One thing to say, another to ask.

We'll start with the 'ask'.

Where would you guys like me to devote some writing energy? A particular story, or style, or genre? What would you like me to produce storywise?

And the 'say' -
I'm going vegetarian. Saying it aloud makes it more real for me, I suppose. Kind of nervous about starting out, truth be told. Any vegetarian readers of mine? Any advice?

Comments

[mapu]

Don't become vegetarian. Its freaking retarded. If you don't know what you are doing you mess up your health. And I am person with meat allergies (I can't eat chicken). You need a lot of food supplements, lecithin, calcium, fish oil, B12, iodine, Iron... Also eat all the tings raw, otherwise they loose a lot of necessary vitamins and stuff.

What I would like to read is more comedy/slice of life like Good Times. I kinda want more like it/sequel.

[Everyday]

First, I'd like to wish you luck in adopting a new lifestyle. I personally don't think I could handle being a vegetarian (not a particular fan of vegetables, so the idea of making it the focus of my diet is more than I can wrap my mind around), but I respect those that have the discipline to live that life. I hope it works out well for you.

Second, I would like to provide a word of caution: make sure to include sources of not only protein, but also iron because you'll likely be receiving less of both if you're not mindful.

A small piece of advice to go along with that: if you ever suffer from a headache, it probably means you're deficient in something. The three easiest things to become deficient in are water, sugar, and salt (in no particular order). Whenever a headache sets in, consider eating a salty snack, such as crackers, and drink some juice for the sugar and water content. This will generally help alleviate a headache. Consider also peanut butter to go with the crackers (assuming you do not have a nut allergy) to add protein and a little bit of salt and iron.

While this is my general remedy for headaches, I mention it because there is a slight chance you could experience mild deficiency headaches as your body adjusts to your new diet.

Just curiously, what kind of vegetarian are you becoming? No red meat, no white meat, no red or white meat but allowing fish, no meat at all, other?

And when it comes to where to devote your writing energy, well, I very much enjoyed Temporary Measures. Make of that what you will, I suppose.

[Abramus5250]

Going vegan or vegetarian is just as bad as going "caveman diet" or "full-meat diet", as people are by design not supposed to "live on bread alone", as Jesus put it. We are, by nature, omnivorous creatures, hence our canines/incisors and shearing front teeth as well as grinding molars and such. Now I know some people cannot handle some foods or others due to allergies, and have to make do with supplements and such, but if that's not the case, then don't limit yourself to just one thing.

My advice? Cut back on the things that you know are not good for you (excess carbs, sodium, sugars, etc) and focus on leaner everything, be it meat, veggies, fruits and the like. Going straight vegetarian is like trying to run a 15K marathon non-stop after becoming adequate at running the 100 meter dash.

What I would like to see? Have you ever given thought to world-building stories? Ones that aren't necessarily huge-ass works, but that can build up the world of Equestria in ways the show hasn't yet?

[Lancerlot]

The increasingly high cost of food, combined with the poor economy / job market here in the US (I can't speak on how things are elsewhere) has convinced me to reduce my meat consumption, and to use cheaper meat (pork or chicken) instead of beef. It hasn't been too difficult, and learning to make refried beans from dry pinto beans helped some.
I can't offer much help regarding vegetarianism, except to mention that "Lacto-Ovo-Pesco" vegetarianism would probably turn out to be less expensive than going full Vegan and needing to buy supplements.
Going by my own experience, you might experience occasional "cravings." I took a wild guess that those were my body telling me it lacked something, and so when I had a craving for steak I bought some cheap $4/lb hamburger meat, formed it into patties, froze most and cooked one for dinner. The craving went away, and I now have several "doses" in the freezer against future attacks.

[Wade]

Personally, I like your heartwarming little one-shots.

For the vegetarian thing, I'd really recommend trying out "field roast" grain meat at some point. It's hard to find, but wow it is good. Grain-based with eggplant and a few other odd ingredients. Easily the closest I've seen a vegetarian meat substitute come to actual meat (second-place going to seitan).

[ambion]

2636952

Thank you for the thought. I'm making a point of being sure I research the new diet appropriately.

I have considered doing a direct sequel to Good Times. For what it was, I liked how it turned out. In the meantime https://www.fimfiction.net/story/146945/a-pair-o-boobs and https://www.fimfiction.net/story/127443/helping-hooves might be in the right ballpark for you. Sexy and fun.

2636975 I've never had headaches, whereas dizziness is much more my gig. I'm disallowed from donating blood on grounds of it. Iron is something I'm already well onto, I've got supplements for that.

For the time being while I'm uncertain and new, there isn't a specific branch of vegetarianism I'm subscribing to. Instead I'm putting up my own general decision making to it: No meat. Milk and to a greater extent eggs will be the next thing to consider, given time.

Temporary Measures started out as a sadfest, too xD. But then I got a good slapping from a prereader and completely rewrote it better. For you, https://www.fimfiction.net/story/53269/a-ballad-of-eeyup-and-nope and https://www.fimfiction.net/story/148967/tricks-and-treats are ones I think you will like.

[ambion]

2636977

Thank you for the thought. Not everyone will agree with my choice, and I'm alright with that. And I know the deep-fried veggie burger is just about as bad as the regular ones, too~

As for World-Building stories, I do have a long-ish one presently in the works, but for the time being I could direct you to https://www.fimfiction.net/story/25694/changeling-heart-and-the-new-moon. I wrote this some years ago and keep meaning to go read it again for my own self-indulgence. It's nearly 90'000 words, completely complete, and does a moderate bit of world-building. Features Luna and Chrysalis.

[particle_pony]

My wife is vegetarian and one of our roommates is vegan so we don't cook meat at home. (Though I often indulge if we go out to a restaurant.) I've learned a lot, as I'm the cook of the house. BTW, except for low vitamin D, none of us has had problems with nutrient imbalances.

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) 'ground round' substitutes beautifully in a 'meat' sauce for pasta

Tofu is difficult, so far. My favorite is using soft tofu in a berry smoothie. I'd love yo make more thai-style fried tofu with peanut sauce but I suck at frying it. It always falls apart.

Cookbook recommendation: Fast, Fresh, & Green. I can't speak highly enough of it!

vegan cheeses never melt right

almond milk is a poor substitute for cow milk in many recipes because it doesn't have cream

[Noble Cause]

I have two questions to ask in turn: Why are you wanting to vegetarian?

And what KIND of vegetarian? ovo-lacto-vegetarian, piscetarian vegetarian, pure vegetarian and getting your protein from beans? depending on how you're going to lean, I have some recipes that could be of use.

[Southpaw]

I'm not a vegetarian, myself, but I have several friends who are, and they haven't withered away and died from it, much less gone insane due to a lack of tasty, tasty murder in all the years I've known them.

Aside: A few years ago one of my friends held a party for about 30 people in their back yard, and his wife hilariously stopped everything mid-party to point out to everyone - to the dismay of some, and laughter from others - that their steaks were being grilled by a strict vegetarian. Actually he was a pretty good cook.

I come from a vegetarian background, and having met so many vegetarians (it was common in the religion) who ate terribly as 'vegetarians' and were clearly unhealthy, I would only suggest easing into it as with any other major diet change, and obviously do your research and pay attention to your body.

As far as your next writing effort: For that question I always think "write what turns you on the most" because that will likely prove the most inspired. Otherwise I can't offer you anything on that. Sorry.

[Crimson Dawn]

Vegetarian is not so bad. I a would not be a fan of going vegan just because it a pain in the rear. The most important thing I can recall you will need to do is make sure you eat complete proteins. Tofu I believe is a classic choice but you can also do it by combining various foods. One such combo is found in hummus where the chick peas and the one sauce combined make a full protein.

As for what I like to . I do like world building or adventure stories or future stories. I also like a heavy dose of pinkie pie paired with dash or big mac.

[ambion]

2637128
I'll start with the second question. I'm avoiding any label for now, until I settle into it and know what I think and what I feel. For the moment though, I'm keeping it very basic - anything that's meat - flesh - or anything directly derived from that is put away now. Milk and eggs...I'm not sure about them yet.

As for the why...I don't really want to go into that as such. It's something I'm doing for me, sufficed to say.

[defunct321]

I'm partially vegetarian myself just because vegetables are so much cheaper, at least where I am. Seriously, as reference, the ratio of cents to grams of carrots is roughly 1:10, in the winter. Meat is roughly 1:0.5 .

[Noble Cause]

2637395

Fair enough. I can't argue that. So you want to stick mainly to veggies and tofu then, at least to start out... okay, I can work with that and help you out, if you'd like. I'm a cook by hobby, so I could look for recipes and whatnot.

[Mercury Zero]

I did the vegan thing for about a year. Shopping for groceries is a lot like playing 'Where's Waldo' with ingredients labels. I came up with a bunch of tasty recipes over the years, though. Watch out for imitation cheeses, if you do choose to avoid dairy. They often have milk protein in them, making them animal products.

[Exuno]

I'm totally going to ignore this whole Vegetarianism conversation and say that I want more Absolute Wanker :<

Ponies being treated respectedly and making themselves happy was nice. There was very honest characterization and it didn't feel pornographic at all, just an exploration of sex. More of that, please.

[ambion]

2640103

Your wish is my whimsy. Just flying an AW chapter through the great automatic grammartizor now.

[ambion]

2640103

There you go. Have a chapter - https://www.fimfiction.net/story/201729/4/absolute-wanker/pinkie-pie