I don’t know if I really an had epiphany per se….but all of a sudden things just clicked and all the thoughts and images that have racing in my mind and weighing heavily in my heart lately just led me to the decision that I need to start eating according to my ethical beliefs. Which as a die-hard animal lover and proponent of ending animal cruelty means……. I don’t want to be the reason an animal suffers.
If you are what you eat – I don’t want to be a terrorized, pained, terrified, miserable hunk of meat.
So that means I’m a flexi-vegetarian? A semi-vegetarian? A mindful meat-eater? (As of now I still plan to eat fish, and dairy products and eggs from pastured poulty/true “free range”.) I don’t know how to categorize it. I’m just going to think of it as being an “ethi-tarian”. :)
I didn’t really mull over it heavily making a list of pros and cons – or develop a strong plan of action – instead I’ve just decided to make the leap and garner more information and ideas as I go. (Taking a leap without a plan is always the _best_ way to make a major life change, right? ;) ha ha). Ok, well maybe that’s not too smart – but IMHO (in my humble opinion) eating with my mind and heart is.So what was the catalyst for this life change I’m about to embark on? (I mean, its me! A girl who loves hamburgers and fried chicken and bacon and used to think vegans were off their rocker!!?)
Well, a few things that have been growing and twisting poisonously in my conscience and heart that have made this decision very easy: videos of cows being fork-lifted to slaughter ....a picture of a chicken being de-beaked….the PBS nature special I watched about Pigs..... more information I've been reading about animal cruelty, factory farming and inhumane slaughterhouses…my thoughtless eating habit of just stuffing my face with things that taste good….my slowly increasing weight…. reading about Oprah's foray into "conscience eating"….blogs about “quantum wellness”. And the last straw - this video here:
http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/30_day_veg_pledge?qp_source=vegpledgegen
All of these have made me resolute: I want to start living and eating by the morals that are important to me. So from now on, mindful eating with a focus on vegetarianism.
I’ll admit – I’ve always thought vegans we’re a little kooky – a little too hipster, new-age doofy for me. I believe and understand the necessity of a food chain and that some animals purpose is to serand even though I cringe and get teary eyed watching nature specials where the antelope get eaten by the cheetah, I know it’s a fact of life and part of the circle of life. (cue Disney music) .
But, as predators at the top of the chain, with our ability for reason, our free will – it means we have the power to make smart, humane choices in the way we use our resources and are part of the circle. And for me – that means we don’t have to have the animals suffer prior to their sacrifice. So if I’m going to eat meat I want the animals to have lived the best life they could have and to be slaughtered humanely.
I’m a big proponent of ending animal cruelty and stopping puppy mills – why haven’t I been supporting stopping meat mills? This is something I should have done awhile ago!
My plan:
*To live accordingly to the beliefs and morals of my heart as best I can which means eating food that hasn’t been caused undue pain, terror, fear or suffering. I’ll be eating dairy (going to try to find farmers who employ humane treatment of their cows), seafood, and chicken/eggs that is truly “free-range” or “pastured poultry”) (I’ve been reading that free-range doesn’t necessarily = happy stomping grounds; see links)
*To eat healthier overall and supplement meat with high protein choices like tofu, soy, beans, legumes, etc. I can’t just fill up on carbs. (Otherwise I’ll definitely be the mayor of Tubsville. Right now I’m a resident living on the borders.)
*To stop emotional eating and mowing down on food and to eat with a greater appreciation of the things I’m enjoying and the work it took to get on my plate.
*To try and buy from local farms and markets, to grow and provide food on my own and hopefully I can convince my hubby to let us raise chickens so I can eat eggs knowing they come from happy, healthy chickens that have ample room to roam and peck. Its gonna take work though because he hates chickens and think they are dumb and stinky. But we have over an acre of land – isn’t that what it’s for?!)
Well, that’s my plan. Most likely it will evolve and change as I garner more information and knowledge. But hopefully 6 months from now – I’ll be happier, healthier and a few pounds lighter.
And to help me as I begin this endeavor I’ve decided to keep a blog. I thought it would help me stay on target, find (hopefully) some support from others and serve as outlet for my frustrations, struggles and discovered joys of this new lifestyle. So welcome to my blog!
~ K.
"I will tell you as I’m talking to you today, the thing that gives me the greatest joy in the world is to be able to say to you that no animal has to die for me to live. I feel very, very strongly about that, that no animal out there is going to experience the terror and the devastation and the death of slaughter because it is called for my lifestyle." – Howard Lyman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_range
http://www.aquarianonline.com/Values/Lyman_Interview.html
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4777
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So how’d I do yesterday? Not too bad. I probably could have had more protein though.
Day 1 - Yesterday:
Bkfst – fruit & nut granola bar & coffee
Lunch –salad with lots of veggies, garbanzo beans and kidney beans; italian vinegerette
Dinner –vege spring roll, California roll, cherries
Dessert (my weakness *sigh*) - Scoop of choc ice cream and frozen yogurt
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