Reducing Red Meat in 2018 - A Matter of Health, Ethics, & Sustainability
With a new year comes new resolutions and for 2018, I am determined to begin cutting back on my meat consumption!
People cut meat from their diets for a variety of reasons - ethical, health, sustainability, etc. My reason is a combination of them all though it is mainly for the sustainability aspect. The rate at which we produce our resources and the methods we use to do so are lackluster to say the least. It takes much more water and land to produce beef than it does poultry… and exorbitantly more than plant life!
I don’t know if I ever want to transition to full vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, but I know that I at least want to cut back. So for the first half of 2018, my goal is to eliminate beef and pork from my diet. The second half of the year will be dedicated towards eliminating venison as well. Hopefully by the end of 2018, I will be enjoying a mostly red meat free diet!
I did this "challenge" during my college years and successfully avoided red meat for 2 full years so I know it is within my capabilities! I think the hardest part is simply getting back on the bandwagon by readjusting my mindset and go-to recipes.
This past week I avoided all forms of beef and pork, including the delicious smelling bacon that my family had for breakfast! I did snack on some garlic venison sticks from the deer my father shot at Wild Rose Acres this past hunting season… I hope they disappear from the fridge soon as they were extra tasty!
Wish me luck and follow along to see if I can continue this healthy habit!
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its nice to see you tagging ecoTrain again! and very suitable post ;-)
eating less meat is an option that many people forget because we often think in polarities.. Eating less meat is what i do, i would say once every few weeks or less.. but Sometimes i binge, especially when in a good restaurant or on holiday.
All things in balance! ;-
Very true! All things in balance! I will probably not be able to avoid it completely but the goal is simply to reduce my consumption as much as possible :)
Hello @kiaraantonoviche. Found this post trough our Discord.
I completely understand your 2018 resolution and why you want to change, but I want to share a different perspective with you.
In Permaculture we say, that a life consisting of reducing your footprint and doing less harm through a life in abstinence is no fun at all. We embrace life thats full of intense interaction with nature whilst simultaneously yielding abundantly for humans, animals and plants, therefore healing the planet. A Permaculture lifestyle is an intense footprint lifestyle. Intensely healing!
That said, its not the yes or no, thats making eating red meet bad, its the how. Have you ever heard of holistic management, mob grazing or rotational grazing? These techniques make eating red meet healing for the planet. Don't mind the water that is incorporated in the meet, in a well designed Permaculture system the water comes from the rain, no electrical power or sewage systems needed. And the poo goes into the ground, feeding soil life, sequestring CO2, growing topsoil, creating abundance. The animals are extremely happy with a fresh salad bar every day and will truely only have one bad day in theri life.
Check out Richard Perkins or Joel Salatin on this. It is really fascinating.
And here is Alan Savory original Ted talk on this topic:
https://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change
We just need to fight for how our meet is produced. Spread the word.
All the best.
Moritz
I definitely want the meat I potentially continue eating to be produced via better means but I want to reduce my meat consumption regardless! Thanks for the resources!
As I wrote you this comment I developed the thought of a longer article about this. Lets see when I will put it together.. Here in Portugal people eat meat every single day. Maybe even in two meals. Of course this is absolutely destructive with the meet production model the stuff comes from. I personally eat meat every 2nd day one meal and suffer with the knowlege where it comes from. It is very very difficult to find meet that makes a positive impact on the planet. But at least here in Portugal you eat a cow from the tongue, to the tail with innards, bone broth and fat. So
the waste is less. But in the end it is definitely our consumers job to educate our producers and tell them what we want. I believe in change.
I wish you luck with your resolution. But it sounds like you’ve been successful before, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
We’ve cut our red meat intake for two reasons. First of all, we aren’t yet on a piece of land large enough to raise enough livestock to eat, and red meat is expensive. Chicken and fish are more budget friendly, so chicken and fish it is!
Also, we are planning to be on a piece of land within the next three years or so. I do not plan to raise pigs or cows. We want to put ourselves in a position to raise as much of our own food as possible, so I’ve been trying to slowly adjust our diet so that when we’re eating what we raise it won’t change up our menu suddenly. What I don’t need is a house full of guys going through red meat withdraw!
I stopped eating animals in December 2004 from one day to the next.
Nothing to it but to do it.
Or in that case even easier, to not do it.
good luck, I haven't eaten red meat in 25years and i've never looked back.
Hi! Ever heard about plant protein "meats"? There's this company which turns peas into chicken chunks and soon they will be producing Sunfed "meats", beef and bacon. What are your thoughts on this? https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/98927620/sunfed-meats-plans-to-go-global-with-plant-protein-meats
I've heard about these and I know a few companies that make "meat" from pea protein! I think it's pretty cool and I definitely plan on trying some products in the future!
I have a similar goal with going vegan. The last time I went vegan was on a bet with an employer and I did it cold turkey overnight. this time I am going to take a different approach and slowly phase meats and animal products out of my diet. for the 6 months I was ate a vegan diet I felt amazing and healthy. I also lost 92 pounds in those 6 months. I just really love the occasional steak or cheeseburger. While my family supports my choice they don't wish to share in my choice. So, I still have to prepare non-vegan meals for them too. One benefit is that it will help to introduce more vegetables and alternative meals into their diet. I am doing this for several reasons - my health being the main one. I believe a plant based diet is the way to go. That all being said, I am not going to stop raising chickens. I see nothing wrong with raising a few backyard chickens and potentially selling their eggs to consumers who still wish to consume the unborn (hatched) young of my chickens.
Best wishes on your journey!
Congratulations for this decision, It´s not easy but you can do it. Grains and vegetables brings you a lot of new flavors to your diet. Trying new recipes is a great experience and avoid to feel boring about you meals. Thank God there are a lot of people showing their recipes on the web, they will help you a lot. My favorite eggplant with parmesan and mozzarela. A little bit of italian species and voila!
Nice the main reason I gave up meat. I am almost vegan but not quite yet, I am toying with the idea!
Oh but a nice T-Bone on the Barbie is so good! However, I get it! I am new to the homesteadersonline community and Steemit! Now following! Thanks