What can I do to protest the mistreatment of animals if I cannot become a vegetarian/vegan?!
Answers: After seeing the treatment of the cattle from the Hallmark Meat company video and having recently seen Fast Food Nation, I was seriously considering becoming a vegetarian. Problem is, I hardly eat any vegetables and I'm allergic to fruit and nuts (crazy I know). Also I have my husband and children to consider. What else can I do to show that I'm against the cruel treatment of animals used for food? Maybe just buy a particular brand...is there a company that guaruntees good treatment and little waste? I'm so torn. Issues like these affect me greatly, but I feel like my little sacrifice won't make much of a difference. Please help...serious suggestions very much appreciated.
Regardless of what some people say, your actions do make a difference. Start by just reducing the amount of meat you eat, this is healthier for your whole family anyway. Increase consumption of the fruits and nuts that you aren't allergic too. Hardly eating any vegetables isn't healthy at all. Regardless of what you do about vegetarianiam, you need more of them. Try new ways of cooking , foods you've never tried, "hide" as many vegetables in food as you can.
A lot of your local butchers dont treat animals the way the huge companies do. Also, look into organic or free-range beef. These animals are typically treated better. I've been a vegetarian and vegan for quite some time and once you adjust its quite simple. There are still a lot of things you can eat, veggies, soy, tofu, grains, and seeds.
If you're looking into an alternative lifestyle, I would also suggest seeing an allergy therapist (not a doctor, but someone who specializes in allergies) and see if they can help you with your fruit and nut allergies. Those are two things that your body should be allowed to consume and sometimes they can reverse that.
Unless you are going out and raising/butchering your own meats and poultry....there isn't much in the way that you will be able to guarantee that you are getting non mistreated products. Buying from natural foods places would be your first step. It is a little more on the expensive side....but is worth it if you feel you are some way making an impact on not buying from places that are cruel to animals before they are slaughtered
Your little sacrifice won't make ANY difference. But, people do things to clear their minds of guilt. If doing something to the alternative will help you sleep better at night, then do your research and make the change.
Our society is based on the "masses" what you or I do individually is totally irrelevant. That's just the way it is. But don't let it stop you from trying to make yourself feel better.
Your actiona "do" make a difference!
Cook less meat. like cut down your meat intake. Cook three veggie meal a week. Most american eat too much meat any ways!
go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com
also check out http://www.meat.org
You will not to missing anything! Vegetarian food is very healthy! - but not junk fatty foods!
Unless you see the animals everyday, no you will never know if that animal on your plate tonight was abused!
You could help at your local animal shelter!
Buy really for me not giving my money to the animal abusers, is a good start!
If you cant completely eliminate meat, maybe you can try and minimise your consumption. Also you can limit your meat consumption to free range eggs, meat and dairy. They can be a less cruel alternative. You can't possibly be allergic to *all* kinds of fruits and nuts. With the help of a well trained dietitian and doctor I'm sure you can find many plants, veggies and fruits which are not allergic to. You can volunteer your time at animal shelters. Or adopt injured or unwanted animals. You can educate your children (when they are old enough) about animals, animal rights and the environment. Its true every little bit counts. At least you are concerned about your choices, many people don't even bother to question their dietary choices at all. Good on ya, you can do it. =0)
its a shame u cannot become a veggie :(
My suggestion would be that if you cannot become a vegetarian, that you do things to "help the cause". I am a vegetarian, and I joined P.E.T.A. They fight these things every day. Plus, they have a lot of suggestions on protesting the mistreatment of animals. AND...they don't give you a hard time, just because you are not a vegan or vegetarian. It's all about the treatment of animals. One more thing....there are lots of organic foods out there. Try "Amy's". It's all natural, and very tasty. (The cheese enchilada's are the best). Good luck to you! And bless you for caring about the ones that can't help themselves. Here's the PETA website: www.peta.org
Keep in mind that in all walks of life there a few bad apples that spoil the whole bunch.
Because these few will be seen as representative as the whole, we have to be mindful that this just isn't so.
Of these isolated incidences, there may be thousands upon thousands that will never be on a video because they are not newsworthy in any way.
Think of how many of our clothes, shoes etc that are produced by children in 3rd world countries...
maybe you should picket the treatment of humans first...
just a thought...
People like Dr. Temple Grandin have done more for animal welfare than Peta and every other FALSE organization like the HSUS....funny how little anyone knows about how she alone has not only devoted her LIFE to humane treatment of animals, and how many orgs depend on her expertise.
I live in good sized city in Calif and NONE of our local butchers have ANYTHING to do with slaughtering the animals.
That's a myth.