Ethical eating is no longer just a trend. Many of us are making changes for a healthier lifestyle that is not only good for the body and mind, but also for the health of the planet. We want to know where our food is sourced from, and we also want to be more connected with our food. In many cases, this has led people to opt for a vegetarian lifestyle.
There is greater awareness of (and concern about) unethical farming practices. This has a whole lot of people shopping differently and engaging in more ethical eating and vegetarian choices. If you are still contemplating a vegetarian lifestyle or simply considering learning more, I have outlined some basic steps you can take to make your pantry a more ethical one.
Ethical eating starts when you research where your food is sourced from.
Make phone calls, do a search online, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If a store is not transparent and forthright regarding its food’s origins, find somewhere else to shop. Local, smaller stores are probably less likely to give you the runaround, especially because the store’s owner is often readily available. Ask for the name and contact information of the store’s food supply sources. That way, you can research and contact the source directly rather than just taking the store’s word for it.
Wherever possible, choose organic for ethical eating.
We vote with our dollars, right? If the majority of shoppers bought organic, then organic food wouldn’t need to priced much higher. Organic food is produced without the use of synthetic, toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, making it a healthier and more environmentally-friendly choice. Because of the lack of poisons, organic food should be at the top of your ethical shopping list.
If choosing meats and dairy, always go for free-range.
Free-range meats and dairy products are also worth looking into if you don’t morally object to eating animals and their products, but only object to cruel treatment in conventional stockyards, slaughterhouses, and dairy farms. Contact the company that sells the free-range meat or dairy products you want, and visit the site if possible. Make sure their practices are up to your personal ethical code. Free-range, organic meats are less likely to harbor dangerous bacteria, too, since their animals are not kept in overcrowded conditions.
Steer clear of all farmed fish.
Fish are healthy foods consumed even by some vegetarians. However, it pays to look into the source of your fish – is it farmed or wild-caught? Have dyes been added (particularly a problem with salmon)? Is the species of fish endangered? Are other species, such as dolphins, harmed in the fishing process? These are important questions to ask as you probe into the sources of your fish. Farmed fish may be more susceptible to bacterial contamination, since they are grown in crowded, contained ponds or containers rather than in open waters.
Bring ethical eating back to the basics.
Grow or hunt your own food, or hook up with someone who does. Hunting is considered by many to be the ultimate source of free-range meat – certainly no questionable practices went into the raising of the animal, and a good hunter can be far more humane than conventional slaughterhouse techniques. Like the commercial farms, check into your hunter friend’s practices and see that they are ethical and humane. As for fish, the art and sport of fishing can be an enjoyable way to incorporate ethical eating into your lifestyle.
Grow your own food, or connect with those that do.
Growing your own vegetables and/or trading goods or services with a neighbor who has a garden are viable ways to stay connected with your food and know its source. Look into orchards and produce farms that have a “pick your own” option, too. There are lots of community gardens popping up everywhere these days, too!
Whitewater Veggie Burgers Recipe
Ingredients for Whitewater Veggie Burgers:
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. cumin
- 1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder
- 1-19 oz can black beans, rinsed, drained and roughly pureed
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped (or cilantro)
- 2 tbsp. sesame oil
- 1/2 cup almonds, roasted and chopped
- 1 cup sunflower seeds, roasted and chopped
- 3 cups fine bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups carrots, grated
- 2 cups oats
- flour for dredging
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
Directions:
Makes approximately 12 burgers. Enjoy!
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