Finding Peace as a Meat Eater

I don't know about you, but I spent my early childhood thinking that livestock was always raised in open pastures, eating the things that - you know - they were supposed to eat; and that when they were slaughtered for food, it was done so as humanely and hygienically as possible. Then I learned that most meat was factory farmed, and most of the animals' welfare was put second to efficiency and profit. Obviously, I started thinking more and more about the food choices I was making. For the past 18 years, I've gone back-and-forth. At times, I'd only eat poultry, then only fish, but it was still the generic meat found in the local grocery store. Then I'd get even more fed up and become a full vegetarian. My diet would then consist of what most vegetarians live on - cheese, highly processed soy products and way too many carbs. I'd keep this up for a while, only to fantasize about meat...not the Double Double from In N Out (this would be the obvious desire), but the actual texture of meat. Clearly, I am not meant to be a vegetarian. My body needs meat. At the same time, I felt so bad contributing to the mass-production of improperly treated animals. Enter: humane farming practices.

I made a deal with myself: if I was going to eat meat, whenever possible, it would be humanely raised. I am not so unrealistic to say I will NEVER eat a traditional piece of meat. Unless I plan to live in a bubble, it's nearly impossible. It would basically mean never eating at 99% of restaurants or at other peoples' homes. I did, however, make a deal with myself. I would only buy meat to prepare at home that was from animals raised in the right conditions; and when going out or eating at someone else's home, I'd try to limit the meat I ate.

Here's my advice for finding the most humane and healthiest meat and other animal products: 

- buy only grass fed organic beef; it is lower in saturated fat, higher in omegas, and the animals are happier because they are eating what they are supposed to be eating. As a result, the cattle are not being treated with antibiotics. Yes, that's right. Antibiotics are used to kill all the illnesses that animals contract because of eating the wrong foods and living in terrible conditions. Cows are not meant to digest corn, just grass. Imagine what your body would feel like if you consumed only things that humans were never meant to eat. 

- shop at Whole Foods; all the meat at Whole Foods is given a 1-5 rating that is displayed next to each selection. The higher the rating, the closer to a completely natural environment the animal experienced. Check out the details here: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/meat/welfare.php

- try certified humane eggs by Vital Farms (also available at Whole Foods); the farm raises hens on beautiful pastures, so your eggs are being laid by truly happy hens. This is how eggs are supposed to be. Check out their website: http://www.vitalfarms.com/

The con to eating this way: it's a little more pricey. However, I believe, if meat is cheap to buy, it was cheap to make (yuck!). And if we don't set aside time and money now, we'll be paying for it later in various ways. 

And there you have it!