Reconsider "what's for dinner"

Reprinted from The Good Food News 02/20. See www.thegoodfoodnews.com for the full issue and a picture of Maisie. ;-)

A month ago, we adopted an adorable Cairn terrier we named Maisie. Say hi to the nice people Maisie : "Ruff ruff!"
She came from the Col Potter Cairn rescue organization and was a breeding dog for a puppy mill. Maisie is six years old and has produced 6 or 7 litters and likely spent most if not all of her time confined to a cage or small pen. Not a good life.

Because Maisie's adoption increased my awareness of these kinds of breeding facilities, I signed a Humane Society petition against puppy mills and by doing so, got on their mailing list. Interestingly, the very first email I received from them was the shocking video that spawned the largest recall of meat in US history. I had not yet gotten wind of the story from the mainstream media, and the video was horrible to watch! My knee jerk reaction was to make the information just go away! Where's that unsubscribe link.....

But wait. Ostrich behavior is not unique to the ostrich. It's human nature to want to hide from or turn off what is uncomfortable. Uncomfortable as it may be, none of us are separate from what happened to those cows. Minimally, the odds are good that you and/or your children have eaten meat that was handled in the same fashion. Do any of us really believe that this is an isolated incident? The USDA says that health risks are minimal, but can you trust this to be true? There just isn't a lot of good news today about factory farmed meat.

I personally don't believe you have to be vegetarian to be healthy. We are not and my body runs better with a bit more protein than average. We love a good cheese burger or grilled steak as much as anyone but probably not as frequently. When we do enjoy the occasional red meat meal, it's likely organic or as close to organic as possible. Publix in Florida carries the Maverick line of meats and although a bit more expensive, I believe worth every "penny" I save in worry over what's in that meat and what's it doing to my kids?

What we know about meat consumption:

Higher rates of cancer across the board.

Higher rates of cardiovascular disease.

Increased inflammation which contributes to every "-itis" that ails you and all degenerative diseases from bleeding gums to colorectal cancer.

Biochemical changes (especially related to types of fats) associated with un-natural conditions including grain finishing.

Environmental degradation including methane released into atmosphere (green house gas), de-forestation, water usage and water pollution.

What may be associated with hormone/antibiotic laden factory farmed meat:

Early maturation, fertility issues, excessively challenging or early menopause

Mad cow (technically called BSE) and other mysterious diseases such as the one being found in processing plant workers in Minnesota

Nutrient deficiencies related to essential fats.
Anti-biotic resistant strains of infectious bacteria.

Unknown effects of the biochemical changes that take place in the meat because the animal is highly stressed or terrorized at the time of slaughter.

Growing up on a farm, I had an opportunity to witness the cycle of life of an animal from birth through serving it at the table. Some people may become squeamish at the thought, but I have always appreciated that I know meat and its origins more honestly than what is presented in neatly wrapped packages at the grocer. Because of this, I believe we have a responsibility to do our best by those creatures who literally gave their life so that we can have ours. It's a matter of respect.

Regardless of whether your choice is motivated by concerns for animal welfare or your own welfare (or both), it is not difficult to make a positive transition to less meat in your diet.

* Consume red meat no more than 3 times a week (include breakfast, lunch and dinner in the total).

Keep portion size to a piece no larger than the palm of your hand. An average restaurant burger serves two.

Choose organic or similar.

Avoid fast food - yet another reason!

Pack a lunch for yourself and your kids.

Have fun creating meat-free days.