As of 6 February 2008 (Ash Wednesday), Bram and I have given up all red meat, including poultry and pork, in celebration of the Lenten Season. Being somewhat of a wayward Catholic as well as being of Pilipino descent, this endeavor is certainly challenging.

To make life a little easier, we’ve embraced the world of pescetariansim, consisting of a diet that’s friendly towards fish and other seafood. We must also confess that cheese and eggs are fair game.Have you ever heard of a Pilipino vegetarian? All the traditional Pilipino dishes such as adobo, mechado, pochero, bolalo, sinigang, pinakbet, pancit, lumpia, and lechon include an essential ingredient: beef/veal/pork. Even for breakfast, a Pilipino is delighted with the savory company of longanisa and the smoky sweetness of tosino. If I were living in the Philippines, I am afraid that I might possibly starve to death.

The Dutch are also notorious for their meat consumption, with the appropriate single piece of meat for dinner and various assortments of deli meats for lunch.

While I do love smoked salmon, lobsters, grilled fish, paling eel, and all kinds of tasty treats from the sea, I am afraid that by the time Easter rolls around, I’ll be ravenous for a nice big juicy piece of prime sirloin steak. Not to forget to mention Korean-style barbeque ribs, a homemade grilled hamburger, lamb chops ….

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