Meet your Meat...

…is the title of the page at www.meat.org. This site features an 11 minute video that may ultimately change the way you view your next chicken nugget and hamburger. With undercover reporters and cameras in chicken, pig, and cattle meat factories, you'll see the truth to where your food comes from. Fair warning, it's violent and gruesome, so be prepared.

This isn't an attempt to force a change on your diet, to each their own. Personally  MY biggest problem is ignorance in this country. With all of our resources available to us, there is no reason to not question and investigate where we get the simplest of things, such as the bacon on our plate. You can decide to do something about it only after you understand the unnecessary pain, suffering, and deaths these animals are forced to endure. From the minute they are born they are subjected to pain, whether its the newborn piglets being castrated with no pain killers, chickens not being able to stand for their are so genetically modified, or cow's throats ripped open to drain their blood while they are still fully conscious. Please America, QUESTION what you eat. 

Natural Red 4...

...is a popular food coloring used NOT to be confused with Red Dye #40. This commonly used in our 'red' foods like yogurts, tomato products, candy, juices, and cosmetics.

Would you believe me if I said this food coloring is derived directly from insects?

GROSS, right?
Let's break it down:

Natural Red 4 is known under a few aliases: Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470, or E120

It is created from the insects seen above, which are found in places like Peru the surfaces of cacti. These insects are scraped off, either boiled or dried, and their abdomens are literally pounded to create the 'red' coloring that, after a little processing, is now ready to be mixed into your ketchup! 

So next time you eat something red, be aware that these insects may be in any one of these types of products!

• Food Industry – Frozen fish, meat, etc.
• Beverage Industry – Soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks, etc.
• Alcoholic Beverages – Products with low pH requiring red or orange tones
• Dairy Industry – Yogurts, ice cream and dairy based beverages
• Confections – Candy, fillings, syrups, chewing gum, etc.
• Fruit Preparations – Canned fruits such as cherries, Jams, Pulp, etc.
• Cosmetic Industry – Dispersions close to eye area, eye shadows, lipsticks, etc.
• Others – Ketchup, powdered drinks, dehydrated soups, canned soups, etc

http://gentleworld.org/natural-colors-carmine-cochineal/

Must See Documentary

A MUST SEE Documentary that ultimately changed my perspective on our American food industry

"Earthlings" 2005

http://earthlings.com/

I know people who were not able to finish watching because it is so intense with shocking information. If you think you know where your meat, fish, and dairy products come from, take a look at this film and you will be surely re-educated. In no way am I saying you will stop eating meat or change your diet because of this, but to prevent ignorance on our food system, get a friend and sit down in front of the screen. 

Journalists take hidden cameras and infiltrate the factories, slaughterhouses, farms, and institutions that are normally shielded from the public. 

Amazing!

About my own diet

    Before anything, I'll just give a little background on my own diet (which by no means am I saying it works or am promoting it to you).

    I have been pescatarian for a little over 2 years now. It is the same as being the traditional vegetarian, except I allow myself to eat seafood (fish, shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, etc...). I have no exceptionally good reason why I chose to be "pesca" portion in my diet other than the fact I simply love seafood.

I decided to cut out all other forms of meat in my diet my first year in college. The last year in high school I began learning more about the food industry in the US and all of the bad that came with it. Learning exactly what was in your chicken nugget, your hamburger, your steak, and the notorious hot dog, really did a number on me. Understanding the science and biology of meat in the human body, combined with the long term health studies that present valid conclusions, I thought it was time for a change. I found a "Pescatarian Pyramid" online, this is pretty close to what I do, with out the supplements and red wine

Food Glorious Food!

As humans with taste buds, we love food, more specifically, we love GOOD food. I've had some pretty great experiences with meals, weather I am on the road or at a family gathering, or simply stuck inside my dorm, I try to add some excitement in my life by being excited about what goes on my plate. I am no chef, mind you, just want to share creative things you can make on a budget or what may be on the menu at restaurants!

By the way, this is all on a PESCATARIAN diet (no meat, but seafood and veggies).