Cheating with Meat

Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.
--Albert Einstein


I am not a nutritionist or a philosopher. I do not have a background in animal husbandry, farming, or a “steak” in the meat business. I am a wife and mom of two children; who is interested in a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet. I enjoy eating meat, all meat: lamb, goat, cow, pork, chicken, and the other meat, “fish.” I’d like to keep it in my diet, but I've recently seen a few butchering videos online and find myself thinking twice about my next carnivorous meal. Moreover, I am having more and more trouble “stomaching” the reports of corn fed, chemically-treated, hormone-injected cows -- saturated with antibiotics, and then slaughtered like something out of a scene from the movie Saw (which I can only imagine, since I haven’t actually seen this movie.) 


Look into the eyes of a cow, and you may find her actually staring back at you. 


Add the recent reports of pink goo fillers in beef, and who knows what else the meat-packing industry is hiding; I can’t think of a reason to eat meat. Except......I still crave it. 


In the beginning....well, the beginning for early humans, our earliest ancestors ate their foods raw. We were bulky bipeds spending most of our time gathering tubers, berries, fruit, leaves, and if we were lucky, some nuts too. We had large heads, big faces with big teeth and big guts to help us chew it all. Digestion (and I mean survival) took up most of our time; we had little opportunity for discovering light, enjoying symphonies, or uncovering the patterns in the stars. That is, until we invented tools and fire, using them on meat. Cooked meat, particularly red meat, was compact, easy to digest, and full of vital proteins, wholesome fats, minerals, and nutrients which furthered the rapid growth in our intelligence and brain capacity. Historical studies have shown that if our ancestors hadn’t eaten red meat, our brains would be one-quarter of the size that it is today. 


Meat was instrumental in human survival and adaptation. It is an easy source of energy, critical to the growth and repair of cells. Some interesting facts: Meat and milk from grass-fed cows contain conjugated linoleic acid, which is described as potent antioxidant and anticarcinogen. Iron is most easily absorbed through meat, and it is good for combating fatigue too. Meat is full of Zinc (an important anti-inflammatory, and good for our immune system health,) B vitamins (especially B12) which is important for cognitive health, emotional health, and helpful in combating depression. Additionally, fat from grass fed animals give us Omega-3 fatty acids (good for the brain) and Vitamin A, which promotes fertility, good vision, and immunity.


These are compelling reasons to keep meat in our diet, but there is a problem -- we are eating too much of it!! We have changed it’s properties so much through domestication, it is actually damaging our bodies. Excess can be harmful, especially when its deep-fried, barbecued, and slathered in lard sauce.  Meat does not have to be a part of every meal. We must remember that our ancestors ate wild game, like venison and bison, and not the fatty meat relished by our palates today. In fact, it was more seasonally eaten. Early humans benefited more from the positive nutrients that meat provided, not suffering from heart-disease and cancers now known to be linked to....too much of a good thing.


It occurs to me that if the human race was more evolved, we would not be eating other sentient beings. [We also would not be warring with each other and killing people for religious conviction, malice, or sport.] The question boils down to the simple fact that if it is unjust to kill another live being, thus immoral, it is therefore unethical to kill animals and and eat their flesh. 


I guess, the fact is, I am not so evolved -- or I would not be desiring a juicy (grass-fed, pasture-raised, humanely ?? slaughtered) hamburger right now.


My husband and I have been trying to be more “seasonally” vegetarian for a few weeks at a time, only consuming meat intermittently -- we cheat, with meat....and I have to say, "it is delicious." On these occasions I appreciate every morsel. As a “cheat,” it is savored, acknowledged, and not taken for granted. I am not a religious person, but I like ritual, and I feel a “prayer” before the meal would be gracious -- similar to Native American tribal rituals thanking the animal killed for giving up its life, asking for forgiveness.


Conclusion, maybe more fish ??.... (wild-caught and sustainable, of course)

Searching for Independence

Age two was easy, the “terrible threes” are now in full swing. For PB, he has suddenly decided that he can do everything....pour the milk and the cereal, carry the very full bowl to the table, and hop into the high-chair by himself -- all at the same time.  If I try to help, I get a stern look along with, “No, I do it!” The problem is, I end up mopping the floor, table, and chair; then changing all his clothes, (which takes 10 minutes because he has to do it himself,) and do it all over again for the next meal. I wish this attitude would carry over for potty-training; which we are still working on. [That discussion is for a different time.] Apparently, his assertion of “independence” is very selective.

I know that letting PB do and try things for himself is essential for his development and maturity: gross motor skills, balance, confidence, general self-reliance, and all kinds of other good stuff. A friend sent me an article the other day which asserts that the American middle class has become so child-centered; our kids are too dependent on us, and thus less capable in the world.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304450004577277482565674646.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_5

OH WHAT HORROR!!! This is not what I intended for my children!!! Well, the other day I let my seven year old use the kitchen shears because he wanted to cut-up my old credit-card. He had been using kid scissors for years without incident. He ended up cutting a large chunk of skin completely off his finger. It was ugly. Luckily, SS had stopped by, (she is also a nurse,) and NB’s cut did not require an emergency room visit. His skin will heal, but I am not sure my guilt will go away.

I try not to “helicopter” around my kids, but I am not always successful. My OCD for getting things “right” often gets in the way. I do let them wander outside by themselves, play with the bugs in the dirt, explore; but not too far....  I never forget to warn of danger: Don’t go into the street. Don’t step on the dog poop. Don’t run on the brick. Don’t talk to strangers.  Don’t, Don’t, Don’t.......It’s tiring. How do I align my intentions with my words? Children need to be free to make mistakes, which means I need to reform some old habits.

Changing my mindset means letting go of my fear. Fear of falling, fear of injury, fear of the unknown, fear of making mistakes, fear of judgment. My children are smart, sweet, and capable. Of course they need direction, they need boundaries, and they have a lot to learn; but isn’t that the point? How can they learn if I do everything for them?...if I’m always in sight? Perhaps just adjusting my vocabulary would help. Remind them, and myself, what they can do.  DO get dirty, DO make a mess. DO look both ways when you cross the street. Oh, and don’t worry so much about it all.