Mystery Meat: What Really Happens at the Farm!

Image via u-rass.blogspot.com

When I was a sophomore in high school, a senior asked me to be his prom date. While this instantly put my father on high alert (not unlike the father from 10 Things I Hate About You when Bianca informs him she's going to the prom), he had absolutely NOTHING to worry about. While most of my friends' post-prom plans involved some sort of alcohol-infused after-party, mine involved an uncomfortable couch, a handful of popcorn and a screening of The Matrix at his parents' house. 

Every girl's dream date, right?

While he clearly didn't "get me" at all, he did introduce me to this fine piece of theater, starring the dashing Keanu Reeves (who I happen to share a birthday with). Actually... who am I kidding? I hated it with every bit of my being.

Worst prom night ever!

Image via thezenof.me

There is a silver lining though. Watching that never-ending spectacle of science-fiction paved the way for me to understand the premise behind a slightly more current production, The Meatrix.

Now The Meatrix is something I can get behind!

Though my blog is very "veggie-focused", I do eat meat. I recognize that a large part of my dietary patterns now are directly linked to the food I grew up eating, and y'all, I'm from the South. We like our barbecue, chicken biscuits and burgers on the grill - that's just the honest truth of the matter.

So while I do eat meat, I make sure to eat it consciously. But what is "consciously" exactly? There are so many terms flying around out there that it's sometimes hard to understand what you're buying or why you should buy grass-fed, free-range, etc., especially when it's more expensive.

Thankfully, The Meatrix is here to save the day! Hell, it's a cartoon! Even a child could process this information.

So... for a very easy explanation of what goes on behind the scenes at the farm, click PLAY now!

And remember, once you see this, there's no turning back! 

An Apple a Day: Eatin' Clean, Feelin' Good!

Image courtesy of getshockt.com

If a genie suddenly appeared before me and gave me three wishes, I would most definitely ask him to turn one of my female relatives into a doctor... a doctor who took up residence in my apartment and was available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CONFESSION: Even though I know it's good for me, I HATE (notice the all CAPS) going to the doctor. To me, a visit to the doctor's office is nothing short of the worst blind date ever, except for the fact that said doctor is poking and prodding your body before you've even had a drink! Talk about a red flag!

Clearly my problems would be solved by a live-in doctor/relative - someone who already knows me like a book and is not shocked or awed by any of my strange questions regarding the body (oh yeah! I've got a lot of them).

Image courtesy of tattoodonkey.com

But since no genie is knocking down my door, I have to resort to other measures. You've heard the phrase 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Well friends, I'm here to tell you that there's some major truth to this children's rhyme! When you take the time to put good things into your body, then you reap the benefits of good health and avoid paying an arm and a leg to see the doctor! That's what I call two birds with one stone!

Here are my top five tips for eating healthy while still watching out for your wallet...

1) Eat less meat. Now before I lose you to your favorite steakhouse and a serious case of denial, hold on! I didn't say you couldn't eat meat. I just said eat less meat. Americans in general consume much more meat than they should. If you try to eat just a little less meat each week, you'll have some extra cash in your pocket to splurge on the good stuff - the grass-fed, organic, and free-range types - so that when you do eat meat, you're getting the good stuff!

2) Eat more grains and beans. Grains and beans are so good for you... and very filling in the process. Plus, they're inexpensive and you can usually buy them in bulk. Their lengthy shelf life makes them perfect for storing long-term, in addition to saving you money long-term. And when it comes to beans, if you don't have time to deal with the dry version, just buy them in a can! No judgment here!

3) Pick and choose which organic produce you buy. Though I may come across as completely fanatical at times, I DO understand that organic is expensive and it's not always feasible. If you can't justify buying all organic, the Environmental Working Group has made your task of picking and choosing much simpler! They've created an easy guide to stick in your wallet and reference when you're shopping the produce section. The Dirty Dozen are the top 12 produce items that you should try to buy organic if possible! Then there's the Clean Fifteen, which are the 15 items lowest in pesticides. You can download or print your very own copy on their website. Here's a sneak peak...

Image courtesy of ewg.org

4) Buy local. Local farmers usually charge less for their goods because they avoid the costs accumulated from shipping their produce to faraway lands. So if you have a local farmer's market near you, by all means, take advantage! Plus local produce is higher in nutrients because it's not on the road in the back of a semi for days or weeks at a time! Local = Fresh + Nutritious!

Image courtesy of responsibletechnology.org

5) Join a CSA. This fancy little acronym stands for Community Supported Agriculture. When you join a CSA in your neighborhood, you purchase a share of fruits and vegetables (and sometimes even fresh flowers) from a local farmer. You make a bulk payment up-front but enjoy a whole season of fresh produce for much less than you'd pay at the store. You usually get so much produce that it forces you to get creative in the kitchen to use it all! If you live in New York, you can find a CSA near you on the Just Food website, and if you live outside New York, check out Local Harvest.

Eating healthy doesn't have to be a drag. If you take my advice, you'll barely notice the cost difference and your doctor will have to find someone else to poke and prod!