Being vegetarian isn't right for every one. In fact, from the pure perspective of a nutritional physiologist, I am not a great advocate of vegetarianism or veganism. I support a great many people who choose this diet as part of their life style for various reasons, but I seldom meet vegetarians or vegans who know what I mean when I ask them "are you balancing your proteins". It is especially true of folks who are vegetarians and vegans for political or ethical reasons (something I admire greatly by the way) People caught up in the "cause" are not necessarily nutritionally educated at a level where they are meeting their essential nutritional needs for optimal health. It is difficult to properly nourish yourself at the cellular level on these diets without being very aware. For those vegetarians and vegans who are aware, and educate themselves about essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals in the diet and the source of those nutrients, these diets and life styles can be, and often do, work very well and are extremely rewarding for the individuals who follow them..
But for those of us who maintain animal products in our diets, I believe it is important to be very conscious of where our food is coming from and how it is being raised. These are living creatures after all. Like us, they have nervous systems thus they experience pain and stress. Like us they get ill. The better, healthier and more natural the environment they are raised in, the higher the quality of the nourishment they ultimately provide for our bodies. It behooves all of us to care a great deal about the animals that provide us with essential nourishment and how they are cared for in the course of their lives.
So get to know your local farmer, buy locally, buy chicken, eggs and meat from friends, like my husband and myself who raise our animals with care and compassion. Some of our friends would comment that a little too much love and compassion is expended when they find lambs in the kitchen or cuddled in front of the TV watching National geographic adventure with the kids and some newly hatched chicks. Alternatively, raise some of your own. Sending them off on market day is always heart wrenching, but knowing that the animals lived a good, free-range, well cared for life, and that you carefully selected the slaughter facility because they manage and handle the animals individually, in small batches, in a manner designed to alleviate stress, brings peace of mind to the dinner table down the road.
For those of you who aren't zoned agricultural and can't even raise a laying hen in your back yard (I am so sorry because it is so much fun, especially for children) join a CSA or drive out into the country and meet a farmer and buy into a free range beef cow, so you know the meat in your freezer at the end of the season was free, range, grass fed, and you know where it lived and with whom.
At the end of the day its better for your physical and mental well being to be closer to the source of the food you eat.
Check out this video
http://youtu.be/rEkc70ztOrc
