It's definitely easier to not know, and therefore, not have to care or be bothered by what's going on. But information is also power, and the next time you decide to buy ground beef, or eat meat at a restaurant (which, unless you're a vegetarian, we all do), think about what kind of farmer and what kind of farming practice you want to support. And what kind of stuff you want to put in your body.
We can't always do that. I still eat at Wendy's. Hell, I ate there today. And I don't always reach for organic, local, free-range blah blah blah (ok, I always buy cage-free eggs) but I often try. I also don't eat that much meat anymore in general. Dooce has a great post today as well about staying healthy for the future.
Food that's better for you (and for the original food sources) may cost a bit more, but think about all the other needless stuff you spend money on. A couple bucks more to support the farmers and cattle who need it? That's nothing in the grand scheme of my paycheck, but it does find its way back to the group I want to support, and by not sending it to the other guys, it makes a statement. A small one, but a statement nonetheless.
Just my two cents.
In case you missed it. From A Bird In The Kitchen's blog:
The Meat You Eat: What's the Right Decision for You?
Food that's better for you (and for the original food sources) may cost a bit more, but think about all the other needless stuff you spend money on. A couple bucks more to support the farmers and cattle who need it? That's nothing in the grand scheme of my paycheck, but it does find its way back to the group I want to support, and by not sending it to the other guys, it makes a statement. A small one, but a statement nonetheless.
Just my two cents.
In case you missed it. From A Bird In The Kitchen's blog:
"If, like me, you think that we have an obligation as the conscious beings on this planet to be stewards of this world, then this situation is unacceptable. Sure, meat is tasty, but what price are we willing to exact on the environment and the animals before that steak ends up at the dinner table? "
The Meat You Eat: What's the Right Decision for You?
I was just reading about the Paleo Diet last night and thinking about that.
ReplyDeleteSo, we'll just move on from Wendy's.....
Glad you passed that along. I'll keep my soapbox short - I'm a vegan. I wasn't always a vegan, in fact, at Wendy's I preferred a #6 with mustard instead of mayo, no tomato, Biggie sized with a Coke. I used to be a chili-cookoff champ. I once ate 50 hot wings at Pluckers. I mean, I loved meat.
ReplyDeleteBut, after reading and seeing so much about how it was produced, I decided to give it up. The comment section of a blog isn't nearly enough room for me to expound upon my story, but I will say that information is king on this subject. There's just no more important decision you'll make on a daily basis than what you're putting into your body. And if you have a moral compass, it should extend to cover that decision.
I certainly don't preach abstinence to everyone (although it works for me), but my big sticking points would be:
1. No chicken (it's the grossest process of all the factory farms out there and you're essentially trading one life for 1-3 meals).
2. No eggs (watch the documentary Fowl Play to see what happens to all the male chicks that obviously can't lay eggs). And cage-free isn't what you think it is. If you want eggs, I'd suggest finding a local farmer and buying direct. Go see the chickens themselves. It just takes one trip to satisfy your conscience.
3. No dairy/No veal. They go hand in hand. Contrary to popular belief, milk cows don't make milk all the time. They're impregnated, the calf is then taken to a dark, confined space to become veal, and the mother is milked for as long as she's productive before the cycle starts again.
My suggestion to those who want meat? Find a local rancher, and make a deal for a whole, organic, grass-fed cow. Split it with friends if you must. It's relatively cheap when you buy a whole year's worth of meat for your freezer all at once. And eat the whole animal. If you're going to take a life, make it worth it.
Sorry for the hijacking of the comment section. It's my hot button topic...