I knew I had to write about this and it’s a tough one.
Eating meat is not sustainable.
It’s not good for our health or the health of our planet. Our animal-based diet is the primary cause of cancer, heart disease and obesity in this country. And the damage being done to the environment from raising livestock is almost immeasurable. I know there are millions of people who don’t/won’t agree with me. I know people in my very close circle who can’t or won’t handle the truth. They won’t let facts and science get in the way and have convinced themselves that eating humanely treated, grass fed or whatever fed meat is okay. It’s not. The science will support me in this. The facts are there and all I really want to do is help – for the good of the planet and the health of us all.
And what a hypocrite I’d be if I did not share this: I still eat meat. I eat about 70% less meat than I used to but I still eat meat. I am a work in progress but I AM making progress. In case you are wondering what really finally got to me, it was meeting Howard Lyman, author of Mad Cowboy, in person. I read his book, I watched his DVD, I read his book again and something snapped. The seeds planted by Eva Taylor, Amber Adil, Food Inc., by Forks Over Knives, by Dr. John McDougall and Dr. Doug Lyle, and by the Healthy You Network – were quietly growing inside me. But it was meeting a 4th generation cattle rancher from Montana who has dedicated his life to informing people about the truth about the livestock industry that helped me cross over. And I still don’t know if I can handle the truth.
One final but very important thought I need to share. No matter how the content of this blog comes across, I don’t stand in judgment of people who eat meat because how could I? I still eat meat. But I know the truth now and to know better is to do better. Wish me luck.