Vegetarian and/or vegan members of BYC!

[saddina]

Melon Sorbet: (I use heirloom melons grown here, but store bought and RIPE works too)

Ingredients
•1 pound, 5 ounces diced watermelon, muskmelon or honeydew
•3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
•2 tablespoons Midori
•9 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/4 cups

Directions
Place the melon in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Add the lemon juice, Midori, and sugar and process for another 30 seconds. Place the mixture into the refrigerator until the mixture reaches 40 degrees F; depending on the temperature of your ingredients and refrigerator, this could take 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Pour the chilled mixture into the bowl of an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's directions. Transfer the sorbet to an airtight container and place in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours before serving.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
Most cattle are not farmed humanely at all, unfortunately.

Cows can live for twenty years easily, and most milk cows are slaughtered (for fast food, actually) between age four and seven when their productivity declines. There's also the question of what happens to their calves, and also the way they're crowded into small areas for the sake of saving space... I just don't want to support that. For the time being, unfortunately I have been eating dairy, but I'm hoping to find a humane farm nearby or even get my own miniature Jersey cow when I have my own property.

I'm planning on trying out some dairy free ice cream soon. If that goes over well, maybe I can just switch to that for now and otherwise not eat dairy. I wouldn't miss it that much, aside from the ice cream!

You said at the beginning of this thread that it isn't a thread to bash those who eat meat, but is clearly ok with you to bash those of us who farm and ranch and raise cattle and other livestock. Have you personally visited all the farms and ranches? Unless you have, you have no clue how many do raise their animals humanely. I resent that you lump us all together. I would be interested to know just where you've gotten the information you've formed your opinions from.

I wasn't bashing anyone, just stating facts about factory farms. And yes, I have been to dairy farms and quite a few other farms--as well as living in a rural area with lots of cattle and other animals as well. I'm an Animal Science major, have taken multiple classes in agricultural practices, and I'm fairly educated on the manner. I was mostly talking about factory farms--hence why I said I would see if I could find a humane farm nearby to purchase milk from. I don't believe all farmers are evil or anything like that at all, I just disagree with killing animals for human consumption unless it's absolutely necessary.

I wasn't saying there are no farms that treat their animals well. On a whole, though, factory farms with thousands of animals are not going to pamper their animals, and will cull them when their productivity goes down.

EDIT: I also wanted to say that I do have respect for people who treat their animals well and farm their own meat as humanely as possible. I do not personally agree with that practice, as I think in my ideal world no animal would be killed for monetary or food-related reasons, but I think it's far better than factory farms and far more admirable. I can respect those who are different than myself, even if I disagree.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
You said at the beginning of this thread that it isn't a thread to bash those who eat meat, but is clearly ok with you to bash those of us who farm and ranch and raise cattle and other livestock. Have you personally visited all the farms and ranches? Unless you have, you have no clue how many do raise their animals humanely. I resent that you lump us all together. I would be interested to know just where you've gotten the information you've formed your opinions from.

I wasn't bashing anyone, just stating facts about factory farms. And yes, I have been to dairy farms and quite a few other farms--as well as living in a rural area with lots of cattle and other animals as well. I'm an Animal Science major, have taken multiple classes in agricultural practices, and I'm fairly educated on the manner. I was mostly talking about factory farms--hence why I said I would see if I could find a humane farm nearby to purchase milk from. I don't believe all farmers are evil or anything like that at all, I just disagree with killing animals for human consumption unless it's absolutely necessary.

I wasn't saying there are no farms that treat their animals well. On a whole, though, factory farms with thousands of animals are not going to pamper their animals, and will cull them when their productivity goes down.

EDIT: I also wanted to say that I do have respect for people who treat their animals well and farm their own meat as humanely as possible. I do not personally agree with that practice, as I think in my ideal world no animal would be killed for monetary or food-related reasons, but I think it's far better than factory farms and far more admirable. I can respect those who are different than myself, even if I disagree.

and this my friends is where it goes downhill. I have nothing civil to say here on out

I'll read but no more posts. I can already feel Terrie & Nifty charging the Tasers so I am going to hide my keyboard for a while......

 

[kimbalaya]

1. How long have you been vegetarian?
With the exception of my "rebellious" teen years from 10th grade (age 16) to age 20, when I would go out with my friends and

eat meat, I've been a vegetarian my whole life. My parents became vegetarian a couple years before I was born.

2. Why did you choose to go vegetarian?
I didn't originally - I chose to go back to it age 20 because I believe it's healthier.

3. Has raising and caring for poultry changed your opinion of farm animals, or helped affirm your vegetarian lifestyle?
Well, I don't have my chickens yet. I hope to get my coop built and get chicks later this spring. I don't think it will change my opinion either way.

4. What are some of your favorite foods?
One of our favorite meals is something we call Haystacks - it's pretty much a layered taco salad. A few corn chips (or just a bed of rice), cooked beans, usually pinto but sometimes with kidney beans as well, some shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, olives, salsa, avocado and a dab of sour cream.
We also love pasta and veggies, stir fried veggies and baked vegetarian egg rolls (veggie filled, not with soy meat usually, although we do like many of the varieties available). In the summer, we love to grill corn on the BBQ and have it with a nice veggie burger and watermelon for dessert.

 

[fldiver97]

Quote:
Many kids make themselves sick on any diet......Having twinkies and Mountain Dew for breakfast, high sugar cereal and food artificial stuff has created a society of obese and unhealthy people. Diabetes, heart disease, joint problems etc are rampant. Whether it is short or long term, damage is done. I have seen 'well nourished' (obese) patients that have deficiencies due to their diet. I have seen obese children with high blood pressure, even strokes as young teens. Moderation has gone out the window for many as 'all you can it' and supersizing is the way we live. OK, off the soap box now. Unfortunately many kids and adults live on prepared food and have little information on healthy nutrition. Vegans, vegetarians and omnivores all can have good or bad diets.
I have been vegetarian for over 20 years. I did grow up eating meat and fish etc. I am healthy and have no weight problems. I love to eat, trust me - I can eat amazing amounts of food. But I listen to my body and my mind and try to make good choices. Our kids are exposed to things that are in my opinion pretty sad.....cheap soda and sugared cereals, processed this and processed that. Produce that is grown with amazing amounts of pesticides, milk from cows that receive antibiotics and growth hormones. All that is cheaper and more readily available than healthier choices. No surprise that we have such a problem.

OK, not meant to offend, just food for thought re the choices we make....

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
I wasn't bashing anyone, just stating facts about factory farms. And yes, I have been to dairy farms and quite a few other farms--as well as living in a rural area with lots of cattle and other animals as well. I'm an Animal Science major, have taken multiple classes in agricultural practices, and I'm fairly educated on the manner. I was mostly talking about factory farms--hence why I said I would see if I could find a humane farm nearby to purchase milk from. I don't believe all farmers are evil or anything like that at all, I just disagree with killing animals for human consumption unless it's absolutely necessary.

I wasn't saying there are no farms that treat their animals well. On a whole, though, factory farms with thousands of animals are not going to pamper their animals, and will cull them when their productivity goes down.

EDIT: I also wanted to say that I do have respect for people who treat their animals well and farm their own meat as humanely as possible. I do not personally agree with that practice, as I think in my ideal world no animal would be killed for monetary or food-related reasons, but I think it's far better than factory farms and far more admirable. I can respect those who are different than myself, even if I disagree.

and this my friends is where it goes downhill. I have nothing civil to say here on out

I'll read but no more posts. I can already feel Terrie & Nifty charging the Tasers so I am going to hide my keyboard for a while......

Thank you for being respectful and choosing to stay out for now. Everyone has a right to make difference choices and disagree with things, and it's just a matter of trying to be respectful and knowing when to keep our mouths shut. Of course it can be a little hard at times when there are two sides, but that's just how life is. Appreciate you being polite!

 

[Katy]

Quote:
You said at the beginning of this thread that it isn't a thread to bash those who eat meat, but is clearly ok with you to bash those of us who farm and ranch and raise cattle and other livestock. Have you personally visited all the farms and ranches? Unless you have, you have no clue how many do raise their animals humanely. I resent that you lump us all together. I would be interested to know just where you've gotten the information you've formed your opinions from.

I wasn't bashing anyone, just stating facts about factory farms. And yes, I have been to dairy farms and quite a few other farms--as well as living in a rural area with lots of cattle and other animals as well. I'm an Animal Science major, have taken multiple classes in agricultural practices, and I'm fairly educated on the manner. I was mostly talking about factory farms--hence why I said I would see if I could find a humane farm nearby to purchase milk from. I don't believe all farmers are evil or anything like that at all, I just disagree with killing animals for human consumption unless it's absolutely necessary.

I wasn't saying there are no farms that treat their animals well. On a whole, though, factory farms with thousands of animals are not going to pamper their animals, and will cull them when their productivity goes down.

EDIT: I also wanted to say that I do have respect for people who treat their animals well and farm their own meat as humanely as possible. I do not personally agree with that practice, as I think in my ideal world no animal would be killed for monetary or food-related reasons, but I think it's far better than factory farms and far more admirable. I can respect those who are different than myself, even if I disagree.

I'm sorry, but classes are not real life and have little to do with the day to day life of we farmers and ranchers. Talk to me about being educated on it after you've made your living from agriculture for a few years.

I agree that everything is not always ideal on the big farms, but unless you use absolutely no animal products at all you too reap the benefits of the factory farms whether you want to admit that or not.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
Many kids make themselves sick on any diet......Having twinkies and Mountain Dew for breakfast, high sugar cereal and food artificial stuff has created a society of obese and unhealthy people. Diabetes, heart disease, joint problems etc are rampant. Whether it is short or long term, damage is done. I have seen 'well nourished' (obese) patients that have deficiencies due to their diet. I have seen obese children with high blood pressure, even strokes as young teens. Moderation has gone out the window for many as 'all you can it' and supersizing is the way we live. OK, off the soap box now. Unfortunately many kids and adults live on prepared food and have little information on healthy nutrition. Vegans, vegetarians and omnivores all can have good or bad diets.
I have been vegetarian for over 20 years. I did grow up eating meat and fish etc. I am healthy and have no weight problems. I love to eat, trust me - I can eat amazing amounts of food. But I listen to my body and my mind and try to make good choices. Our kids are exposed to things that are in my opinion pretty sad.....cheap soda and sugared cereals, processed this and processed that. Produce that is grown with amazing amounts of pesticides, milk from cows that receive antibiotics and growth hormones. All that is cheaper and more readily available than healthier choices. No surprise that we have such a problem.

OK, not meant to offend, just food for thought re the choices we make....

I completely agree with this post.

No offense taken!

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
I wasn't bashing anyone, just stating facts about factory farms. And yes, I have been to dairy farms and quite a few other farms--as well as living in a rural area with lots of cattle and other animals as well. I'm an Animal Science major, have taken multiple classes in agricultural practices, and I'm fairly educated on the manner. I was mostly talking about factory farms--hence why I said I would see if I could find a humane farm nearby to purchase milk from. I don't believe all farmers are evil or anything like that at all, I just disagree with killing animals for human consumption unless it's absolutely necessary.

I wasn't saying there are no farms that treat their animals well. On a whole, though, factory farms with thousands of animals are not going to pamper their animals, and will cull them when their productivity goes down.

EDIT: I also wanted to say that I do have respect for people who treat their animals well and farm their own meat as humanely as possible. I do not personally agree with that practice, as I think in my ideal world no animal would be killed for monetary or food-related reasons, but I think it's far better than factory farms and far more admirable. I can respect those who are different than myself, even if I disagree.

I'm sorry, but classes are not real life and have little to do with the day to day life of we farmers and ranchers. Talk to me about being educated on it after you've made your living from agriculture for a few years.

I agree that everything is not always ideal on the big farms, but unless you use absolutely no animal products at all you too reap the benefits of the factory farms whether you want to admit that or not.

I have been to quite a few farms, too, including UC Davis' dairy farm, and know a number of farmers. Of course it's not the same as owning and operating one, but that doesn't change the fact that I personally disagree with the basis of farms--which is making money off of animal products that often require killing the animal. It is simply a matter of having different values. To me, the life of all vertebrate animals is worth the same. It's an unconventional, unpopular, and controversial stance to take, but that's honestly how I feel. I think the life of a chicken and the life of a person are equal in their value, and therefore killing a chicken has the same weight as killing a human. It's just my own opinion, nothing personal meant against you or other farmers.

And yes, I'm aware that I do benefit from factory farms, as someone who eats dairy. That's something that genuinely saddens and horrifies me, hence the fact that I want to get off of eating dairy from large farms. Otherwise, I eat only eggs from my own chickens, do not eat meat, do not wear leather, and don't use other animal products.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
I'm sorry, but classes are not real life and have little to do with the day to day life of we farmers and ranchers. Talk to me about being educated on it after you've made your living from agriculture for a few years.

I agree that everything is not always ideal on the big farms, but unless you use absolutely no animal products at all you too reap the benefits of the factory farms whether you want to admit that or not.

I have been to quite a few farms, too, including UC Davis' dairy farm, and know a number of farmers. Of course it's not the same as owning and operating one, but that doesn't change the fact that I personally disagree with the basis of farms--which is making money off of animal products that often require killing the animal. It is simply a matter of having different values. To me, the life of all vertebrate animals is worth the same. It's an unconventional, unpopular, and controversial stance to take, but that's honestly how I feel. I think the life of a chicken and the life of a person are equal in their value, and therefore killing a chicken has the same weight as killing a human. It's just my own opinion, nothing personal meant against you or other farmers.

And yes, I'm aware that I do benefit from factory farms, as someone who eats dairy. That's something that genuinely saddens and horrifies me, hence the fact that I want to get off of eating dairy from large farms. Otherwise, I eat only eggs from my own chickens, do not eat meat, do not wear leather, and don't use other animal products.

ok I lied. Slappy the squirrel disagrees too.

he thinks that idea is sorta nuts.