For the past 40 days I’ve been a vegetarian.  I’ve been looking to perform this culinary experiment for some time but needed the cover of Lent as an excuse.  And (apart from accidentally eating a Bratwurst) I’ve stuck to it for the whole of Lent, something I didn’t think I’d be able to do.

Why, why, why?!

Well:

1. Firstly it was for a change of perspective, how else are you to discover something new, exciting, and unexpected than to try out new things. I was also influenced by reading about Google engineer Matt Cutts, who has done a series of 30 day challenges like not drinking caffeine and taking a photo a day, which have resulted in some interesting insights.
2. Secondly I’m a remarkably one dimensional chef, meat sits in the middle of the plate and some veg surrounds it like extras on a filmset. I like lentils and tofu but had never given them centre stage.
3. Thirdly, I know eating meat is irresponsible. For a calorifically comparable meal of rice and vegetables verses beef, the beef uses sixteen times more fossil fuels to produce and generates 24 times more carbon emissions.  Like any good geek with a fear of the eventual collapse of society due to overconsumption, like in Paolo Bacigalupi’s excellent book The Windup Girl, I know we have to be forced to consider alternatives before it is too late.

So what was it like?

• Tough, I missed the taste and texture of meat. I even had a dream about bacon.
• It was also fairly unfulfilling as I struggled to find foods which could directly replace meat in my diet. Instead cheese, eggs, tofu and fake meat, often filled the gaps. There were also painfully long gaps between finding excellent dishes such as lentil and aubergine curry, and tofu Singapore noodles.
• Eating at restaurants was frustrating as your choice was reduced, it was interesting however to try things on the menu I would never normally order.
• I had some antisocial dining experiences with friends after being asked if I wanted to stay for dinner but then not being able to join in as they were cooking something meaty.

It’s been a fun 40 days but I’m glad to be back on the meat. I enjoyed the challenge and the change of perspective but struggled to find enough satisfying alternatives become a more permanent vegetarian. That said next year I am considering going vegan…