Whatever... Like you're so enlightened.

Normally love the blog, first time post (sadly).

This is kind of a crazy rant man. Ethical non-eating of animals has nothing to do with not being able to love food. "Beautifully marbled steaks, succulent pork belly, butter poached prawns" are not the only incredible tastes in the world, just coz u have a boner for them. I eat meat, but this post is just pig ignorant.

Ever heard of shojin ryori? No, I bet u haven't.

The only reason for being a vegetarian (let alone a vegan) that I can even grudgingly respect is medical. As in meat products will literally make you sick.

The human body evolved to process animal products, and our brains are the product of us taking advantage of the fat and protein from animals.

Vegetarianism for religious reason I can't respect, because I can't respect any adult human being in modern society who still believes in fairy tales.

Now, If you want to eschew any meat or other animal products that aren't ethically and environmentally raised and humanely slaughtered, that's fine. I do my best, but I know I'm not 100%.

But if you don't think any animal ever should be killed or utilized by humans, then you also need to give up any and all human inventions and innovations that have come about by the use of animals. Enjoy your medicine-free existence, eating leaves, living in your cave.

Nope sorry guys. I agree with Catherine.

Unless of course Rebecca is also going to claim that most Hindus, Muslims and Jews are also non-adventurous eaters. Oh, and people with allergies. None of these people can be "foodies', either. http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/veggie_boy/
One of a MILLION examples.

Vegetarian isn't just what picky people do, it's a way of life. Attacking it as non-adventurous is just a way to get up people's noses.

By the way, from urbandictionary.com: foodie-
A person that spends a keen amount of attention and energy on knowing the ingredients of food, the proper preparation of food, and finds great enjoyment in top-notch ingredients and exemplary preparation.
A foodie is not necessarily a food snob, only enjoying delicacies and/or food items difficult to obtain and/or expensive foods; though, that is a variety of foodie.
Ha! Vegetarians CAN be foodies.

Reading this article, I don't know how you can call yourself a "foodie." Are these the only vegetables that come to mind? A dozen kinds of lettuce, and eggplant? Please. You practically admit that you eat nothing but different kinds of meat, and the same tired garnish and spice with each one. Unless you're in the mood for angioplasty, meat ought to be a TINY part of everyone's diet - the plant kingdom is large, there's plenty of room to maneuver! Eat something besides random animal bits and lettuce, for God's sake!

This is one of the most nonsensical mean-spirited rant I've read in a while. I've been called many negative things in my life, but never a unadventurous eater! So enjoy your animal kingdom while I eat the rest of the world one morsel of nama-fu or huitlacoche at a time... but probably not eggplant, unless it is miso cured in the heart of a bamboo stalk.

The whole point of the article is to get hits. VVM works on page views. By writing something 'controversial' the blogger is guaranteeing hits on the site and by clicking the links, reading and commenting, we are upping their page views.

Mission accomplished.

A foodie is anyone who eats. 'Nuff said

Vegetarians and foodies can be be obnoxious, and representations of how overly narcissistic our society has become. Only if they are the smug bastards who boast, "I'm a vegetarian," or "I'm a foodie." Big f-in deal and good for you, but if you excuse me, I must get on with my life. Get a job in a restaurant, you spoiled elitists. Then you'll gain some gastronomic cred...

your definition of foodie is limited to being an adventurous eater. what about being passionate about what you do and DONT put in your body? being willing to eat whatever is put in front of you is nothing to boast about. being concerned with the process and practices of the food that you decide to eat seems more interesting and more worthy of identfying with than declaring oneself a foodie without a hint of a moral code. your nitpicking at identity politics, "he thinks hes this, but hes not" is boring and obnoxious.

I completely agree with Bear's comment from above - this article is pretty ignorant. I'm not a vegetarian myself, but I find it really stupid and unnecessary when non-vegetarians get all holier-than-thou for no good reason.

I don't see what the point is in saying that vegetarians are 'real' foodies. To try to prove that you're more knowledgeable? better? shrug. Grow up!

I totally agree with the author loved the article. HIlarious and true.

Why does anyone care whether or not another person eats meat or only veggies. In the big scheme of things does it really matter.

It makes me laugh when everyone has to voice their opinion on what another person chooses to eat or not eat.

Honestly people worry about something else that MATTERS!

You people call this a "rant?!" Lighten up already! I might or might not be a vegetarian (does it matter?), but either way, this post was entertaining. The best posts are short, poke fun at somebody, and include funnies ("love" the reference to eggplant...ha!).

The article sucks... I am not a vegetarian, but being a vegetarian doesn't mean you can't be a Foodie.

And I DO love Eggplant... there are so many ways to prepare it and it is always delicious.

You sound like a total Nazi and just because it's your opinion that meat is the most important part in food(or whatever your opinion might be) , doesn't mean that everything is how you think it is. You are totally intolerant and your style of writing really sucks... How can you state that your opinions are the absolute truth. Vegetarians can call themselves foodies if they want, and you are no-one to judge or to make comments in such a way. Of course you can post what is on your mind. But the article could have been more interesting and entertaining. It just made me mad, because the way it was written. It also gives the impression that you a very limited knowledge of foods. You sound like a one-sided, short-fused, biased brat. And like I said, I am not even a vegetarian myself.

I will probably not change the way you think; your style says a lot about you. People like you will keep roaming the world like they have, thinking they are so knowledgeable and wise, putting their opinion above other's. I just wanted make a statement and unite to the other numerous commentors that disliked your post. Maybe it will give you something to think about

This is just an ignorant point to try and make. We all arbitrarily cut edible things out of our diets. Someone pointed out eating things like dolphins and cats. Perfect examples. Why aren't you eating those things, you big food wusses?

"Foodie" is an extremely stupid term at any rate, but to suggest that you do not love and respect your food if you also are conscious of ethics and/or the environment is totally silly. What are you trying to prove when you say that other people aren't foodies? That you're better or cooler than those other people? Come on. Get real.

OK then. Apparently vegetarians don't have a sense of humor either. Ha!

People who eat as many different things as they *can* (i.e., not throwing darts at the folks with allergies, nor those who are lactose intolerant, et al.) are adventurous eaters, and thus by many folks' definition, are foodies.

People who choose to not explore types of food, whether meaty or veggie, and whether for religious, or fairy tale, or other reasons are NOT (as) adventurous eaters as true omnivores.

I liked the previous comment about world travelers vs. folks who only explore the US, and so will repeat it:

"calling yourself a foodie when you don't eat meat is like calling yourself a world traveler when you've never been out of the United States."

This statement applies equally to folks who refuse burgers as those who refuse brussels sprouts.

I respect the religiously observant from all cultures, and ditto for the Vegetarians who eschew meat for health reasons, though the science is "still out" on that count. (There is more than one way to be healthy...) But the fact of the matter is that most people who are vegetarians are self-absorbed nit-wits who seek only attention, and a way of publicly displaying their perceived "superior otherness." It is no more "ethical" to eat vegetables than it is to feast on flesh. Farming of all types, even so-called "organic," has an imapact on the enviornment. Eating non-local produce even more so, due to transport and storage. A "winter" tomato or strawberry from Chile has a much larger carbon footprint than a locally raised pork chop! Scientific research has shown that plants respond to physical stimuli, experience stress under cultivation, and may feel "pain" during harvest. In the end, the plant dies before you eat it. So you're killing something so that you may live. Which is the true state of nature. We kill things and eat them and they give us life--it is the great circle of existence that occurs in ALL of the natural world. It is good, and morally correct. Limiting your intake of certain foods for "ethical reasons" is a selfish, useless gesture that serves only to limit your experience of living and reduce your intake of crucial nutrients... Any argument to the contrary is smug self-agrandizing b.s., not rooted in truth.

Todd w/the aborted fetus:

Since I eat quite a bit of tuna I imagine I have eaten quite a bit of tuna.

And yeah, I'd have a kitten sandwich, if the process could get USDA approval.

Fetus? Nah. Not a cannibal.

I would draw a line at dog though. Well, big dogs. Pekingese? I don't know, is that really eating, or is it more a snack?

I read about half way through all the angry vegetarian comments and it kind of makes me wonder why you are letting somebody whom you don't even know bother you so much.

Clearly the idea behind this rant was to stir up a little controversy, piss off some vegans and have them sending their vegan friends here in hordes to help defend each other.

Guess what? That was exactly what the writer wanted to accomplish. Viral media at its finest, and this is another fine piece of evidence how writing controversial content will get you both the links from other websites and the traffic that all bloggers want.

Ian, thats the point you moron. Of course a Hamburger is not adventerous. Its bording and plain, and veggies don't even eat those.

The writer is not saying that everyone who eats meat is a Foodie, only that being a Vegetarian excludes you.

I love vegetarian food, I love meat, I love it all. I am still not a Foodie.

I, and probably Anthony Bourdain, kinda love this post.

Oh my gosh...How narrow minded does one have to be about the choices of another. The food preferences of individuals is a personal decision. Do you enjoy all foods? Doesn't sound like it. For me that is your choice and not mine to comment about.

Why do I not eat meat? It is MY choice.

I think its hilarious that everyone got so riled up about someone's opinion. Whether or not you are a vegetarian or not or a foodie or not who gives a Sh*%. Do you really expect all or most bloggers to remain totally neutral to all topics and never express an opinion that is stronger than nothing? I don't think they were offensive in how they worded it and I especially agree with the specific instance. If a vegetarian is judging a cooking contest then automatically anything with meat is a losing dish because the judge wouldn't taste it. It is kind of dumb unless its a vegetarian food contest. I think that was the main issue not whether or not vegetarians can be adventurous and also an adventurous vegetarian is not exactly logically compared to a mcdonalds only eating meat eater. That comparison was ridiculous.

Personally I think the 'foodie' movement is kind of bullshit anyway. It is just a fad about going out and eating something exotic and then claiming how sophisticated you are.

In my experience, almost all foodies are poor cooks who overspice their food, spend too much on ingredients, and MARINATE their steaks.

Vegetarians aren't foodies, but that isn't a bad thing.

Nicki E. actually cited urbandictionary as a source. Where are the four horsemen??

P.E.T.A= People Eating Tasty Animals

How in the world can you be a foodie if you won't get out there and try everything. I always thought a foodie sacrifices personal beliefs for love of food! We were meant to eat animals! It's the way of the world! If everyone didn't eat deer because they're afraid to eat "poor little bambi" then deer would over populate and we would have deer freaking everywhere! Anyone doubt me? Check out Ruidoso, NM. Serious Deer problem in the residential neighborhoods. Being a vegetarian is going against mother nature!

I am a vegan, and consider myself a foodie as well. I love food, and am a very adventurous eater, as long as the food is ethical. This article insults me.

i have not eaten meat for more than half my life (i'm 38). i'm married to a meat and potatoes loving-man and i'm raising my two children to eat meat because i think it's a personal choice NOT to consume it.

there is a lot of carnivore guilt going on here in the blog and the comments. otherwise why the need to fight? to attack? that's your blood food speaking. the blood that gets betwen your teeth and into your gums sends a signal to your brain that there's been "a kill" and it activates aggression. as is plaily apparent in this post and the offensive comments from other insecure carnivores.

nevermind how animals are treated while they await their fate. nevermind the environmental impact of manufacturing it. never mind that in addition to indulging your sense of so-called "adventure" you consume the fear and betrayal and abandonment your fellow mammals experience right before being slaughtered. never mind how the over consumption of meat in america contributes to all manner of health problems.

carnivores should visit slaughter houses on a regular basis or even better, go out and kill your own meat, then maybe you'll have something to say.

foodie does not equal - "i eat everything." it's simply the appreciation of mindfully, artfully, but always tastily prepared food. period.

does anyone know that 70% of the amazon that has been cleared so far has been done so to grow grains for the livestock industries not to feed the starving people of the world? I agree that eating locally is excellent in cutting down your carbon foot print, but how many of you strictly stick to locally raised meats and produces? Not only does this generate more green house gasses by cutting of trees which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but the entire situation of factory farming raises green house gasses, not to mention your food is rolling around in its own shit since it can't walk. Factory farms polute the water system with antibiotics that are pumped into the animals to keep them from getting sick while they are chest high in shit all day. Btw you eat these antibiotic pumped animals.

The real point here is not that you shouldn't eat meat, it's that you should know where your foods come from, you should understand the impact of growing/raising and transporting it to you. You shouldn't judge someone because they choose to be a vegetarian, not all vegetarians base their moral decisions not to eat meats on "cute" factor. You should do better research when writing an article, its obvious that there was a failure to recognize how many extremely delicious and domestic and exotic dishes are out there that do NOT involve meat. If you discredit every dish that doesn't have meat as a main component then you yourself cannot by your own definition be considered a foodie.

Rebecca,
I liked your post; I thought it was funny and fair even though I disagree.

I'm wondering if you had the chance to catch Jose Andres on 60 minutes last night? He, a molecular gastronomist and a meat eater claims that the future of food is fruits and vegetables. His argument is that while the first few bites of succulent pork belly may be mouth watering perfection, all the juices are sucked out and you still have to keep chewing, whereas, say, a pineapple retains its flavor from start to finish.

And out of concern for your own personal food enlightenment, perhaps you should be a bit more adventurous when it comes to your eggplant.