With these videos came information about factory farms. Now I grew up in the late 50s, early 60s (yes I'm old)! LOL Nothing was mentioned then about factory farms. I do remember driving by a slaughter house on the way to pick up my father from work, and I remember to this day the smell. It didn't smell like anything else. It smelled like death. I never gave it much thought though, maybe because of my age, but we also ate meat in our home every night for dinner. I remember taking tuna sandwiches in my lunch to school, and hot dogs at bar b ques. Life then was simple and not convoluted. My parents got Kentucky Fried Chicken on occasion when my mom didn't want to cook. McDonald's was also around back then, but all these other fast food chains were not around. Life was a bit slower and relaxed, ah the good old days.
As I became more acquainted with a plant based lifestyle, I also because acquainted with factory farms, and I cannot tell you how disturbing they are. It is a horror show! Things that I can't even bear to watch. I was encouraged to watch Earthlings. You can watch it on Youtube if you so desire. I got 1/4 of the way through it, and couldn't watch anymore. I tried again, and again. I cannot get through it. The way those animals are treated is deplorable. If you believe in God, like I do, you have to know that he would not approve of this way of farming at all. Pigs and cattle are stunned with a bolt to their heads, and while still alive are hung by their back feet while their throats are slit. Baby chicks that are male are sent through a grinder because they are no use to a chicken farm, and pigs are kept in cement crates and they can't turn around or get to their babies after giving birth. Did you know that a pig is smarter than your dog or cat? Did you know they are highly intelligent?
So what are the numbers of vegans around the world? In the UK alone 350% have left a carnivore diet and switched to a plant based or vegan diet. According to Raw Food World 16 million Americans are now vegan. I have looked online to see what the number is of animals being saved lately from so many people starting to eat healthy no meat lives, but I couldn't find a number. I'm sure every little bit helps.
Not only are we saving lives of animals, but we are helping the environment. There are pig farms in the US that are disgusting. Here is a video about a pig farm in North Carolina. There is no cruelty shown in this video, but it explains the amount of waste that this big farm produces, and the stench that people near by have to deal with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayGJ1YSfDXs&t=161s
When we lived in Utah, we lived next door to a family that were raising pigs, and they had maybe 5-6 pigs. When the wind blew just the right way the smell was awful. I can't even imagine living close to a big factory farm of pigs.
Now I don't condone what PETA does either. These people are ruthless. They are in your face about animal rights. They don't let up either. I believe that if we lead by example, and try to spread the word in a calm manner that we will have better luck than yelling and screaming at people, yelling to me is a turn off. I truly believe that eating this way is better for all of us including the animals.
There are more and more restaurants and grocery stores that are selling vegan foods. I love going to Whole Foods, and Trader Joes to find things that you can't find at the grocery store. You may pay a bit more, but to me it's worth it. However, today at Walmart I noticed I could get Bear Naked Granola in the cereal isle. The word is getting out there little by little. Baby step by baby step. It's exciting to watch, and as this spreads hopefully we will see a shift in healthy humans. I can dream can't I!!!
2 comments:
Naomi,
What a good post! I haven't watched any of the many "vegan" videos other than FOK - I KNOW what goes on in slaughterhouses, factory farms, etc, and have NO DESIRE to have those images in my mind! I saw enough when my husband and I raised our own cattle, pigs, chickens for meat! I've processed my share of meat, believe me! And even though it was "humane", I cringe at it now.
I was raised in a family that hunted, fished, raised our own chickens for eggs and meat, provided almost all the family food by gardening, canning, etc. We lived in dairy country (Tillamook, OR - cheese, butter, ice-cream!!) Yes, life was much less hectic then (born 1948). The "progress" we have made as a country has been bought at a high price. It makes me absolutely sick to realize what the meat and dairy industry has grown into. Like you, I leaped into WFPB lifestyle for health purposes along with an extended knowledge of WOW. But knowing what I know about the "dark side" of food industries, I feel very happy at any little mite I can do to reduce/eliminate those entities, by eating this way.
One comment I saw in a post somewhere has stuck in my head: I am helping prepare for the Millennium, when NO ONE, NO ANIMAL, will eat meat. An awesome and encouraging thought, eh?!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I enjoy your blog!
Candy
Thanks, Naomi. My son has a friend who has his own butcher shop. When Quint asked his friend if he could come and watch him slaughter a steer some time, the friend replied "You don't want to."
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