Letters

Vegetarian Times, May, 1999

Happy Anniversary

In your Dining Out section (December, p. 76), you reviewed the restaurant Comfort Cookin' in West Virginia. For our 35th wedding anniversary, I was determined, because of your review, to make that restaurant the destination for celebration. Because it's four hours from home, I reserved a night's lodging nearby.

Chef Rick prepared the Philly cheese "steak" for us at lunchtime. Several hours later we returned for dinner, and once again we were impressed with the food and hospitality.

I am familiar with some vegetarian ingredients but lack so much know-how that I stumble through many recipes with little success. I've accumulated several vegetarian cookbooks, including one or two of Vegetarian Times'. But I'm not close to a store that carries some of the unusual ingredients, which makes it difficult to have meatless meals more often than we do. I envy vegetarians like chef Rick, who are talented and knowledgeable enough to create such wholesome, delicious meals. But I'm determined to stay with it, and maybe one day I'll be able to look back and smile at my awkwardness in a vegetarian kitchen.

In the meantime, I appreciate your magazine for helping to educate me and especially for steering me to such a memorable 35th anniversary.

Shirley Wood

Baltimore, Md.

Bringing Up Baby

Sometimes, as a vegetarian parent, I wonder how my lifestyle choices affect our children, and what kind of dietary choices will they make as adults. I've appreciated the support and information that Vegetarian Times has provided for me as a mother of two elementary-school-age children. When my son Zachary was 4 years old, he was asked by a new caregiver if he wanted some chicken for lunch. My heart nearly burst with pride when Ms. Kelly told me he replied, "No, thank you. I don't eat animals, I just pet them."

Thanks for giving me the reassurance that by raising my children as vegetarians, I am doing what's best for their health, best for our environment, and of course, best for the animals.

Lori Barrett-Williams

Painted Post, N.Y.

Vegetarian ... Sometimes

Although we are not vegetarians, my family of four consumes far less red meat than the average carnivorous family. Because many of our meals are meatless, I subscribed to Vegetarian Times several months ago for a new look at preparing vegetables. After receiving and "devouring" the first issue, I knew I would be a faithful subscriber for many years. I love it!

Sherry Tschritter

Didsbury, Alberta Canada

Help for New Vegetarians

As a longtime vegetarian with a 10-year-old granddaughter, I must comment on the New Vegetarian column ("Vegetables Rock," March, p. 86). It is a wonderful addition for those who need a little help now and then, especially young vegetarians. It's also a good source of information for parents of vegetarian children. It helps make the transition to a meatless diet easier for all of us.

Bobby Ervin

Apple Valley, Calif.

EDITOR'S RESPONSE: You'll be happy to know that the New Vegetarian column appears each month in Vegetarian Times.