Pets or Meat

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Like most Americans, though, I like meat. But information has been emerging about the horrible practices at factory farms. Several recent studies world-wide have shown shocking declines in the nutritional values of foods – especially meat and dairy products – in the last 100 years. Some government studies show a 60-percent decline in the iron content of beef, and a similarly drastic reduction in the calcium content in chicken.

Put a grass-fed steak on a plate side-by-side with a grain-fed steak. The grain beef might, just might, be tenderer. But for my money, the grass-fed beef will win on flavor, 10 times out of 10. It has less fat, less cholesterol, more flavor, more nutrients. And dang it, that cow was probably pretty happy out there at pasture.

I believe in raising animals in a more natural fashion. It might take 16 weeks to raise That Black Chicken to eating size, but I’ll take that any day over a medicated 6-week caged Jumbo Testosterone mutant. It tastes better, and at least I know where the meat has been – out eating my grasshoppers and my weed seeds (when it wasn’t attacking my daughter).

And, from an ethical perspective, I like the idea of raising my own meat: I’m responsible for this creature’s life, and I am responsible for its humane death. I want my children to know where their meat comes from, and develop an appreciation for the life that feeds them. Even my stepson – especially my stepson. I wonder what he’ll do about the burgers if we ever get a cow.

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