If I wasn’t a South African, meat-lovin’ girl, I would seriously consider becoming a vegetarian {gasp!}.
I pulled off our first official Meatless Monday yesterday with a rave review from my hubby and kids {they ate it…does that count?}.
Who knew northern beans could put on such a sassy show outside of a pot of chili? They were absolutely delicious, tossed in with sautéed onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms and spaghetti sauce, and served over pasta.
It’s funny how we’ve come to think of a balanced meal as one containing meat…versus one that simple provides a healthy amount of protein {along with complex carbs, colorful vitamins – veggies – and fiber}.
It is clear that I have some mental rewiring to do.
I had heard of the concept of going meatless once a week as a part of cutting back on your grocery bill, but after watching Food, Inc, I’m convinced it will feature on our weekly menu.
Completely and utterly convinced.
We’ll be going meatless at least once a week. It’s cheaper…it’s healthier…it’s better for the environment {oh, hush!}, and it’s just plain smart…after discovering what exactly it is that we’ve been eating all this time.
I am so disgusted by the direction our food industry has taken that I can’t stick my head back in the sand and pretend I don’t know or care. Our health and the quality of the food we eat is the least of “their” concern.
It has become all about the money.
Power and manipulation run rampant behind the scenes, while deception and compromise are sold cheaply in the form of “meat”.
No, I’m not a crunchy, organic nut…and don’t believe I ever will be…but I can’t deny the truth that America is now heavier and unhealthier than ever, and there’s a big, red flashing arrow pointing directly at our nation’s food industry.
I am newly thankful to be a part of the home garden growing community {an adventure that just started for me last summer}, so thankful to be more aware of the massive problem our nation is facing {on so many different levels} so I can do my part in keeping my family healthy and help make a statement by boycotting companies who use unethical and unsafe practices in the manufacturing and preparation of their product {and who treat their employees with such blatant disregard}.
While I’m not the “boycotting” type…it’s easy to want nothing to do with a company when a glimpse behind the scenes makes my stomach turn and my heart ache.
We plan to support our local farmers {who work hard, and honestly, to feed our communities nutritionally rich food} as much as we can, and to buy select items organic as we’re able.
And…Chipotle Mexican Grill, I just want to say…we think you rock!
If you’re ready for a wake-up call…go rent Food, Inc. from your local library {like we did} or just purchase it online {like we plan to} and help spread the word!
But wait…there’s more. Want to cleanse your beef…just break out the window cleaner.
{Stepping down off my little soapbox now. Thank you, I’m here until Thursday}
