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Friday, May 18. 2007Day 5 - Meat Eaters and Herbivores
Its been 5 days since I first wrote about my carnivorous surroundings (Mellie and friends) in "Carnivores, Herbivores, and bears...oh my!". As was expected, the news that I was having difficulties dealing with eating while my dinner companions were chowing down on slabs of meat, chicken, and even tongue didn't go over swimmingly. Mellie was willing to make a conscious effort to my dilemma and eat as a "vegetarian" while eating with me, which was a very sweet gesture. Sweet until we got into an argument and he decided to go to the store and buy Salmon and Chicken at the deli and nuke it so the whole house reeked of awful meat instead of eating the vegetarian curry I had prepared for the both of us.
Later I asked why he chose to retaliate in such a cruel way, his answer was "I had to eat and I didn't know you made me any food." I've never made a meal for just myself while he was home...but that was his reason. That was 2 days ago. He has since reverted back to eating "vegetarian" until further notice. My friend (the connoisseur of Lengua - aka Tongue) was accepting of my situation, but admittedly annoyed. My friend, I'll call him "Mr Smelly" was understanding but mentioned that it encroached on his life. I believe he meant it infringed on his Hierarchy of Needs by Maslow. Here is a refresher course: 
I suppose this is probably the biggest reason non-vegetarians 'revolt' against the idea of changing their eating habits. The idea or possibility of not being satisfied by a diet because it differs from their norm (lack of meat) influences their decisions. If they're convinced that removing meat from their diets would create dissatisfaction, then the act of excluding it would definitely not motivate them. In regards to Mellie, his basic needs Physiological Needs were being met, so he was more accepting of change, and moved on to Maslow's second level of needs - Safety Needs. However, when Mellie and I had the argument, his 'security of home and family' was being compromised. His natural instinct was to use Maslow's Physiological Needs to comfort himself so he reverted back to the first level in order to meet his basic needs, and to piss me off as well. Its interesting to see that no matter how 'evolved' we view each other as humans, our needs and desires are still very primitive. I know I am personally hovering over Physiological Needs constantly...I can't seem to get over sweets, especially chocolate and french fries!  For some, like Martin and Maria their relationship couldn't endure the Vegetarian/ Meat Eater combo, but there is still hope. The good news is, for the most part Mellie and Mr Smelly are willing to work with me as long as I compromise too. Mellie is eating much more veggies and Mr Smelly, well...we're putting up menus and signs in front of his foods so at least I can avoid seeing it until we come up with a better solution. 
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No need to make things more complex than they are you know
 Some people just like meat and dislike vegetables. I happen to be one of those. I'm perfectly happy if someone would just plop plateful of pork chops under my nose (no veggies or any other stuff required in the side), and mug or two dark beer to wash those down. But try to put bowl of veggies infront of me and it would require case of beer beforehand to get numb enough to down those veggies (I've tried, with no success). Some people just like the taste of meat, texture of it, etc. Each to their own. I respect decision of not eatting meat, but I expect same respect back for my own decision of eatting meat...  And why I did read this blog considering I am meat eatter? I am interested about opinions, even if they differ from mine. I try to look things through other people eyes to understand them, and to "grow" as a person... Though, I am as stupid as humans can be, so it's slow path to enlightment
Its ok to be slow Mr/Ms Gerbil. I was not always a vegetarian/vegan. For 32 years of my life, I ate meat DAILY. I honestly thought vegetarians were ridiculous, and yes, drank beer with my bloody medium rare cut of steak, but things happen. Who would have thought that pictures of animals being slaughtered and abused would have changed my life? Now I choose not to eat them. And sadly/or fortunately for the people around me, they are affected by it. Thank you for accepting my opinions even if they differ from your own.
 Peace.
Animal abuse is sad thing, especially in mass production "meat" industry where some just are aiming for highest profit, no matter how they get there.
I prefer "naturally grown" meat. It might cost bit more, but chances are those animal were living bit "better" life. Opinions change, and people around us affect us, and we affect them. I don't believe i'd ever become vegetarian, but then again, never know what future brings. "Modern human" is, I think, bit too far from the "food chain". People get their food from shop, all packed and ready. No thought about where it's from required. I think some people might change their diet if they would have to slaughter their own food. Still, living even just "vegetarian" diet is not always that "painless" for animals. Agriculture, and mass production of crops also cause lot of dead small animals when harvesting... Anyway, world would be very boring place if there would not be difference of opinions. Changes come from respect of others, and having conversations to understand their views and reasons.
The argument of naturally grown meat is an interesting one, but I won't get into it here. And hopefully they are living a slightly better life.
That is an interesting point on slaughtering your own food though. Many meat eaters I know don't even like the sight of medium rare meats...I wonder how'd they'd take having blood on their hands? (pun intended) You are right that small animals are harmed during harvesting, and its sad. However according to studies, roughly 70 percent of the grain grown and 50 percent of the water consumed in the United States are used by the meat industry. Approximate 20 people can be fed on the food it takes to feed one meat eater. So if meat eaters eat just a little bit less meat, there would be less hungry folks here in the US as well as in other countries and less little animals would be harmed. Food for thought.
It's actually rather interesting how "far" people have come from food chain in just last two or three generations or something.
I really think many would radically change their meat eatting habits if they'd have to slaughter own meat. Yes, food for thought indeed. On the otherhand... If aim is to try minimize feed used to grow meat, then one choise would be (sadly) mass produced chicken or something. It takes about 5 week to grow chicken ready for slaughter (weight 4 lbs), and takes about 6.5 lbs of feed. No idea if those numbers are same in USA, considering I am from Finland and only know those numbers from here... Naturally grown chicken it takes longer and it eat about twice the feed... So, if one can settle eating chicken meat it still would not be 20 times more... It's all about choises.
For beginning there is not a division of carnivores and herbivores in humans. We are by nature omnivorous and depending of believes people can change to vegetarians.
Since I know people that like meat, eat vegetables as well, so they are omnivores. If they were just eating meat, they probably will die by malnutrition. I am amazed that a japanese be herbivore, I see they have a strong tendency to eat meat, mainly wales. Now with the problem of eating meat. IT is true that there is cruelty, but the man that said I need to eat it to live, has something of true. By nature you have to kill to live. Even you could be herbivore but the clothes you use, the house where you live, you need to kill someones to have the place and the material that cover your body or the items on your home. You kill them indirectly by the fact you are living. Now it is not the same kill a cow that a rare wild species. And that is nothing to see with necesity of eating meat. It is a ethical issue, in the same way how to kill animals. So the problem of horrid meat industry it is the excess of eating. If people just eat meat once a week , a lot of production (killing) will be reduced. I think it is wrong that in Canada and Japon people kill wales to do burgers saying by scientific reasons. It is not because they need to kill to survive but for caprice .
I think it would be too much of a generalization to say that we are omnivorous by nature. I can not speak for the entire world, but for myself. I was born and raised an omnivore and as you mentioned, changed my beliefs to become a vegetarian. This does not however mean that everyone must be born and raised as omnivores. With increased awareness, many more vegetarian/vegans can be brought into this world and taught a more humane lifestyle.
Being Japanese, our tendency was not toward meat, but more fish and seafood. Many of the dishes I grew up with contained bonito as a seasoning. This took some adjusting, but I use kelp and seaweed for seasoning now and there has been no flavor loss. In terms of killing to live, I'd have to argue with you. I do not wear leather, wool or silk. No animals were killed intentionally for the clothing on my back. I say intentionally because non-vegetarians often bring up field mice and other small animals that can be caught up in the cultivation of cotton and food items. The same goes with items in my home. Although I can't account for the items I have owned prior to becoming vegan, I can without a doubt say that since then I have purchased animal friendly, and preferably earth friendly products. I also take public transportation and walk whenever possible to protect my environment as well. You have great idea to reduce the killing. If people would cut down their meat consumption to once a week, the meat industry would be effected and maybe shut down and there would be much less harm to animals. And the whale killing for food is horrid, and I am embarrassed that people of my origin are connected with such acts. |
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" -- Martin Luther King Jr.  vegan newbie sharing experiences and happenings as she figures out life Who I am: a neurotic Japanese female, a compassionate vegan animal lover, and a believer in Karma and the chain reaction caused from a single act of kindness. Welcome to my life Recent VideosCategories |
