Why Am I a Vegetarian? Health Benefits, Weight Loss, Consumerism, Solidarity with the Poor For my Lent observances this year, I gave up eating meat. By Easter, I was very comfortable with a meatless diet and decided to become a vegetarian (technically, a pescetarian). Here's why: health benefits, weight loss, environmental issues and solidarity with the poor. I call myself a Catholic transcendentalist. I identify with the early American transcendental movement such as Louisa May Alcott and Henry David Thoreau lived. Transcendental philosophy teaches us to transcend the trappings of consumerism and the allure of worldliness. Bl Mother Teresa of Calcutta echoed Transcendental wisdom when she exhorted us to "live simply that others might simply live." A vegetarian diet simpler living. It's part of living gospel poverty. It's good witness for kids too. Eating vegetarian helps raise awareness for those in need in the world church. It's good sensitivity training. Kids develop empathy with world hunger. When we give up for lent, particularly food, we learn an attitude of gratitude, compassion and generosity. Read More