The Vegetarian Experiment. [now that it's over.]

Well, that was fun. 

Context: I decided back in March that I was going to be vegetarian for a while.

Well, the summer is now officially over– which is convenient, given my original pledge to stick it out until then– because I decided tonight that there is a void in my life. A great and Southern void for chicken, that no amount of Sabra hummus can fill. Do I regret it? Not in the slightest. It was great, and now we're moving forward.

Some things I have learned: 

1. Eggplant is edible. So are soy products and mushrooms and other things that I would not have gone for had I the option of a safe turkey sandwich. But you know what? Butternut squash soup is the BOMB. Pear pizza is my absolute favorite. The most fun part about living the veg life is trying new foods– particularly ethnic foods– that you would not have experienced otherwise. 

2. You get enough protein. Beans, people. Greek yogurt. Milk. Peanut butter. Whey powder! Take your vitamins and you will never be deprived of anything by forgoing the animal protein. You don't shrivel up. Actually, I gained weight this summer not eating meat! I promise, it does not kill you. 

3. Everyone expects you to have a platform. The moment you order a veggie burger, people will pull out a soapbox and wait for you to hop up like a yappy little finalist at some dog and pony show. Nothing made me want to be a vegetarian. 

"No, I never got sick after Outback." "No, I wasn't raised that way." "No, I really don't love animals." (We all know how I feel about War Horse.) It was just something I felt like doing. No one had to persuade me. It was bizarre having to repeatedly defend my personal decision with the phrase, "Because I do what I want."

When I decided I wasn't going to eat meat, I felt a little judged by the omnivore community. My own lovely sister bemoaned this conversion to Oregon liberalism with an exasperated "Ughh, you WOULD be a vegetarian." (Don't worry, she used the same tone about the studded black belt I wore in ninth grade. With pride. I grew out of that, too.)  

And now, deciding to eat meat again, I also feel a little judged by Alec Baldwin and his crew. But I'm all about giving your body what it craves. And when it gets cold, I crave meat. Kind of cool, huh? 

I probably won't be hitting up Tucano's anytime soon. Or, you know, ever. And I still love the healthy, earthy taste of the treats my talented vegan friends make WITHOUT EGGS OR BUTTER. [What?! I know.] But I can baby step this to the door and down the hall and into the elevator. 

And then down to Jason's Deli, because I've got a big thing for their chicken salad wrap.

The Internship That's Not About Bunnies

In nine days I start my internship with the National Council for Adoption. Doing "media relations" and "shadowing their attorney on the Hill"- so basically, I have no idea either. We're just gonna let this thing fly.
Also, in case you were going to ask (again) "So what do you want to do after you graduate?"
my answer is still a vague but promising "Something awesome." Right now I have more important things to figure out. Things like how to work the D.C. metro and where to buy food.

Never having been a pregnant teenager myself, I actually have no experience with adoption. So how FORTUNATE that right before the semester ended I got to help a real-life orphan stay out of the system.

My friends found him underneath a car in the parking lot- named him Dobby and took him in- even though it was finals week and they really didn't have time to deal with a rabbit pooping all over their house. What good souls. Naturally, as soon as fb informed me of this I was at their front door with some carrots.

We tried to take Dobby for a walk (hop?)... the leash was made for a small cat but could also accommodate a rather large bunny. Turns out the reason Dobby is so large may be because he doesn't really like to jump around in the grass but likes very much to sit there and eat it.

Let's be honest: I am not an animal person. But that thing was like a stuffed rabbit, I tell you. It would just lie there in your arms and calmly wiggle its nose.
I was smitten.

Natter the Elementary Education Major.
"Just attach this photo to your resume and anyone will hire you."

Using my "social networking skills" that I bragged about in my application I started a marketing campaign (ie. status update) to save dear Dobby from the animal shelter.
As it happens, another girl I don't know adopted him first. But FOR THE RECORD, I did have a legitimate bunny-lover contact me after the fact.

What this experience has taught me is that successful adoptions can take place as long as you have
a) friends who are looking to 'add one more' to the family, or

b) friends who just can't say no to faces like this.

Congratulations on your new home, Dobby!!

My Future Pt. 2

In the meantime...

for those of you who know about my very slight COMMITMENT issues...

I've committed.

Good things about this internship:
1. I am the FIRST media intern they've ever had- so I get to blaze the trail here.
2. I will get to ride the metro to and from work. This has already been consecrated as precious time to read, write, observe, think, and stay on top of homework in general.
3. Their office is in Old Alexandria, Virginia- which apparently, is a very darling town.
And as we all know, Virginia is for Lovers. 
3. The commute will force me to better prioritize my time so that every evening when I come home I will be sure to LIVE IT UP and experience everything in downtown D.C. (I am starting my list NOW... so if you have any suggestions of places to go or see or eat, I would love to hear them!)
4. They have an attorney on staff who they said I could shadow on the Hill and see some family-law-policy-work in action. Law school HOLLER!
5. Should I ever want to adopt a child, I will be one phone call away! :)

ALSO,
I am going vegetarian- at least until the end of the summer. At which point I may go back to Chick-fil-A if I cannot bear it, or at which point I may have turned into a total chunky-granola, full-fledged vegan.

"But Lauren, what's the big deal? You don't eat that much meat anyway!"
Exactly.
Might as well make the jump! I am excited to start and to JUDGE YOU ALL at this weekend's General Conference barbeque!!

totally kidding.

However, if you are of the vegetarian/vegan persuasion, DO share some of your favorite recipes. And when I say "some," I mean all. I am quite determined to become a good cook. (Ideally, I would love to be able to bake without eggs.)
Currently, I will finish up the chicken I have in my fridge.
And then I will start getting creative.
Goodbye, meat!

Hello, homemade granola bars.

You can find the recipe here via the lovely Sarah. Because if you have not had these, you are SERIOUSLY missing out.