Contemplating Meat on a NC Beach
This past weekend was the annual trip to the Wilmington beaches, where I got sunburned (always forget that spot) and thought I broke my toes (I didn’t) and the ocean took my sunglasses (bye, bye, Calvin Kleins). I also was the entertainment of the day as I managed to capsize a kayak carrying a 300-pound man and a 150-pound woman while STANDING STILL ON A FIVE MILE STRETCH OF BEACH WITH NO OTHER KAYAKS IN SIGHT. All I can say is…it hit me.
No trip to Carolina Beach would be complete without a trip (or two…or three) to the famous Britt’s Donut Shop where the same glazed donuts have been made for over 70 years. One of the top donut shops in the country, these melt in your mouth in a way that should be illegal.
My friend Philippe made his famous Shrimp Provencale with jumbo shrimp caught off a captain’s boat that morning. Yet throughout this relaxing, wonderful trip, I kept thinking about meat.
Here, you may pause. Beach, sand, shrimp…meat? What am I talking about?
Some of you may recall my ongoing dilemma about meat. While Zomppa Tsering has been supportive about my potential in becoming a vegetarian, I am still an omnivore. I have read about CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) and factory farms and have watched videos like MeetYourMeat. (warning: video is graphic).
Julia Whitty of Mother Jones reports that global meat production is expected to double over the next four decades, with negative impact on air and water pollution, diseases, and pathogens. Leslie Hatfield of EcoCentric wrote a great article comparing CAFOs with sustainable pork practices.
So in lieu of meat, I have recently been trying more soy-based products (I am allergic to some soy). But even eating some of these products make me nervous.
- Does soy have long-term negative effects? Andreas Moritz reports that soy – especially those from genetically modified plants – can increase risk of cancers and thyroid disorders among other issues.
- Are veggie burgers really better than meat? The Cornucopia Institute has reported that most non-organic veggie burgers contain hexane, an air pollutant and neurotoxin.
- Is it false advertising to suggest soy milk has the same nutrients as regular milk? The National Milk Producers Federation says no.
But I haven’t been content with only soy-based products. I still craved meat – but was it OK for me to eat it? A couple weeks ago, I finished the book, Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer, which reminded me that while I eat animals, I had never watched an animal being slaughtered for my consumption. So on the Friday before I went to the beach, I visited the Homestead Harvest Farm in Wake Forest, NC. Owned and operated by the extraordinary Jan Campbell, her Animal Welfare-approved farm is a place where her chickens, ducks, and turkeys roam freely, behaving as animals do, and maturing naturally as animals should. When it came time for the processing, I observed how Jan gently stroked each chicken and talked to it through the entire process to keep it calm. The process is quick and thoughtful, and done with extreme care. She honors each life.
It was with this experience that I found myself sitting on the beach, contemplating my dilemma. Folks like Jan Campbell and farms like Homestead are as far away from CAFOs as you can get. If more people treated animals the way Jan Campbell does, our meat would be more humanely raised, healthy, and delicious.
Why do factory farms exist then? So many questions, not enough answers.
As I debated with myself about my consumption of animals one early morning on the beach, I saw a rather unusual sight.
A crab eating a jellyfish. The cycle of life and death continues.
A cycle we should honor.
Category: Featured Articles: Food Politics, Food Politics, Travel & Culture, US & Canada
Oh wonderful sunny weekend you’ve had!! If we install here the debate about meat should a issue..here is the beef kingdom
Anyway there are lot of vegetarians!
Cheers,
Gera
Sorry you had such a rough time at the beach! And…don’t beat yourself up over the meat!!! If your body craves it, take it as a sign. Life is too short for guilt!
Guess the beach doesn’t like you much huh?!
We just got it bad whatever we are – carnivore, vegan, flexitarian. I guess you have to choose your evil. At least more people are now more aware and making more educated choices. I toy with the idea of veganism but I want my bacon and cheese, still. What do, what to do? *sigh*
Guess, I have to agree with Denise! hehe… I sometimes go vegan twice a month. Well, felt good about it. The last picture looks fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing. Hope you’re enjoying your day.
Cheers, Kristy
Wow, that’s quite a donut! It looks like a beautiful day at the beach, even with a few mishaps. I’ve been wanting to read Eating Animals, too. It’s on my list. I’ve already given up all CAFO meat, and I find that I don’t crave too much meat. When I’m able to find a local, humanely raised source of meat, then I get my fill. It’s definitely a tough decision but an important one.
I am not sure as to what to say… I am a pescaterian (new to me fancy word for a vegetarian that eats seafood). I only eat wild caught seafood, and no meat. This is oddly due to a decision made by my 7yr old self to never eat meats and poultry due to the inhumane treatment of animals. Now as my diet has not changes and do not have any desire to do so, I more than respect the cycle of life and when animals are raised in an environment that is in such a fashion I completely respect that. I further believe that we as humans have different needs be it an omnivore, carnivore etc. And if we respect the cycle of life…all is good and to each his own:) Sorry my comment is as long as your post:(
Thanks for your comments – a fascinating piece here about a similar experience: http://www.localharvest.org/newsletter/20100729/1/processing-your-own-meats.html?r=nl
the photos of the beach are beautiful! If there are more of us more conscientious like you… I am sure we can reduce how inhumane practices of killing animals will be reduced. But as a vegetarian I must say if your body craves meat, then your body needs it! My family loves meat!
Great post. I think if we all were closer to the process of raising animals humanely for food purposes, it might change our way of thinking about eating meat and poultry. I know I could not even think about watching the one video you have on here.
I go back and forth on how I feel about the whole thing, but know that I enjoy cooking and eating certain foods to much to give up meat. I also know vegetarians that struggle with some health issues even when they know all the right foods to combine.
There’s no perfect answer other than to be thoughtful about where our foods are coming from. PS – Don’t forget the sunscreen everywhere!
What I love about your posts is the way you are able entwine food, fun, humanity and a poignant message all in one neat little package (with a ribbon on top!)
And this one is no different Belinda. Cycle of life and death stalks us like love and taxes
And yes, all for the humane handling of all living organisms …people and animals.
And by the way my fave NC beach will always be Emerald Isle
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Oh Sorry to hear about the sun burn and the glasses….but overall you had a great weekend…the pictures are beautiful
Love reading your post but you make me want to have a donut real bad now!…LOL. Well, sometimes it’s hard to keep the balance what to eat. But I think I would go moderate in all things and eat more food that’s as close to nature as possible. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Thoughtful post.
Really neat photo of the sea w/blue and yellow umbrellas.
LL
Gera: I can only imagine what the debate would be like there!
@Spicy: that’s what I tend to think – we all have different needs
Denise: =) bacon and cheese the vegan make not
Kristy: does it work? Like for a day? I try to do no meat several days of the week
Jeanne: yes, read the book!!
Magic: thanks for sharing. In the book Eating Animals he talks about that struggle as a kid – think we instinctively have those struggles at some point
Tsering: it can’t be easy being vegetarian in an omnivorous household
Bunky: agreed…and will be better about the sunscreen – I say that every time
Devaki: thanks so much. I can see why Emerald Isle is your favorite!
Juliana: thanks…good excuse to get new sunglasses
MaryMoh: those donuts in moderation…not easy
Lori: thanks – hard to beat beautiful days!
Lovely post, very informative…. the pigs in the farm look adorable. I’m all for free range. Since I moved to California i’m eating more and more vegetables, because the veggies at the Farmer’s Market here are glorious. But sometimes I crave a burger or bacon. Sigh* Why they have to taste so good? LOL
Well… I’m a meat lover. But once in a while I’ll be on the Veggie mode to make me feel better.
This was such a great post because I’m kinda in a similar place right now. I want to give up or at least cut back on eating meat for sustainability reasons but the truth is, I really like meat. Maybe I’ll substitute meat with donuts?
Ladies – I know what you mean! Bacon…but trying, trying to be more veggie on some days (hard when I only recently started eating veggies), but that donut idea is fantastic!