Oh, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES! That is awesome, LilyPad! Seriously awesome! It takes a lot of courage to be a good old veggie eater (I say that in a good way) because you probably will hear a bunch of negativity. But stay strong, you are doing the right thing!

Okay, so I would totally be vegetarian - or even vegan - if I was allowed to. Thing is, I am really sickly. Not my fault, I just naturally have always been this way. Naturally weak, naturally sick, naturally deficient in vitamins and minerals, naturally pale. So my parents decided that it might not be the best idea for me because I might just get sicker. Especially since they almost guarantee I have anemia, which is iron deficiency.

But maybe when I am older! No, not maybe - for sure. But a few years ago we all were vegetarian, and for a short time, vegan. But between the cost, little kids hating vegetables, and sickness, it just wasn't working.

But yeah, congratulations to you! I hope you enjoy it! Oh, and based off the fact that you are going vegetarian, are you a yogi? As in, someone who does a ton of yoga? You just seem like that kind of person, which again, would be awesome!

Nice, I congratulate you! I've been a vegetarian for my entire life, never willingly eaten meat or fish, etc. etc. I don't like to talk about it too much because I feel like there's a fine line between being proud of it and bragging, but it's really great that you're going vegetarian. It helps the environment and it's generally much healthier for you as well. Personally I could never go full-on vegan like some people because I'm Italian and I don't think I could bring myself to stop eating cheese, haha.

As for how to get started, just make sure you read the labels on things and check carefully to make sure what you're eating doesn't have meat in it. If you're eating out, oftentimes you will see a symbol on the menu next to some items representing that it's vegetarian or vegan, but if you're not sure about something, don't be afraid to ask the waiter/waitress if it contains meat or not.

Also, if you're not going full vegan and still planning on eating dairy and other animal products aside from meat and fish, remember to check the labels on cheese as well. It's a little known fact but sometimes store-bought cheese will contain animal rennet meaning it's not fully vegetarian. If it contains microbial or vegetable rennet, it's probably fine, and if it's not listed I would stay away and try to find something that specifically mentions what kind of rennet is used.

It can be a little overwhelming at first but don't worry too much, you'll get used to it after a while. Congrats on your decision and good luck!

I admire your decision, Lilypad! I would love to go vegetarian (my parents don't think I would be able to do it, but I've given this a lot of thought) because it is better for the environment but right now, my parents won't let me. I don't know if I'll be able to later either because my metabolism is crazy fast and I metabolize calories really quickly which makes it super hard to gain weight. I need the protein and fat from meat. But later, my metabolism will surely slow and I might be able to become one. I wish you the best of luck!

Whoa how do you all do it? I mean, steak is like my....my go-to everything! Leftover for breakfast, microwaved for lunch....maybe with potatos for dinner...I could never be a vegetarian. Especailly since we are a big hunting community where I live and deer and elk and boar and fresh-killed turkeys are just so good.....

Okay I'm probs disgusting you all by now. And Ashlee, I also have something like that, I'm hypoglycemic. That means I'm borderline diabetic, so I have blood sugar problems but don't need the shots. So, meat is my go to everything because first it just tastes so good and second it has lots of nutrients and it's hard to add sugar to it.

But I dont think I would ever be vegetarian. Or could, for that matter. ;) stay healthy, vegetarians! 

Congrats, Lily! That's a big life choice, but I think you'll like it.  Welcome to the veggie club! Lol.

As for "how to get started", well, being vegetarian doesn't mean that you only eat vegetables. I think that some people probably think that, but there is a lot out there. Pasta, for example. When my family goes out to eat, I usually order spaghetti without meat sauce. Pasta salad is good too. You can do a lot of stuff with eggs as well. Hope this was helpful!

Cool, LilyPad! I have always wanted to be vegetarian. The idea of eating meat has never appealed to me, especially considering the appalling conditions most factory farm animals are kept in. Also, I simply do not like the texture or, usually, the flavor of meat. However, my parents have forbidden me from being vegetarian because I 'won't get enough vitamins or protein'. And when meat is for dinner I will eat it. I'm not going to starve myself. But when I go to college and move out I will be vegetarian. I'll eat tofu and drink lots of milk for protein and probably take vitamins. And I'll figure the rest of it out!

Any tips would be welcome, veteran vegetarians!