eat meat, drink, be merry

I'm coming up on the one year anniversary of being a vegetarian. No, don't worry, I am not celebrating. It's just interesting to me that I have been a vegetarian for a whole year now. It doesn't feel like that long (now that may be because I did sneak in some chicken at Easter time. But hey, who can honestly resist the enticing aroma of my Mom's Indonesian chicken?)

People always ask me about why I am a vegetarian, and some of those people are very defensive about why they choose NOT to be one. It always surprises me when a meat eater becomes defensive about their choices. They get very passionate and I always think to myself, why are you being so defensive? You aren't doing anything wrong, at least not in my books. For me, being a vegetarian is a lifestyle/environmental choice. I began my pathway to becoming a vegetarian three years ago, when I first became aware of global food systems and the impact that our North American food choices have on the rest of the world and the environment. My choices were mainly based on ethical grounds: cows consume large amounts of grain and water - resources that could instead be used to feed those who find it extremely difficult to meet their daily caloric intake and find clean, drinkable water. The animals we eat are also primary consumers and therefore require more energy to live/be raised. It takes more energy to raise a cow than to produce the same amount of caloric energy in grain or vegetable form. This is because cows consume grains and vegetables themselves. Anyone who has some basic biology experience probably knows about the food chain and its various trophic levels. If you don't know about this, check out this website for more info: http://www.arcytech.org/java/population/facts_foodchain.html

So, I decided to lighten my environmental footprint and to make more ethical food choices. I have also tried to eat organic and locally produced goods, though this is not always feasible due to low availability and increased cost. Being a vegetarian was something that I could do with no extra cost to myself, actually, it ended up saving me money in the long run.

Now, I could have simply made a choice to consume only ethically raised meat and poultry, but it was easier for me to simply give up meat altogether. So many people think that just because I am a vegetarian I hate meat. That is definitely not true. I like meat, I love chicken; it was really hard for me to give it up, and I miss it sometimes. But giving up meat was just something I had to do. A test of my disciplinary strength/willpower and lifestyle choice all in one. My family always laughed at me when I would talk about the smell of bacon, thinking that I as a vegetarian should hate meat. But that's not it at all. So, you may ask, what can you, the meat-loving environmentally conscious individual who doesn't want to give up meat altogether do? Well my friends, I shall tell you!

First off, eating meat is not the problem. Endorsing unethical and harmful raising techniques is. So first off, buy ethical meat. In Newmarket, you can do this at an amazing (my favorite, actually) organic food market called Nature's Emporium, located in the old Western Produce Plaza (Mulock and Yonge). Yes, it is more expensive, but it is hormone and anti-biotic free, as well as being free-range meats. Surprisingly, some big-chain supermarkets also carry this type of meat as well. Check out Metro's line of naturally raised meats as well, located in the same area of the store where you would find all your other meats.

Secondly, consider eating less meat. Go vegetarian for one meal a week. If the cost of ethically raised meat is too much for you to handle, then consider eating less meat as an option. Oh, but I love meat too much to give any of it up! You may grumble. Well then, consider this: most other cuisines don't focus on meat as the main attraction. In almost every other culture meat is a side dish, a small and savory addition to the main course of grains, legumes, or pastas. The way that meat is produced in North America has allowed us to make meat our main focus at every meal, as it is cheap and widely available. This doesn't mean this was always the case. If you look back to our time as hunters-gatherers, you can see that meat's place was always as a side dish or rare-occasioned treat. Although the evolution of technology has made it feasible for meat to be more widely consumed, and consumed more often, this does not mean that it should be. In fact, meat consumption (red meats in particular) are the major cause of heart disease, North America's number one cause of death! So just consider eating less, you're body needs protein, but that doesn't necessarily mean all of that protein needs to be in the form of meat. Legumes, soy, and nuts are great sources of protein and are more healthy choices. Not only is it healthier to eat less meat (and remember, I am saying less meat, not NO meat at all, I am not pushing vegetarianism here) but ethical meat often tastes better. And, when you eat less meat, you will learn to appreciate the meat you DO eat more, and as a result it will no doubt taste ever better to you! If you don't indulge in something as often, the times when you do indulge become more special. So eat less meat, and your love for meat will probably grow. And a tip: when you do eat meat, make it good meat, tasteful and savory. Not a McDonald's hamburger, but a good free range steak or beautifully marinated chicken breast. That way, though you are eating less meat, you are at least eating awesome meat all the time! (See, I'm totally pro meat! haha. I am getting cravings right now...)

You don't have to stop eating meat. But making ethical and informed choices about the meat, as well as consuming less meat is something you should think about doing. Especially if you are concerned about the environment and/or your health. For more info on this, read the book The Ethical Gourmet, which dives deeper into the issue of ethical food choices and also provides excellent recipes for the ethically-concerned chef. Hey, there is even an entire section devoted to meat and poultry, as well as one for fish and seafood. So eat meat, drink, and be merry - just do it with a clear conscience.

For more info or questions about ethical consumerism, feel free to contact me at: kait(dot)lyn(dot)m(at)hotmail(dot)com or do some research online. There is TONS of information on vegetarianism, the environment, and health out there. As well as lots of info on our horrible North-American food production system. You should also check out the documentary: Food Inc., which has lots of good info, real images, and stories about what America's food production is actually like.