Cooking Practices.

As with most of my values I follow an undogmatic approach. They are what I aspire to, not specters of punishment.

I shape my diet the same way: ideologically, ecologically and philosophically I aspire to a vegan diet. Practically and technically I am a flexitarian: my diet is almost entirely vegetarian and predominantly plant-based. I love cheese in various forms and dishes, but my lactose intolerance keeps my consumption in check, making it a relatively rare indulgence. I consume eggs, but I am very specific and picky about their source — most of them come from my local CSA Ouvertura, which usually means that they are very limited in numbers.

While I generally don't cross the boundary of ordering, buying or preparing meat for or by myself and others, I do consume it on rare occasions — usually to prevent leftovers from going to the trash. Up to three times a year I might indulge in a craving for a piece of fish. While I enjoy the taste of many meats, I choose not to consume them to live more in accordance with my values, a practice that generally leaves me with more inner peace. For the largest part, I don't miss a thing.

Over time, I adapted my diet multiple times, from carnivorous to vegan and back but I have lived and eaten as described above for the larger part of the last decade.

I would love for more people in my circles to abstain from omnivorous diets, but have never observed campaigning as an effective strategy to do so. Instead, I believe it to be more effective in the long run to hold my own inner balance, and communicate my needs, boundaries and values in a benign and patient way.

As I generally try to avoid processed foods I am not the biggest fan of mock meat products. However, I can understand their purpose and will occasionally indulge in them; particularly when eating together with carnivorous friends, who are making an effort and respect my needs and boundaries.