We are what we eat ??

Having spent the better part of my adult life in cat rescue, I have met many people also in rescue. Like any group of people, there are good, bad, extreme...

One thing I found interesting over the years was how many of those rescue people equate vegetarianism with pet love. In fact, as a whole, I have met more people that are vegetarians (or vegans) in pet rescue then in any other group I have come across or been a part of.

This leaves me as the odd one out, and the recipient of many a heated argument, because if there was ever a group that felt strongly about something, it can be those who do not eat animals.

Some feel like I can't possibly love animals on and off my fork. Yet, I can assure you with complete sincerity that I do love animals. I love some with steak sauce, and some at the foot of my bed. I don't have a problem differentiating that either. But there are those I have been acquainted with that will argue it to a point of absurdity.

Vegetarian diets and vegan diets and carnivorous diets are personal decisions. I believe the first and last have health benefits as well as lifestyle benefits. I respect people's decisions to eat whatever they like. The same as wear whatever they like. Extremism is not a quality that enhances your point of view regardless of what it is.

Recently I came across this article that basically equates eating meat with a lack of empathy. While I find it interesting, I don't accept that what you eat dictates your emotional responses. I have known some vegans and vegetarians and carnivores alike that were not capable of empathy, kindness or altruism on any level.

I do know a lot of vegetarians and vegans who push their life style on people regularly though I don't know anyone (except me perhaps in that sarcasic drawl) that would suggest a nice rare steak to a vegan.

I am however curious to know how an organization like PETA which promotes vegan-ism can possibly justify their actions towards animals. They are responsible for a lot of animal deaths.

I wonder just how they sleep at night with their little tofu filled bellies.

I do believe in accepting people for whom and what they are. It doesn't mean that all plant eating people are bad or extreme anymore then it means meat eating people are. But it also doesn't mean that one way is better then another....I don't believe that vegetarians are better pet lovers then meat eaters.

I found this paper interesting, it talks about animals killed during harvesting of grains, which makes the vegan diet not 100% animal friendly.

Where the changes need to made and addressed is not in should a person eat or not eat meat, but in how the livestock industry in this (and certainly in other) countries is allowed to act. It is disgraceful and disgusting and I would personally rather kill my own food. It is something I consider seriously on a regular basis.

If we are what we eat, then we need to raise our food with respect and kindness, regardless if it is a chicken or a tomato.

that's my thought..what's yours?