“…My readings tell me that:
1. The overuse of preventive antibiotics is probably fostering antibiotic resistant bacteria that can infect humans.
Antibiotics are needed to treat sick animals so they cannot be banned.
But they should not be used on all animals as prevention because they are kept in too close quarters.
2. There is a small but significant quantity of valid, scientific, peer-reviewed research that calls into question the meat industry’s claim that growth hormones are harmless.
Even if there was no contradictory research, the levels that the US Government sets for some meats as “GRAS” (generally regarded as safe) are not thoroughly tested and are unacceptably high to many other countries, including the European Union.
3. The use of CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) create major waste disposal problems for soil and water that are significantly lessened by distributed farming.
There are many good books on the subject, but here is a free document from the Union of Concerned Scientists “CAFOs Uncovered”.
If you are busy, at least read the executive summary at the beginning.
I understand that we are addicted to cheap protein as much as we are addicted to cheap oil.
I understand that cheap protein has helped the poor feed their families and kept school lunch prices down.
I understand that improved animal husbandry will likely mean higher meat prices.
If so, I think that we can absorb them.
I think that we have alternatives.
Those of us who can afford it will buy slightly more expensive meats.
Or maybe we will buy less.
Maybe some of us will buy other forms of protein and more fruits, vegetables, and grains.
And this might not be bad.
In addition to my desire to send a message, I have two other motives:
1. I have read scores of testimonials from vegetarians about how going meatless made them feel great.
I want to see how it makes me feel.
2. I love veggies and carbs almost as much as meat.
I want to challenge my outdoor cooking skills and see if I can discover and create new dishes that will satisfy my meat loving readers.
I will also use this as an opportunity to overcome my fear of flour.
I will try to learn to bake on the grill.
So beginning August 9, for 30 days I will become an ovo-lacto vegetarian.
That means I will forswear all animal flesh, but I will allow myself eggs and dairy.
Why not go all the way and leave out the dairy and eggs?
Because I’m chicken.
Ummm, I mean, I’m afraid.
I’m afraid that my cooking skills will let me down, that the temptation to stray will be too great …
… and that nutritionally there are some pitfalls to the strict vegan diet … and I am not knowledgeable enough to implement.
I have learned that one must really understand nutrition to be a strict vegan…”
(sheesh dude..!..it’s not that riddled with ‘pitfalls’..eh…?..that vegan-thing…
you could let google be yr friend… or you could check the vegan-section here at whoar…more info/recipies than you can poke a stick at..eh..?..
..and on a personal/anecdotal level…i’ve been vegan for about 11 years…and lacto-veg for 15 years before that…
..and as for the ‘feeling-good’-factor…?
i can confirm what those vegetarians have told you..and further tell you that one of the big surprises for me in going vegan…
..was that my expectations were for a minimal movement in that feel-good-factor..
..and i was surprised at what actually happened…
..the change from vegetarian to vegan…delivered a quantum-leap in said feel-good-factor..
..and i would submit that the change from vegetarian to vegan..delivers much more than you could possibly hope for…
i also have an 11 yr old vegan-dog…who looks/acts/moves/runs etc….like a hound a quarter of her age…
..(she salivates as i cut up apples for her..and loves tofu/seitan…both major sources of protein for her…)
so dude..why not step it up..?..and go the whole hog…?…eh..?)
go to source/story>>>Meathead Goldwyn: Meathead To Go Meatless: Call Me Potatohead
