going vegan?

Recently I listened to several episodes of a podcast called "Vegetarian food for thought." I have been a vegetarian (of sorts) since the age of 18. I've never completely eliminated animal products, such as eggs and dairy, and I've almost always included fish in my diet as well, which really means I'm not a vegetarian at all. However, chickens, pigs and cows have been out since I was 18. (I won't say how long ago that was!)

I like to think I'm pretty freethinking, and not extremely impressionable, but this podcast is very persuasive. It certainly reinforced my decision to never eat chickens, pigs and cows. In fact, It made me want to eliminate all animal products. I truly don't need them. The idea that vegetarians can't get enough protein from plant sources is a myth, and I know I don't want to be a part of a system that regularly abuses, tortures, mutilates and kills animals. But can I go all the way?

Is it selfish and greedy to not want to give up sushi? I do love it, even though I don't need it to live. Can cucumber rolls cut it for me? Is it hypocritical to say it's ok to kill fish but not ok to kill chickens? I can probably do without eggs... but cheese? I love cheese! I also own leather shoes and belts, though I don't think I could handle owning a leather jacket. Again, not very consistent, I know.

I guess people subscribe to all sorts of ethical codes, and aren't necessarily perfect adherents to those codes. (Just look at religions!) So for now I guess I'm doing what I can, eating what I'm comfortable eating, wearing what I'm comfortable wearing, and denying what I'm comfortable denying! For the moment I'm not changing anything, but it's in the back of my mind. I'll keep you posted.