I was vegetarian for 11 years and vegan for four. I ate that way because I thought factory farming was unethical, though at the time, I also believed that it was wrong to eat any animal. Later, I realized that the damage done to the earth is greater shipping food around the world so I could eat tofu fake chicken bites and soy dogs etc. Soy is a wretchedly destructive crop right now. I realized that my ethical compass actually pointed me towards eating locally and in season as much as possible.

I started eating locally raised meat and dairy, moved out to a farm, started raising my own chickens for meat and eggs and have never looked back. I could imagine living out here and still being vegetarian if I really wanted (lots of eggs and homemade cheese) but not vegan. My father`s family are cultural and religious vegetarians. They eat a ton of dairy and eggs and have done so for a long time.

I understand that people believe what your friend believes but I no longer understand why. She is probably defensive because her argument is inadequate. I doubt you can change her mind.

What I find hard to understand, though, is the fact that she`s suggesting that humans eating animal products is unnatural. I don`t really care what people do but it seems like a pretty big and stupid stretch to suggest that we developed as omnivores in order to not eat animal products.

I doubt that Holden Caulfield ever inspired more than sullen cigarette smoking.