It is my job to post tonight, but I went out with Mikey this evening to work on our much anticipated 50th post, which took precidence over my Ruth’s Chris adventure. For those of you expecting a glowing review of Ruth’s Chris, it will come, but please still read…
Instead, I would like to just say that food should not be something that we take for granted. Everything that we eat is worked for, and died for. Recently, I have become aware of the immense suffering that is involved in animal agriculture. I have been made aware of its cruelty and its unnecessary waste. I would encourage everyone to adopt a more vegetable and fruit centered diet because the little sacrifices do add up, kind of like turning off a light when you leave the room. Am I saying that you shouldn’t eat meat, eggs, cheese and milk? NO! But I am asking that you take a more involved position in how those things come to be on our table? Absolutely!
In the past few weeks my life has changed dramatically. My perspective has changed, and I have come to realize that the only thing that I can do is commit myself to helping others. I realize that chicken, fish, pork and beef taste great. I like them too. All I ask is that we be more conscious of our decisions when we eat these products. I won’t go into detail on the myriad ways that animal agriculture harm our bodies and our environment, but I will say that there are vendors out there who conduct themselves in a manner that would help me eat with a more clear and compassionate mind.
Most people refuse to look at the facts. Instead of causing frustration with my argument, I wish to make myself available to all who have questions. I have great books and material that you can read to give you some insight as to the full and lasting consequence of our current agricultural choices.
I ate a meal that would make the devil blush, just this past tuesday. Do I feel guilty? No. It was part of living life. It was about experience and choice and personal freedom. Do I think eating animals is wrong? No. I think that the way we raise and confine animals before slaughter is morally reprehensible.
Anyone who hears the story about a cow that breaks through a fence and travels 20 miles to find her calf, must understand that these animals suffer the same heartbreak and loss that we do with our own children. I do not dispute that animals exist under the dominion of man. My only question is, do we really need to exploit this gift at the expense of our agriculture, our climate, and our fellow man?
If more people knew what that pound of beef on your grocery shelf cost, then maybe more people would consider leaving it on the shelf.
I love eating food as much as the next guy, but I want everyone to understand that everything we eat has a real cost. Soon, I will write a review on all of the fantastic things I experienced in one night of culinary pleasure. But don’t think for one second that I didn’t appreciate all of the sacrifice that had to happen just to make it possible.
We are all blessed. Hopefully we can throw off this veil of ignorance and truly appreciate all of the gifts that we have been given.
Thank you for reading, I swear tomorrow will be funny.
EatMeCalifornia 
I totally respect your compassion regarding this subject. I have had many conversations with friends who are very cognizant of the impact their food choices have on the world around them. From eating meat raised in humane settings to buying local, organic fruit and vegetables.
My sister lives in Prescott, Az and finds it very easy to participate in the CSA (community supported agriculture – http://www.localharvest.org/csa/) and find locally grown and humanely treated meat, as well as visiting the farmer’s market every week. She has made these decisions a part of her life. But while it is built-in in her community, in some areas it is much more difficult and expensive to make these choices.
Often, I look at the organic meat going for 3 x conventional and instead of only serving meat once a week at that price, I head over to the grocery store and buy the cheaper stuff. Or I look at the organic carrots and realize I’m paying a dollar more for half the product and even though I know it is better for my children, I choose the less expensive option. Why? Partly economics, part laziness, part selfishness.
When you have kids you struggle with teaching them that their actions have impact beyond their own reach. Teaching them morals and values, yes, but this particular idea seems to be the hardest because we preach it, but do not DO it. We hold ourselves accountable for what we say and do unless the implications can be easily swept under the rug and hidden from view. Children sense this.
Thank you for reminding me that I can have these conversations with my children. Let them know that choosing what they eat does in fact impact the world around them. I must then answer for the fact that I buy hamburger from the grocery store or mangoes flown in from Chile. I’m fine with that. However egocentric it is, my answer would be that I want to live a full life (food is an important part of that) and also learn to make better decisions one step at a time. Just being aware of how my decisions impact others is a first step that a lot of people ignore.
Even if I have to go out and slaughter that animal myself, I am still going to eat animals no matter how inhumane they are treated. Survival of the fittest my friends and yes I think we need to torture more people in prison
Yes, you’re once, twice, three times a lady…