Reducing Red Meat in 2018 - A Matter of Health, Ethics, &amp; Sustainability

eco-alex (73) · 7 years ago

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! ;-

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2 votes

kiaraantonoviche (59) · 7 years ago

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 :)

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my-permaculture (50) · 7 years ago

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

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3 votes

kiaraantonoviche (59) · 7 years ago

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!

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my-permaculture (50) · 7 years ago

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.

powellx5 (54) · 7 years ago

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!

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2 votes

likedeeler (66) · 7 years ago

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.

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2 votes

trucklife-family (72) · 7 years ago

good luck, I haven't eaten red meat in 25years and i've never looked back.

sassylori (50) · 7 years ago (edited)

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

kiaraantonoviche (59) · 7 years ago

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!

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bthompson (50) · 7 years ago

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!

nowonline (67) · 7 years ago

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!

vibeof100monkeys (58) · 7 years ago

Nice the main reason I gave up meat. I am almost vegan but not quite yet, I am toying with the idea!

canadianwoodguy (46) · 7 years ago

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

minismallholding (69) · 7 years ago

Will you do any update at the end of the year do you think to assess how you went?

I've hardly bought beef for a few years now and it's not been missed. We do occasionally have kangaroo though, which is similar, but a bit stronger flavoured. We occasionally have a pork or lamb roast, but not too often because of price and that isn't even the ethically farmed meat! Roast chickens we produce ourselves, so I only buy chicken breast, free range, but I'm still not fully comfortable with the ethics of the meat breed.

Bacon has been the hardest to kick, because the family love it so much. I can take it or leave it. I dont like all the sugar and preservatives in it, but haven't been able to find anything without.

The only reason I'm not vegetarian is because the family wouldn't have it and because I get sick if I go long term without red meat. I tried vegetarian and just white meats, but wasn't thriving until I added red meat back into my diet.

kiaraantonoviche (59) · 7 years ago

Yes I will probably do continual assessments and a yearly update - I had problems with anemia for a little while when avoiding red meat so that will certainly be something to look out for!

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minismallholding (69) · 7 years ago

Plenty of iron rich veggies on the horizon! 😁

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richq11 (72) · 7 years ago

I'm determined to cut back on vegetables... So the cows can have more to eat!

kiaraantonoviche (59) · 7 years ago

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cheneats (56) · 7 years ago

I eliminated red meat and refined sugar from my diet. I am very pleased that, as a result, my cholesterol level is back to normal. In addition, I feel lighter and much better. Wish you luck on your journey to eliminate red meat!

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