Saturday, October 06, 2007

On Being a Vegetarian -- and Trivia Segment 3

The second semester of my Sophomore year in college, I looked around the MBBC dining hall and saw no healthy meat that I wanted to eat. For a while I had disliked lunchmeat, red meat, pork, and most poultry, leaving me to eat unhealthy things such as pepperoni and bacon (can you see how they are less "meaty"?). So I decided, "I don't really like this stuff anyway! I'm giving it up for the rest of the semester". By the time I came home and sat down to a steak grilled by my dad, I had lost the taste for meat -- I simply could not handle the texture. I also read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair that summer, but I was already confirmed by then. That began me on a quest to actually care about my food and not just always stick whatever tastes good into my mouth. The next fall a vegetarian lady at my little college church lent me a cookbook that explained how to build a perfect protein even if you aren't eating meat. I found I enjoyed learning about food, health and cooking. I confess that the spiritual aspect has come much later. I don't eat meat not because I believe it is wrong (I believe in mankind having dominion over the animals), but because it is just a part of a balanced lifestyle I try to maintain to bring glory to God. So that is my pilgrimage as a vegetarian. It is true, as Anna pointed out, that initially I was a terribly unhealthy vegetarian to begin with, but I mended that within a few months, and now my tastes for meals center largely around how many vegetables are in one dish. I truly don't feel right if I go too long in my day without eating some veggies and fruit.

Morning Rose and Misty are now on the board with one point each. I'm awarding Morning Rose for her sleuthing on the Lent question (plus she was the closest in the first place, and answered first), and Misty on the most detailed reason for my vegetarianism. The scoreboard stands as follows: Anna(3), Morning Rose(1) and Misty(1).

Segment 3 -- Awards

6. Fill in the blank: Gretchen graduated from college _______________

7. What award was bestowed on Gretchen in 2005 that led her to proclaim "Now I feel as though I'm a person who actually wins things!"

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure #6 is magna cum laude (that's what I graduated too). I may have to look at some old posts to see if I can find the answer to #7.

Anonymous said...

After some sleuthing, I'm guessing #7 is when you won the freestyle dance at the PowWow.

Anonymous said...

1. Magna cum laude from MBBC

2. Oo Gret. You won the Indian Freestyle Dance at that Pow wow thing! I tell people that all the time, and try to reinact it, but can't do it like you can. !!!!! Those prizes you won!!!! :)

Anna

Anonymous said...

P.S. I was like a waaay healthier vegetarian at MBBC because the salad bar, fruit, and cereal is like all I ate! Skinny. :) Yeah, and cookies maybe. ;)

P.S. I'm at work, I'm not commenting on your blog during church.

Anna

Misty said...

1) As little Miss Perfect Student, a.k.a. magna cum laude from MBBC without ever having a demerit. We're just alike in that second part (as if).

2) I was going to say when you won Camper of the Week at ABY camp--but that was ten years too early. So, I'll have to say you must have had that thought mid-dance (about an hour in) at the National Pow-Wow SPECTATOR'S dance. Note the emPHAses on the term which heretofore only I have correctly used.

sara said...

I am so out of your league, Gret...I thought you were asking what year did you graduate!!!! Um I was never, like the mostest smartest student :)

Anyway- I think I don't have any chances to win this little trivia game, but I am enjoying the posts and answers!

Gretchen said...

Just want to insert here -- Misty, I most certainly did NOT feel like a person who won things that week at ABY camp. HELLO!!! WHO won the scholarships?? That would be the real "Little Miss Perfect" and scary huge bully boy. Camper of the week was so just a nod to Tammy and me because they did not give us money for college. RATS!

sara said...

Hi, Me again- I should just email you- but this is easier!

I bet you could find books at thrift stores...but I guess that might take you awhile to gather enough vintage stuff. Maybe e-bay?

Also, I love Mod Podge. It seems to work the best. You can paint it on in so many layers without it turning yellow or getting bubbles (like many varnishes, etc.)

Anonymous said...

Gretchen you DID win camper of the week? I thought Misty was joking. What a stupid award! hee yee! I never did. Except remember you, me and Mandy won the 3 on 3 basketball tourney? THAT is because all summer we made up PLAYS!? We BROUGHT it. :)

Anna

Misty said...

Gret, it was money they made selling weed at the Canteen after campfire and purple bandannas before; you were better off without it, and so was I, probably. Anyway, Frog was the real prize and neither of us got him--or George. (With everything that I've forgotten in my life, why-oh-why must I remember these names?)

Gretchen said...

Who the world was George??? I remember Frog, of course.

Anonymous said...

wasn't george the cute counselor the did the drug raid on me and Misty's cabin?

Anna

Gretchen said...

Anna -- yes, he and Rusty Hawkins. Scarred Misty for life. That's why she hates men. Ha ha! :)

~Gret