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I was eating dinner with a bunch of friends the other night and the topic of vegetarianism came up and it was interesting to observe how opinionated people are about meat and diet. What is even more interesting is how everyone knows that cows, chickens and pigs are killed inhumanely and treated horribly, yet they continue to eat meat because it’s SUCH an essential part of our diet. The horror if we did not get enough protein!! I’ve noticed quite an obsession with protein in America. I feel as if some people could careless how much sugar and other toxins they are placing in their bodies or the out of control portions they eat, as long as they have their meat protein they feel like they are eating healthy. You rarely see people worried if they are getting enough omega 3s or iron or any other important nutrients, but protein?!? They HAVE to have enough of that!
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After my blog post about eating meat, I have had quite an aversion to it. In fact, I avoid meat because I cannot stand to be part of such a hateful killing cycle. I do not want to put into my body something that deserved a long healthy life. It’s just that simple. I am not doing this for political reason and I am not going to try to force everyone around me to become vegetarian. I have HIGH respect for those who are politically active against the abuse of animals, but it’s not my calling at this particular moment. (If you want more info about exactly what you are eating when you take a bite of that hamburger, check out www.peta.com and www.meat.org).
However, I will say that we do not need anything from animals that we cannot get elsewhere. And as long as you are aware of your food intake and make sure you eat a proper, balanced diet, there is nothing you will miss nutrient wise by not eating meat. So let’s get that argument off the table right now.
A lot of people, when I tell them I do not eat meat, say “I could never give up a big ol’ steak! It’s so good!” And you know what? I agree with you, steak is delicious. That is, if you don’t think about the fact that that piece of flesh used to be a being filled with life. Whenever I imagine a poor little cow, just hanging out in some awful living environment, being slaughtered just for five minutes of my tasting pleasure… well let’s just say it really isn’t that difficult for me to say no.
It’s funny how far I have come in my diet. I remember advocating meat eating just a few years ago because “that’s how we survived in the past”. And to a certain extent I still agree with that. Yes, at one point meat was important for consumption because we did not know any better. But now, we do know better. In fact, we know a LOT better. We know that abuse and ill-treatment isn’t right. And we know how to find the proper nutrients we need without murdering innocent creatures in the process.
So by all means, do what you do. Just excuse me if I choose not to participate.
Namaste.
July 21st, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Great article! Thanx! Consider, though that dairy cows and egg laying chickens face horrible living conditions as well as meat producing animals. On little Joe Farmer's farm where his cows have pasture time to eat grass and are well taken care of, they can live 12 to 14 years. On factory dairy farms where most all milk consumers buy comes from, the average life span is around 4 years – then off to be hamburger. Egg layers are kept in cages with about the same amount of room as a sheet of 8X11 paper. I was once vegetarian 'cause "you don't have to kill the cow and the chicken to get the dairy products and eggs". Anyway, I'm vegan. Look into it.
July 21st, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Thanks Ricky! Yes I am definitely aware of the abysmal treatment of animals that arent killed but are used as "slaves" for all the animals products we eat. Being vegan is a noble pursuit that someday I will endeavor on. But it's all in baby steps and I am slowly weaning myself from animal products day by day =D
July 21st, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Cool beans! Yes, take your time and educate yourself. I can provide some good sites: rickyferdon@gmail.com Namaste!
July 22nd, 2011 at 12:40 am
Since I've begun Meatless Mondays, I have noticed that I have little or no interest in eating meat. When I experience fresh, natural ingredients, I lack appetite for meat.
July 22nd, 2011 at 1:17 am
I've watched the documentaries and read the books, but I can't help it; I crave poultry. I love chicken burritos, and sometimes I'd kill for a turkey burger. I tried periods of pescatarianism, but I eventually always came back to poultry. However, I do try to be aware of where my meat is coming from, and I prefer to stick to places that I know serve meat from hormone-free, grain-fed animals (like, I won't order chicken dishes from the strip mall Chinese takeout joint). There is a superb juice and burrito joint by me that serves all natural/organic food, and, can't help it, their chicken/guac/pico de gallo burrito is my personal heaven. Even though I still eat poultry, I prefer to stick to vegetarian/fish dishes anyway. Sometimes I will go for almost a week unintentionally without meat, just because I love "fake meat" products such as Quorn and Gardenburger. And shrimp, salmon, and tofu are pretty awesome, too.I got tired of beating myself up over eating something I enjoy. Eating a chicken breast once a week is not something to lose sleep over.
July 22nd, 2011 at 2:54 am
I started to scrub meat off of my menus when I realized my body felt cleaner without it. I haven't left fowl or seafood behind yet (the latter I may never leave) but I'm slowly eating less and less of all land-based meat. Every now and then, however, I do break my rules due to things like weddings and parties or for my absolute favourite items like wonton or certain dishes that just don't taste the same without a dash of minced pork or something. Personally, I just feel better when I don't eat meat; both mentally and physically (I just don't have the same compassion upon seafood as of yet).
July 22nd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
XOXO yes, sister.