nothing wrong with eating whatever makes you happy. So I like the idea of "flexitarian" but really, why give it a title? Eat what you like and live happy, right? Is there really a need to label everything and try to show to others that you are still some category?
Hey! Your cat looks like mine, but it's not that fat… but it's going that way. ;P
Anyway, I couldn't live without meat. Sometimes I try to just eat vegetables but i can't. Good luck with everything!
P.S. If there's anything you can donate or request on the shop, such as advertise, a premade or a custom layout. I will appreciate it a lot! Hope you will consider this since I need it for the goal of March. Thanks a lot! Everything will be appreciated.
Max is adorable… How MUCH does he weigh? I bet you get back pains whenever you attempt to carry him.
I dunno what I am. I guess a "wannabe vegetarian" comes close. I am giving up meat in stages. I gave up pork and beef 5 years ago. I have yet to reach that stage of giving up fowl, seafood, eggs and dairy… I can't go cold turkey. (Get it? Lame…)
I know how hard it is to be a vegetarian in a Filipino household. I always think of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" - "What do you mean he doesn't eat meat?!"
If there's one good thing about my resolve to nix eating red meat, it is the huge decrease of red meat consumption during family dinners. When I'm at the table, no one eats red meat as well. Hehehe… That includes my mom and dad who both have high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
I could never be a vegetarian. I miss meat far too much.
I wish I had the willpower, but alas I do not. 
WHOAH… that's one fat tabby! But he's cute. He seems to be saying, "Oh, phleeezzzz… not this one!"
I'm adding you to my blogroll.
Wow, you ate a lot of meat. Haha, just kidding. I've been a vegetarian for like a month… and I really like it. =D I eat fish though… fish don't have feelings… haha.
Oh, and you can eat dairy products unless you're a vegan… milking a cow doesn't hurt it.
10 months is a very good effort at being a vegetarian - even if a non-strict one!
And as you said you don't get easily offended, I feel comfortable saying that YOUR CAT IS HUGE!
This blog is nominated for Filipino Blog of the Week.
Hehe, aww cute cat.
As for me, there is no way I will be able to be a vegetarian. In my culture, all of our foods are made out of meat, and I can't live without it!
Fatty, catty! You should see the dogs here in Thailand, too! (Well, both cats and dogs.) They are definitely not forgotten as they are round as a ball that they could barely walk.
ROFL. Your cat is as round as the cabbage in front of it.
I'm on a seefood diet too though I'm trying to reduce my eating because it's being terrible to my health. ^^:
Max is so fat!
Yet cute. 
My aunt is a flexitarian. She rarely eats meat but still, she eats meat! I do not have plans on being either a flexitarian or a vegetarian. I love eating meat… I cannot live without it! But that does not mean that I do not eat veggies.
That cat is a little chunko. I love it!! As for the vegetarian thing, I'm definitely not for it. I was one for 2 years and I had a cold for those 2 years.
I'm imagining a watermelon would be more fitting… then heads will really roll!
Right Max?!
I know how tough this was for you. Though I didn't go vegetarian, I did go on a "no rice" diet for one and a half year… then I kicked myself! Oh… the cravings!
Glad you gave up on it hehe… You're right, a balanced diet is the right way to go.
And oh,
Max is very cute! I hope he starts working out more. 
Veggies? Blech.
My, oh, my that cat is a fattie!
First time I've seen a cat that umm… healthy. 
Awww, that's a cute chubby cat
Flexitarian, hmmm, I don't eat that much meat, but I eat loads of veggies and I have never been a proper vegetarian, so maybe I'm a flexitarian, or not lol. *eats large chicken wing*
Damn that's a fat kitty! But adorable all the same. Glad you're back on the meaty bandwagon. We've missed you.
I tried to be a vegetarian but god I love meat!!! And what a cute cat! He reminds me of my bf's cat as well. Quite a fat furball too!
The pic is so cute!!!
Um… not to make fun of Max, but you should send that pic to Cute Overload… "Max swallowed the other cabbage."
Your cat is huge! I like his color. I once thought of going vegetarian but I can't. I'm a carnivore, I love meat! And seafood and poultry… so I basically eat anything. Plus, eating veggies all the time is bad for my blood type according to my mother. She read in a book that blood type O should eat dark green veggies because it's good for the blood. I dunno. Plus, I think vegetarians are missing a lot! I don't want to deprive myself of good tasting food, and eating meat is not unhealthy. A healthy meal is composed of almost everything, and eating pure veggies isn't everything. So there.
I have been a vegetarian for almost 8 years. In the beginning, I went VEGAN! MEAT IS MURDER !#%¤/!! Then I didn't get enough protein and started to suffer from hair loss - which didn't matter much at that time because I was punX!
Then I started to eat lactose products - oh the taste of cheese - and got fat! Exercised more and ate less cheese - but got pregnant with diabetes and had to cut down even further on lactose products and started to eat fish to keep my protein level high! I'll end up UnVeggied again someday I am afraid.
It's easy to be a vegetarian here in Denmark - still people think you indeed are strange and everyone thinks that I know all about nutrition… which I certainly don't.
Your cat is gorgeous! I would eat him.
Wow! That cat is super fat but undeniably cute! He or she'll convert me! Haha.
I'd like to think I'm a flexitarian too! I'm too fascinated with veggies and I overload my tummy with veggies (way too much), but I must say I can't live without meat (or a just teeny weeny of it).
That cat is massive! Haha! I hate veggies, especially cabbage. I only eat peas and carrots and it has to be from a tin because they add extra sugar so it tastes better. I love meat though.
According to my chemistry professor, it's not good to be a vegetarian. "No man can live on vegetables alone." Not all the nutrients and other substances that are not synthesized in our body are found in vegetables. You still have to eat meat, chicken, dairy foods, etc. if you want to be really healthy.
And I suppose, practicing flexitarianism can lead you to have a good health.
Max looks spoiled, lol! I really do hope he's fine though. You're sure there's nothing wrong with him, ha?
I honestly don't know why people make such a big fuss about eating meat — as if it's going to take you straight to hell. We should all mind our own beeswax, because I happen to love chocolate. (Ano raw? Hehe.) Labels! *frustrated sigh*
Is that cat for real?? (Photoshopped? Haha.) Cute cuuute!
So how do we call those who eat mostly meat and some veggies? I think I'm part of that category.
LOL at the picture!
This is the first time I heard the word flexitarian… I must tell you though, I admire you being a vegetarian! I just can't do it right now. I love meat. 
But your diet would be much better if you continue being a flexi since our body needs meat from time to time, right? 
I'm a certified faketarian and chocolaterian!
That CAT should undergo lipoplasty! Lolz!
But sooo sweet a cat!!
Kiss
Fendi
YES, your regular fans do know that Max is very PRECIOUS to you AND despite all the fat cat humour, we know you WORRY.
I love all your entries on Max.
I missed your Max stuff.
Well, that's a FAAAAT cat.
I guess I'm a flexitarian too? But wait, I don't think I eat veggies enough, but I do eat my fair share of it. I don't eat pork as much anymore (by "as much", that means I still eat it especially when it comes in the form of isaw or lechon kawali :p) and I eat beef once in a while. It's mostly chicken and fish for us, and of course, veggies.
I'd like to learn how to eat like a vegetarian sometime. I have a friend who's an ovo-lacto vegetarian and she has this yummy soy-based meat substitute (as in vegetarian ham, vegetarian steak) and we used to eat it when we ate out. Yummy yummy.
Oh, and I'm a chocolaterian too! :p *apir*
:O that cat! I thought mine was large - that's cruel!
I was a vegetarian for about 2 years until I became anaemic. I do love a bit of flesh now and then. I only eat chicken or beef. What I really object to is battery farming. I hate it.
I see nothing wrong with eating meat if you should so choose, and those that can't accept another person's dietary choices just aren't worth the bother in my book.
That poor kitty though, he's so overweight I'm frightened for him!
Ack! What are you feeding your fat cat?!
Brilliant photo, Massa P - the green-eyed monster (Jack and the Green Giant?), the huge cabbage-shaped cat.
For 5 seconds there, you were doing a pretty good imitation crab of Al Gore. One Earth! One Love!
Geez, if I was a starving delusional vegetarian, I would easily have mistaken your cat for a cabbage! Lol!
I love veggies… but I love meat too… but most of all… I love CHEESE! GROMIT! CHEESE!
Wow, that's a biiiig cat!
I admire people who are vegetarian. I would want to be one, but I just love meat too much… lol
ROFL! I am loving that picture! Max really looks unamused.
I could never go veggie. I'm half Cuban and half Argentinian, and boy do they love their meat. When I have the money I will probably go organic, 'cause it's so much better for the environment and it's better tasting too!