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No Bones About It: The Making of a Vegetarian

© Tara Gillet-Liloia

It was the simple fact the meat has bones that led me to a life of vegetarianism. It happened one too many times; I was munching happily on a hamburger when I bit down hard on a scrap of bone. It was as if someone had run their nails down a chalkboard. At about the same time in my life, the media was bombarding me with warnings about cutting, thawing, preparing, and storing meat. I felt like I should wear a radiation suit just to make meatballs at home!

I decided that I could do without the bone, sinew, fat, or tendon that you occasionally find in prepared meat. Cooking meat dishes was also not worth the trouble of scrubbing every kitchen surface vigilantly afterward. Luckily for me, I have a very understanding and open-minded husband who doesn't care what is on the table, as long as it is tasty and abundant. Our family is slowly learning how to incorporate more non-meat choices into our diet. Such an extensive lifestyle change does not come overnight, though, especially in a growing family.

Recently, I learned more about the environmental and health benefits associated with my decision to avoid meat. Did you know that there are more than 20,000 drugs that can be administered to livestock before human consumption? Recent research has confirmed that meat-eating increases the risk for several diseases like prostate and breast cancer, heart disease, and obesity. Avoiding these types of health risks was especially important when I became pregnant last year.

As I learn more about animal production and consumption, I cannot believe intelligent people would allow these practices to continue. In my research, I have encountered numerous horrific stories detailing the cruelty that factory-farmed animals face. Electrocution, castration, joint inflammation, and boiling animals alive are just parts of the daily routine of these animal "farms." Vegan Outreach has information about these practices, but I caution you; the information here is relevant but shocking, http://www.veganoutreach.org/wv/wv02.html

Damage to the environment is also a concern associated with animal farming. Most research that I have seen supports the idea that agriculture is a more efficient use of our natural resources than animal farming. The San Diego Earth Times, http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0494/et049... has displayed a hearty list of facts that will acquaint you with some of the statistics concerning meat production in the United States. Here is just a tidbit of what they offer for you to chew on: Water needed to produce 1 pound of meat: 2,500 gallons