eating animals

#19: read at least 20 new books. (1/20)

the first book i've completed since beginning this blog is eating animals, by jonathan safran foer. this book was way different than what i expected it to be, and it has subsequently changed my life. since beginning this book i haven't eaten any meat (save the beef in chalence's lasagna) and i don't forsee myself eating any meat again for a very long time. i expected this book to be more of a cultural revelation, for foer to investigate and report on why certain cultures and people do and do not eat meat. while there were several parts that did address that topic, the book's primary focus was to unearth the truths about factory farming, describing in sickening detail how these huge companies treat and kill animals for food. i've read a few books recently that all deal with the issues of food and food processing, and i especially hated (even skipped) the chapters that dealt with the facts on how animals are used for food in america. but, since i was unaware that this book was going to discuss the specifics on animal rearing and killing, i dove in eagerly and anxiously (foer is a fantastic writer, which helps) and then found myself nearly getting sick on the plane on the way to vegas after reading a particularly memorable section on how farm workers abuse pigs before they give birth or are slaughtered. knowing what i know now about how factory farm animals are born and raised, what they are fed, how they are treated and abused, and how they are killed at the end of their too short lives will keep me from ever eating prepackaged grocery store meat again. i know thousands of people are vegetarians, and while i haven't been eating much meat recently anyway (i can't even remember the last time i had a steak), this is going to be a challenge for me. it's been nearly a week and i've done well so far, but i'm used to eating certain meat-related things at special events and gatherings and now, with my choice to go vegetarian, it's going to feel much different. i don't want to become a pain in the ass because of my eating choices, but i'm lucky to live in a city that is so vegetarian-friendly and to have friends who are understanding and supportive. i think my options will still be plentiful (they have been so far), and it will be a good for me to try new things and to take on this lifestyle. i hope to get inspiration and help from my aunt ann, my friends rachel and erin, and even my mom, although she has become mostly vegetarian by default (i don't trust the meat in china either). the only way i will eat meat is if i know exactly who raised the animal and how it was killed/processed, and i'm going to start investigating wheatsville and the farmers markets for that. so, while i was on the brink of nausea while reading this book, i still loved it and am glad i read it. but, if you want to continue eating meat with a clean and guilt-free conscience, i don't recommend you read it.