Some of the commenters have said that “it’s not the eating of meat but the treatment of the animal that matters”. It sounds like a reasonable argument but If we use animals for our own ends there will be some level of cruelty involved, even if they’re organic free range, etc. Is it cruel to stun them and kill them? I don’t know but not eating them removes the question entirely and seems to me to be the safest way to go.

Anyway…I admit that I never made the ethical decision, though I understand and relate to it. The decision to cut out meat was made for me…by my doctors. It turns out that I have a kidney disease that is worsened/inflamed by meat proteins. If I want to keep my kidneys, I need to keep my protein-intake and omega-6s down and my blood pressure down. (The current diets of factory-farmed animals result in unnaturally high omega-6s — since animal feed usually contains the remains of other animals, the bits that aren’t considered good enough for human consumption, making them unwilling canibals, the omega-6s are simply recycled.)

I probably would have cut out the fish/seafood too but the doctor actually insists that I partake of some 2 – 4 times a week to increase my omega-3s.

Whenever I consider how nutritionally bad meat is in general and how it is like a slow acting poison for me, I can’t help but want to discourage others from eating it.

It really isn’t just about the ethical treatment of animals; it’s about the health and wellness of a population that is killing itself by gorging on something their body needs very little of, if any. There are plenty of protein sources; in fact, even without adding cheese or eggs to my day, I can get the daily minimum of protein just from vegetables, fruits and grains. I just have to choose wisely, which is something we in America are not taught how to do — even when the schools were teaching nutrition (4 basic food groups?), they were basing it on decisions made by politicians influenced by agricultural lobbists. There is so much data out there that indicates that the current daily intake of meat is hazzardous to our health. We aren’t going to die by global warming but by unknowingly poisoning ourselves.

I do, however, say this as a vegetarian of over a decade who has gone so long without meat that I wouldn’t eat it even if it were morally appropriate.

I was vegetarian for 2 weeks, 20 years ago. I worked myself down from full omnivore diet to no red meat, to just egg sand dairy. Then, for 4 weeks, I managed only veggie. I had to expand my diet because my physical activity (work + school) made a huge demand on my energy level and I was always light-headed. Without meat, I was either cooking, eating or cleaning dishes during my time off. Hunger would ensue shortly after finishing a meal.

Also, some people have a medical need to consume large amounts of easily digestible protein. Consider old age, tissue trauma (burns, infections, surgery) and early life growth as high protein populations.

Too much of any food is going to be unhealthy. Moderation in all things. I respect the ethical decision to avoid meat. I also encourage less meat (than our American average) to have a healthy balanced diet.

*18% of human derived greenhouse gasses are from livestock production*

Please do note this is “production” and not just the animals. This point gets lost in many various references. It’s not the animals “burping and farting” that makes 18%, it’s the electricity and oil used to create fertilizer, feed, medicine; and the transportation of these pre-products and the transportation and refrigeration of animals and the meat itself. The animals themselves create <5% of our greenhouse gasses.

If anyone can go veggie, I honestly praise your health and fortitude. Immoderate meat eaters will suffer clogged arteries and increased risk of cancers. If antibiotics are freely used in livestock production, then we will all suffer the 'wrath' of resistant bacteria.

If you can maintain/regain your health on a veggie diet following major surgery/trauma, then I eagerly await your story. If you should have to revert to omnivore mode in such a situation, then I would like to hear the prayer you spoke to forgive the animal you needed to eat in order for you to survive.

Hmmm. I sound like a bit of a prick. Sorry about that. Just trying to point out what is, apparently, not so obvious about the 'morality' of vegetarianism. If we could all 'self-actualize' the world would be a better place (morality). We don't all self-actualize. All Life is precious. But Human life is more precious than bovine, porcine, poultry, fish.

If it is ok to make any exemption: "This cow (pig, dog, cat) is more precious than that human." then the argument that follows is valid, too: "That human is more precious than this cow (pig, dog, cat)."

When speaking of entire populations, however, we are using different logic.

PS: the photo of the bird skeleton pulled me onto this page. Scary, sad, frightening, unappetizing. Will we ever be able to clean up our collective mess?

Best wishes to you as you continue on this path.

http://happyherbivore.com

(Once again… in case you don’t get my comment from my blog… I am extremely grateful for your kindness and commitments :))

I have been an avid reader of “Fake Plastic Fish” for quite some time… and have been eliminating plastic…

Nearly 8 months ago, I made the conscious decision to stop eating animal meat. There were several months where I kept having “signs” put in front of me… I’d stumble upon videos, I’d pick up a magazine… random thoughts started popping in my head about how I could justify eating cows, turkeys, pigs and chickens… and “Why should there be a differentiation between my pets [4 dogs, a cat and 5 egg laying hens] and ‘farm animals’??” I couldn’t do it anymore…

http://itstartswithme-danielle.blogspot.com/2010/01/friends-not-food.html (my post isn’t quite as eloquent as yours ;) )

One of the immediate benefits of choosing not to buy meat is that I no longer have styrofoam trays or plastic wrap to toss!!!!

I have trouble calling myself a vegetarian… I feel like it carries such weight and expectations. I’ve instead opted for calling myself a “conscious” eater…. hmmm… doesn’t sound grand… but it’s how I eat… consciously. While I don’t eat any animals, except for fish on occasion (which makes it easier for going out and having a protein option).

Oh… my fav cookbook at the moment is “Veganomicon”… you must get it!!