The Thanksgiving Dilemma
I realized that I’ve never really discussed my meat or non-meat eating habits on my blog at length. One of the reasons is because I believe that what and why we choose to eat what we do is very personal. For me it is. After reading Julie’s post about eating Thanksgiving turkey ethically, I’ve decided to talk about my reasons for my eating habits on my blog.
Some background info:
In the fall of 2008, when I first began losing weight, I read “Skinny Bitch“. This book tells you to lose weight by eliminating meat and dairy from your diet. I believed that if I got rid of all red meat and pork, that I would become healthier. Since I couldn’t give it all up at once, I took a small step and stopped eating beef, pork, hot dogs, hamburgers, and bacon. I also read accounts in the book of what it was like at factory farms and I disliked that immensely. So I stopped eating that kind of meat. But, to this day I still eat fish and seafood.
Fast forward to spring 2010. I had lost 85 pounds with healthy eating and exercise, and I was interested in reading more food and vegetarian books. I read “Omnivore’s Dilemma, “Animal Vegetable Miracle”, and “Eating Animals“, and decided to give up chicken and turkey. Again, the descriptions of the way the animals get treated in factory farms is horrifying, and I couldn’t bear to support that industry. However, I mostly agreed with “Omnivore’s Dilemma”, in which we should consume meat, but in the right way–to make sure the animal lived its life to the fullest instead of living in horrible conditions. But since I can’t guarantee that I eat ethical, free range, or organic meats without spending tons of money, I choose not to eat it. But someday, when my budget can afford eating locally farmed meats, I will probably go back to eating it. Actually, I know I probably will.
But in the mean time, I’m happy to just go meat-free. I still eat seafood because I’m not willing to give that up. Fish is healthy and a great part of a healthy diet, and I enjoy eating it.
But this brings me to my Thanksgiving Dilemma.
(source)
My dad is an avid hunter, so he asked me, if he got a turkey while hunting this year, would I eat it? I thought about it a lot. Thanksgiving is only one day of the year. And even though I’m not a big fan of hunting, I know this is the most ethical and practical choice for me, if I were to eat turkey on Thanksgiving. I refuse to eat a bird raised in a factory farm. I would much rather eat one that lived out its normal life in the wild, that has not been pumped with antibiotics and hormones. So, I told my dad I would, and he’s been trying to get one for us to have on Thanksgiving Day, rather than a store bought turkey. So, I suppose you will just have to check back on my blog on Thanksgiving to find out if I will be eating turkey! 😉
VS 
I know I talk a lot about eating vegetarian on my blog, since when I go out to eat, I try to eat vegetarian. Sometimes I do order fish when eating out, but most of the time I like to go to places that are vegetarian friendly and are somewhat health conscious.
What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Do you eat meat? If not, what do you prepare for Thanksgiving meal?
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16 Comments
Jen
Great post! I went back and forth on vegetarianism for years until I finally found a few local farms to buy ethically raised, organic, free-range meat from in bulk (as in whole animals at a time = chest freezer). I some times question my food choices and wonder if I should cut out meat completely but I like to lift weights and personally, I feel better when I’m eating lots of lean proteins. I honestly believe I feel better after a couple of years eating 90% local grass-fed meat and free-range eggs. I’m still amazed at how many people don’t know where their food comes from or the factory farming industry, or just don’t care.
Liz
I wish I could have your mindset. I eat mostly white meat (chicken, pork) but I know it isn’t free-range. I need the protein, though! Good luck hunting, dad. 😉
Katie H.
Excellent post, Jen! I have been contemplating the meat issue for a long time. Ultimately, I would like to soley eat animals raised in humane conditions. I think it would be awesome to have a bunch of chickens and get fresh eggs every morning!
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous.
Great post Jen! I hope your dad gets a turkey 🙂 I know I enjoy it so much more when I’m eating turkey or venison that my dad or brother’s get while hunting instead of store bought. Oh and Omnivore’s Dilemma is next on my reading list! I don’t think I could ever give up meat fully but I know I eat a lot less of it now that I live in a household with 3 other vegetarians.
Julie @SavvyEats
Love this post! Can’t wait to get our heritage turkey straight from the farm 🙂
Janet Oberholtzer
Hi … found you today via the magic of Twitter.
Congrats on the weight loss!
Since I was severely injured in an accident, 6 years ago, I’ve been trying to eat healthy, because the hospital dietitian kept telling me that how I eat will affect how well I heal (or not) Since then I’ve been reading books/blogs on healthy eating and decided to go vegetarian for a month this past January. At the end of the month, I felt so good that I have continued to eat vegetarian 99% of the time. The only meat I’ve all all year has been salmon 2 or 3 times.
And about 2 months ago, I decided to try eat very little white flour. That’s been more of a challenge, but I’m going to keep on trying to do without it.
As for Thanksgiving … guess I’ll be filling up on the potatoes, veges and salads.
Kathy
Hi Jen – thanks for this thought-provoking post. Many of us, myself included, take for granted that animals give their lives so we can eat – and also the environmental impacts of how they are raised, we don’t think about. Now that I’m married to a hunter, I eat mostly venison, and recently wild turkey. Even the deer I hit with my car this week, is now steaks in our freezer. I watched that poor doe die, and I hope I’m honoring her by thinking she’s giving me nutrition and life now.
Mardi
Hi, Jen,
Whenever I host Thanksgiving, Like this year, I threaten my relatives with TOFURKEY! However, I cook a regular, store-bought turkey, and I make sure that we thank the turkey for its sacrifice.
I eat meat, but less than I used to, especially beef, especially when I discovered what it takes to get a cow to my table. I wish organic meat were cheaper too.
And I’ve started getting cage-free eggs.
I’ve been thinking about stuff like this ever since I walked past a fur-coat protest years ago. I thought “Ew, who’d want a fur coat?” then realized I was wearing a suede coat. Vanity versus practicality.
Cynthia (It All Changes)
I’m a full vegetarian for health reasons but I really appreciate your post. Hunni requested turkey or chicken for Thanksgiving even though he eats vegetarian at home. So we are going to purchase an organic one from WF or from a local farmer if I can find one.
The way animals are raised was one of the biggest reasons it was so easy to give up meat entirely for my health since we ate primarily vegetarian before. The cost of humanely raised meat was too much for our diet.
I hope your dad can get a turkey for you. Wild Turkey tastes so much better than the store versions.
Emily @ Relishments
I feel your pain 🙂 My husband and I rarely eat meat, but Thanksgiving is one of the times we make an exception. If we were hosting, we’d go humanely raised, but we don’t host. As guests at the family thanksgiving, we’ll be grateful for whatever we’re served. Maybe someday that’ll change, but I’m alright with it for one day.
Thetreadmilldiaries
I’m not vegetarian but feel strongly that everyone’s food choices are and should be personal. Our bodies and lives are different and what works for some…may not for others.
Our Thanksgiving feast (hosted at my house) will have lots of veggies but we’ll also have a fresh turkey from a local farm.
heather
LOVE. THIS. POST.
Jen
Thanks!!!
Loretta
I will be spending a lot of money on a free range turkey this year. I am now doing my best to eats meats and dairy that are uncaged and not on chemicals.
Leah the Nosher
I love posts that make me think.
This past summer, we joined a chicken share from a farm down the road from my folks house in Rensselaer county. My rule of thumb for poultry: if it eats bugs, lays eggs, and I can come and visit the place where it’s raised if I choose, I can humbly eat it and understand the value of the life behind it.
Now, here’s the next question: if your dad brought home venison, would you eat it?
Bea Ⓥ Elliott
This will be my 8th year abstaining from cooking (or eating) the “sacrificial” bird and I’m very happy with this arrangement. After I realized that all cows, pigs and birds love their lives as much as I love mine – It would seem like a very cruel thing (for me) to demand the ritualistic flesh as my centerpiece that would symbolized “thanks”. I was taught some 50 years ago that you cannot ask for mercy or blessings unless you are willing to give them as well. Guess that thought stuck with me throughout my adulthood.
So… Like we say at my house: Happy ThanksLiving Day!