When people don't understand that you can be a vegetarian for reasons other than "loving animals."

This post goes out to those vegetarians who are annoyed of comments from "the meatereaters" 

I have several friends who try to stick meat in my food, or dare me to eat meat. Im sorry, do you not understand that I CHOOSE not to eat meat? 

This link is purely for a good laugh, and if you are a vegetarian, you can relate! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/vegetarians-dumbest-things_n_4177147.html  

And for anyone out there who wants to get educated on where their food comes from, what you are actually eating, and what happens to the food pre-grocery store, here are some helpful resources: 

I have watched Fast Food Nation and Food Inc in my health class and read Skinny Bitch once I made the decision to become a vegetarian. I am not saying these books will turn you into a hamburger hater, but they will give you a good sense as to why I chose the lifestyle I did. 

I can be a vegetarian, I love vegetables

One faithful Tuesday afternoon, I became a vegetarian. 

Junior year of college I took the class "Healthy Living". We were exposed to articles, books, and documentaries about healthy lifestyle choices. It was not until we watched "Food Inc." that I made an important connection to food: where it comes from and what it is I am putting into my body. After 50 minutes of tears I decided to become a vegetarian. I quit eating meat, cold turkey! 

I have never been the type of person to push my beliefs and lifestyles onto others. Becoming a vegetarian was no different. However, I have noticed when I tell people I am a vegetarian, they feel the necessary need to explain their life choices to me. To be honest, I don't care if you eat meat or not, I promise I will not loose sleep over it. In fact, more times than not, I have encountered the ever famous line "I could do that, I only eat chicken anyway" (sorry, but chicken is considered "meat) or my personal favorite, "oh I love vegetables, I could be a vegetarian if I wanted to". 

I am curious as to why people act oddly when I tell them I am a vegetarian. It is simply a lifestyle diet. I have never heard anyone say "Oh I could totally be lactose intolerant...?