Rant on Food System

"It is all very well to say that individuals must wrestle with their consciences--but only if their consciences are awake and informed. Industrial society, alas, hides animals' suffering."

-The Economist, "What Humans Owe to Animals," 8/19/95

It absolutely amazes me as to how the people in this country mindlessly consume. This couldn't be more evident than when you take a look at the plethora of fast food restaurants and advertisements for cheap processed food. Like an add I saw on the 101 traveling north in California for the golden arches that had a huge Big Mac with the phrase "Just give in".

I mean seriously, even if you go to the gym more likely than not it will be surrounded by fried chicken huts and donut shacks on either side. With being so disconnected from farm to plate I can easily see how people just pick up a nicely packaged piece of flesh and don't have to think twice.

For the love...animals are being bred at an alarming rate, fed unnatural diets to fatten them up, put in horrid living conditions, only to be slaughtered in a robotic fashion by some underpaid worker. What would this country be like if everyone had to go to the source to pickup their dinner? I guarantee that the meat and dairy industries would be outta business fast. I mean, if you can consciously go and take the life of an animal and then proceed to eat it, then either:

a. You are starving
b. You have done it many times before and therefore are numb to the event

If you can't make it out to a factory farm to witness first hand, then just take a quick look at the PETA website and get a copy of the "Meet Your Meat" DVD. It will change your life for the better.

Isn't there enough suffering in this world? Between wars, corrupt politicians, greedy businessmen, and on and on. Why not look at one of the most fundamental things that we do on a daily basis...eat. And heck, there are many more benefits than the compassionate side of things. Saving the planet, saving your health, saving money, etc. It's a win-win situation for everybody. The fact is that we do not need meat to survive, let alone thrive.

Then why do people still consume dead flesh? I believe it started back when different classes of society were created, where the rich could afford animals and the poor were doomed to eat rice 'n beans. Ever hear the phrase, "eat like a king"?

Nowadays though, the main problem as I mentioned is that we are so disconnected and people don't have to think about where their food comes from. In fact, most people would rather it be that way as their lives are extremely busy and sneaking in a five minute lunch break at Taco Bell is all they are willing to do.

I think it's absurd that a head of organic lettuce costs more than a cheese burger. However, I am willing to pay that cost because it's more than just instant nutrition. It is an investment in your future. Everyone is always hampering on saving for retirement and managing your IRA and blah blah blah. Why not do the same with your health? By choosing to eat healthy food you are indeed investing in your health by saving future hospital bill costs. Just think, eat a few more fruits and veggies and you may prevent the enormous cost of cancer treatment in the future. Talk about a smart investment.

But alas, most of us in the fast paced society are only interested in immediate results. Get rich quick, lose weight fast, instant gratification. Therefore, you tell someone in their twenties or thirties to eat healthier to have a better future forty years later, and more than likely that is not going to happen. That's where the other benefits previously mentioned should be played out. Instant rewards such as saving money on grocery bills, or stopping the horrendous conditions currently allowed at factory farms.

Ok, that's my two cents on the backward system here. A few good links on the benefits of a vegan diet:

Vegetarian Society
Nutrition
Why Vegan?