I've just decided that I am a "flexitarian." Wikipedia defines the term "flexitarianism" as "a term used in the United States to describe the practice of eating mainly vegetarian foods, but making occasional exceptions for social, pragmatic, cultural, or nutritional reasons."

I was having a family Easter celebration yesterday (yes, I know that Easter was two months ago) when my family was discussing my diet. My aunt and uncle are vegetarians, and my mom was telling them that I was "leaning toward vegetarianism." That statement, although true, is something that I would not tell anybody myself; I don't like making a big deal about the fact that yes, I prefer not to eat meat.

My dad responded to my mom's comment with something along the lines of "lucky for us she's flexible," and my aunt threw in the term flexitarian. And it definitely fits me. Because as a rule I don't like meat. I really don't. I don't like its taste and I don't like the fact that when I'm eating meat I'm eating dead animals. That fact just conjures some bad images in my mind. I am not against other people eating meat; they can eat it all they want to. I'm not going to preach or proselytize -- I just don't like it.

I also feel, though, that when I go to another person's house and they serve meat I have a social responsibility to eat it. They made me a meal and because I prefer not to eat meat I don't eat it? Well, that just feels rude. So I eat the meat, and, in fact, sometimes I even enjoy it.

And yes, I do have my temptations. I cannot resist a meat pie baked by my mother or a plate of Chinese food. I just . . . can't do it. If those foods are set in front of me, I see no need to deny myself the pleasure I have in eating them. 

Flexitarianism is also much easier than vegetarianism is when traveling; I travel frequently and it is rare when going to a restaurant, especially one in a different culture/country, to find a variety of dishes that do not include meat. Instead of putting up a fuss about the lack of dishes available to vegetarians, or choosing not to eat, I order something simple with some chicken or maybe some fish and quietly eat that. Much less trouble, much less fuss.

I'm happy with my choice to become flexitarian. It makes the most sense for me, and I've finally found a word that I can use to describe my dietary choices.

And, unlike my usual crazy words, I didn't make it up, either.