Tis the Season
by Mr. Ogre on Nov 18, 2010 at 15:48 Political
So, has anyone else noticed the season? No, not the season formerly known as Christmas, but the season for raising money and giving. There are all the usual food drives, canned food drives, donations for this group and things for the hungry. But I have to ask, “Why?”
It’s not that I’m opposed to giving. Believe me, I give a great deal to charities that I believe in. But when there are numerous specifically non-religious food drives and the like “for the poor,” I have to wonder why in the world they need my money and food. After all, isn’t government taking care of them? We have spent hundreds of billions of dollars on just unemployment. Who is getting that money? What about the aggressive Welfare departments and food stamps? We’re giving out record numbers of dollars there. But still that’s not enough? My food prices are way up. My taxes are continuing to rise. And still people want me to give MORE?
See, this is what happens when government gets involved where it should not be. Right now, I only have three paychecks left before my taxes will likely go up by at least $100 a paycheck (if the tax cuts are not extended, as is being reported in some places). I’m working 50-hour weeks and looking for another job because I can barely afford food now, much less with $200 or more LESS a month. And I know my tax dollars are being wasted on these programs for the poor — yet people want me to give even MORE to them?
Sorry, it’s not going to happen. All you people who are having non-religious food drives and support, you can just go pray to your god, government, and see what it delivers for you. Sadly, I’m sure it will — taking more from me by force to give you more for nothing. See, all I want is to be left alone so I can be free to help people. But government will not allow me that freedom.
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“My food prices are way up.”
You’re going to have to do the right thing and give up your meat and dairy. Nasty stuff anyway.
Heh. I’m already giving up lots of meat, it’s way expensive these days. Pinto beans and corn bread can make a meal, but you don’t want to be behind me the next couple days…
I generally try to eat a 100% plant diet. The sugars add up fast.
Really? I’m curious – are you able to get all the essential nutrients and amino acids or are supplements necessary? And what sugars add up – those from carbs in the plant produts? I don’t mean to be personal, just never had a chance to ask someone about this.
I was kidding about the sugars. Beans produce gas because of certain sugars they contain. The truth is it’s more than beans and when you eat a lot of different plants you get the same problem every now and again.
I haven’t needed supplements. It’s not really a problem. I haven’t intentionally eaten meat in almost 6 years and I’ve avoided animal bi-products such as milk, eggs and honey for almost 5 years.
If we eat a variety of fruits, grains and vegetables combined with the help of fortified products like soy milk and many meat substitutes we can get every vitamin and nutrient we need to be healthy. I cook or prepare a lot of my own food and that helps a lot. I don’t have to put a lot of thought into it as long as I stick to variety but it helps to pay attention now and again.
Are you staying away from GMO grains?
I don’t make any particular effort to avoid GMO but many of the products I replace everyday things with are GMO free. For me it has always been less to do with my health and more to do with the insane level of animal cruelty involved in the food industry.
I think for the first time in a while everyone is discussing a topic (Adam’s diet) and sharing information without sniping or gotchas. I read the whole thread and found it refreshing.
Adam is right, the correct balance of foods in a vegan diet will provide the necessary nutrients but one must pay attention because there are essentials that can easily be missed. Humans were designed to eat meat as part of our diet (and the plants as well) but we can do without as long as the diet has the necessary nutrients. A multivitamin would not hurt.
Adam, have you lost weight on this diet (diet in the sense of an eating lifestyle and not the popular definition of designed to lose weight)?
Your wife eats the same foods as well, right? Makes it easier to prepare when you both eat the same diet.
I might end up having to — but I really crave the red meat when I haven’t had it for a few days. My guess is it’s the iron my body wants.
Mr. O- eat fish- you get the same proteins, but it is more digestable, and you can have fun catching your own food.
On the vegan side, pecans have more protein than most other nuts, so eat those, and walnuts too, if you can get them.
Down here in Texas, pecan trees grow on the side of the road, so it is first come, first served in the grand scheme of gettint free pecans- (side note for BBQers- pecan shells, soaked in water provide good flavor for smoked meats, whether red meats, or chicken and/ or fish).
Americans are giving people and when we see a need, we try to help. When I see someone in need, especially with children, I don’t stop and think about what the government it giving them, I just ask what I can do to help. I have a friend on government help, not because she wants it, but because she is severly handicapped. I pray I never have to live like that because you can’t call it living on what the government gives you. Our Lord says in His Word that when we give to others, we are giving to Him and He will bless us.
Our tax dollars are even providing free cell phones for anyone already receiving public assistance of any kind. So as far as I’m concerned, I give enough to those people. My money that I’m allowed to keep, what I can give, I’d rather donate to an animal shelter. I trust animals – people still not so much.
“Adam, have you lost weight on this diet…”
I’ve mostly maintained my weight (or my overweight perhaps) over the years by balancing the healthier diet out with a lazy life style. When I up my protein intake and exercise more then I drop weight but then I get lazy and gain it all back.
Now that I am older I have trouble with exercising every day. My treadmill kills me…