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
Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Another Reason Why
A few weeks ago my mom's beloved dog, Bert, passed away. I will never forget the day we brought that baby home from the Human Society. I was in college and decided to stop at the Human Society on the way home from school. My eyes fell upon this absolutely adorable ball of golden fluff. He was little and fluffy and had a fat round puppy belly. I wanted him, but seeing that I was living with my mom, I needed her permission. After she got off work, my mom, Matt and I headed to the Human Society where we happily adopted our little bundle of joy, Bert. Bert was a Yellow Lab mix. He was full of crazy energy and went downright insane once he was home. On his third night home he escaped from his kennel and tore the house to pieces! He ate a 12 pack of toilet paper, a few plants, the remote, a shoe or two, a couple of socks, a bath towel and even got into the bag of bird seed. He started throwing up and before long we were back at the Human Society hoping he would make it through the night. After spending two night at the vet's office we were allowed to take our baby back home. My mom and I took turns sleeping with him and spoon feeding him baby food because he was so weak and so sick. Yes, this was not the first or the last time I would nurse a sick animal back to a healthy existence!
While Bert was the family dog, he was really my mom's dog. I finished college, moved out, got married, bought my own home and started a family. Matt finished college, moved out, moved back, moved out, became engaged and is embarking on his own life. Since having Bert in our lives we have lost both of my grandmothers and a grandfather, my dad has died and other life events have taken place. Through all of this my mom had Bert to come home to. Regardless of what kind of day or moment she was experiencing, Bert was there as her constant companion. Animals are amazing being. They sense fear, illness, sadness and jubilation. Animals are ready to snuggle, receive a belly rub or go for a walk at the drop of a hat. Animals love you regardless of how they are spoken to or treated, for the most part. We welcome these furry little creatures into our hearts and into our homes, caring for them as if they were truly a member of our family. The love between a human and an animal is unique and amazing.
Bert started to slow down a few years ago. This past year you could really tell his age was catching up with him. A few months ago he started having what the vet believed to be seizures, although at one point they thought he had some type of infection. His thyroid was out of whack and he started on meds. He couldn't walk some days and for awhile my mom had to go back to spoon feeding him his meals. He perked up for a bit, but then he was back to where he started. The vet had considered doing a brain scan to see if he had a tumor. My mom was already paying money for thyroid medicine and now she was considering a MRI. Sadly, Bert passed away in his bedroom before she was able to schedule the scan. I got "the call" at 6:43am one cold December morning. My mom was a mess of tears and emotions and she told me poor Bertie had died around midnight. She was so distraught and upset that she ended up taking the day off of work. A few days later she received a sympathy card in the mail from the vet's office. I cried like a baby as I read the words and help the paw print they had sent her. Our little fluffy yellow ball that we rescued from the Human Society that sunny spring day was now in doggie Heaven. Our hearts were heavy with grief.
As I sit here thinking and writing about Bert, I cannot help to think about the millions of animals who are abused and mistreated every day. The dogs who are forced into breeding litter after litter of puppies, the chickens who are shoulder to shoulder in dark little coops never to see light so they can mass produce eggs, the little calves who are shackled and force fed in an effort to produce "tasty" veal, the cows who are fed diets that are not healthy for them only to be horribly slaughtered for mass human consumption, the turkey who are cooped up in inhuman confines of a pin and eventually slaughtered for meals. I cannot help to think about the abuse these poor, helpless animals are faced with daily. Life is life. We can debate the whole abortion topic, we can debate the hunting for meat topic, but when it comes down to it, life is life. Why is a sad pet owner any different than a vegetarian who is sad over the loss of an animal's life? To me, there is no difference. The next time you sit down to indulge in that burger or that chicken breast, think about where it really came from. Can you honestly bite, chew and swallow and digest a once living creature? I cannot bring myself to doing that.
Off my recyclable, veggie soapbox now ;)
While Bert was the family dog, he was really my mom's dog. I finished college, moved out, got married, bought my own home and started a family. Matt finished college, moved out, moved back, moved out, became engaged and is embarking on his own life. Since having Bert in our lives we have lost both of my grandmothers and a grandfather, my dad has died and other life events have taken place. Through all of this my mom had Bert to come home to. Regardless of what kind of day or moment she was experiencing, Bert was there as her constant companion. Animals are amazing being. They sense fear, illness, sadness and jubilation. Animals are ready to snuggle, receive a belly rub or go for a walk at the drop of a hat. Animals love you regardless of how they are spoken to or treated, for the most part. We welcome these furry little creatures into our hearts and into our homes, caring for them as if they were truly a member of our family. The love between a human and an animal is unique and amazing.
Bert started to slow down a few years ago. This past year you could really tell his age was catching up with him. A few months ago he started having what the vet believed to be seizures, although at one point they thought he had some type of infection. His thyroid was out of whack and he started on meds. He couldn't walk some days and for awhile my mom had to go back to spoon feeding him his meals. He perked up for a bit, but then he was back to where he started. The vet had considered doing a brain scan to see if he had a tumor. My mom was already paying money for thyroid medicine and now she was considering a MRI. Sadly, Bert passed away in his bedroom before she was able to schedule the scan. I got "the call" at 6:43am one cold December morning. My mom was a mess of tears and emotions and she told me poor Bertie had died around midnight. She was so distraught and upset that she ended up taking the day off of work. A few days later she received a sympathy card in the mail from the vet's office. I cried like a baby as I read the words and help the paw print they had sent her. Our little fluffy yellow ball that we rescued from the Human Society that sunny spring day was now in doggie Heaven. Our hearts were heavy with grief.
As I sit here thinking and writing about Bert, I cannot help to think about the millions of animals who are abused and mistreated every day. The dogs who are forced into breeding litter after litter of puppies, the chickens who are shoulder to shoulder in dark little coops never to see light so they can mass produce eggs, the little calves who are shackled and force fed in an effort to produce "tasty" veal, the cows who are fed diets that are not healthy for them only to be horribly slaughtered for mass human consumption, the turkey who are cooped up in inhuman confines of a pin and eventually slaughtered for meals. I cannot help to think about the abuse these poor, helpless animals are faced with daily. Life is life. We can debate the whole abortion topic, we can debate the hunting for meat topic, but when it comes down to it, life is life. Why is a sad pet owner any different than a vegetarian who is sad over the loss of an animal's life? To me, there is no difference. The next time you sit down to indulge in that burger or that chicken breast, think about where it really came from. Can you honestly bite, chew and swallow and digest a once living creature? I cannot bring myself to doing that.
Off my recyclable, veggie soapbox now ;)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Just Another Reason
When people find out I am a vegetarian, I usually get the myriad of questions and opinions.........
Why??!!
What do you eat if you don't eat meat?
How do you get your protein?
But meat tastes so good!
Well I couldn't ever do that.
Animals were made to be eaten.
Animals cannot feel anything.
God made animals for us to eat.
Seriously, I could go on and on. Usually I just smile and let the person talk and very rarely do I comment. This is my choice and while it is not the lifestyle for everyone, it is the best choice for me. The one type of comment that just boils my blood is the statements about animals being created to eat/they are less then humans/they do not feel. This just pisses me off beyond words. Just because they cannot talk with words doesn't mean animals cannot feel emotional and physical pain! Animals can feel hunger, they can feel the pain of an injury, they can feel scared. Think about your pet; I know my dogs get quite excited when I walk in the door. They cannot wait to jump up, get a pat on the belly and sometimes they even bark back at me when I talk to them (Want a treat? Let's go for a walk.). My dog Miles gets frequent ear infections. I know he feels pain when his ear is infected because I have held him in my lap as he whimpered and hung his head in pain. I have watched deer in the woods behind my house raise their tails on alert as they sense danger around them (usually my barking dogs!). To say that an animal deserves to die simply because they cannot speak is abhorable.
Now, I know most people do not eat dogs, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to post this video. The dog in the video is being reunited with her owner after the owner served a year in the Middle East. There is no way anyone can tell me this animal is not expressing her emotions. It is very clear that this animal is beyond excited that her master is back with her. Listen to the pup whimper and cry (for over a minute!), watch her tail wag, look at her body curl up as close as possible to her loving owner. This animal, like every other living thing, has feelings. Reason number ONE why I live a vegetarian lifestyle.......
http://www.godvine.com/Mommy-and-Doggy-Reunite-After-a-Year-Apart-343.html
Why??!!
What do you eat if you don't eat meat?
How do you get your protein?
But meat tastes so good!
Well I couldn't ever do that.
Animals were made to be eaten.
Animals cannot feel anything.
God made animals for us to eat.
Seriously, I could go on and on. Usually I just smile and let the person talk and very rarely do I comment. This is my choice and while it is not the lifestyle for everyone, it is the best choice for me. The one type of comment that just boils my blood is the statements about animals being created to eat/they are less then humans/they do not feel. This just pisses me off beyond words. Just because they cannot talk with words doesn't mean animals cannot feel emotional and physical pain! Animals can feel hunger, they can feel the pain of an injury, they can feel scared. Think about your pet; I know my dogs get quite excited when I walk in the door. They cannot wait to jump up, get a pat on the belly and sometimes they even bark back at me when I talk to them (Want a treat? Let's go for a walk.). My dog Miles gets frequent ear infections. I know he feels pain when his ear is infected because I have held him in my lap as he whimpered and hung his head in pain. I have watched deer in the woods behind my house raise their tails on alert as they sense danger around them (usually my barking dogs!). To say that an animal deserves to die simply because they cannot speak is abhorable.
Now, I know most people do not eat dogs, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to post this video. The dog in the video is being reunited with her owner after the owner served a year in the Middle East. There is no way anyone can tell me this animal is not expressing her emotions. It is very clear that this animal is beyond excited that her master is back with her. Listen to the pup whimper and cry (for over a minute!), watch her tail wag, look at her body curl up as close as possible to her loving owner. This animal, like every other living thing, has feelings. Reason number ONE why I live a vegetarian lifestyle.......
http://www.godvine.com/Mommy-and-Doggy-Reunite-After-a-Year-Apart-343.html
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