the conundrum of eating meat
If you are an omnivore, tell me: have you recently witnessed or been part of the production of killing and butchering the meat you eat?
It’s been my philosophy that if you’re going to eat meat, you should know first-hand, witness and/or assist at least once in the process of how your meat comes to your table. It’s a tall order, I realize. I have yet to do it as an adult, but that time will come soon. I’ve been invited to hunt feral pigs that are destroying a friend’s property. I am raising chickens for eggs and eventually, meat. I am planning a purchase of a pasture-raised cow for future consumption. And I find that I quake inside with the thought of doing my own butchering.
If it weren’t for the many food intolerances I suffer, I’d become a vegetarian once again. Unfortunately, being vegetarian would severely impact my health, so it’s not an option at this time. Thus, I need to walk my talk if I continue to eat meat. I believe it’s only fair and just.
There are some animal rights advocates who believe that hunting wild game is the only humane way to provide meat for the table. Their reasoning is that the hand-raising of animals who then come to trust humans, then stressing the animals with the production of death, is a huge violence to both the animal and the human. I can see how this could be true.
On the other hand, I (and many others who are non-agrarian in industrialized nations) have long been divorced from the production of food. So the above paragraph may be a romantic notion, afforded by this era’s relative prosperity.
I will take up my friend’s offer to hunt the feral pigs. I will eventually kill and butcher my own chickens. It may turn out that with prayers for the animal and gratitude for what they give me, I will find my place in the cycle of life and death, and be at peace. We shall see.
photo credit: Another Pint Please…
What can’t you get from vegetables and vitamins that you can only get from meat?
[Reply]
Hi John. The difficulty is getting adequate calories and protein in a timely manner. I cannot eat dairy and most grains, especially wheat (gluten intolerant). It’s not impossible, mind you, just difficult, especially as I work full-time and caretake the farm full-time (sleep? who needs sleep?). So, quick protein standbys like sprouted grains, cheese & pasta, beans and rice, etc. will wreak havoc on my body. I am in the process of cutting down animal muscle protein to only a few times a week to see if my body can handle the lesser intake. Thanks for writing.
[Reply]