Just a quick word about any inherent cruelty in eating animals. Mankind is the only species on the planet that takes any care about the way we slaughter other animals to minimize their pain and distress. But anyway, in the end, death is death, vegetarians kill things to survive too, no one has anything to feel guilty about.

Neil, Funnily enough I have a dodgy toe although thankfully mine in just worn out. I’d like to se AOG get you to give up pork or goose fat.

Apparently, those warnings on the cigarette packets are true.

Hardest thing I ever did, giving them up. I used to eat oranges, cut into wedges, in the afternoons when I wanted to smoke soooo badly. It does help. A little.

Good luck. Crossing all I can for you. Life without ‘em, seven years now, is good, very good, but it’s not an easy task!

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,2286171,00.html

For me, forsaking the items others avoid for health or various idiosyncratic reasons would likely leave me in a coma. I am an omnivore both for health reasons and as a matter of taste. I can’t ignore the fact that man has survived and evolved by taking sustenance from a variety of sources, but I do hold to not overly tampering with foodstuffs in the high turn over commercial manner, so as to retain the nutritional value.

To Ed’s point in his manifesto, here in Australia meat is the focus of the plate and it is time to change this. There was a time here when meat was cheap and abundant, with much less variety in terms of vegetables. At that time, Aussies leading a life that required higher amounts of daily physical exertion thrived on big serves of meat and the grand tradition of consuming baked items and sweets. Nowadays we are sedentary and simply need to place more focus on pulses, greens and fruit, while reducing the size of our meat and fish portions, along with cakes and dessert.

Re: Your featured restaurant, I’d disagree that a couple of dishes that are meat free equals a great choice for vegetarians. To see what I mean, that is why I suggested you try living and eating out as a vego for a week (I agree being a vegan takes a heap of commitment but considering you think that the (easier) vegetarian eating options have improved in city and country I just wondered what it would be like from a carnivores perspective to make different choices for 7 days.

No sweat, just an idea open to one and all

My point and headlines was just to point out that you could eat quite well vegetarian in the region and it surprised me. I didn’t eat the Pork.

This is typical, of my eating at home especially if I’m busy:
Tea with milk
Breakfast – grapefruit followed by porridge w milk. (or home made muesli w Goats yoghurt and stewed rhubarb w goats yoghurt) No sugar. Perhaps sourdough with honey.
Espresso. no sugar
Apple. handful of almonds/walnuts. Water
Greentea
Lunch: dahl and ginger rice (Bala’s) or Sandwich (leftover chicken w avocado or just cheese) or salad. Water.
Apple/orange. Nuts. Greentea
Water
Supper: Out 3-4 times a week.
In: typical roasted beetroots and knob-shaped carrots dressed with sherry vinegar and walnut oil. Walnuts. Salad leaves. Goats cheese. Pudding: fruit.
Sunday: Roast chicken plus loads of veggies
Wine: T’Gallant Octavius – totally unfiltered.