Happy Cows Are Living Cows

This is humane treatment of animals.

When a popular restaurant chain, started in the Canadian province of Alberta, decided not to source their beef there, they said it was because it wasn't certified as humane. But surely they know that there is no such thing as "humane meat", certified or not.

Well there is, actually. It is the meat that is alive, and stays alive. How can killing something ever be humane? Something that would rather live ends up dead either way.

There is a butcher somewhere called The Happy Cow. Isn't a happy cow one that is running wild and free, munching on grass and roaming at will? Isn't a happy cow a living cow being scratched by a human? 

There are many reasons not to eat meat, including fish. For me the greatest concern is the part surrounding killing things. I am not into that. But when you add how massively inefficient the whole process is, plus the health results of eating meat, it makes less and less sense.

Some people say that humans "have to" eat meat. Like to stay alive. Obviously this is not a true statement. Paul McCartney, dedicated vegetarian since 1975, is giving energetic 3 hour concerts at 73 years of age as we speak.

You might like meat, but no one needs meat.

If one believes that vegetarian diets are bland or boring, they have never tried dishes from India. Traveling there introduced Linda and I to the tasty tastiness of India's meatless cuisine. When we got home we decided that we did not want to, or need to, eat meat. 

I would be lying if I said I do not miss some meats. First of all, meat is easy. It is a fast hit of protein. Most of us in the West only know meat based diets, so it is not surprising leaving meat behind is so difficult. But once the transition takes place, you may wonder why there is all the fuss about meat.

Second, meat is tasty. Funny that the meats I crave every once in a while, are the worst ones for your health. Bacon, sausage, and smoked meats are yummy. So yummy. They are also linked to cancer. Thinking about that adds to my armour that defends me from Big Meat. 

Plus I have learned to make vegetarian dishes that are every bit as tasty and satisfying as any meat dishes that I used to make.

The humane thing to do is let life live. Yes, we need to eat something, but why not eat a diet that minimizes the taking of life, and maximizes on enhancing our health and the health of the planet?

We, the Earth and the cows, will be happier for making the change.