Loving Food, Not Politics

Pre-1990's there was a group of staunch vegetarians, who were the proud few in America daring to challenge the ideals of an equally staunch multitude of meat-eaters.
Remember life before Garden Burgers? Remember when tofu was only served in Asian restaurants (that's how it was for most of the country). Free-range eggs were nearly unheard of and no one asked where their meat came from. Peta didn't get nearly as much publicity and no one questioned whether milk was good for you or not.
Today I see less strict vegetarians, but more people who eat less meat. I've had quiet a few customers (I waitress) who ask where there meat comes from, if it's organic, if it is free-range, etc. Not only did the meat industry take a hit when Mad Cow Disease scared beef-lovers out of their wits, but the majority of people have adjusted their thinking towards vegetarian-based meals.
Over the years, vegetarians have preached health instead of merely ethics. People have listened to both. I've had many friends, family and acquaintances ask for advice or recipes that would bring healthier meals to their tables. I've taught several vegetarian cooking classes to mostly meat-eaters and everyone loved the meals, regardless of the fact that no meat was present.
What the American public first recognized is that a meal does not nutritionally require meat, and vegetarian-based diets can be healthier. Then, we realized that vegetables actually taste good. I expect the next step to catapult home cooked vegetarian meals into everyday staples is sustainable living. The average family won't have the resources or income to buy meat on a daily basis.
Meat is a luxury. Vegetables are cheaper to produce, require less fossil fuels and less space. Although I'm a strict vegetarian, I approve of what I see coming. Even if fewer people are strict veggies, I applaud those who eat animals conscientiously. I embrace those who are learning how to create a meal around the mighty asparagus without turning up their noses. Instead, I want the world to respect vegetarian food for what it is- delicious and compassionate.