Sometimes food scares me

[Miss Sparkly]

more like wondering how so much food is able to be produced and where it's produced at. I can't begin to fathom how many coconuts are needed for my coconut water that I drink daily, or chickens killed for all the nuggets, or where all the veggies are grown that we find in our stores (especially in the dead of winter). It doesn't seem possible by any natural means, so what's happening to our veggies and fruits? - I have seen Food Inc

 

[oranges]

i try my best NOT to ever think about this-- it is terrifying to me

 

[Haven]

This is why we order meat from farms that we know well, and buy everything local and in season whenever possible.

You couldn't pay me to eat meat from a Jewel-Osco.

(Did you read Fast Food Nation when it came out a decade ago? Most memorable line: "There is shit in the meat.")

 

[sctsbride09]

Have you seen The future of Food? That documentary is excellent as well. I also worry about food sources (now and future), most people have gotten used to a false reality of food also, which doesnt help. Most people expect to see fruits/veggies available all year in the grocery store, but unless you live in an area with a LONG growing season (think So Ca), this would not be reality. I think most people have NO IDEA where their food comes from, nor do they care. As long as it is there. This is a huge concern to me, and unless people start acting locally first, this problem will not go away. Another problem we all face is growing scarcity of water. With all the lovely soda companies using 5-8 times the water it requires to make 1 amount of soda, it really bothers me that people can drink soda so freely. Not only is soda bad for you, but the companies who produce it are pretty much "stealing" water from other countries to keep westernized nations in their fill of the stuff. Thinking about that makes me sick, literally. We dont "need" soda, but those nations DO need their water to survive, if everyone would open their eyes and do a bit of research, we might all be able to make a difference. But like I said, you have to start local. I for one keep a organic garden, (at first it was tough without pesticides but when there is a will, there is a way, you DONT need pesticides) do alot of canning and freezing of my produce (to keep me through the year) and I buy only local produce, and I use a filter on the tap, NO BOTTLED WATER. If its not in season I dont buy it, if its shipped from China I dont buy it. The problem is, the true "cost" of food is NOT reflected in the prices, one day it might be, then people are in trouble. Sorry for the novel, but this is something that I care deeply about. Guess my Mom was right, Im a crunchy hippie. And thats ok.

 

[sctsbride09]

Another thing that I forgot to mention that disgusts me is the way animals are treated in mass production facilities and slaughterhouses. Back when my grandma was growing up, she said people only ate meat a few times a week , if that. "We" have become so used to meat being a daily requirement of sorts, that animals are being mass produced and confined with unspeakable acts being done to them, just so we dont have to give up burgers and mcnuggets and veal. I guess a huge part of that problem is fast food, though, and the need to have food available at all times. We have become a society where some people eat WAY more than their fair share, needlessly, and others starve. ITS INSANE!

 

[bee*]

I've been thinking of this all week. As part of my veterinary degree we have to do a weeks work experience at a slaughter house. We went to the poultry factory during the week and it was horrendous. 11,000 chickens are killed every hour, over 600,000 per week and this is only in a small enough factory in Ireland. It baffles me that so many are killed every hour and makes me so sad.

 

[Maisie]

I really can't let myself think about this as I would be worried about eating and that would end up really bad for me.

Bee why do you have to do that as work experience? As a vet surely you are there to prolong life (as much as possible). It must have been so upsetting for you to see such a lot of dead animals

 

[bee*]

Maisie-a vet has to be present in the slaughter house at all times-every carcass is inspected prior to and after death to ensure that it's ok (ie. make sure there are no abscesses, tb etc in the case of beef). It really was awful to see

 

[Maisie]

I couldn't do it

 

[Prana]

I, like you, am frightened by food. Especially meat. The whole mass-produced meat thing is just absolutely horribly disgustingly gross. I don't like to think about it, but I really can't help it.

I do see a starting trend though...a lot of restaurants are now starting to proudly serve locally grown/slaughtered produce and meat. I like that trend.

 

[Maisie]

I stopped eating meat in my 20's. I lasted a year before I started eating it again. I am considering giving it up again. I hate the thought of the animals dying just so I can eat them. I know it will carry on even if I stop eating it though.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

I've found that I don't like the taste of meat. It's just really odd to me and I'm not sure if it's all the processing or what. I eat a lot of homemade soup and ritz crackers (my huge guilty pleasure).

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I'm a bleeding heart when it comes to animals... Always have been, always will be.

I stopped eating meat cold-turkey after watching a documentary called "Earthlings." If I could ensure the meat I purchased was humanely raised AND humanely slaughtered (is there such a thing?), I'd still eat it. I don't go all PETA-crazy on meat eaters... my husband eats meat and I sometimes still crave it... But I simply can't support the mass-producing meat industry any longer, or the restaurants that buy such meat (which leaves a VERY limited number of local restaurants on my list of dining options).

99% of my family & friends think I'm nutso, but I just don't think animals should be an industry. All lives are precious.

Have any of you seen 'Year of the Dog' with Molly Shannon? That's me. Send me off to the loony bin

As for veggies: Oy. Don't know how to overcome this one... Just trying to buy from farmers markets as much as possible. My veggie garden wasn't as grand as I hoped for, so we didn't can or jar anything.

I know that one person's food choices won't change the whole food industry, but hey, it's better than supporting it!

 

[lyra]

I won't get into the ethics of meat eaters or buyers. I don't know much about it, and if necessary I could easily become vegetarian.

Those of us who are around 50 and who grew up in the north (Canada in my case) know exactly what it's like not to have fruits and veggies available year round like they are now! So that wouldn't be something I'd be afraid of. You just plan, and do canning. Well, actually for most of my life growing up, everyone canned stuff they grew in their own gardens. You'd manage. Where we'd have trouble would be with grain I think, since we are very dependent on it. I even remember icehouses that held huge blocks of ice all summer long! Along with that, I know firsthand of outhouses and well water. We could manage somehow. As long as the zombies stay away I think we'd live.

 

[radiantquest]

I try not to think about it. I know that all animals are animals and believe I am all for animals, but for some reason I dont have as hard a time with beef and chicken because they arent cute to me. I know that is horribe, but that is the way I feel. I am sure that if I thought about the poor cow everytime I ate a steak I would feel differently, but it is depressing and I try not to think about it.

There was a comment earlier about more water used to make one soft drink than that amount of water. I had no idea! I am not a soda drinker, but wow. That is terrible.

Has anyone ever seen Idiocracy? It is a movie about two people that are put in a cryogenic freeze. They wake up many years from now. Everyone eats processed crap. There is not one fruit or vegetable and the only water they know of is the kind in the toilet. They think that it is ridiculous to drink it. Where we have water fountains they had a drink like gatorade! It was totally scary.

 

[Burberrygirl]

I gave up red meat and poultry a few weeks ago because it makes me sad how animals are treated. Now I eat seafood and have been trying to eat more local produce. I'm hoping to eventually become a vegetarian.

ETA, I've also completely given up pop too. I feel so much better since changing my diet and people have told me I look better.

 

[Trekkie]

Interesting thread. I don't really adhere to much of what is advised here, but it is always interesting to hear a different point of view.

I don't want to lead this into a religious discussion, but for those of you interested in eating meat that has been slaughtered in a manner that minimises the animal's suffering, perhaps you could do some research on halaal meat? It should be available at your nearest Muslim butcher.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

I try not to think about it. I know that all animals are animals and believe I am all for animals, but for some reason I dont have as hard a time with beef and chicken because they arent cute to me. I know that is horribe, but that is the way I feel. I am sure that if I thought about the poor cow everytime I ate a steak I would feel differently, but it is depressing and I try not to think about it..

I'm the same way. I have a hard time eating "cute" animals, like lamb or rabbits. Eating veal or lamb dumbfounds me also as it seems counterproductive. Cows and sheep are much much much larger than lambs/calves and therefore would yield much more meat. But yeah, I have a hard time eating "cute" animals.

I fully understand that if I want to eat meat, an animal has to die. That's the way the world works. Nature is cruel, but we shouldn't be. There are people out there who dedicate their lives to the progress of humane slaughter. Temple Grandin is a person who comes to mind.

I am more an animal welfare advocate than an animal rights person. The only right a meat animal has is to live until it dies. It falls on humans to decide how well those animals live and how humanely they die.

 

[Trekkie]

Interesting thread. I don't really adhere to much of what is advised here, but it is always interesting to hear a different point of view.

I don't want to lead this into a religious discussion, but for those of you interested in eating meat that has been slaughtered in a manner that minimises the animal's suffering, perhaps you could do some research on halaal meat? It should be available at your nearest Muslim butchery.

Edited because I'm nuts.

 

[PrincessNatalie]

I try not to think about it. I know that all animals are animals and believe I am all for animals, but for some reason I dont have as hard a time with beef and chicken because they arent cute to me. I know that is horribe, but that is the way I feel. I am sure that if I thought about the poor cow everytime I ate a steak I would feel differently, but it is depressing and I try not to think about it..

I'm the same way. I have a hard time eating "cute" animals, like lamb or rabbits. Eating veal or lamb dumbfounds me also as it seems counterproductive. Cows and sheep are much much much larger than lambs/calves and therefore would yield much more meat. But yeah, I have a hard time eating "cute" animals.

I fully understand that if I want to eat meat, an animal has to die. That's the way the world works. Nature is cruel, but we shouldn't be. There are people out there who dedicate their lives to the progress of humane slaughter. Temple Grandin is a person who comes to mind.

I am more an animal welfare advocate than an animal rights person. The only right a meat animal has is to live until it dies. It falls on humans to decide how well those animals live and how humanely they die.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

I'm the same way. I have a hard time eating "cute" animals, like lamb or rabbits. Eating veal or lamb dumbfounds me also as it seems counterproductive. Cows and sheep are much much much larger than lambs/calves and therefore would yield much more meat. But yeah, I have a hard time eating "cute" animals.

I fully understand that if I want to eat meat, an animal has to die. That's the way the world works. Nature is cruel, but we shouldn't be. There are people out there who dedicate their lives to the progress of humane slaughter. Temple Grandin is a person who comes to mind.

I am more an animal welfare advocate than an animal rights person. The only right a meat animal has is to live until it dies. It falls on humans to decide how well those animals live and how humanely they die.

 

[bee*]

Interesting thread. I don't really adhere to much of what is advised here, but it is always interesting to hear a different point of view.

I don't want to lead this into a religious discussion, but for those of you interested in eating meat that has been slaughtered in a manner that minimises the animal's suffering, perhaps you could do some research on halaal meat? It should be available at your nearest Muslim butcher.

We weren't allowed to watch the halaal killing of the cattle at the factory the other day. The workers were telling us that the cattle are not allowed to be stunned prior to slaughter so I don't understand how that minimises the animals suffering. Surely it's more traumatic for the animal to be bled out? Again not trying to get into a religious discussion-it's just something that none of us understood from our visit there.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

I don't feel that the killing of the animal is the worst part. It's how they live and grow up. There is just not enough land for all those cows, chickens, pigs etc to exist on. In food Inc., they showed the chicken house where the chickens were on top of each other feeding off of droppers linked to pipes. They stated that the chicken grow so quickly that the weight of their bodies tends to break their own legs. If I was that chicken I death would not be a concern.

 

[Steel]

I completely agree SB.

However I doubt many chickens are killed (if any) for the majority of brands of chicken nuggets .

Just another reason we are going to rear our own next year. I get such a bad reaction when I say that but to me, as soon as I pick one off the shelf I am killing it (reasoning that my demand creates a supply which necessitates the killing of another chicken), so unless I go veggie (entirely possible) I plan to keep my own, ensure they have a longer fuller life outside pecking and broowarking to their little beaky hearts content.

As for veggies, we will be self sufficient (hopefully) by next year. I find it boggling how I can buy a full big bag of carrots for 60cents - I know how much effort it takes to grow them and that includes farmers profit, transport, marketing, retailers profit, taxes etc. It is boggling.

 

[JulieN]

Ah, urban life. Have you ever had a tomato plant? You will be swimming in more tomatoes than you know what to do with.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

Ah, urban life. Have you ever had a tomato plant? You will be swimming in more tomatoes than you know what to do with.

So true! I'm trying to figure out how to grow it inside during the winter so I can get green tomatos

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Ah, urban life. Have you ever had a tomato plant? You will be swimming in more tomatoes than you know what to do with.

We had 4 plants this year, in containers, I gave away 12 pounds of tomatoes. I can't wait to have a yard/garden, I'm all for growing your own veggies, plus it fits my last name

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Just another reason we are going to rear our own next year. I get such a bad reaction when I say that but to me, as soon as I pick one off the shelf I am killing it (reasoning that my demand creates a supply which necessitates the killing of another chicken), so unless I go veggie (entirely possible) I plan to keep my own, ensure they have a longer fuller life outside pecking and broowarking to their little beaky hearts content.

I grew up on a self-sufficient farm. We slaughtered our own cattle and chickens, grew our own fruits and veggies, canned them for the winter, got milk from our cattle and goats, eggs from our chickens, fish from our ponds. It was hard work, but we always appreciated our meals.

We have a large freezer in our garage and I go to our local butcher fairly often for meat (I even use this meat to feed our dogs). I've even started getting milk and eggs from he local dairy farm and buy local fruits and veggies when in season. I do feel more comfortable getting my food from local sources, but also like supporing local farms.

As I mentioned, I grew up on a small farm (a few hundred acres) and my uncle still farms. The advances they've made in farming in the past 20 years are pretty incredible. The amount of bushels they get to the acre for corn, soybeans, even wheat due to the new genetically engineered seed is nearly double what they got prior to their creation. What concerns me is that nearly every farmer in the U.S. uses genetically engineered seed now...and yet we don't know what the long-term effects are.

 

[bee*]

In the EU from 2012, it's going to be illegal to keep battery hens (the ones kept in the tiny cages). The same thing is being brought in with pigs too so they're going to be kept in houses where they have plenty of room to walk around, rather than in crates. So hopefully that will increase their quality of life a bit.

ETA-Just read NELs post-Ireland has banned the use of genetically modified crops thankfully. That sounds scary!

 

[ksinger]

In the EU from 2012, it's going to be illegal to keep battery hens (the ones kept in the tiny cages). The same thing is being brought in with pigs too so they're going to be kept in houses where they have plenty of room to walk around, rather than in crates. So hopefully that will increase their quality of life a bit.

ETA-Just read NELs post-Ireland has banned the use of genetically modified crops thankfully. That sounds scary!

And not just scary to eat, but scary legally and economically to the farmers who then become subject to some pretty draconian rules.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto_Canada_Inc._v._Schmeiser