Did you know turkeys love belly rubs? We got a chance to meet and interact with many rescued animals yesterday at The Gentle Barn. When you look into their eyes, face to face, you are amazed by their grace and gentle spirit. They are real, sentient beings who appreciate kindness and deserve respect.
I know what it’s like to be a meat eater. I did not go vegetarian until two years ago when my grandson saw me eating a chicken leg and said, “But Mimi, they had to kill him!” That was my last bite. Now when I see poultry, meat and pork in a store or on a menu, I literally get nauseated and my heart hurts. Cruelty does not taste good.
I thought going vegetarian was going to be confusing and hard! But nowadays there are so many yummy, easy vegetarian or vegan options both at the grocery store and in restaurants. I eat tons of veggies now and have never felt healthier. I still do buy cheese and eggs so I am not vegan – but I look on the packaging to make sure that the products I buy are only from farms and sources where the animals are allowed to have a good life and lifestyle. I love buying eggs in a carton that says, “HAPPY HENS!” I want to ensure they are freely allowed to eat and roam outside, are not jam packed in cages or pens in a dark barn, and that they can fluorish in all the ways they are meant to. I like eating happy food from happy animals that are not caused harm in the process.
That is how we create food that is healthy and nutritious for us, without all the hormones and additives big business forces into them to make them grow at monstrous rates in order to make more money. Those hormones are not healthy for us either! I believe that animals who are abused and cruelly tortured as they are killed actually are dangerous for humans to eat. This breeds disease… and I think we absorb their fear and suffering when we eat them.
When we become aware, we cannot go back. And when we know better, we can do better. We cannot just close our eyes. These animals cannot speak, so we must be their voice. Please look into it yourself and then make an informed decision for you and your family. Even if you start with one meatless day a week, it will make a difference.
At the very least, if we are going to eat meat we must ensure that the animals involved are treated with respect and honor, instead of the cruelty, suffering and terror they receive in the factory farming industries. Pledge to only support businesses who make animal welfare a priority, and boycott those who do not. We can create change together by raising awareness… but big business will listen most when they see how we spend our money, and how it affects their bottom line.
If you are vegetarian or vegan, or maybe just thinking about trying it, please post your comments here to help the rest of us. I’m always looking for new ways to do this. I just discovered the “Better Burger” that truly tastes like a real hamburger meat patty with juices running out of it, so I’ve been able to satisfy that craving lately! (I got it in the frozen section at Ralph’s.) Yay! I’d love to also know what restaurants you like, what recipes you want to share, and what fast food places you’ve discovered that offer veggie options. (That’s what I miss the most. Sigh.)
As we go into the holiday season, may we lead with love and kindness not only to our family and friends, but to all creatures great and small. 
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