What's On Your Plate?

I grew up in a farming community in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia where eating local fruits & vegetables which my mother purchased at the local roadside farm markets was the norm for our family.  We ate by the seasons as well....my mother was always putting things like strawberries and blueberries in the freezer so that they could be enjoyed in the off-season.  And we often ate local eggs, meat and game. Our family, like many other families, was eating local long before it became a "movement'.

As an adult, I have always taken an interest in food. I took Human Nutrition as an option in University to quell my want of more knowledge about the chemistry of food and how it affects our bodies. I have read many books on the subject such as: "The 100 Mile Diet", Michael Pollen's "Food Rules" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma", and Barbara Kingslover's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"...to name a few. My family and I have watched some documentaries about the food industry too.....like "Supersize Me" and "Food, Inc.".

One thing I have learned from all of this is that the more you know about factory farming practices, the more disturbing it becomes. The pesticides & chemicals being used on our fruits and vegetables are not healthy. The genetically modified grains on our table are causing increased food intolerances, gluten allergies,sickness and disease. The factory farming practices used to bring meat to our table are especially upsetting.

Most farming animals live in extremely cramped conditions, are fed unnatural diets of antibiotics and hormones, and suffer greatly under those conditions. It does not make me feel good cooking or eating meat when I know that animals have been forced to live in these conditions. Whenever possible, I try to make sure I buy from companies who engage in more humane farming practices. 

I would really like to encourage you to do the same. The choices that we make with our grocery dollars can really make a difference. Where we choose to spend our money and what vendours we support is our vote to support more humane food pratices and choices. Caring about the lives of farm animals is a choice we all can make and the conditions in which farm animals live can be improved by our purchasing power.

Here are some things you can do with your food dollars to support more socially responsible practices in the food industry:

• Choose pasture-raised animal products whenever possible.
• Buy only antibiotic and hormone free meat.
• Choose domestic meat where more information about how the animals were raised  is available.
• Eat less meat and have more meat-less meals.
• Buy cage-free eggs whenever possible. Or better yet, raise your own chickens if possible.
• Consider supporting more local farmers. Develop a relationship with them. Ask questions so you know exactly how your food is produced.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals has worked  hard to expose animal cruelty and prevent animal suffering for more than 30 years. Working with individuals, organizations and governments across the globe, their campaigns range from ending the mass suffering of industrially farmed animals to protecting animals in disasters. Their consultative status with the United Nations means they have a unique international platform to prove that the lives of animals are extricably linked to our own, and now more than ever is the time to stop their suffering.

The WSPA has launched a "What's On Your Plate?" campaign to bring attention & awareness to the plight of animals. In recognition of their goal to raise awareness of the plight of farm animals, The World Society for the Protection of Animals invites you to please take the PLEDGE to SUPPORT ANIMAL FRIENDLY FARMING.

 

As a thank you for taking the PLEDGE, you can have some fun "FARM-I-FYING" your face to show your support for this worthy cause. I took the pledge and I invite you to do the same!

 



And if you would like to LEARN MORE about factory farm practices and it's affect on our world, this VIDEO  provided by The World Society for the Protection of Animals gives a good overview of how the cruel treatment of animals affects everyone.

{This post was sponsored by The World Society for The Protection of Animals. However, all opinions are my own and I believe whole-heartedly in this cause.}