Hypotheticals

Ah, hypothetical questions. Those little things designed to ferret out one’s true beliefs about a subject. The most popular the last eight hundred years running seems to be the “dessert island scenario” or one of its variations. You may have been asked by someone a question like, “If you were trapped on a desert island and could have only one novel with you what would it be?” (The Lord of the Rings, duh. And in case any of you are coming up with a snappy retort, no, The Lord of the Rings is one novel published in three parts due to post-war paper shortages. It is NOT a trilogy. Can we finally put this issue to rest?)

Not all hypothetical questions are so harmless, however. Sometimes those who desire to challenge your beliefs/convictions/actions/decisions/etc. will develop convoluted scenarios in the hopes of tripping you up. The conversation might go something like this:

OTHER PERSON: I brought some barbecued pig flesh with me for lunch. Would you like some?

YOU: No thank you.

OP: Don’t you like barbecued pig flesh?

YOU: No. I’m a vegetarian.

OP: So you don’t eat any meat?

YOU: That’s right.

OP: None at all?

YOU: Correct.

OP: What about fish?

YOU: I don’t eat any animals.

OP: What if you were starving to death on a desert island? Would you eat meat then?

Uh oh. Now what? I have honestly only been asked this question once. I smiled and used my rehearsed answer: “If that ever happens I’ll let you know what I decide.”

The other hypotheticals I have faced have come a little closer to the realm of actual possibility. Would I eat meat if it was raised and slaughtered by someone I know personally and who raises and slaughters in a cruelty-free manner? Hmmm. That’s a tough one. I might think about it. My primary objections to eating meat are health and cruelty. If the cruelty issue is taken out of the equation I’m only left with health and I certainly eat unhealthy items from time to time (*cough* cookies *cough*). To be honest, though, the thought of having a mouthful of dead animal makes me want to gag.

Would I choose to eat an animal to prevent death? Probably. (See Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, a novel that would give The Lord of the Rings some competition in the aforementioned desert island reading scenario.) The great thing about being a vegetarian in 21st century America, however, is that I don’t have to make these choices. I choose not to eat meat, and I have an incredible variety of other foods from which to choose to supply the protein I need daily.

Question for you: If you are a vegetarian, under what circumstances, if any, would you eat meat? What about those of you were vegetarians, but now are eating meat again? What caused the switch?

My New Favorite Restaurant

Last Friday was my birthday and my sweet sister took me out to dinner after work. I work for a bank that is open an hour later than normal on Fridays, so of all the nights of the week Friday is the day I’m least likely to want to cook. Bless her! And where did we go? Whole Foods. Yup. Whole Foods is now my favorite restaurant.

They have a great spread out all day every day. They have pizza and sandwiches, gelato and coffee, and amazing hot and cold bars. I had a hard time choosing especially in a place that is so vegetarian friendly. In the end I decided on sezchwan green beans, roasted vegetables, brown rice, and chicken fried tofu. Yes you read that correctly, and oh . . . my . . . It was amazingly yummy. Seriously, that was the best tofu I’ve ever eaten and nothing like, “This is fine, but it sure isn’t chicken” crossed my mind once. Tofu is now on my shopping list so I can attempt it at home. They even had vegan chocolate mousse. I didn’t try it though because I was saving room for the pastry case in the bakery, but I might have to go back and sample it another time, along with the fresh-baked vegan almond cookies.

My sister and I enjoyed it so much we went back the next night after a long day as extras on the set of Unusual Films’ new movie Milltown Pride. Hmmmm. I am going back for another shoot this Saturday, perhaps I’ll have to give that mousse a try.