Stumbling the Walk
Stumbling Away From Meat
By Chris La Tray, 3-04-07
Waistlines ain't the only thing getting lean around here. . . .
I’m probably risking a friendship or two by admitting this, but I’m seriously starting to lean vegetarian. If I get that far with both feet, I’m sure it will stop there; I can’t see myself going vegan all the way. That’s like saying I’d become a Mac user. Don’t get me wrong, I love animals as much as anyone, support most of the causes that organizations like PETA champion, and in particular hate how the industrialization of our food supply has left millions and millions of animals treated in horrific ways. Not to mention the effect factory cattle, chicken and hog farms have on the environment. Yet, I also believe that, when approached with respect for the animal, hunting is probably the best way to fill your belly if you choose to be a meat eater, and recognize some of our leading conservationists are from the hook and bullet club. I am not a hunter though, yet, so I don’t know that I have what it takes to walk that walk myself. This is part of the reason I am changing my relationship with meat . . . but there are plenty others.
For me it is equal parts environmental, ethical and spiritual. I’m not very good at arguing my positions, though, because I don’t have all the answers, even to my own questions. I’m not someone who is going to proselytize the church of vegetarianism, though I will happily describe the gut feelings (no pun intended) that lead me to feel the way I do. I can’t rationally explain why I feel the disconnect we have with our food supply is one of the big problems facing our culture, and also one of the reasons so many of us are so spiritually adrift. The biggest surprise of my so-called adult life is how much I have come to care about food and food politics, even if I am still woefully ignorant. It makes me very happy to see New West weighing in on this issue, particularly with the new Spade and Spoon column by Kisha Lewellyn Schlegel, and all the discussions that ensue. “One Bite at a Time: A Beginner’s Guide to Vegetarianism,” an article that popped up on Alternet by way of The Huffington Post, is another good example of a debate resulting from one person’s suggestion of a means to approach food. I eat this stuff up.
It wasn’t so long ago that my diet consisted mostly of frozen pizza, delivered pizza, and restaurant pizza. I spiced it up every now and then with pizza I would make by grating some cheese over a bobboli crust. I know that sounds pretty one-dimensional (in my defense, I did throw in regular bacon cheeseburgers, fried chicken and french fries), but dammit this is America, and we have a God-given right to eat whatever we want whenever we want, just make it big! And big I was going, all the way up and over the 300 pound mark. With a marriage in ashes, a child who was doing his best to walk in my footsteps, and a family history of heart and prostrate problems manifesting in the later years of both my father and grandfather, I realized I needed to make a change. I vowed that by the time I reached 40 I’d be in the best shape of my life.
It’s been an up and down road. The fateful decision to change or die was made about three years ago, and with the big 4-0 looming before me like a semi approaching head on, I have some remaining ground to cover in a hurry. When The Day hits next month, I will arguably be the most physically fit I’ve ever been as an adult, and quite possibly within 20 pounds or so of being at my lightest (I’m 50 pounds down and counting since the trip to the scale that most unnerved me). While I still have a long way to go to get where I need to be, diet and exercise have been critical in even getting me within striking range.
Without sounding too cheesy, having a partner through it all has been critical. I met Julia when I was at my lowest; divorce pending, weight staying on, future uncertain. She was experiencing many of the same difficulties, and we leaned on each other to get through it all. Along the way we hatched these grand plans and dreams about leaving less of a footprint on the world, shared life-changing books and epiphanies, and managed to fall, and stay, in love over the course of a long distance relationship that culminated in her moving up to Missoula from Tucson on 9/11 of ’05. We snuck off to Coeur d’Alene and got hitched in May of last year, but didn’t really tell anyone until Thanksgiving. Hell, I think there are still a lot of people we know that probably aren’t in the loop; I suppose they’ll figure it out one day, though.
Julia and I wasted no time in launching all the plans and dreams we talked about. Most of all we wanted to change the lifestyles we’d been living and create a new one together, with my obnoxious mutant offspring in tow. In the words of the immortal Hank Thoreau, we vowed to “Simplify, simplify, simplify!” We eschewed country living in favor of a house smack in the middle of town that made it easy to walk or bike damn near anywhere we need to go. We started exploring our hometown of Missoula, a city I’d grown up near but had never really lived in, and made copious notes and calendar markings of community events we wanted to participate in. In the midst of it all, I wanted my son to see that being an adult did not have to mean being dull and boring, caught up entirely in working long hours for some nebulous career. I wanted to show him that life is for living, and not someday find myself in the midst of a “do-as-I-say, not-as-I-did” line delivered from a hospital bed.
Our primary vow was to start eating better, lose weight, and get in shape just like all the earthy, glowing people we see on the rivers and trails of our town. Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation” had had a profound impact on us both; that, combined with all the reading we had been doing on the health and environmental benefits of buying seasonal, local food pointed the direction we wanted to proceed.
The migration away from meat began several months ago, when we switched almost exclusively to bison. Although we still cooked with chicken now and then, bison’s lower fat, calories and cholesterol made it a much healthier option for us. It really wasn’t that big of a step because I have always loved bison, and a bison burger off the grill was every bit as satisfying to me as any patty of cow ever was. I didn’t feel like I was giving anything up at all. I was like the guy who went Atkins and ate bacon-wrapped bacon for every meal.
We talked about reducing our meat intake even more, but really weren’t making much progress . . . until we started photographing everything we buy. Julia and I launched a website at the start of ’07 called Stumbling the Walk, with the goal of making it a document of our efforts of doing more than just “talking the talk” when it comes to issues of sustainability, conservation, right livelihood, etc. The first big project we decided to undertake we call The Voracious Project, and it consists of photographing everything we buy. It serves mainly as an exercise in having a graphic representation of just how sucked-in we are to the whole consumptive lifestyle thing that we like to rail against. Despite positive changes we made before birthing the project, the pictures started piling up in a hurry. After just a couple months of looking at the images, it’s readily apparent that we need to make even more significant changes! I’m not even going to discuss my diet soda addiction. . . .
Food choices hit me right between the eyes. The sight of so many meat packages appearing in so many of the grocery-related images convinced me that we really weren’t doing so well in that department, and were likely slipping backwards. In our efforts to lose weight, it seems that for every three steps forward we were slipping anywhere from one-to-four back, and all the bison tacos and bison burgers, healthier than the alternative though they may be, were part of it. Fiesta en Jalisco and The Old Post weren’t helping either. We had a choice to make: do better eating at home or give up going out completely. As much as we wanted to do both, we knew that was unrealistic – we love to go out. We just needed to rein in the frequency of dining out, and clean up our act at home.
A couple weeks ago we decided to try and go an entire week eating strictly vegetarian, and we pulled it off . . . even though with all the meat substitutes we eat, courtesy of the folks at Boca, Morningstar Farms, and Amy’s, it doesn’t seem that legit. Boca being owned by Kraft (#2 Big Food Producing Corporation) and Morningstar owned by Kellogg (#14 Big Food Producing Corporation), it also gives us some heartburn about where our money is going, and it makes us uneasy when faced with the big picture of what we are trying to accomplish with our whole Stumbling the Walk thing, but it’s a start.
We’re keeping at this; my boy Sid hasn’t complained at the meal selections (as long as beans aren’t obviously evident), provided we still have the occasional meal out. Morning is best; Julia and I stagger out of bed early, hit the gym, then while I shower Julia juices all manner of fruit and greens for the three of us. We trade places and I make breakfast sandwiches using fake sausage patties (that are actually damn good!) with some of the best cheddar I’ve ever had, courtesy of Lifeline Farm in Victor. I drag Sid out of bed, we all sit down to start our day together, then go our separate ways. We reconnect again at supper over lots of veggies and experiments in soy products with variable success, then it’s on to the rest of our evening. Julia may have bellydance practice. I may have some writing to do; Sid may be off to kill zombies. Yeah, we have lots to learn, and might be making some missteps, but like I said, it’s a start. You don’t get anywhere without making the first step, even if it’s a stumble.
By the way, one of these was delivered to our house last week . . . and I love it.
I urge and invite anyone who thinks this project is interesting to visit us at Stumbling the Walk and comment on our efforts, whether it be to urge us on or call us crazy. We’d also like to hear of the efforts of others to make lifestyle changes that, when combined with the efforts of other others, might mean positive change for everyone!
Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.
Comments
Add your comment below
Congratulations on becoming a higher life form.
Unfortunately, it is extremely hard to find The Facts and nothing BUT The Facts or to interpret accurately what you do find.
Obviously, the latest craze would seem to be "organic" veggies and there has been a lot of equally promotional information flooding our brains regarding the supposed benefits of bison so there is no question in my mind why you would wish to explore both.
However, when you do it would be prudent to search for that "truth - the whole truth - and nothing BUT the truth".
Just as a "for instance", you might wish to be aware of the fact that your tax dollars are subsidizing the bison industry's meat production and sales, in spite of the fact that the single biggest producer-thereof is one of the wealthiest, if not THE wealthiest, man on earth: Ted Turner ... none of which addresses the quality or benefits of the meat itself, of course. But you might also like to investigate the chemicals used when bison are domestically raised for meat, just as you would if you were interested in that concerning any other "meat", including cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens et al. High-priced disease-free bison doesn't just "happen" out on the prairie with no help from mankind prior to apprearing on the counter in front of you.
In spite of all the adverse commentary regarding meat products of all kinds, it is not in anyone's self-interest to fail to recognize that the recent e-coli scares we've seen lately have all come from "organic" veggie farms and many people have been hospitalized, coast to coast, as a result thereof. Yet, in spite of even more publicity about mad cow disease (as a for instance) I have yet to read anywhere of even ONE person in the USA being infected, much less killed because of it.
So where and how one finds the "truth - the whole truth - and nothing BUT the truth" is definitely problematic me-thinks.
Food is being contaminated at its source and at every step of the way between that source and our dinner table ~ and yet most of us seem to still be alive!!! Go figure, huh?!!!
If you do not like what "the press" and "the promotions" are telling you today just wait a minute and you will surely hear the very next day what pleases you most!!!
... or so it seems to me ...
According to Dr. T. Colin Campbell, an internationally renowned nutrition expert, “The vast majority of all cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and other forms of degenerative illness can be prevented simply by adopting a plant-based diet.”
A plant-based diet requires only 300 gallons of water a day, while a meat-based diet requires more than 4,200 gallons of water each day. Twenty vegetarians can be fed on the amount of land needed to feed one person on a meat based diet. And, considering that each vegetarian saves more than 100 animals every year, people who eat a plant-based diet are truly helping to lessen animal suffering.
I encourage anyone else who needs some extra motivation to visit http://www.GoVeg.com and watch “Chew on This,” a thought-provoking video listing ten of the most compelling reasons to go vegetarian. There are great recipes and product suggestions on http://www.VegFood.com as well.
Heather Moore
Senior Writer
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
As naive as I might be, I must admit skepticism regarding Moore's credentials to advise us on our nutrition; and, therefore I will simply repeat my previous comment stating: "So where and how one finds the 'truth - the whole truth - and nothing BUT the truth' is definitely problematic me-thinks."
I believe that we might all be best served to simply acknowledge that she is a very well-funded political and promotional voice amongst us, doing the job for which she is paid. I have no reason to believe other than that she does THAT job very well.
As I also previously stated, "... it is always important to try to dig through the piles of slanted self-serving rhetoric and junk science that is so easily available everywhere you look." I suggest that PETA ain't the place to start.
Unfortunately, Moore did not even mention that any attempt to optimize a plant-based diet necessitates an identification of the features of the diet which confer benefit as well as any which may be associated with detrimental effects. The former task is more difficult than might be assumed as there is no doubt that some of the apparent health benefits observed amongst vegetarians are a consequence of environmental determinants of health which characterize groups of people who choose vegetarian diets, rather than dietary practices.
Nutritional expert that I certainly am NOT, what I do know is that there are several potential nutrient deficiencies associated with a plant-based diet and nutritional strategies that must be employed to prevent them. My comments here are NOT meant to even vaguely imply the whole truth - even though they come from so-called "reputable sources" (which are a dime a dozen, are they not??!!!).
But "Food for Thought" might include the following:
It has frequently been written by the "experts" amongst us that B12 deficiency is a big concern in a vegetarian diet and may have serious consequences, particularly for infants as onset is more rapid and lasting damage more common. B12 deficiency can be off-set but not all claimed sources are true. Check it out from some totally reliable source ... if you can find such a thing!
Also, a recent UK study on vegetarians found higher mortality from neurological and mental disease in vegetarians than in nonvegetarians; and, that lacto-vegetarians, fish-eaters and occasional meat-eaters can expect to live about two years longer than vegans. "They say" that with reduced intake of meat and increased intake of phytate-containing legumes and whole grains, movement toward plant-based diets reduces dietary iron and zinc absorption. Animal tissue enhances nonheme iron absorption, especially consumption of pork, veal, beef, lamb, chicken, and fish. I've also read that the addition of milk or yogurt to a plant-based diet increases zinc bioavailability but does not affect iron bioavailability in women.
I only post these comments with concern for those who seek a simple answer for what ails ya ... it ain't "simple" and it has been said with wisdom that "ignorance is never bliss".
1. Being vegetarian (especially if you grow a good portion of your own food or belong to an organic farm co-op) is much less environmentally damaging than eating meat.
2. Being vegetarain is healthier for you. If you fear B-12 deficiencies, take a pill, or eat lots of bean and rice combinations with dark leafy greens. (It is interesting to note that although you claimed that you know "that there are several potential nutrient deficiencies associated with a plant-based diet and nutritional strategies that must be employed to prevent them" you only trotted out the oft-used B-12 deficiency. If there are other health problems I am experiencing due to the lack of animal flesh in my diet, please edify me.
3. Being a vegetarian means that no fellow animals were forced to live painful, stress-filled lives followed by a summary execution solely for my personal consumption.
I'm sorry Rose Mary, but it is that simple. Arguing the minutiae only obfuscates the basic environmental, health, and ethical advantages of being vegetarian. I do not prosletyze (most of my acquaintances have no idea that I'm a vegetarian), but at the same time I cannot allow those who might not want to give up meat to offer spurious conclusions regarding the benefits of vegetarianism, which are copiously documented in a number of nutritional and medical journals.
Contrary to what you state and/or imply, please note that I also "trotted out" the time-tested theory that the bioavailability of both iron and zinc should be investigated and no comment made even the slightest suggestion that I was attempting make conclusions about or for anyone.
Nor did I once state that I did or did not "want to give up meat" or encourage others to do either.
If anyone wants to take your advice or follow your lead by simply assuming whatever so-called-facts they wish to rely upon that is certainly their option.
But however interrelated other subjects or concerns may be, your HEALTH is an issue unto itself.
Although I certainly agree that information "copiously documented in a number of nutritional and medical journals" are helpful to each of us in an attempt to gain knowledge or form our own questions regarding our own HEALTH, each body is its own chemical plant and must be addressed accordingly.
Repeat: It ain't "simple" and "ignorance is never bliss".
Ignorance = obfuscation. Minutiae enlightens.
... or so it seems to me ...
1. When I buy bison meet from a little farm in Charlo, I'm pretty sure Ted Turner isn't getting the money.
2. Sure, the Farm Bill and all the subsidizing it does for various industries, which may include the bison industry (I'll take your word for it), and the deep pockets those includes, is a travesty and needs to be addressed. That's a big part of what the whole local food movement is about, as far as I'm concerned. Buying from our neighbor farmers and ranchers is the best way to keep them in business.
3. I will also give you that organic does not necessarily mean good. I'm more about local food and meeting the farmer and discussing their practices. However, painting the Feds' organic labeling with the e-Coli brush because of the spinach incident is a bit much. I remember several children dying as a result of e-Coli poisoning from Jack in the Box burgers a few years back, and the very day you questioned e-Coli as it relates to meat Tyson announced a recall on tainted beef in the NW. Whether it is produce, meat, organic or not, the Big Industry of food production is what I want to get away from.
Finally, I agree that being informed is important, and I would happily follow any links you can provide to verify some of the flags you've raised over the points some of our vegetarian folks have made. However, all acts can't always be verified. It's a fact that I'm happier when I know precisely where my food came from. It's a fact that I feel much better physically when I eat less meat. And it's a fact that I feel a lot of emotional and spiritual heartburn at the idea that I am disconnected from my food supply, and that if I am not willing to kill an animal myself then maybe I shouldn't have someone do it for me. I can't prove these facts to you, but they carry a lot of weight with me.
1.) Buying from our neighbor farmers and ranchers is the best way to keep them in business.
2.) Whether it is produce, meat, organic or not, the Big Industry of food production is what (we should all) want to get away from.
3.) Being informed is important;
..... and, of *greatest* importance IS:
4.) What carries a lot of weight with YOU!