greenguru.org

To many in Wimberley organic food is not a luxury, it‘s the way food is supposed to be. For health reasons as well as ecological reasons our family has been trying a diet with less meat and more organic vegetables, legumes and grains. Worldwide one of the primary causes of the destruction of the rainforests is animal agriculture, as the forests are leveled to make way for more pastures. Did you know that pound for pound it takes 225 times more water and almost 40 times more fossil fuels to produce meat than vegetables. According to John Robbins, author of May All Be Fed, “if Americans reduced their meat consumption by 10 %, enough grain would be saved to feed 60 million people. That is close to the total number of people who die of hunger each year.”

It hit me over the head that our choice in meat and other animal protein sources was critical when we were visiting the construction site of our home. Marc ripped a tag off of a recycled chicken feed sack the concrete guy was using in our foundation. I thought that was a strange thing to do, and then he read it… First ingredient: rendered bovine protein. I’m sorry but the green guru has to ask, “Since when did chickens eat cows?”

I have since learned that downer cows or cows that are so sick they can no longer walk, are rendered for animal feed, since they are not suitable for human consumption. Yet they are fed to animals we also eat: chickens, pigs, farm raised fish. The FDA just ordered the destruction of a whole trout farm because of whirling fish disease (the equivalent of mad cow disease in fish). Though I applaud their resourcefulness, recycling and reusing sick cows is one recycling project of which the green guru does not approve.

Here’s the beef on what to look for when buying animal protein:

-In general buying Organic is the safest way to ensure the health and humane treatment of the animals, and the preservation of our soil and streams, however in some cases where organic is not available or is too pricey these tips may help you.

-When buying beef look for Grass Fed and No Antibiotics or Hormones on labels. Grain Fed beef is safe but not sustainable, it takes 16 lbs. of grain to produce 1 pound of beef.

-When buying milk, cheese and butter look for labels that say Organic or No Antibiotics or Hormones. Canada and Europe have outlawed the use of hormones in dairy cows, because of proof they are absorbed by humans.

-When buying Chicken and Eggs the most important thing to look for is Fed No Animal By-products, and No Hormones or Antibiotics. Some chicken may say veggie-fed but this may not mean it is only veggie fed, and the same goes for eggs. Free-Range implies the chickens are well cared for but doesn’t tell you what they are fed.

-When you are buying pork look for Fed No Animal By-products and Grain Fed. -When buying fish look for Wild fish or make sure it says Fed No Animal By-products. -If you raise your own animals, there are manufacturers that provide feed with no animal by-products. These are available at King Feed.

Quote of the Month: “The way you help heal the world is you start with your own family.” MOTHER THERESA