Will you cook meat?

Clare Bear

I'm having a few friends over for dinner next week, all meat eaters. The last dinner party I had I cooked vegetarian food and it went down well but this lot are of the "I can't survive without meat" brigade. Now I don't mind cooking them meat that much but I haven't done in years and I'm just wondering have the vegetarians/vegans on here ever prepared meat for someone else? I know I could make them lovely vegetarian food but I'm not sure two of the lads coming will enjoy it if there's no meat in their meal.

Do any of you sacrifice your own personal choice to cook meat for others and aren't bothered by it or is it a bit hypocritical of me to go out and buy meat and cook it when it's against what I believe in personally?

Slaphead07

Clare Bear wrote: »

Do any of you sacrifice your own personal choice to cook meat for others ....

No. The idea of having meat (a socially acceptable word for a piece of animal carcass) in my kitchen disgusts me. It's perfectly possible to cook a good meal for people without meat, I've often done it. I can't imagine any of my friends or family expecting me to warm up animal cadavers just for them.

If your guests really need meat in their dinner then find a restaurant, it's your kitchen and your principles - they should respect that.

Absurdum

Clare Bear wrote: »

I know I could make them lovely vegetarian food but I'm not sure two of the lads coming will enjoy it if there's no meat in their meal.

can I go instead of them???

Clare Bear

Absurdum wrote: »

can I go instead of them???

Ha ha, the more the merrier!

Slaphead07 wrote: »

No. The idea of having meat (a socially acceptable word for a piece of animal carcass) in my kitchen disgusts me. It's perfectly possible to cook a good meal for people without meat, I've often done it. I can't imagine any of my friends or family expecting me to warm up animal cadavers just for them.

If your guests really need meat in their dinner then find a restaurant, it's your kitchen and your principles - they should respect that.

Thanks, yeah that's what I was thinking myself really. You could say they find the whole vegetarian thing a joke :rolleyes: Feck it, I'll cook them an amazing Vegetarian meal that they'll never forget. Show them they don't have to eat a dead animal to enjoy their dinner!

kumate_champ07

Slaphead07 wrote: »

No. The idea of having meat (a socially acceptable word for a piece of animal carcass)

no. its the word for animal muscle tissue, carcass includes bone and hooves as well as the muscle tissue(meat).

so 'muscle tissue' is shortened to 'meat', which rhymes with eat.

Sapsorrow

Hell no!
It's not really anything to do with being a vegetarian but any normal intelligent human being will be happy with anything just knowing that their friend put love and care in making something for them and was trying to give them a nice night out. If they can't appreciate your efforts and offering then they would have to be seriously childish and I would not be sure I would want friends like that myself.
Someone claiming they can't enjoy a meal without meat reminds me of a toddler refusing to eat their dinner without a half bottle of ketchup on it, it so immature.

Absurdum

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

so 'muscle tissue' is shortened to 'meat', which rhymes with eat.

go cook your feet

kumate_champ07

If you dont want to cook it you shouldnt have to. I wouldnt expect a vegetarian friend to cook meat for me. but youre only cooking ,not eating it. but Im sure it would be strange having the smell of meat cooking in your kitchen.

kumate_champ07

Absurdum wrote: »

go cook your feet

sorry, I dont eat bones. also I dont eat my own body parts that I use daily.
not sure what your point was or if there was any point at all.

ztoical

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

no. its the word for animal muscle tissue, carcass includes bone and hooves as well as the muscle tissue(meat).

so 'muscle tissue' is shortened to 'meat', which rhymes with eat.

The word meat comes from the Old English word mete, which referred to food in general.

Isn't learning fun? Now be a good troll and run along.

kumate_champ07

ztoical wrote: »

The word meat comes from the Old English word mete, which referred to food in general.

Isn't learning fun? Now be a good troll and run along.

and how was I wrong exactly? meat is muscle tissue. meat is the word we use to describe muscle tissue.

nice condescending attitude you got there.

Teferi

If you were going over to your mates house would they go out of their way to make you a vegetarian plate even though it may not be on the menu?

If so, I think the same respect should be shown to their lifestyle choice.

lee_

The smell of it cooking would make me sick, I dont think id be able to do it..

It doesnt take too much effort to make a veggie meal with those quorn products, ie: veggie lasagne with quorn mince or somethink like that .

BurnsCarpenter

Teferi wrote: »

If you were going over to your mates house would they go out of their way to make you a vegetarian plate even though it may not be on the menu?

If so, I think the same respect should be shown to their lifestyle choice.

Not the same.

If the friends had a belief that one should eat meat only and had a serious ethical problem with vegetables, pasta, etc then fair enough.
Most people are omnivores, not carnivores, and can survive quite well without meat for one meal. In fairness like, they've never had a margarita pizza for a meal?

henryporter

No way I would cook meat for anyone I have over for dinner - why not cook them a good hefty lasange using things like porcini mushrooms, or a blue cheese (I think there's a recipe for one on Delia Smith's website). Most times a dish like that is so substantial, the meaters forget they haven't had their fix for the day. Also soups for starters will keep them quite - meaters hate salads, thinking they're being conned into eating grass. If you really wanted to fool them all do something with seitan. Steer clear of tofu though - the look on some meaters faces when I once presented that to them was like a gang of vampires at daybreak - thorough disgust. Desert of course doesn't matter unless they're jelly fanatics. Best of luck with the dinner. Let us know how it went.

Thoushaltnot

As for principles - I've cooked for the wrinklies and would for children in my care but not for grown men and women.

Anyhoo, I'm never sure if meat's cooked enough (salmonella, and all that) and tend to err on the side of caution and overcook.

Another idea - side dishes of ham/ turkey slices or whatever straight from a packet onto a paper dish, on top of a proper dish and placed at the centre of the table to add to veggie dishes, like extra helpngs of carrots. The lads can help themselves then and you don't have to cook it.

fillefatale

I read an absurd article in the sunday times once, don't think it was by A A Gill, maybe it was Jeremy Clarkson, wish I had kept it now, arguing that it was pretentious and arrogant of vegetarians to expect to be served a vegetarian meal when they went to a friends house, a meal especially to cater to their dietary requirements, yet when the situation was reversed, they would not serve a meat meal to their friends, to suit their requirements. I was gobsmacked, the ****ing cheek!! Its about morals, not selfishness!!

I would never cook meat for anyone, friends or family - thats why I wouldn't work in a deli or sandwich place. Limits choices of jobs a bit =/

kumate_champ07

fillefatale wrote: »

maybe it was Jeremy Clarkson

sounds like him!

Clare Bear

Thanks everyone

Yeah Jeremy Clarkson hates Vegetarians. Then again, Jeremy Clarkson hates a lot of things

Absurdum

Clare Bear wrote: »

Yeah Jeremy Clarkson hates Vegetarians. Then again, Jeremy Clarkson hates a lot of things

lots of things hate him too

For me it comes down to the people and the situation.

If the point is to do something nice for someone, then I would rather that they be happy with the meal.
If I don't know them that well or I know someone has vegetable issues.
I'll play safe.
I cook meat for my Mum because she can't herself.
I never once cooked it for my meat eating ex, because it wasn't something I was prepared to do habitually. So he was going to have to learn for himself.

For a dinner party, I'd be inclined to cook veggie. Because I would rather know that I'm happy with food by being able to taste it.
None of my friends would expect me to cook meat, and I'd quite like the idea of winding up their fussy eating partners.

Sapsorrow

Clarkson is a.....

Absurdum

implant?

Sapsorrow

Absurdum wrote: »

implant?

A big fake tit was actually where I was going there

oldyouth

Just butting in for a minute. I'm pure carnivore (and loving it) but I would really look forward to a vegetarian meal cooked by someone experienced in producing varied and interesting dishes. Also, I wouldn't expect meat to be given to me in a vegetarian house.

Blisterman

The double standards in this thread are shocking.
I'm a meat eater and I went out with a vegetarian, and we cooked for each other from time to time. I'd cook her some vegetarian food. She'd cook me meat. It was no issue. I wouldn't expect her to eat meat, but likewise I'd hope she would cater for my tastes.

Slaphead07

Blisterman wrote: »

The double standards in this thread are shocking.
I'm a meat eater and I went out with a vegetarian, and we cooked for each other from time to time. I'd cook her some vegetarian food. She'd cook me meat. It was no issue. I wouldn't expect her to eat meat, but likewise I'd hope she would cater for my tastes.

It's actually a lack of double standards if you think about it. I'm delighted you and your girlfirend found a workable arrangement but to expect the rest of us to follow just because of that is a bit much.

ztoical

Blisterman wrote: »

She'd cook me meat. It was no issue. I wouldn't expect her to eat meat, but likewise I'd hope she would cater for my tastes.

Good for your girlfriend but as pointed out time and time again people have different reasons for being veggie and vegan....it's not a big cult we've all joined, we made our own choices and as such you can't really apply a standard. Someone who went veggie for health reasons might not have any issue cooking meat for others but someone who went veggie for animal welfare issue could. There's no universal veggie bible or man with a big pointy hat laying down the laws...each person has their own set of personal rules they follow.

I won't cook meat nor have it in my house because it's my house. At the same time I don't expect omnivores to cook veggie food for me...I've been to plenty of meals where all I could eat was salad or bread but didn't bother me as I didn't go for the food but for the company. I laughed and talked with my friends, no one noticed nor cared what I ate or didn't eat....certainly wasn't going to kill me to skip a meal, or part of one, every now and then.

Tar.Aldarion

Blisterman wrote: »

The double standards in this thread are shocking.
I'm a meat eater and I went out with a vegetarian, and we cooked for each other from time to time. I'd cook her some vegetarian food. She'd cook me meat. It was no issue. I wouldn't expect her to eat meat, but likewise I'd hope she would cater for my tastes.

:rolleyes:
and I never use that horrible smilie.


No I would not.

Sapsorrow

Blisterman wrote: »

The double standards in this thread are shocking.
I'm a meat eater and I went out with a vegetarian, and we cooked for each other from time to time. I'd cook her some vegetarian food. She'd cook me meat. It was no issue. I wouldn't expect her to eat meat, but likewise I'd hope she would cater for my tastes.

You're totally missing the point, have you even thought about what issues this thread addresses or are you just commenting randomly because of an experience you had wit hyour ex.
Vegetarians and vegans more than often than not do not just happen to dislike the taste or texture of meat. It's an ethical, moral or religous/spiritual commitmant on their part which is extremely important and meaningful to them on many levels.
We don't choose to vegetarians for the hell of it, it's not bloody easy, you have no idea how hard it is to live your lifew without rasher sandwhichs and fry ups after a night out it's because we really can't bring ourselve to play a part in something we find so despicable, selfish and immoral and therefore we are compelled to make the sacrifice to go without meat.
By your standards would you honestly expect say a devout Hindu to prepare meat for you in their home after already showing you the generosity, hospitality and kindness of inviting you into thier homes and offering you their own food that they spent their hard earned money and time to share with you? No you wouldn't at least if you were a thoughtful and mature human being you would simply be grateful for their having put the effort in.
That is such an incredibly insensitive and selfish opinion to have if so and I sure as hell woudn't be interested in having someone that closed minded over to dinner at my place thats fer sure.

ztoical

Blisterman wrote: »

The double standards in this thread are shocking.
I'm a meat eater and I went out with a vegetarian, and we cooked for each other from time to time. I'd cook her some vegetarian food. She'd cook me meat. It was no issue. I wouldn't expect her to eat meat, but likewise I'd hope she would cater for my tastes.

Just out of interest if you were dating a jewish girl would you expect her to cook you pork or non Kosher meat?

khrystyna100 wrote: »

By your standards would you honestly expect say a devout Hindu to prepare meat for you in their home after already showing you the generosity, hospitality and kindness of inviting you into thier homes and offering you their own food that they spent their hard earned money and time to share with you? No you wouldn't at least if you were a thoughtful and mature human being you would simply be grateful for their having put the effort in.
That is such an incredibly insensitive and selfish opinion to have if so and I sure as hell woudn't be interested in having someone that closed minded over to dinner at my place thats fer sure.

+ well put...there is a huge difference between living with/dating someone, you need to find a balance there respecting each others beliefs and find a way to co-habit that you are both happy with. Totally different to inviting friends around to your home for food which is what the thread is about.

Dozen Wicked Words

Can understand peoples comments about not wishing to cook meat. Its a laudable sentiment.

My two cent worth.
It becomes more difficult to be as rigid about things (including vegetarianism) when you get older and have responsibilities to others. My children like meat, even when they make the association between the thing on their plate and what animal it used to be. For that reason I will cook meat, in the grand scheme of things, any concerns about what I am cooking is nothing compared to my family.

I hope the kids when they get older choose to be veggie, but I certainly wont be forcing them.

Sapsorrow

dooferoaks wrote: »

Can understand peoples comments about not wishing to cook meat. Its a laudable sentiment.

My two cent worth.
It becomes more difficult to be as rigid about things (including vegetarianism) when you get older and have responsibilities to others. My children like meat, even when they make the association between the thing on their plate and what animal it used to be. For that reason I will cook meat, in the grand scheme of things, any concerns about what I am cooking is nothing compared to my family.

I hope the kids when they get older choose to be veggie, but I certainly wont be forcing them.

Your comments come across as a little patronising are you assuming we're all students/teenagers without families or co-habitors and therfore don't understand the problems of the 'grown-up' world?
As the previous poster commented we're talking about dinner parties NOT how to feed your kids.

Dozen Wicked Words

khrystyna100 wrote: »

Did you even read the previous post?
You comments are a little patronising are you assuming we're all students/teenagers without families or co-habitors and therfore don't understand the problems of the 'grown-up' world?
As the previous poster commented we're talking about dinner parties NOT how to feed your kids.

If I come across as patronising I apologise.

So cooking meat for dinner parties is repulsive, but cooking meat for your kids one day isn't? How can you go from absolute revulsion about the idea of cooking meat in one context and not say it will have a bearing on another?

Sapsorrow

dooferoaks wrote: »

So cooking meat for dinner parties is repulsive, but cooking meat for your kids one day isn't? How can you go from absolute revulsion about the idea of cooking meat in one context and not say it will have a bearing on another?

Of course I can say this, theres a fairly wopping big difference between a three course meal once in a persons life maybe and changing the eating habits of a child for years on end during a critical period of growth and development in which nutrition and lifestyle habits are of critical importance.
I'm sorry I edited my previous post there because I misread your message as saying I cant understand the sentiment and was therefore overly harsh in my repsponse.

ztoical

dooferoaks wrote: »

If I come across as patronising I apologise.

So cooking meat for dinner parties is repulsive, but cooking meat for your kids one day isn't? How can you go from absolute revulsion about the idea of cooking meat in one context and not say it will have a bearing on another?

This is what I was trying to cover in my last post....there's a difference in living with someone be it a partner or kids and you have to make choices to suit both parties but it's very different to inviting people into your home for a meal. Your also assuming all of us would chose to not cook meat for a dinner party but would for our kids, I know plenty of veggie parents who have raised their kids veggie...not saying they are right or wrong but just because you chose to feed your kids meat doesn't mean every parent makes that same choice. I have several vegan friends dating omnivores, some have opted to make the adjustment of cooking meat for their partner others have opted not to, again not sayin one is right or wrong...everyones relationships are different and they way they chose to balance them is different but most of the time you don't know how you are going to tackle it until it comes up. It would be the same for people from different religions or cultures getting together - they will have to find a balance in their relationship for it to work. Not the same as having someone over for a meal. If I'm invited into someones house I will respect them and their beliefs as long as they don't clash with my own and I would expect the same in return. If you don't allow smoking in your house but a smoker arrived for a dinner party would you let them smoke?

red_ice

Im sure if the roles were switched all your friends wouldnt think twice about preparing a vegitarian option for you. If not, shame on them.

Thats what really gets on my nervs about the "im not cooking corpse" vegitarians. Such a selfish aproach. Its like the whole religion arguement, you wouldnt have someone shoving a religion down your throat, why should it be any different for a food group, of lack there of?

Your forcing your ways on people who really dont have any interest in them. I myself would skip all vegitables if i could, i only eat them for dietry reasons. I LOVE meat. My gf, my best mate and his GF are all vegitarians, and i cook for them, and they have no problems cooking for me.

That whole "its your house you cook what you want" lark is a load of tripe. A good host considers their guests and doesnt make them uncomfortable by leaving such a staple part of their diet out. How awkward. I would really be uncomfortable eating in your houses, and im sure your guests would be too.

Sapsorrow

red_ice wrote: »

Im sure if the roles were switched all your friends wouldnt think twice about preparing a vegitarian option for you. If not, shame on them.

Thats what really gets on my nervs about the "im not cooking corpse" vegitarians. Such a selfish aproach. Its like the whole religion arguement, you wouldnt have someone shoving a religion down your throat, why should it be any different for a food group, of lack there of?

Your forcing your ways on people who really dont have any interest in them. I myself would skip all vegitables if i could, i only eat them for dietry reasons. I LOVE meat. My gf, my best mate and his GF are all vegitarians, and i cook for them, and they have no problems cooking for me.

That whole "its your house you cook what you want" lark is a load of tripe. A good host considers their guests and doesnt make them uncomfortable by leaving such a staple part of their diet out. How awkward. I would really be uncomfortable eating in your houses, and im sure your guests would be too.

:eek: OMG did you even bother to read this thread before you posted!!??
Who exactly is forcing anyone to do anything here? We're talking about an INVITATION to a dinner party. If you are that repulsed by vegetarian cooking YOU [EMAIL="DON@T"]DON'T[/EMAIL] HAVE TO GO! Don't worry about it we won't track you don't and shoot you or anything (as vegetarians it's not in our nature)
And believe me with my cooking and the effort I go to for my dinner parties the last thing anyone is is unconfortable, I'm sure those boardsies who attended my BBQ last year can agree with me on that one. I spoil my guests rotten and put a massive effort into what I make and have the house spottless for them and usually people comment that they are really impressed.
You're obviously a seriously closed minded person or didn't read the previous posts, should set gillian McKeith on you and get you to eat your veggies like a good grown up!

ztoical

red_ice wrote: »

That whole "its your house you cook what you want" lark is a load of tripe. A good host considers their guests and doesnt make them uncomfortable by leaving such a staple part of their diet out. How awkward. I would really be uncomfortable eating in your houses, and im sure your guests would be too.

Well I guess I won't be inviting you around for a meal then.....my house my rules, might think it's tripe but thats my choice and I'm sure you've got a few yourself wither you like to admit it or not. I don't let people smoke in my house, I also don't let people drink alcohol in my house and I've two cats that stay in the house and if people don't like them then they can leave simple as. If not being served meat as a food at a dinner party makes you feel uncomfortable then honestly you've issues.

Sapsorrow

ztoical wrote: »

I've two cats that stay in the house and if people don't like them then they can leave simple as.

Sorry goign waaay off topic here but God I used to hate that when we shared a house, other housemates mates would come round see our toerag cats moping about and then proceed to talk about how much they hate cats and how they'd like to torture any cats if they could only get their hands on any, total psychos, to say you actually HATE a mammal or any kind is biggoted (can I use that word) and stupid. Can you imagine someeone getting away with saying that about a dog!

seclachi

Slaphead07 wrote: »

No. The idea of having meat (a socially acceptable word for a piece of animal carcass) in my kitchen disgusts me. It's perfectly possible to cook a good meal for people without meat, I've often done it. I can't imagine any of my friends or family expecting me to warm up animal cadavers just for them.

If your guests really need meat in their dinner then find a restaurant, it's your kitchen and your principles - they should respect that.

Your choice is your choice, thats fair enough, but your tone about us meat eaters makes me feel a bit like a caveman. Are you a vegetarian because its your choice or because its a chance to look down on people ?

To the OP, I dont think it matters either way, I wouldn't be offended if a friend said didnt want to cook meat, I would feel bad if they did and it made them uncomfortable.

The important thing is to let them know well before hand what your intending, and try to accommodate there tastes if your going veggie (I m guessing simpler foods like pizza )

cocoa

red_ice wrote: »

Im sure if the roles were switched all your friends wouldnt think twice about preparing a vegitarian option for you. If not, shame on them.

Not necessarily. Cooking a good balanced vegetarian meal isn't all that easy, especially if you don't do it as a routine thing, so I wouldn't really be surprised if someone said they just didn't know what to do, and sorry. Often just eating the bits that aren't meat is fine and no offence taken...

red_ice wrote: »

Thats what really gets on my nervs about the "im not cooking corpse" vegitarians. Such a selfish aproach. Its like the whole religion arguement, you wouldnt have someone shoving a religion down your throat, why should it be any different for a food group, of lack there of?

And forcing someone to cook meat isn't shoving your beliefs down their throat?

red_ice wrote: »

Your forcing your ways on people who really dont have any interest in them. I myself would skip all vegitables if i could, i only eat them for dietry reasons. I LOVE meat. My gf, my best mate and his GF are all vegitarians, and i cook for them, and they have no problems cooking for me.

Sorry, it's really not forcing anything. They are welcome to use your facilities and cook meat if they want to, or to not eat the food you have so graciously prepared.

red_ice wrote: »

That whole "its your house you cook what you want" lark is a load of tripe. A good host considers their guests and doesnt make them uncomfortable by leaving such a staple part of their diet out. How awkward. I would really be uncomfortable eating in your houses, and im sure your guests would be too.

Make them uncomfortable? Not having meat around makes you uncomfortable? also I really wouldn't get into the nutrition of it...

Hogzy

Im a meat lover, but im well used to eating in a veggies house. As a poster said above you go to ones house for the company and not specifically for the food.
That being said however i would never expect them to cook me meat. Its their house, their choice of food and tbh they can whip up some amazing food, I always look forward to going to their place for some munch

OP Im sure whoever is coming to your house for dinner can go one night without meat, hell i could go weeks without meat as long as im eating something tasty. When a meat eater hears that they are going to a veggies house they (as i once thought) think that everything is gonna be rice cakes or tofu.

Whatever you cook make sure its tastey, and i will donate my taste buds to ensure such tastiness has been accomplished by yourself

Jaysus im hungry now!

Slaphead07

seclachi wrote: »

Your choice is your choice, thats fair enough, but your tone about us meat eaters makes me feel a bit like a caveman.

Really? I never mentioned you "meat eaters" at all.

seclachi wrote: »

Are you a vegetarian because its your choice or because its a chance to look down on people ?

Again, there's no basis for this reaction. It's ok though, I'm used to this overly defensive and dismissive reaction... and no it's not just me, many other vegetarians get it all the time.

Sapsorrow

Slaphead07 wrote: »

Really? I never mentioned you "meat eaters" at all.



Again, there's no basis for this reaction. It's ok though, I'm used to this overly defensive and dismissive reaction... and no it's not just me, many other vegetarians get it all the time.

This is gonna turn nasty pretty quick if BOTH sides don't try to play nice..

Slaphead07

khrystyna100 wrote: »

This is gonna turn nasty pretty quick if BOTH sides don't try to play nice..

Nothing nasty there, I just dislike being misquoted.

phic

I wouldn't cook meat, because I honestly would have no idea how to, and would be terrified I'd poison my guests! Though people who stopped eating meat later in life might know how I suppose. Really though, one night without meat isn't going to kill them, they'll get over it!
On the other hand, if I'm going to someones house for dinner, I'd always ask them if they'd like me to bring something veggie for my main, or let them know I'm happy to just eat the non-meat parts of dinner!

seclachi

Slaphead07 wrote: »

Really? I never mentioned you "meat eaters" at all.



Again, there's no basis for this reaction. It's ok though, I'm used to this overly defensive and dismissive reaction... and no it's not just me, many other vegetarians get it all the time.

Dont get me wrong, im not trying to start a fight, but the way you describe meat makes me feel a bit like flesh eating zombie. People dont describe fruit as animal genitals, or lettuce as dead foliage. I honestly think your just as defensive yourself anyway.

I`m totally with vegetarians, simply because its there option. My mother is a celiac, and faces a similar dilemma with going out and eating (in some respects its worse, she can get sick if she eats something that may only have a small bit of flour in it.)

Sapsorrow

Slaphead07 wrote: »

Nothing nasty there, I just dislike being misquoted.

I didn't mean to imply you were being nasty or that anyone has been so far but rather that it would be very easy for this thread to descend into another one where everyone's just making generalisations about each other and another decent thread'll just get ruined. I can't handle another vegetarians are b*astards no meat eaters are b*astards thread at this stage!

Slaphead07

seclachi wrote: »

but the way you describe meat makes me feel a bit like flesh eating zombie.

it's how I see meat and why I don't eat it.

seclachi wrote: »

People dont describe fruit as animal genitals,

They'd be a bit mad if they did now wouldn't they?

Slaphead07

khrystyna100 wrote: »

I can't handle another vegetarians are b*astards no meat eaters are b*astards thread at this stage!

Nor I, like most veggies the vast majority of people I know eat meat daily. I'm not on a crusade to convert anyone nor do I look down on anyone who eats meat. I'd be too busy always looking down to get anything done! I simply follow my own conscience and leave it at that.