A Veggie/Meat eating debate entry…

“I’m merely partaking in the same thing all other animals do.” Do you hunt for your own meat? I doubt it. Most people get their prepackaged, hormone infested meat from supermarkets. This practice can hardly be described as natural. Furthermore, other animals don’t have the choice to go the super stop and shop and buy vegetarian food but we do. This is just a terrible excuse for eating meat. [Pissed off Female]

I love it when someone leaves a note that not only sparks a little debate but also inspires a new entry in my diary. So thanks to ‘Pissed Off Female ‘ for again making a very inspiring contribution. But before I begin my little rant, want to let her know that there is nothing wrong with choosing to go vegetarian… it’s her choice as it is the same for those who chose to eat meat and make it a part of their diet. Just like many other issues of choice, no one really has the right to tell anyone what they should do and be respectful of the choice they make regardless of what that choice is.

I for one am one of the people who supports the right to eat meat and lives off the animals and the amazing amino acids and other great stuff their flesh provides our bodies with. As I said to her in a note I posted, you would be amazed how many vitiman supplements and other crap you’d have to swallow just to match the stuff you’d get from a single 5 ounce steak. Now if someone wants to go that way to avoid eating meant, hey… more power to ya. Don’t let me get in your way and do whatever you think is right. But I really don’t like it when people go out of their way to guilt people for choosing to eat meat. Now I’ll be honest from the start, I try to limit the amount of red meat I eat and try to incorporate as much chicken and especially fish into our diets as much as possible. Living on the coast of the Atlantic gives us a lot of access to fresh seafood, which is much healthier and low in fat.

I can see where ‘Pissed Off Female’ is coming from. Getting processed food isn’t really that natural, that much I am willing to concede. But then again I doubt she grows here own veggies in a garden… so that kind of attitude towards grocery stores is a tad hypocritical since that is likely where she goes to gather most of her foods. Now this doesn’t mean that I refuse to eat veggitarian alternatives… I just also choose to eat meat as well. Sometimes I’m in a mood for either actually. I have a good handful of friends that are vegitarians, so when Leah and I have them over for supper… I go out of my way to make sure the menu for the night is something everyone can eat. My friends apprecaite the effort and are just as respective when we’re eating out and I choose to eat something they normally wouldn’t. It’s a matter of respect, and respecting the choices other prefer to make. It just gets my goat when others try to assume that the world should just swear off meat completely, which was the militant impression I got from the above note.

Studies have also shown that meat is a valuable part of a young child’s brain development… so who am I to step in the way of my own child’s progress. As I said before, the substitutes are a tad difficult to make a child consume and they are at times very expensive. That and the fact that meat actually tastes fantastic and is eaten with joy by my little guy and without a fight alone is reason to keep serving it. Ethan loves to eat Leah’s pork stirfry, which also contains a lot of veggies and rice. As I also said many times in the political survey, moderation is the key. The last time I actually served red meat in this house was over a week ago, when I made pasta for everyone and a guest. The majority of the breakfasts I serve Ethan consist of either oatmeal, cereal (usually rice crispies or Life) and Omeletes, which usually only have cheese in them. I go out of my way to cut unneeded fats such as bacon and sausage… cause while I enjoy eating meat, I actually go out of my way to limit them to supper time which is the biggest meal of the day. Again, moderation is the key and I don’t feel the need for overkill.

I think serving chicken, fish and the occassional red meat is good for our diet and refuse to stop just because a few feather’s get ruffled. I can only imagine how pissed off the note leaver would get if she knew that I have also eaten many other meats that are considered a tad contraversial in my lifetime. I once tried live octopus and even dog when I was living in South Korea in 2002, just to be respectful to their culture. The octopus was rough, but the Dog was actually well made. I had that a few times. I also have friends and family members-in-law who participate in the Moose and Seal hunt… and I benefit from their succesful hunts with a good supply of fresh meats. Both are great eats and help families earn an much needed income when the fisheries are closed. Seal also provides some kick ass coats that keep people warm in winter as well… as nothing is wasted during the hunt. While I am sure she would disaprove fully with my choice, it’s mine to make and I hope she respects it as much as I respect her choice to not eat it.

I’m actually curious if ‘Pissed Off Female’ is a complete vegan, or does she eat diary foods and other stuff that comes from animals. Does she swear off all things from animals (like milk and eggs) of just the meat themselves? I’m also curious to see if she is the owner of other animal related products like leather jackets and dock martin shoes. I mean if we’re going to make stuff like that with the flesh of animals, why waste the meat by not eating it? Good stuff to chew on… pun intended.

Still, it was nice to debate the issue a little, and for that I thank her for going out of her way to contribute. The funny part is, we didn’t eat meat tonight. Wasn’t intentional, just didn’t feel like it tonight as we had a processed veggie soup and toast for supper. I actually had crackers and sardines at work so I didn’t go completely vegan that day. I’m sure Leah will make up for it tonight, maybe with a chicken or tuna caserole. Hmmmmm… Caserole.

Peter