Vegetarian Eats

I'm not one of those vegetarians that make a huge deal out of not eating meat - or at least I try my best not to be. It can be hard in social situations, at family gatherings, or at any potluck event to not appear as if you're being a picky weirdo while you peer into dish after dish of food that someone else prepared and attempt to determine whether or not there might be animal products in it. Close friends will make sure you have something to eat - but having to ask "what is in that?" can come across the wrong way. Then of course, you have to fess up to being a non-meat eater and everyone gives you that look like you're totally crazy and then they start with the questions.

"Well, do you eat chicken?"
"How about fish?"
"Don't you eat eggs?"
"You like butter don't you?"

I'm writing this today because I had the pleasure (again) of eating at one of my favorite restaurants in town - om cafe. This is one of the few places where I can order practically anything on the menu. Having so many choices of vegan, vegetarian, gluten fee, macrobiotic and generally healthy options is a rare thing at a restaurant. They procure as many of their menu items from local farms and vendors as possible. While they have a focus on vegetarian cuisine, they do also offer fish and seafood options. Their menu does change frequently - but the best part is that everything they create is a wonderful treat and if you visit them often enough, you'll get to try many more meat-free options and expand the horizons of your palate and maybe your mind!

There are many kinds of vegetarians - some that won't eat fish - some that still enjoy dairy products - and of course, some that eat bacon (yes, really - there are "vegetarians-except-for-meat-candy" out there). Vegans are much more strict and don't have the variables that vegetarians do. Understanding and acceptance of these "weirdos" does depend on where you're from - some places have higher concentrations of vegans and vegetarians than others - and it is becoming more common to abstain from eating our animal friends and the products that are made from them. Just don't forget to BYOT (Bring Your Own Tofu) when you know you'll be eating with carnivorous friends!