KIDS CORNER
I
’
vegetarian by choice
MAKING ACONSCIOUS DECISION TO GIVE UP MEAT
ve been avegetarian for exactly three years . The story of how I becameone is fairlyarbitrary . My best friend at camp couldn ’ t eat meat because of her religion . One afternoon , out of the blue , she dared me to give it up . I ’ m not sure why Iagreed – perhaps because I wanted to challenge myself or because camp food was mediocre at best – but I stopped eatingmeat that day and have remained avegetarian ever since .
But , here ’ sthe thing : Iactually love meat . Whether it ’ s ajuicyhot dog from Gray ’ s Papaya or my grandmother ’ s famous Filipino pork buns , my mouth waters . If someone talksabout how well done they like theirsteak or whether Five Guys or Shake Shack has the better burger , Ijoin in like adevoted carnivore .
So why be avegetarian , if Ilove meat so much ? Rest assured , it ’ s not because of some stubborn pride , hanging on to some childhood dare just for the sake of saying , “ I won .” And it ’ s not because I love vegetables that much either . While some vegetariansbond over their favorite meals , exchanging recipes for quinoa bowls or tips on where to get the best salads , I don ’ t actually like to eat many of those foods .
The reason I ’ ve remained a vegetarian is because Ibelieve in vegetarianism
( vegetables not so much ). Specifically , Ibelieve in the welfare of animals and the harm that can be done to them and our environment as aresult of the overproduction of meat and the poor regulation of themeat industry .
After my friend challenged me that day , Ifound myself reading books and watching documentariesabout farms and foodproduction . Iresearched organizations , such as PETA and the Humane Society , and realized that most farms across the U . S . don ’ t look anything like those depicted in idyllic milk cartons or throughsongs like “ Old McDonald .”
The truth is that about 94 percent of meat produced in America is from “ factory farms ” – large , industrialized farms that mistreat animals , workers and the communities around them . Through my research , Ilearned that 9billion animals are slaughtered each year in the U . S . for food , anumber that will grow exponentially as the global population increases in the upcoming decades . Manyofthese factories pollute the air and water with toxins and expedite climate change throughthe use of crop feeds grown fromnitrate fertilizers sourced from oil .
An alternate approach would be to consume meat raised locally , near our communities . The food from these farmsnot
only tastes better , but frequently sourcingfrom them would reduce the detrimental effectsoffactory farming . It wouldhelpreduce pollution , curtail outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and amelioratethe conditions of the animals over time .
If you are not ready to become a vegetarian like me but interested in the issue , purchasing meat locallyfrom a source you trust is an option . You can alsogradually reduce your overall consumption of meat , practicing things like “ Meatless Mondays ” or “ Vegetarian / Vegan until 6p . m .”
As for me , Ilove being connected to the community of vegetarians and being abletohelp each other understand the problemsofthe food industry . I immediatelyget excited when Ihear someone is avegetarian . Iask them why , to see if theyare passionate against factory farming ( like me ), or simply someone who doesn ’ t love the taste of meat and prefers eating vegetables ( unlike me ).
It ’ s true that Isometimes miss leftoverturkey after Thanksgivingora crunchy BLT for lunch . However , it has madememore politically and socially aware of an issue Icare deeply about , and Ihave never regretted my choice . ●
– ISABEL FAHERTY , RIDGEWOOD
TOP RIGHT : COURTESY OF ISABEL FAHERTY ; LOWER LEFT : THINKSTOCK . COM / JENIFOTO
12 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 |( 201 ) FAMILY
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