This blog entry is enough to incite war between militant vegans, vegetarians and I. Hey, bring it on!

But seriously, since I am a peace lover, and strive to bypass potential drama, let’s take a moment to review my Disclaimer before I get someone’s panties in a bunch over this post:

I fully understand that true vegans do not consume any animal flesh whatsoever, nor do they wear animal products such as leather. Understood. I have been both vegan and a strict vegetarian for extended periods of time and I didn’t fancy either. I also know that lacto-ovo (dairy and egg-consuming) vegetarianism is frowned upon by vegetarian fanatics. I am neither referring, nor relating myself to, either group. So chill.

For those unfamiliar with the term “pescetarian,” here’s a little 411 on it.

Every summer for as long as I can remember, I just stop eating meat (chicken, lamb and beef). It’s never really this big conscious enlightenment thing, it just sort of happens organically, so to speak. I simply lose a taste for it when the weather heats up.

Oh sure, I’ll eat organic eggs, a touch of organic dairy, wild-caught fish and shellfish, but not meat.

And every summer, I automatically slim down as a result of this. The whites of my eyes become whiter, too. My sense of smell is also oddly enhanced.

It is my unscientific theory that I have a bad reaction to the growth hormones in standard U.S. meat. I mean, a BAD reaction. I puff, I swell…OH LOOK - here comes the Michelin Man!

Michelin Man

I don’t digest red meat and chicken well AT ALL. Never have. But when you grew up eating soul and comfort food (jerk chicken, anyone?), meat just becomes what you do…even if you don’t do it well.

Maybe that’s why I’m so big on my Fish on Friday theme. For me, fish is a flakier, much lighter protein for my body to digest. I have no after-effects of eating it occasionally.

My last hurrah with meat was my virtually orgasmic meal at a popular Ethiopian restaurant two weeks ago. I haven’t touched meat since then, and I won’t until end of summer…or maybe never.

Look, I’m not saying I don’t like the taste of a medium-rare steak. Liking the taste and digesting it are two different planets. One has nothing to do with the other.

Even free-range meat consumed in conjunction with a digestive enzyme supplement takes ten centuries to digest in my gut. However, it’s at least a healthier alternative.

On so many levels, I feel better by abstaining from dense animal protein, and I highly recommend giving it a try for a week or two to see what a difference you feel, if you happen to be curious.

Just make sure you’re taking a good whole food-based multivitamin that contains plenty of B-12, iron, and zinc, and your nutritional bases will be adequately covered.

Keep in mind that I am NOT of the ilk that will police what you eat and get into ridiculous semantic battles in discussion to feel holier-than-thou due to my chosen dietary preference.

Some folks are as evil as the day is long, but will crown themselves righteous because they haven’t eaten food with eyes in 12 years. Please don’t lump me in with that bunch. In truth, I couldn’t care less what you eat. I’m simply sharing what I do.

I actually created this long-winded post to announce my latest discovery: a cool blog called The Rosy Pescetarian. That blog contains some truly divine vegetarian and pescetarian recipes and pics.

As for me tonight - sushi buffet and salad bar - make way for Mama!