I have to say it didn’t completely surprise me to read in a recent Newsweek article (”No More Sacred Cows” by Jennie Yabroff) that Molly Katzen, author of the Moosewood Cookbook and other vegetarian classics, has now included a recipe for beef stew in her latest cookbook. Anyone who could be a vegetarian for that long, with obvious access to loads of information about the way animals are raised, without going vegan, obviously was on the wrong road.
A lot of people worry that the development of “humane” meat is going to make a lot of vegans turn back to flesh. I think there is something to be said in that, but not much to be done about it. It’s not like the people out selling “humane” meat are going to stop. Obviously, the vegetarians to whom they appeal were never really committed to non-violence in the first place. They were just against factory farming, I guess. Or just following a fad. Who knows?
But I like the last paragraph of the article (assuming the last line is sarcastic):
“While it’s true that sustainably raised, grass-fed beef may be better for the consumer, it’s hard to argue that it’s ultimately better for the cow. What these steak apologists seem to be missing is that no matter how “lovingly” the cow was raised, no matter how much grazing or rooting he did in his life, he gave up that life to become their dinner. Carnivores who only ate the flesh of animals that had died of natural causes at the end of long, satisfying lives might have a claim to moral superiority, but what to call them? Corpsevores? And if these organic farm animals have such great lives, isn’t the more humane thing to eat a cage-raised, industrially processed chicken? At least we’d be putting it out of its misery.”
The great thing is that people are talking about these issues, and some seem to be coming to the right conclusions, even if they might not be the people you expected. As for the rest of them, perhaps the best we can do is hold them to their principles. The more transparency we demand about what’s really happening on those “humane” farms, the more they will not be able to get away with jumping to convenient conclusions that it’s all just fun and games for the animals.
What do you think about “humane” meat? Chime in and share your thoughts!
January 5th, 2010 at 11:13 am
The only reason why I advocate “humane” meat is because I am a realist and know that not everyone will become vegan. Humane meat reduces the overall suffering of the animals and I support that — humane animal husbandry practices should be the standard and not some niche market. However, vegetarianism is based on the principles of not causing an animal to die or suffer. As you pointed out, animals raised humanely still are subject to a most brutal death. Humanely raised animals will still have to be transported hundreds of miles in overcrowded trucks without food, water, or proper protection from the elements. Humane meat will be processed on a slaughter line that may or may not render them senseless before they are cut open. They are confused, terrified, and handled roughly at every turn. In my opinion, Katzen is off her rocker and I won’t be buying any more of her books.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:28 am
This so perplexing! I don’t get it and wouldn’t eat meat no matter what, but I don’t think we should make the perfect the enemy of the good (or, the slightly less evil in this case). These vegans-turned-”ethical”-meat-eaters are still probably eating far less meat than your average American, and helping get “ethical” meat farmers more into the mainstream. That’s a decent first step. When people start eating in a way that reflects their values and not just shoveling it in unconsciously, they may start to question more and that’s a good thing.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I love the Moosewood cookbooks — there are so many vegan dishes and it’s so easy to convert the vegetarian recipes into vegan ones. Very bummed to read that beef was included in the newest publication. Molly’s veggie recipes are proof that stew can be incredibly tasty, hearty, and healthy without the inclusion of meat.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I just don’t think that happy meat is actually much better. Great song by Propaghandi worth checking out called Human(e) Meat (The Flensing of Sandor Katz). Here’s their website: http://propagandhi.com/discography/ you can get the MP3 from that page off the “Supporting Caste” album.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Molly Katzen never was a vegetarian, nor has Moosewood ever been a vegetarian restaurant: fish was always on the menu. http://www.shareguide.com/Katzen.html So no, it really isn’t surprising that she’s on the “sustainable” beef bandwagon.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:22 am
I don’t advocate “humane” meat and never will. Where the consumption of animals is necessary for survival, people will most likely be doing things beyond regulation. Other than that, I cannot advocate meat, period. I know that those who wish to eat meat and make themselves feel better about it are going to run their own “humane” meat campaigns. They don’t need me. Veganism needs me.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I am against the raising of any animals for human consumption, humane or not. How much better quality of a life do they have being raised “humanely”? They still have a much shorter life span and are denied life in their natural habitat.
Molly stated in an interview with “The Share Guide” an online magazine, (http://www.shareguide.com/Katzen.html) that she was NEVER committed to vegetarianism. She only enjoyed “vegetarian eating”. Yet she was quoted by Newsweek saying that she was “vegetarian for 30 years”. It bothers me that she and others have watered down the terms “vegetarian” and “vegan” to include meat consumption. Molly even said in another quote that she ate “vegan 95% of the time for 15 years”. Well if she was eating dairy, beef, chicken and fish for the other 5%, then she wasn’t vegan or vegetarian! Here is a direct quote:
“I’ve never been that committed to vegetarianism. There is a difference between eating vegetarian and vegetarianism. I love vegetarian food. One of my favorite things is a big plateful of vegetables and greens with tofu and nuts. That is how I eat about 95% of the time. However, if I’m feeling like I have low blood sugar and I’ve got a long day ahead of me and I am at a lunch meeting and the two different sandwich choices are grilled eggplant or roast beef, I am going to go for the roast beef. This is because if I eat the eggplant, I am going to get faint and dizzy and crash in an hour because I need the protein. So I need to go for the most nutritionally dense food available. I’m also slight and thin and I don’t have a lot of reserve, so I am very conscious of the nutritional density of food. Of course I want it to be pure and I want it to be wholesome and healthy as well.”
Seriously, how is beef more nutrient dense than eggplant? The only thing beef has going for it is protein and B12. And if you have low blood sugar, skipping the bread is a good idea.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Humane meat is a myth.
Myth 2. a real or fictional story that appeals to the consciousness of a people by embodying its cultural ideals or bu giving expressions to deep, commonly felt emotions. 3. A fictitious or imaginary person, idea, or thing.
That said, i do not see how it is humane to hand raise a cow to then slit its throat and shave it into little portions of muscle. What is so humane about an animal suffocating on its own blood? I do not get it.
Regardless, if someone claims to only consume “humane” meat, that person is still eating something that was alive and breathing first and died so that it can make it to his/her plate. Dead.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Brava to Louche (and all the others standing up for animal rights)!
“I know that those who wish to eat meat and make themselves feel better about it are going to run their own “humane” meat campaigns. They don’t need me. Veganism needs me.” is an accurate, elegant statement. And though Molly & Moosewood seemed like a revelation 20 years ago, I have long since ditched her cookbooks for the likes of Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Dreena Burton and many brilliant others.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
p.s. Hilarious use of Burns, Allen & a creepy tray of meat slices (and is that Jell-o on lettuce?), Veg Daily!
January 12th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
“Obviously, the vegetarians to whom they appeal were never really committed to non-violence in the first place.”
Oy, judgemental tone much?
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Good information here. I enjoyed reading this and can’t wait for more. Keep up the good work.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:53 am
I don’t in most cases reply to posts however I’ll in this case. WoW