| Author | Message | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 207 Registered: 3-2005 |
Has anyone known a person to ever have been healed from the brain damage repulsion of eating meat? I've had real struggles with my health this summer, and ongoing with weight. I can not, no matter how many 30 mile bike rides I take or how many hours I spend at the gym daily, loose even a pound, but just continue to gain. I am now seriously allergic to eggs and dairy, so my protein sources come from the very few low sodium soy meats I can find, from nuts and beans and that's pretty much it. I have tried and tried to eat meat but just can not do it. If I could, it might really help me. As most of you understand, when you are raised a certain brand of SDA you are not only taught to be a vegetarian for conscience reasons but at least I was given all the horror stories about the packing plants, etc.... Maybe it's the texture too the really wigs me out. In any case I can't seem to eat the stuff. Some how I didn't do as good a job at convincing my kids cuz they've never eaten meat in their lives and at 3, 11 and 13 they act as if they've eaten it their entire lives, my husband too, although he was introduced to it as a kid off and on (he was one of those farming SDA's). Well, I'd love to hear some ideas. Nice to write you all a note again. Hope you've each had a really great summer. Sincerely, Lisa | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 695 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hi Lisa! How very wonderful to "see" you once again. I, too, have been gone for awhile. We are finally moved and settled. It's been a long haul but God has been with us every step of the way. The best part of hardships is seeing the hand of God at work. It makes all the struggles seem worthwhile! Praise Him!! Even though I was raised eating some meat but very little of it (Mom cooked a turkey at Thanksgiving and fried chicken for us when we went on a picnic - only when no other SDAs were around, though!), I understand what you are saying. It has been especially hard to eat meat after working as an ER nurse - cooking and handling raw meat is just plain gross and now it is only because of my growing, active, athletic children that I do handle it. I remember all those horror stories of meat. I think that has weighed on me, too. One thing I have started buying is organic, range-free, steriod free, grass-feed meats. You have to pay more for these meats but the peace of mind is worth it. I am sure Colleen or Richard will weigh in on this converation. I know Richard recently conquered this same repulsion of meat eating. If you haven't heard their story, make sure you find out about it. I firmly believe finding protein from meat sources is a much healthier way to eat. Have you ever heard of the Glycemic Index? Get on-line and Google for more information. I think it is a very sensible way to eat. When I was pregnant I had Gestational Diabetes and the diet I was recommended was very similar to the GI diet. I think a soy diet is counter productive to weight management - especially those canned/processed products we were all raised on. There are websites on the health risks of eating high amounts of protein from soy. I don't know what they are but maybe someone else does (Jeremy?). I found my research on these subjects helped change my way of thinking. I don't know if any of my ramblings help. I have lost you email address in our move. I have a new email address. I would love to be back in touch sometime. I have kept you in my prayers as the last we talked you and your family were making some changes, also. I hope all is well with you. Your friend, Denise | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 597 Registered: 8-2004  |
Welcome back to both of you! I agree with Denise. Getting free-range and organic stuff has helped me. Also getting 'beef franks' that are similar to Loma Linda products. Mary | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1448 Registered: 10-2004  |
Lisa, Denise is right about soy. It can cause hypothyroidism and weight gain. This link has more info about soy. I also agree with Denise and Mary about organic, free-range, and grass fed (and even kosher!) products being helpful. One more thing: even though I am sensitive to regular milk, I am able to handle organic, grass-fed RAW milk (the way it used to be in the old days). For more info on that see here and here. Jeremy (Message edited by jeremy on August 09, 2006) | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2282 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dear Lisa, I hope you get help with your phobia about meat. I have a very profound phobia towards shellfish and the 'unclean meats'. Maybe a good place to start would be at a Jewish kosher butcher shop. Then you could be assurred you are getting cuts of meat that have been handled properly and in which the animal was slaughtered correctly. That might give you a bit more peace of mind. | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 526 Registered: 7-2004  |
What I've found is that grilled chicken breast, cut up in chunks and put in things, is texture-wise similar to vegetarian chicken pieces. And it's easier to tell yourself it's just another brand of veggie-chicken. In fact, that's about the only way I can eat it. I too have a strong aversion to meat and wish I could get over it so that it would be easier to have a low carb higher protein diet. I know it's not as healthy, but since I also have trouble preparing meat, I usually have it eating out. Although my husband, Ric_b, occasionally fixes it. One of these days I have to continue getting accustomed to meat. After the one huge step of no meat my entire life to occasional grilled chicken and fish, there's been no further progress. | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 238 Registered: 4-2005  |
We're vegitarian in our food intake about 90% of the time.....perhaps 95%. But we do enjoy Tyson's Grilled glazed chicken breasts. 0 grams trans fat. Extra lean. Come in Teriyaki and one other flavor, that wood they use for barbecuing ?? Might try fresh or frozen salmon or other fish; but keep tabs on mercury, so avoid some like sword fish. My doctor keeps encouraging me to eat more fish, particularly salmon. What about canned tuna? But a few times a year we buy fillet mignon or some really tender beef and put on the grill after marinating over night or for several hours. Nothing like a tender, delicious steak. Makes one want to pound their chest and give the Tarzan yell. That always brings the neighbors peering over our fence! lol P.S. Seriously - ask God for guidance. It's His Temple. He'll give you objective balanced wisdom. | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 208 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thank you all for the feed back (no pun intended  Where could I find Richard and Coleene's story about their meat freedom issues? Dd, I would love a call from you or email. Hmmm, how could we exchange this... I actually think I might have your email or phone number... I'll try to call next week. I have 7 kids for the weekend... a great friend has surgery and I'll only have 1/2 of her kids Plus my own. I ATE A FISH STICK AND DIDN'T GET SICK AFTER PRAYING HARD... I DID WASH IT DOWN WITH AN APPLE LBD | ||
| Richardtinker Board Administrator Username: Richardtinker Post Number: 51 Registered: 4-1999  |
Hi Lisa, hope this helps. Colleen wrote this for our "LAM Family News"--a single sheet insert we include with receipts for donors to Life Assurance Ministries: --------- Richard is celebrating a small but significant victory. As a child he learned that meat is not food. In his mind, there was no difference between the unclean and the clean meats; all were abhorrent and even dangerous to oneís health. Even though he had intellectually accepted the truth of the Bibleís declaration that all foods are to be eaten with thanksgiving, he could not emotionally tolerate the thought of a morsel of meat entering his mouth. In fact, his aversion was so strong that if he knew that any food had even touched meat, he resisted eating it. Last month, as we were discussing the coming February weekend with our pastorís wife, Elizabeth Inrig, who is acting as our hospitality chairperson for the weekend, she looked at Richard and said, ìYou know, eating meat is a choice. You have to set a goal, be accountable, and begin working up to your goal.î Richard realized she was right. ìItís hard to keep hiding behind asking people to pray for me when she challenges me to be accountable,î he said to me later. After experimenting with a few bites from my servings of chicken and a couple of follow up accountability conversations with Elizabeth, Richard chose a Friday evening when he committed to ordering his own chicken salad when we went to Cocoís Restaurant after Friday evening FAF Bible study. He had to pray his way through the meal, but he ate the whole thing! Later he confessed that the chicken really did taste better than the Garden Burger he normally substituted on his salads. Since that evening, he has been able to eat meat. ìMy aversion is gone,î he says. Heíll never be a meat and potatoes man, but at last he can eat what is served wherever he goes without worrying about whatís hidden in the food. He knows this new freedom is a gift of Godís grace. ----------- Since that was written I have eaten chicken (my favorite is blackened with spices and pepper), turkey, ham, tri-tip beef, beef hamburger, stir-fried beef, hot-dogs (Hebrew National beef), salmon, fish-n-chips, calamari, and shrimp. Some of these I've only had one or two times. I usually eat grilled chicken or turkey lunch meat. I must admit that those beef hot dogs were REALLY good--nothing like linketts! One thing that really helped was to touch meat and help Colleen grill it or at Thanksgiving, do the turkey trimming. I handled meat for several years before eating it. The bottom line is submission to the Word. Jesus declared all things clean (Mark 7:19). And in 1Tim. 4:1-4, Paul states: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to ABSTAIN FROM CERTAIN FOODS, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth." My prayers are with you as you seek freedom from the bondage of vegetarianism! Richard | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 191 Registered: 2-2006 |
I cannot say that I can help much because I still have such a terribly strong aversion muself (I throw up), after 28 years; and because a low protien diet prevents kidney disease, I am not inclined to try very hard, anyway. (I have had Diabetes for 36 years, so I am grateful that God has sustained me) But, I did ask an ex-SDA classmate of mine, once, how he got over it and eats meat like a tiger, now. He said that at Campion Academy (he was a villiage student), he began eating hamburgers at Mc Donalds because they put so much soy as filler in them, there was hardly any difference. He worked up, more and more, to where he is today--anything and all. For what it's worth. I pray that you overcome and your diet-health and worries become free and clear for you. Cathy | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 103 Registered: 11-2004 |
Richard, I was great to read your story. I have a stong aversion to all meat. I grew up with the belief that meat was disgusting and I have never had a desire to eat it. I do see it as a bondage and have been slowly working towards freedom. Right now I am at the point where I can eat soup with meat in it (not the meat though), eat pastry items without knowing if there was lard and eat something that is in close proximity to meat. So I have a way to go Thank you for sharing your story Richard. It is very encouraging. The way I eat is the only trace of SDAism left in me. | ||
| Ardyj Registered user Username: Ardyj Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2006 |
Being a vegetarian is not a bad thing in itself; but it is difficult to get the intake of protein that is required by careful balancing of vegetable protein. Meat is a much easier method for obtaining the protein required in the human body, and a very tasty way also, I might add. It works very well when configuring the amount of protein in a well-balanced diet as well as a diabetic diet. The hold that Adventism had over us just absolutely boggles my mind, in my own experience and reading the experiences of all of you in this Forum. I was raised in a meat eating Adventist home with a very noticeable double standard. While thoroughly sticking to a diet of "clean meats" to the extent of reading cracker boxes to see if they contained lard; there was liquor on the highest shelf of the cupboard and my father smoked until the kids were old enough to notice. (Actually we noticed long before he thought). I now enjoy ham, bacon and other delicious pork products with no "guilty conscience" as well as seafood. I cannot express the joy of having the veil removed by the Holy Spirit and reveling in the New Covenant truths. Thank you for this forum and sharing this joy and freedom in Christ! Ardyj | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 599 Registered: 8-2004 |
Welcome to the forum Ardyj! Yes, vegetarianism can be made to work. However I love the freedom of knowing that what I eat is not tied to my salvation! Hope to hear more from you. Blessings, Mary | ||
| Cy Registered user Username: Cy Post Number: 50 Registered: 1-2005  |
Welcome, Ardyj! I look forward to more contributions from you on this forum! I was raised as a rancher Adventist so I did grow up eating clean meats. My only experience with unclean foods as a youngster was once when I accidentally ordered a rack of ribs at a restaurant while travelling one day with my (non-Adventist) extended family; turns out the ribs were pork, but they were really good. After a year or two out of Adventism, I can't say that I have yet become comfortable with all foods. My wife loves shrimp, and I've tried to learn to like shrimp so we can share more of our life together (especially since I do most of the cooking), but the texture often still bothers me. I've also eaten pork chops and ham, but the texture also bothers me sometimes. (One day I had a hamburger at a little shop in Salzburg, Austria, and to this day I have no idea what kind of meat was really in it; now I know that it doesn't matter, spiritually speaking :-) Lisa, perhaps a good-quality hot dog (maybe even a kosher beef hot dog) might taste OK to you? The texture shouldn't be too odd and maybe some ketchup, gourmet mustard, and relish could help, too :-) Blessings, Guy | ||
| Ardyj Registered user Username: Ardyj Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2006  |
Thanks for your welcome. It is exciting for me to be able to read the experiences of so many who have left the grip of Adventism. I agree, the realization that my salvation is not tied to the meat eating or not; but only through Jesus Christ. What a blessing to be sure!!! | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 126 Registered: 6-2006  |
Hi Ardyj! I'm a "never-been" but I'm married to a wonderful man who grew up SDA and still considers himself that, but basically stopped practicing it when we got married 13 years ago. Since his family is very very active in the church I stumbled across this wonderful site and a few others after a prayer I sent up one morning. What a blessing these people are!! You definitely came to the right place. Hi Lisa, nice to meet you too! I don't know if you've ever listened to any of the audio "sermons" on www.sdaoutreach.org, but there is a wonderful sermon called "food laws and the Sabbath" http://www.sdaoutreach.org/Home/Audio/tabid/57/Default.aspx which is amazingly helpful. Pastor Mark goes through all the New Testament texts referring to clean and unclean and meats. My husband was a vegetarian up until we got married. When he first tried meat he wouldn't order it himself, but would ask me to order if for him. (I think it took some of the guilt off him?) Then one day he called and told me he ordered a McDonald's McRib sandwich all by himself. I was glad I didn't have to carry around that burden anymore! God bless! Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4453 Registered: 12-2003  |
Welcome Ardyj! I'm so glad you've joined us. I look forward to hearing more of your story. Cy, your aversion to shrimp, etc. is one I identify with. For some reason the texture of seafood (at least some of it) bothers me, although if it's in front of me, I will make myslef eat it. Our older son, who has no aversion to ANYTHING meaty, is quite the experimental eater (unlike our younger son who shares Richard's former aversion and still can't touch meat). At any rate, Roy, the older one, ordered a shrimp plate one day when we were eating out. It had some Hawaiian type of deep fried shrimp with coconut coating, and he gave me one. I have to sayócrispy, deep fried shrimp (what a healthful morsel!?) is delicious! (And that coconut coating was really good!) Colleen | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 210 Registered: 3-2005 |
Leigh Anne and All, I have known since childhood that the SDA view on food was wrong. God gave Peter a dream to straighten the food fallacy out, yet some are still refusing to obey. For some reason, however, I can't even imagine eating meat as it disgusts me. I am interested in the concept of the aversion to meat as being a form of bondage. I am as of now, making this issue a matter of prayer. The next step will be obedience. Thank you for your prayers and support. As I said before, I'm allergic to eggs and dairy, so that leaves my life very boring and leaves me either eating cans of olives to survive or starving most of the time. God will straighten this whole thing out for me. Lisa | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1459 Registered: 7-2003 |
Colleen, I love that coconut shrimp! I had it the first time on a sampler plate in the spring at joe's crab shack and my formerly favorite way (grilled) got competition! They never give you enough of either of them....and I've already introduced it to Jonathan! | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 280 Registered: 6-2005 |
Lisa, Im with you on the strong aversion. I have had some "success" eating good deli turkey at a church luncheon, and had a bite of Carol's steak on the 4th and lived to tell about it! Even had a few bites of chicken, and have managed to eat a bit of grouper/talapia. Even the tiniest bit of pork accidently injegested makes me violently sick for hours. That may be a true allergy. Anyway, Im thinking of going on a mission trip with my church, and heard the stories of the limited selection of food as they travel. It sounded like being vegetarian would be practically impossible. That has motivated me to prepare myself further, so as to not burden the hosts at the hostels etc. Im praying about it also, and would love to hear more of the bondage issue. Richard, your story gives me hope. Welcome Ardyj! | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 601 Registered: 8-2004 |
A mission trip sounds nice! Speaking of food on trips: I spent around six months with a lay-Adventist group on a mission trip to the Alaskan bush when I was a teenager. Some of us were vegetarians but most (including the family who actually lived there full time) were not. Since I did 'cook duty' while there, I learned to cook meat - moose, caribou, and salmon mostly. It WAS possible to be a vegetarian even that far north (we were right about the arctic circle). Gardens thrived, so long as you could keep the moose out of them and get them harvested before they got frozen stiff. The long days made things grow much faster than they would have where the nights were longer. Winter food would have to be carefully planned as even 'sprouting' for fresh greens would need 'grow lights' or something - there was not enough sun in the winter to grow anything. But it was possible. But if you want to be close to the local people it is very hard to stay vegetarian. To eat with them is a sign that you are a friend. To refuse to eat (didn't matter the reason) was considered an insult, possibly even a statement that you're their enemy. The local Adventist family had come to terms with that. Some of us 'visiting workers' had more trouble. It was an educational experience!! Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip if you go! Blessings, Mary | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2290 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dear Guy, I also grew up in a farming community and the SDA's out there are the clean meats. Some of the SDA's even raised their own animals for slaughter for themselves as well as commerically. Therefore, I have an adversion towards shellfish and pork in the same way some of the folks on this discussion forum have towards all meats. There seems to be a big difference between country SDA's and city SDA's, and even the mountain SDA's. Some things are regional. I attended a way farout jungle SDA church several years back on the Big Island and I was surprised at all the fish at the church potluck. I guess some things are just regional, cultural. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2740 Registered: 3-2004  |
Although I grew up eating the "clean" meats, I had an aversion to the "unclean". I remember, now, that I ate pork at a friend's house when she invited a bunch of us swimming last summer before I went on the cruise. On my Mexican cruise, with my sister, last year, I ate shrimp and lobster. I liked them and since then have learned to eat crab cakes(delicious). So on this cruise I had shrimp, lobster, and pork. The only time I could not eat port was when the whole pig was displayed with its head on it. Even my niece would not eat it. We laughed about that. God has been good to help me get over this aversion. So, Thank you God, you are awesome. Welcome Ardyj. Let us know more about you when you can. You are in the right place. Diana | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2299 Registered: 11-2002 |
Diana, I could never eat a shrimp or a lobster. It would gross me out too much and I would get ill just contimplating the idea of putting that stuff in my mouth. The same goes for crab. I live in the clam chowder captial of the world withh the most renound clam chowder restruants and never have I been even tempted to taste that stuff. I was raised that the clean meats are ment for human consumption and that's it. My family had meat nearly daily but never pork or shellfish or any other unclean meats. |
