Having grown up in a northern State where it gets freezing in the winter and cooler summers, it’s normal to eat meat processed from a grocery store or venison meat processed from a wild game expert.
Growing up, I ate meat all the time such as bologna for lunch and beef found in many dishes plus the occasional steak. Especially in the colder months, the heavier meals kept me warm at night. Lasagna, goulash and spaghetti all were made with beef.
During my high school years while living in the frozen tundra of northern Michigan, my parents made the decision to become vegetarian because of the health benefits to prevent cancer and heart disease. My Dad was an osteopathic physician who commuted to Detroit for his job where he learned of many of his colleagues who were no longer eating red meat. He did pass away from cancer like his father, sadly.
For me, I remained somewhat of a vegetarian after moving to west Michigan where I allowed myself ground turkey and other poultry but not red meat. Truthfully, in the winter, I needed more protein to shovel my driveway because it was so steep with lots of snow. I kept this up until I loss my job and my eventual move to Texas. Lots of fruits and vegetables are grown all over Michigan that are accessible with the local farmers markets and stands beside being in the supermarkets.
Currently, I consider myself no longer a vegetarian because I have eaten beef at well known BBQ smokehouses and other locations. In addition, during the week, I drink hot breakfast tea in the morning without anything added plus I have cold brewed green tea during the day that has kept my weight down plus tons of other benefits. The tea has helped me more than being vegetarian. For me, living a healthy lifestyle is limiting myself to foods that aren’t fulfilling and high calorie intake. Occasionally, I do have my salad binge of eating them all week for dinner plus fruit for dessert.
In closing, eating wisely can include red meat along with other various foods like poultry, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and dairy. Being active does help as well. Tea has helped me a lot too.
Yours Truly,
Leslie Elizabeth David.
The Magnificent Modern Mature Woman 