FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, I have been a vegetarian. Ever since I
was a little girl, it seems my parents have come home from work every
Friday, carrying brown bags filled with vegetables and fruits from the
farm market. It has always been my job to then stock the fridge, every
week, with the food for the upcoming week. Precisely at seven, my
mother begins to cook the dinner every night, and the wonderful aroma
of curry leaves and tomatoes boiling in water with a myriad of other
spices, wafts through the house. These are a few of the many things
that, now, make me proud to be a vegetarian. Unfortunately, it wasn't
always that way.

I clearly remember the day I sat down at the pale green table marked
"first grade," with the rest of my friends. Laughing and giggling, we
each unwrapped our sandwiches and looked around to see if there was
anyone willing to trade. One girl leaned across the table and
stretched out her hand. "You wanna trade?" she asked.

"Um, what's in yours?" I gingerly inquired.

"Bologna," she replied. "You?"

"Tomato and cheese, but I don't eat meat, so I can't trade with you."
I still remember the look on her face. It was a mixture of puzzlement
and contempt.

"You don't eat meat?! Why not?"

I remember turning red and then mumbling something about my culture
and being nice to animals. She leaned over to the girl sitting next to
her and whispered something in her ear while pointing at me at the
same time. And then it seemed as though everyone at the table had that
same look of scorn and bewilderment. At that point I wished that the
cafeteria floor would just open and swallow me whole.

Unfortunately, it didn't and I was forced to sit where I was,
bombarded with questions about why I was so different. Sinking lower
and lower into my chair, I thought about the same thing everyone else
was, "Why was I vegetarian?"

One of the many aspects of Hinduism is vegetarianism. Being a Hindu, I
am also vegetarian. There are many reasons why I follow this
tradition, and here are some of them.

The cow is a very sacred animal to Hindus all over the world. There is
a belief in the Hindu religion that God resides in everyone, all
creatures, both great and small.

Animals should be able to live their lives without the brutality,
cruelty, and death caused by humans. Killing animals for food is a
form of violence. I am a strong believer in peace and harmony.
Therefore, killing animals for food or sport is against my beliefs.

Studies show that being on a vegetarian diet can cut the risk of
cancer by 50%, reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke,
prevent and actually reverse diabetes, and reduce obesity and the risk
of heart disease. Therefore, being a vegetarian keeps me healthy and
fit.

Eating meat affects the environment adversely. Forests are cut down to
make room for more cattle. People kill the homes and habitats of
millions of animals just so they can eat the food they want. Getting
the nutrition I need without slaughtering other living creatures makes
me happy and content because I live in harmony with nature.

Although being a vegetarian may seem like a fashion statement to some,
it is truly a way of life for me. I no longer am embarrassed about
being a vegetarian, and I have no problem telling others I am one. I
was brought up a vegetarian and will continue to be one throughout the
course of my life. My first grade experience has taught me that while
I may be unique from many others in this world, it is something that I
can be proud of, most definitely. I am glad that I can help the world
in some way, however small it may be, and I am proud to be a
vegetarian.

Sheela Krishnan, 13 yrs
Suffern, NY

courtesy of http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m.../article.jhtml