Monday, January 28, 2008

Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler

Mark Bittman wrote an excellent article in the New York Times, yesterday, titled, Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler. Mr. Bittman, a.k.a. the Minimilist, does a nice job highlighting the effects of a large population depending upon a high meat diet, and the reality of what would be more prudent for our health, the environment, our fellow humans, and those pesky animals.
Animal welfare may not yet be a major concern, but as the horrors of raising meat in confinement become known, more animal lovers may start to react. And would the world not be a better place were some of the grain we use to grow meat directed instead to feed our fellow human beings?
I am obviously biased, but I enjoy reading the non-veg ramblings that support my way of life. I was also surprised to read Mr. Bittman's blurb at the end of his article.
Mark Bittman, who writes the Minimalist column in the Dining In and Dining Out sections, is the author of “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian,” which was published last year. He is not a vegetarian.
Why the need to distance himself from us normal, everyday Joe and Sally vegetarian/vegans? What's so bad about being vegetarian? He is putting together all the dots for why a vegetarian (really vegan) lifestyle is the way to go, yet he can't commit. I think he needs to rewrite his blurb.
Mark Bittman, DEFINITELY NOT VEGAN, who writes about how great vegans are, and their food.

1 comments:

Raquita said...

AS a person who had lived as both a vegiterian and a meat eater - I uderstand why that blurb is necessary. Meat eaters have certian "stereotypes" about veterian cooking and living. They typically automatically think extremes when they visualise non meat living. So when somebody who lives like they do - tells them "this isn't bad at all - its actually tasty!" they tend to beleive them, cause that person tends to like what they like, so it should go with out saying that trying something outside of their comfort zone is easier to do when the recomendation comes from someone who will eat a ribeye with them while having the discussion.
I'm not saying thats the way it should be, but it is the way it is.
I personally don't care what he has to say to get people to try more healthy natural eating - vegetarian or not - as long as people try it.
kudos to you