Well I am not vegetarian, I like meat far too much, but, cycle touring I can see huge advantages to eating veggie food. Without refridgeration in warm climates meat goes off very quickly, you need to either purchase within hours of each meal, or risk poisoning yourself. With vegetarian food there is rarely this sort of problem, and having had to cater for vegetarians I can't really see a problem.
And as far as the beard goes - I though it was essential on tour - I start with a smallish beard and it just get bigger over the months, and the hair just get longer as well!