If you are still a heavy meat consumer and need another reason either to lay off a bit or to only buy organic, grass fed beef; here is another point for you:
I was listening to NPR as I was doing the usual taxi driving and they were talking about antibiotic use and hormone use in the cattle industry. They were discussing how in years past, antibiotics were only used for a sick cow. They would single out the sick cow and give him the antibiotics needed and leave the other cows as is. They would also use hormones to help the sick cow. They soon learned that the cows that had the hormones were bigger. They also realized that if they give them all antibiotics, they wouldn't get sick as often. So, thus began the practice of routine antibiotics and hormones.
However, they are now finding out, just like with humans, that the overuse of antibiotics are causing new super strains of illnesses and bacteria to grow in cows. Bacteria that can't be killed by the routine antibiotics and bacteria that you could get. It is a new thing. It is a horrible strain, the MRSA strain (mersa) that no one wants on the table. Now add that to the other issues commercial meat has going, like the fact that you are getting meat with antibiotics, hormones and pesticides. Seriously, who the heck wants any of that! Pesticides in meat are far worse than pesticides on your produce. It collects in the muscle of the animal and that is what you eat. Yuck. Commercial cows are also fed corn for the most part and other atypical cow feed. They should not have corn. They should be grass fed. Corn is a super GMO'd crop, especially corn grown for cows.
I listened to this program and was disgusted. I was outraged that our food in America is so polluted. I then felt a sigh of relief. I had taken away that horrible stuff from my dinner table months ago. When we do eat beef at home, it is organic, grass fed beef and even then, it is sparingly. And, if you think it is just too expensive to buy organic beef; well, if you eat it sparingly - adding in more beans and produce , you can buy the organic beef for your special meals. Beans are cheap. It evens out and the benefits to your body are priceless. Costco has a three pack of organic ground beef and Sprouts runs specials all the time to stock up on. It can be done. You don't have to break the bank.
If you really want to be turned off by meat, go ahead and rent "Food Inc." tonight. It will make you want to be a vegetarian.
Enjoy your weekend. Nice , juicy hamburger anyone?
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9 comments:
Joe and I watched Food Inc last weekend. =\ Great movie, horrible truths.
I was happy happy that Sprouts' boneless skinless chicken was on sale this week. We are on a super shoe string budget, but you are right - there are ways to make the good stuff more affordable. And it really is worthwile.
Have you read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingslover? It has great food facts around their family's story. Good, and inspiring. Thanks for the info.
Hey Shari, Steve's Uncle is a vet for the FDA and he won't eat meat. He knows too much.
That was a great post. My family only eats local grass fed meat as well. We found a great seller at the Mesa Farmers Market. It is $6 a pound but you know you are getting the real stuff. I asked the rancher where I could find good chicken and he stated that that was the million dollar question. Also, I was a little hesitant to buy at Sprouts (it's still much better than other stores though) because their grass fed beef is from Uruguay. Why do I need meat shipped from across the world? I also emailed Sprouts to find out about their chicken and beef. They do have high standards but still some issues. I can send that to you if you would like. I'm glad there are other people out there that have the same beliefs about the food industry. Food Inc. was a great movie.
What Farmer's market are you talking about? I agree the local meat is the best. I didn't realize Sprout's was from Uraguay. I know the ranch market on Power and Elliot has organic local meat as well. Chicken is very hard to find. You can get the whole chickens from Azure but I don't really trust many sources. If you find some, let me know! I would love any info that you have!
The farmers market is on Center between Main and University. It is only Friday mornings but it is open year round. Here is a link to the beef sold there. http://www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com/vendorpages/RedMtnCattleCo.htm
Tim was really nice and said we could come down to the ranch anytime because "they do a whole lot of nothing except watch the cows graze". I will email you the reply from Sprouts. I have been getting the whole "Rosie" brand chickens from Sprouts and just cutting up the parts myself so it saves money. I am not 100% sold on that chicken but it seems better than the rest. Let me know if you know anything different.
Yes, we do Rosie's too but have had some issue with spoilage, same with the organic chicken from Trade Joe's. I checked with the meat that TJ sells, it is still corn fed! UGH! I will have to look into the farmer's market, I would love a local source. Thanks for sharing!!!
Ooh and I loved Animal Vegetable Miracle too, highly recommend the read!!
Food Inc is a great movie. Michael Pollan is a great advocate for healthy "clean" food.
So sad to see what the food companies are doing. We should feel comfortable and safe with the food they are approving.
ARG!
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