Cruel Foods

I broke my foot and ripped a bunch of tendons and ligaments on Monday night so for the last several days I've been sitting on the couch nursing a painful foot while playing on-line, catching up on old recorded Grey's Anatomy reruns and napping. I'll fully admit, I've been reading/playing a lot on the computer, mostly mindless fun stuff. This morning I logged on the computer as usual and an article on Yahoo caught my eye. As I read the article I wanted to cry/puke/quit reading but at the same time I thought, "I must share this!". It is no secret that I am a vegetarian. It all started almost two years ago when I watched a documentary about vegans. I am not vegan (I love my ice cream and yogurt too much), but I consider myself a pretty healthful and conscious shopper/eater. True, my family is a bunch of meat eaters and yes it does bother me to a point, but they do eat a lot of meatless meals these days. In fact, as I was making out our weekly dinner menu I realized of five planned meals, four are meatless! Anyway, I thought this article was worth reading and sharing and I hope you all take something away from it. Whether you become more health conscious or you make small changes to items you buy or decide to take a stand against animal cruelty, it is all a small step in the right direction.

I want to clearly note that I take absolutely zero credit for any of this information. I'll highlight some of the real eye opening information, but I'll also provide a link to the whole article. Enjoy!

According to the article, there are eight foods that are deemed some of the cruelest foods in our world. I'll admit, I didn't recognize some of the foods, but that doesn't make the cruelty towards the living creatures any less horrific. As you happily munch away on your egg omelet or your mouth begins to salivate at the mere thought of indulging in a little exotic cuisine, think about how that dish got from the farm or field to your plate........

1. Lobster: Lobsters can feel pain and distress (duh!). Some restaurants serve an awful dish called Lobster Sashimi where the lobster is served on your plate still alive and in pain from the slit down its middle. Who would want to eat that?! Lobsters living in tanks at the grocery store or restaurant also feel distress as they are placed in unnatural surroundings.

2. Shark: While I've never eaten Shark Fin Soup, I have heard of it. Apparently they slice off the fin of the shark and then toss him back into the ocean where he bleeds to death and/or drowns.

3. Veal: This one really bothered me. Baby cows, usually males because they cannot produce milk, are taken from their momma when they are only a few days old. They are force-fed milk and formula and not allowed to move around in a crate that is so small the baby cannot even turn around. Around five months of age the baby is slaughtered so human can feast on ultra tender meat. Ugh, that is so heartless!

4. Foie Gras: I've never eaten this and never will! Basically it is goose or duck liver. In order to get the liver so fatty, workers restrain the poor bird, shove a tube into its stomach and force feed it several pounds of corn daily. After a month or so of this cruel act, the bird is slaughtered for your fancy meal.

5. Eggs: Many chickens live in dark, super cramped buildings that do not even allow the birds space to spread their wings or walk. They are so cramped they defecate on their own feet and bodies as they are pumped full of processed grains. Chickens have high salmonella rates due to defecating on the floor and living in such squalor.

6. Balut: I've never heard of this dish, but damn did it turn my stomach when I read what it is. Basically a duck lays an egg. When the egg contains a semi-formed baby duck (yes, feathers, bones, etc) it is cracked open. The consumer drinks the liquid from the egg and then scoops out the baby duck to eat. Gag, gag, gag! There was a balut eating contest in Brooklyn this past summer and the winner ate 18 of these baby ducks!

7. Beef: I could write a book on cows. Let's start with the genetically modified grains they are fed. How about the hormones they are pumped with that cause infections which are treated with antibiotics? How about the bolt that goes through their heads in the slaughter house? Or maybe we should talk about the electric prods they are zapped with. Should I go on?

8. Pork: Have you ever heard of a gestational crate? Basically a pig is placed in a small crate a couple of feet wide and it endures constant impregnation. Only four states in the US have banned this process. How does that bacon taste now?

I just cannot justify forcing tubes of corn into a bird's stomach or ripping a baby from its mommy days after after he is born all to feed me. There are so many humane ways to treat animals and not to mention our world is full of healthy plant based foods that can provide a great deal of nutrition, all free of animal cruelty. Here is the link to the complete article along with some facts and ideas for alternatives: http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/photos/8-cruelest-foods-you-eat#0