First let me start by saying I’m not one of these PETA type people who become vegetarian to save the world. I don’t knock their hustle but I also don’t knock the hustle of people who eat meat three meals a day. Humans have consumed animals since the beginning of time and more than likely will continue to do so till the end of time.

Myself personally have decided to give a vegetarian lifestyle another shot. When Da Fam Sports Group gets to where I want it to be, I would like us not just to represent athletes but also personal trainers and fitness “gurus” for lack of a better term. A healthy living is important to me now that I know firsthand the benefits of it.

I’ve been on my health conscious thing on and off (mostly on) since January of 2007. I’ve tried it all from starvation (didn’t work) to low-carb (never stood a chance. I love baked goods too much) to excessive running (worked but I started to look like a sickly person).

Let me not digress into diet because that’s a whole other article on it’s own. Let’s get to this Vegetarian thing. The last time I did it was summer of 09′ and it had me in the best shape of my life. Unfortunately I was doing something wrong because I used to feel lightheaded at times. I think I wasn’t getting enough protein which is a struggle for most vegetarians.

My #1 reason for doing it is to have my mind as clear as possible. For my particular lifestyle, a clear mind is probably the single most important resource I could have. I’m sure some can eat steak and drink beer every morning and think clearly but I can’t. I need to exercise restraint and control in different aspects of life in order for my mind to function at it’s highest level.

#2 reason is to show others they can do it. Of my friends and associates I’m probably the weakest one but no one knows it because I constantly push myself to do things others view as difficult or impossible. I do this to show myself and them that it’s not that difficult or impossible. If regular ole Phella can do it then why can’t you?

#3 reason is the physical. Since my accident in October (damn drunk bastard) my shoulder is in constant pain and I can’t do my boxing workouts as frequent as I used to. Boxing had me in great shape but now that I can’t do it I’ve noticed a few things getting out of perspective. I don’t plan on modeling underwear anytime soon but still, staying in shape won’t hurt.

#4 reason is the competitive aspect. This really should be #1. I love pushing myself. Sunday was Valentines day and I was at Cheesecake Factory. The challenge of scanning their whole entire menu and passing over item after item laced with meat, chicken, and fish, just to find the few items that weren’t, was fun to me. It gives you this invincible kind of feeling.

What to eat – Here is where it gets rough. If you have a nice budget to spend on food per day then being a vegetarian won’t be so tough. You can just eat out three times a day and get pasta like I did at Cheesecake, or Potbelly’s Veggie sandwich, or veggie Pizza etc. However if you’re balling on a budget you might want to consider Boston Market vegetables and side dishes or Taco Bell’s Fresco Burrito that’s just beans and vegetables (personal favorite and I think it’s like $.99). The key is to never get hungry. The moment you find yourself starving, you will probably revert back to meat. It’s like when you’re in dire need of loving and call up that ex that you know you shouldn’t call.

Here’s some stuff to consider at the grocery store: Cereal, chocolate milk, bagels, Thomas’ english muffins, natural peanut butter, jelly, wheat waffles, pita bread, hummus, beans, corn, protein drinks (Odwalla Vanilla Protein is a good one), potatoes, eggs (if you’re a lacto-ovo vegetarian – meaning you eat eggs and dairy products but no meat). Now that you’re saving on all the calories meat brings you can probably afford to eat more and a bit later. When I’m not on my vegetarian game I usually eat no later than 6pm. Right now it’s 10:36 pm and I got cream spinach, potatoes, and pita bread next to me. The luxurious life of a vegetarian baby.

Remember to stay full, drink a lot of fluids, get creative when it comes to protein, and get your cheese pizza on from time to time. Depending on how you’re body adopts you’ll find yourself adjusting in a matter of two weeks or less. Good luck and if you need encouragement just holla.

- Phella

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Wow. I’ll try my best to complement Phella’s magnificent post…

I’m  on Day 12 or 14 of being a vegetarian now. Now, before you continue, let’s get one thing straight. I’m not a f*ckin’ gimpy tree-huggin give peace a chance type of guy. I love – or used to love – to eat dead animals. My favorite food is steak. When I went to India I would eat at the same non-veg place three times a day. I love Chicken Teriyaki. When I’m in full beast work out mode, 3 or 4 humpty-dry chicken breasts are the norm.

Or, shall I say…were.

A few weeks ago, I can’t remember what it was that I was eating, but something made me stop and say, “Dude, chill, this thing used to be alive at one point.” And I didn’t give the thought much credence. Then, a few days later, it just hit me. We are needlessly slaughtering innocent animals. At an insane pace.

Now, bear with me. Humans are the dominant race, we need protein, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah, shut the fuck up. If humans are the dominant race, I want us to be eating lions. Eat gorillas. Eat the king of the f*ckin jungle. Not some pig or cow that’s not gonna defend itself. We live in a society so full of access…to food, water, idle time, porn, everything - that we’re fighting a battle vastly different from our ancestors. Our ancestors fought to survive, we fight to limit. Limit ourselves from over-eating, over-indulging.

I used to eat Bacon for Breakfast, Steak for Lunch, and Chicken for Dinner. I don’t care how much protein I need, or whether I’m God-made to be omnivorous or carnivorous, but that can’t be natural. To eat another living thing for every meal of your day. Every day. For your whole life. If we lived a 100 years ago — it wouldn’t be physically possible to 1) afford, or 2) have access to all that meat. Just because we have access, doesn’t mean we have to indulge.

As a bigger picture, me stopping my eating of meat has to do with me being conscious of everything that is me. What I say, what I do, what I eat — if I believe it unnatural to to eat meat every meal of the day (and YOU can’t convince me it’s NOT), but continue to do so, what does that make me? Either a liar, or a cheat, or a swindler or a hypocrite — either way, nothing good.

Just because we have access to things doesn’t mean we need them. And like most decisions in my life, this was spontaneous, unprovoked, and just happened. I didn’t premeditate it. It just happened. And I just go with the flow.

For years I’ve seen those videos about slaughtered animals and all, but the realization came after the fact that I decided to quit eating meat. So tell PETA those videos didn’t sway me. As a matter of fact, they probably have the opposite effect.

But think about it. For everytime Kanye & Amber show up looking fly wearing mad fur, and catch hell for it, it’s a great publicity piece for everyone involved – the PETA a*sholes included. But now, really think about it. If When I have a million bucks, there’s a million more things to spend my $$ on.

So, the most important reason, it’s not humanely natural to eat meat all day every day. The other rationale is that I hate bullies, and killing animals is bullying (lol as corny as that sounds). (I’m not even going to get into the hypocrisy … you know what, f*ck it, I will)

Jews & Muslims don’t eat pig. Why not?! What made God make this one un-edible animal?? And then give it the most scrumptious smell ever (simmering Bacon…mmmm)?! If you’re gonna eat meat, either you eat it all, or you don’t eat it at all. None of that in between sh*t. Either God made it for you to love all animals, or ravage them all…none of that pick-and-choose sh*t.

Anyway I’m through ranting. Now on to the effects.

From going from a staunch anti-veggie crusader to a non meat-eater in the span of a second, I have the usual sneers from peers and family, like “Let’s see how long this lasts.” And the truth is, I don’t know how long it will last. It happened on a whim, so it may change on a whim. But most good things that happen to me, happen spontaneously. So maybe it’s here to stay. Who knows. Only time will tell, so I stress it, ironically, much less than my surrounding bodies (can I use the term haters here?).

The first few days were tough, as I ended up having a BMT at a SuperBowl Party (but I knew I would anyway — it’s the SuperBowl!) Physically, it’s draining. I’m working out as hard as ever, and maybe that has something to do with it, but I’m fatigued all throughout the day. (I’ve also cut out anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup and coffee, etc., so that could be another reason). Workouts are still intense, and I’ve gained strength and lost fat. But I think it’s too early to determine.

The fatigue gets annoying, but I’m determined to ride this wave out and see where I end up. I like it.

Diet-wise, the lack of protein isn’t that astounding. Breakfast is the same as usual, egg whites and/or oatmeal. My intake of fruits has risen tremendously – apple, banana, and orange daily – with strawberries and others mixed in sporadically. Subway’s Veggie Patty has 25 grams of protein, and tastes great. Plus, I’ve come to the conclusion that you don’t really need 2 grams per pound to gain muscle. If my Myoplex says that I’m getting 42% of my daily recommended dose in one serving, I’m good!

I’ve finally begun to eat my mom’s cooking for the first time in my life (and that’s not just a phrase — it’s literally true. First time ever.) I used to whine & bitch about trips to McDonald’s when I was a kid and we would visit relatives…they’ll be happier to know that I’ll eat whatever they cook. Benjamin Franklin was pretty astute in saying that it’s a good idea to keep your diet as low-key as possible; so when you travel, you can fit in anywhere. (He was also a veggie, until later in life, when he went fishing. He caught a fish, opened up, and saw other fish inside. Then he said, and I paraphrase, “If you eat other fish, then I may eat you.” True story.)

Indian bread (Roti and/or Bhakri, not naan), are generally made from whole wheat, so too much carbs or enriched flour isn’t really an issue.

Also, bodybuilding.com has a great array of articles relating to being a vegetarian and still training. So the diet I’m cool with, but the fatigue I hate.

All in all, I don’t have the strength yet to turn down an invitation to Peter Luger’s, or a great BBQ (at least I don’t think I do — who knows what happens when the time comes). But I know I’ll feel remorseful after. (I guess the Jewish/Islamic idea of Kosher & Halal gets some cool points). And I’ll be more conscious of what I’m eating, rather than just stuffing myself.

Other than that, as Gandhi asked: “Do you eat to live, or live to eat?”

- Nisarg Lives

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