Sunday, August 21, 2016

Meaty topic

 

I don't want to eat meat
I'm not following a trend. I don't kill living things.
Except maybe flies.
And mosquitoes.

I go without meat quite easily at home or in restaurants.

I don't want to be socially awkward so I occasioanlly eat meat when a guest or prepare meat when acting as a hostess. And this is where I struggle.
How can I sometimes eat meat? 

I'll admit that properly prepared and cooked meat tastes great. But, I've never been a big meat eater even when I was a kid. Long before I pondered the ethics, think it's a question of texture and colour. I eat with my eyes and I love vibrant colours in my plate.

I love animals. I am fascinated by the spiritual connection humans can enjoy with animals.

What has lead me to question eating meat in my life? 

1. What I've learned about the meat industry.
2. My love of living things.
3. Not wanting to participate in the suffering of another being.
4. Staying healthy and as lean as possible despite a slowing metabolism.

Yesterday, I ordered eggs Benedict. Decadently delicious. Then, I realized I was eating ham. I paused a moment before deciding to use mind over matter and to enjoy my meal. I'd totally forgotten there was meat in the dish when I ordered. I wasn't going to let this realization spoil a good meal with friends.

As things stand, I manage to avoid meat most days out of each month. I don't know if I'll ever be a total vegetarian. I doubt that I'll go vegan. I love cheese, yoghurt and eggs too darn much.

When I saw the photos of the baby animals in an old Oprah magazine, I wanted to cut and paste them in my visual journal for their cuteness. But then the journal page looked blank. I grabbed a pencil and and there went my whole rainy day afternoon.