How I Am Today

I had an interesting conversation with my good friend Dee yesterday that has got me thinking. She was talking about a TV programme she watched recently about intensive chicken farming, and how she was seriously thinking about changing to a vegetarian diet. I caught about 5 minutes of the show, too--Jamie Oliver's Foul Dinners programme on Channel 4. But, to be honest, I was so disgusted by what I saw that I:

a) thanked God I haven't eaten chicken in 11 years, and

b) turned the channel.

I didn't have the stomach to watch the conditions these chickens were being raised in, and brutality shown to them in the name of profit.

Now, I have to be honest, I didn't become vegetarian because I had strong feelings about animal cruelty. And until recently Jamie Oliver annoyed the shit out of me (his School Dinners programme changed my mind). I took vegetarianism on when I was 23 as a kind of challenge to my lifestyle, my own personal discipline and to my thinking. And it was one of the best decisions I've made over the years. It lead me down a path of questioning other things that, like eating meat, are the status quo in our culture. Things like what medicines I take, choosing to breastfeed, trying to eat organic, Irish produced food, and avoiding buying a car (which is a decision that I have to admit I sometimes curse when it's raining and I'm pushing two kids around in a stroller uphill...but most of the time I'm glad we don't have a car).

But in questioning my diet I've also come to reflect on what we get from food, nutritionally and spiritually (and I use this word in relation to our general feeling of well being, and contentment, not in a religious way. Don't worry, I haven't abandoned my Atheist ideals). I've come to believe that the journey of our food to our homes, and into our bodies has a definite impact on the nourishment we get from it. I know for a fact that when I take my time in preparing food, when I've planned the meal thoughtfully and purposefully, when I cut up the vegetables carefully, it tastes better and it is more enjoyable. And I also believe it gives us more nourishment, too.

To see those chickens being treated with such a lack of respect only confirmed that I made the right decision 11 years ago when I stopped participating as a consumer in meat production. And it affirms that I'm doing the right thing for Siofra and Paddy in giving them a vegetarian childhood. Naturally, it will be their own choice when they grow up if they want to continue as vegetarians, but while I'm making these decisions for them, I know this is what's best.

I certainly respect everyone's right to choose what foods they eat, and I have no problem with others eating meat, but my hope is that more people can start eating deliberately, with thought and reflection. So, if you're heading out to buy some chicken (or beef, or pork, etc.) why not try to go organic? I know it's more expensive, but you deserve it. Or go buy some organic lentils and vegetables instead, and use the leftover money to get some nice wine!


How I Am Today? What's with that title? Well, I just wrote an entire post and didn't mention grief or sadness (except for those poor chickens). I am able to think of other things, for short periods of time. I met with my good friend Caroline on Monday and she paid me the most glorious compliment: she told me that there was a sparkle back in my eyes. That made me feel good.

Note: True, I write these posts for myself, really. But if you're reading this, would you mind leaving a comment? Go on, feed my ego. -B