A veg-out sandwich from Einstein Brothers. (Velia Quiroz/Borderzine.com)

If I wouldn’t eat my Schnauzer, why would I eat meat? Trials of a borderland vegetarian

EL PASO – Five years ago I decided to add one more attribute to my repertoire – vegetarian. I decided to make the change and see if I could stick with it, and I haven’t looked back. I gave up red meat and fish first and then, about two years ago, I was able to eliminate chicken too. I began researching vegetarianism after I read a quote somewhere that said something like, “if you wouldn’t eat your dog, why eat a pig?”

I thought about it and researched a little more, considering that I have a Schnauzer named Paris who I wouldn’t eat. I found out that pigs are smarter than dogs and even three-year-old toddlers.

There are many stereotypes about vegans and vegetarians. (Annette Baca/Borderzine.com)

I’m a vegetarian, not a stereotype – people should eat and let eat

EL PASO – The last day I ate meat, I pulled away from my cheeseburger and found myself staring at the grayish beef patty – ground up carcass. How long had it been dead before being cooked, I wondered. I put it down after that one bite and knew I couldn’t force myself to eat something that had repulsed me that quickly. About a week earlier my sister had taken me to listen to a lecture on animal rights given by the animal rights activist and educator, Gary Yourofsky. He spoke about health myths concerning being vegan and vegetarian.