These days being a vegetarian is a lot easier than it was even 20 years ago. Most restaurants will carry a few vegetarian options, not to mention the ones that will totally devote themselves to a meatless menu.

I eat meat and I very much enjoy doing it. But several years ago I decided to see what all the fuss was about and give the meatless life a try. It was more of an exercise in “let’s see how long I can last” than the fact that I suddenly felt bad about my hamburger’s quality of life. I lasted three years before I finally said screw it and went back to bacon. But during that time I learned quite a bit.

For one, eating meat is part of what allows us to digest dairy and for another, you’d be surprised the kind of foods are made with some sort of animal product. For instance, I was once told that some marshmallows are made with animal fat.

For all the vegans out there, I have to give you props because that kind of dietary lifestyle takes some serious dedication.

There are many reasons why people make the switch; some do it for ethical reasons and some for health-related ones. I secretly believe it’s because they discovered the versatile awesomeness that is the soybean.

But in the end the exact reason a person decides to go full-on veggie is personal to them and is a conscious life choice. An easier one admittedly in places like Santa Cruz, Calif. than Northeast Ohio. You may scoff and make fun of the people handing out pamphlets of molting and/or mutilated fowl, but not all vegetarians are PETA members.

Not all vegetarians are hippies who sit around smoking pot and banging on drums. And they do eat things other than salad.

I wouldn’t want to go back to being a vegetarian, but the time I spent as one taught me to appreciate eating meat. It was a worthwhile experience and one that I would recommend to anyone. So try it for a few weeks, see how you like it.

Molly Cahill is a senior pre-journalism major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].