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AN
ANIMAL FREE LIFE
Vegetarianism,
in all of its forms, is a continually growing influence in our nation,
though not recognized enough by our society. Ethically speaking, a vegetarian
diet would feed more people around the world than a diet consisting
of meat and dairy. The typical western diet uses more than 38% of its
grain on feeding animals that are being raised for the bright future
of a slaughter house. Just imagine the hundreds of people who are dying
from famine in third world countries yearly when you picture the quantity
of the grain we waste. Morality
also plays a vital role in why one would choose a plant-based diet.
Many vegetarians and vegans choose to concentrate on animal cruelty
as a basis for vegetarianism. Hundreds of millions of animals are slaughtered
each year for meat. This list includes almost twenty animals ranging
from cattle to kangaroos. Other realities of animal suffering often
arise since animals are used for entertainment and clothing as well. Vegans,
for example, describe their lifestyle as one that excludes all forms
of exploitation and cruelty to animals for any purpose. As beautiful
as such a natural diet and way of life may seem, it is important to
first research as much as you can so that proper nutrition is maintained
in the face of these new limitations. As if the chaotic life of a student
is not enough, now a person who chooses to refrain from meat or dairy
is expected to have enough money to buy organic, and know what local
restaurants use in their preparation. There
are many hidden animal products in vegetarian foods, so vegans...pay
close attention. Some examples of hidden animal products and by-products
are: rennet (extract of calf stomach), stearin (animal fat), whey (milk
derivative), casein (a milk protein), gelatin (a thickening agent made
by boiling animal skin and bone), and bone meal (animal bones). Other
hidden products are even included in things such as beer, which may
be filtered with isinglass (a form of gelatin), and wine, which may
be filtered using blood, bone, chitin, egg albumin, marrow and more. Research
shows that vegetarians have a lower risk of a number of chronic diseases
and both breast and colon cancer. Foods to live by to be a healthy vegetarian
are fruits, cereals/grains, vegetables, pulses/legumes, nuts, seeds,
and processed soy. Soy protein is safer than animal protein, and if
you love the flavor of meat you can enjoy anything from soy meatballs
to soy sausage. After
battling the "meat or no meat" question, another one arises-
to buy organically grown produce or to save money and buy conventional?
Your typical grocery store stocks such products as radiated food for
longer shelf-life, non-free-range meat, chlorine-soaked seafood, and
more. Although organically grown food offers many more nutrients than
the chemical filled conventional ones, cash flow may be minimal (especially
at this time in our lives). Luckily, Lawrence offers many guilt-free
and reasonably-priced options. The
Merc is a natural food store located on 9th and Iowa, and has everything
from soy chocolate milk to vegan conditioner. Another good source of
food is the Farmers Market located on Vermont between 10th and 11th
street(it's closed for the winter). Also Hy-Vee has a fabulous and affordable
natural health market. Good restaurants to check out are Aladin Cafe
if you love hummus sandwiches and vegan split pea soup, Rudy's for soy
cheese pizza, The Orient for Vietnamese food, or La Parilla for a tofu
rice bowl. All of To find out more about the vegetarian lifestyle visit online references such as www.vegan.com and www.meatstinks.com. Good luck with living a healthy year, and do what you can to nurture yourself. Often times, once eyes are opened to animal rights and natural health, your conscious gets the best of you, and a Happy Meal doesn't seem so "happy" anymore.
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