Do you know where that steak you just ate came from? If so, job well done, you are few and far between. If everyone were as conscious as you there would be less risk of E-Coli outbreaks and mad cow burgers. We would all be safer, healthier and happier if we realized not only where our meat comes from, but the effect it has on our resources, as well.
About a month ago I decided to try vegetarianism. Not necessarily because of the cruelty to animals, though that is important. Rather I realize the magnificent strain our current consumption of meat has on our resources and well being. But I do admit, it was hard to give up the weekly stop at Chick-Fil-A.
Now, when I pass on that greasy piece of pepperoni pizza, friends laugh and ask the most ridiculous questions. The common one: "Brittany, are you a vegetarian because you want to lose weight, or because you cry at the thought of something dying?" Very demoralizing to assume as a female I am prone to obsess about my weight, but nonetheless I reply, "Do you know what those animals eat?" I rarely reap a response, so I retort, "Soy, corn, and other cows, pigs, chickens, you name it." The explanation continues as I cover the spiel that humans, bio-fuel, livestock and God knows what else are competing for the basic goods we take for granted.
My personal belief is that humans come first, why waste it on cows when they'd be just dandy munching grass? Livestock consumes an ungodly amount of resources every year just to provide someone with a heart attack on a bun for less than a dollar. Then there is the issue of hormones and steroids. Thank you for the gesture, but I prefer steroids in my athletes, not my food.
Solution? Well my friend and his wife don't eat anything they can't kill, resorting to mostly rabbit, which they raise, and the occasional pig. This seems ideal; to understand what human and animal must go through to provide the hamburger. However, if I lived by this rule I would have to resort to deer and marine life alone.
As for the boyfriend, who must eat meat every single day, he buys only organic and local. He began doing this to appease me at first, but now understands the dilemma. It's a win-win - clean conscience and it's tasty!
Now I'm not saying let's all be vegetarians and cry over the animals being slaughtered, though that wouldn't be horrible. I am just asking you all to consider the omnivore's dilemma: must you eat a piece of meat every day? Do you know where it comes from? What effect does this mass consumption have on you?
If you decide to join me along with other conscious flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans, kudos. A few words to you new conscious eaters: I still sneak the occasional Chick-Fil-A sandwich and don't feel bad for it. And trust me, tofu isn't that bad.
But the thing is, you don't have to stop eating meat – you can have your cow and eat it, too (sorry, I couldn’t resist!). Sure, it costs a little more. Trust me, I'm a college student, I'm quite aware. But wouldn't you rather splurge by providing your family with healthy and conscious meals for a year rather than buying a new Louis Vuitton?
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