I know the documentary Food, Inc. came out a while ago, and it's kind of old news. But I've written about it before, and I wanted to revisit it.
There's a lot of people out there who have and have not seen this documentary. Some people I know who haven't watched it say it just brainwashes people into being vegetable loving hippies who want to save the animals and the planet. The funny thing is, and they touch on this in the movie, is that they do their best to try to unveil the realities of the food industry today. They have tried their best in this movie to show that we've already been brainwashed and how to wake up and see what's really happening to our food and what it does to our bodies, environment, and society.
They touch on a lot of really important issues, such as the handling and treatment of livestock and meat, the feed that is given to the livestock, the farmers who provide the feed and livestock to the major meat companies. They also talk about the meat and food that is making adult and childhood obesity go through the roof, the effects of dirty meat and E. Coli outbreaks, the local independent farmers who are trying to change the way America eats food, and the issue of illegal immigrants and their dangerous working conditions.
In case you were wondering, I really do like meat. That being said, I will also say that I'm a part-time vegetarian. Why part-time? Because I do not trust where our food comes from anymore. I do not trust our government companies who take the easy, cheap, and fastest way out using illegal immigrants to work, instead of the more intentional, natural, and affordable path giving millions of jobless Americans a way to work.
Therefore, I do a quick run down my list of expectations before I even consider meat to eat. I need to know exactly where my meat has derived from, how it's been handled (both living and butchered), who has been handling it, and how far it traveled.
The list:
-animals must be humanely treated - Meaning they've had ample space to move around and carry on appropriate behaviors, had safe and clean living quarters with natural sunlight and fresh air which lessens their chances of injury and not living in their own manure, and are handled with care.
-organic, clean, no hormones, antibiotics, or corn-fed- I don't want meat that has any ammonia-cleansed filler (this makes up 70% of most beef products) or blood and manure that has been unintentionally but lazily processed with it, no hormones to make the chicken, cow, or pig grow faster and bigger, no antibiotics to treat all of the E. Coli found in the meat, and no meat that was given corn instead of grass that increased E. Coli growth.
-animals that are farmed locally- This is a harder expectation to meet, but it happens more than people think; it takes so much money and fuel to transport millions of meat across the country. So why not save on all of that and try to buy chickens, beef, pork, eggs, cheese, and milk local? Yes it can be very expensive; but wouldn't you rather eat and drink animal products every other day or sparingly throughout the week than eat and drink modified, lesser quality versions of the real thing every day?
Joel Salatin, Owner and Farmer of Polyface Farms.
Click here to check out their website.
-farms who employ American citizens and/or legal immigrants of proper age- This helps lower the instance of having illegal immigrants, forced labor, and child slaves who could care less about the product working in harsh, dangerous, and life-threatening conditions for low wages and 60 hour work-weeks. When they get caught, they get arrested, but not the major meat company-heads who knowingly employ illegal immigrants. What is wrong with this picture?!
I became a part-time vegetarian almost 4 years ago. And although it was a struggle at the beginning, because meat has been such a big part of my life growing up and I am the only one in my family that has made this decision, it's gotten easier throughout these recent couple of years. Thankfully, my family has started taking these issues seriously as well, and have also changed their lifestyle when it comes to buying quality food.
I will admit that the summertime makes it easier to be a vegetarian than the winter months. With farmers' markets in full swing who have such fresh and pure products, it's easy to have variety and creativity. However, never underestimate an organic beef stew with organic veggies. And now that I'm married to a hunter, it's definitely a bonus to eat true clean meat.
It's also important to me to not to be an inconvenient part-time vegetarian. If I go over to somebody's house and they have meat and vegetables, then I'm just going to stick with the veggies and whatever else they have. But if the main meal is only meat, I will be thankful for that food and eat it heartily instead of asking if they have anything else. I do still have my southern hospitality manners after all!
You may then wonder how I acquire enough protein in my diet, especially being as active as I am. Here are just a few things that I have incorporated more into my nutrition since I've made meat scarce:
-Homemade black bean patties (click here for the recipe)
-Organic cheese
-Organic milk
-Local organic eggs
-Plain greek yogurt (I eat Fage)
-Homemade hummus
-Peanut Butter
-Quinoa (the only plant derived grain that has all 8 essential amino acids that make up protein)
-Farro and bulgur wheat are also great sources of healthy carbs and proteins
-Applegate Farms meat (very sparingly because they're a tad pricey); click here to read about their products.
With all this to say, I hope my honesty and food choices have sparked your interest into learning more about what you're putting into your body and the real food industry we unknowingly contribute billions of dollars to.
There's a reason why many people in this world don't care about what they eat or where their food comes from. One of the biggest reasons is because they have been blind to the reality of it all because these major companies don't want us to know. They create cheap and addicting products that are convenient for our busy lives. These companies have also made us believe that it's not a big deal if we don't care, and that it's normal to make the more convenient, unhealthy choice than the educated, healthier choice. There's also a reason why childhood and adult obesity and diabetes are rapidly spreading throughout this country.
Maybe it can be said this way: ignorance is bliss.
Or is it?
But that's for another post.
For more information on how to start being a vegetarian, or at least part-time vegetarian, feel free to contact me anytime!
And please, for your sake, check out the movie Food, Inc. just to get a small look into what you're really eating.
To find the closest CSA or Farmer's Market in your area, click here to go to LocalHarvest Farmer's Market page.
To learn more about our government and agriculture, click here.
To learn more about the U. S. Food And Drug Administration, click here.
Educate yourself!
***all photos are still frames from the documentary, Food Inc.
***I do not own any photos or claim to.
