Let’s Not Meat on the Corner

I made a dear friend of mine watch the kids’ (but really for adults with a low threshold for what they find to be entertaining) animated movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” recently.  It was hilarious and yet, I couldn’t help but think there were some underlying themes that were meant for people of all ages.  One of the themes I picked up was “being gluttonous is going to get you really gross, fat, sick, obese, and eventually turn you into someone unrecognizable.”  Ironically, my friend (who prides himself in sparse eating habits) and I happened to be watching the movie while eating dinner and were rather grossed out during the scenes where the antagonist, Mayor Shellbourne (voiced by Bruce Campbell), stuffed his mouth full of anything he laid eyes on.  He was greedy, gluttonous yes, and his version of heaven included a never ending Las Vegas buffet.  Without making us realize it (or maybe they did want us to think about it, who knows) the filmmakers provided a message about taking a step back and pondering, “What am I putting into my mouth?  Is it true?  I am what I eat?”

I became a vegetarian – not a vegan – who sometimes eats some cooked salmon for the fatty acids only – so I guess the proper term is pescatarian – 2 years ago this January.  There’s no way I could give up cheese and eggs.  If I gave up cheese I might have a totally different body, but as my dear friend Philippe always says: “You can’t trust a person who doesn’t like cheese.”  Then again, he’s half French and we all know there, le fromage is king.  Anyway, people always ask me, “Why did you do it? How is going?  Are you ever going to eat meat again?”

The reasons I chose to go meatless are very personal.  I could care less what other adults put in their bodies unless I think it will poison them.  Everyone is responsible for his or her own life.  With regard to children, on the other hand, I think it’s extremely important to teach them how to make wise and healthy eating choices early. As an aside, Andy Balwin’s very mission with the Surgeon General is just that: preventing childhood obesity.  That said, I am honestly happy about this upcoming DC Meat-FREE Week.  Anthony Bourdain should stay out of town during this time.  He’s the anti-vegetarian and has proudly made comments alluding to the fact that he thinks those who don’t eat meat are the ones who can’t be trusted.

Veggies and vegans, grab your meatless buddies and dine out all week.  Here’s the schedule below:

Saturday, February 6th
Great Sage – *New Vegan Menu!*
Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville, MD
8 p.m. Dinner with Gene Baur — Reservations Required
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Regular dinner option — Reservations Recommended
Sunday, February 7th

My Little Bistro – *New Vegan Menu!*
353 Cedar St., NW
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — No Reservations Needed

DC Vegan Bake Sale to benefit the victims of Haiti
Falls Plaza Giant, 1230 W. Broad St., Falls Church
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. — No Reservations Needed

Monday, February 8th
The Mansion on O Street – *$5 Off Lunch or O’Dinnertini for Meat-Free Week Participants!*
2020 O St., NW
12 p.m. – 2 p.m — Lunch Reservations required at http://www.omansion.com/lunch
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. — O’Dinnertini Reservations required at http://www.omansion.com/martini
**To receive the discount note “$5 Off Meat-Free Special” in Additional Comments of Reservation**

Tuesday, February 9th
Sticky Fingers Bakery to benefit Compassion Over Killing
1370 Park Rd., NW
7 a.m. – 8 p.m. — No Reservations Needed

Wednesday, February 10th
Busboys & Poets
All Locations!
11 a.m. – Midnight — No Reservations Needed

Thursday, February 11th
The Source (I can’t believe Chef Scott Drewno is participating in this! He’s the one who asked me if I was still on that “weird diet”)
575 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
5:30-10:30 — Reservations Recommended

Friday, February 12th
Restaurant Nora
2132 Florida Ave., NW
5:30-10:30 — Reservations Recommended

Learn more here:  http://www.dcvegan.com/tag/dc-meat-free-week/ Cheers to a meatless week!