beyond the taco stand
We invited Scott Williams of Creation Hope to write a reflection this week as we look at animals and the environment. Gratefully he took us up on the offer, and here's a very personal and engaging look at his history with and reasons for cutting back on meat ...
I love tacos. Now, I’m not just talking about your average Taco Bell taco. No, I’m talking about authentic, Mexican tacos. You know, the ones that you actually get in Mexico. The ones from the taquería (taco stand) where they warm the tortillas and then throw in that freshly cooked meat. Then they proceed to add on all the accoutrements including the fresh guacamole. They’re best with carne asada but I also enjoy the al pastor, pescado (fish), and even the cabeza (head meat; not brain). Just typing this, my mouth is salivating.
In case you are underestimating how much I love these, many of my usernames and email addresses include some variation of taco and lover. My twitter handle: @scottlovestacos. At my wedding, we had Mexican food. My favorite taquería is El Apache in Ensenada, Mexico.
Long story short: I am a carnivore. Well, an omnivore really, but I really enjoy meat. While I love tacos and all Mexican food, I also really enjoy eating well-prepared meat. The odds of me becoming a vegetarian are very slim.
Now up until a little while ago I basically thought my meat originated in the grocery store. Of course, it’s not like I thought that a piece of steak had no history. It’s that I never thought about it, effectively removing any history it did have.
I guess in my mind (particularly due to some very good advertising here in California), I figured that these animals had happy-go-lucky farm lives prior to their journey to the local supermarket. I did not know much about what went on. To be honest, I am not sure I wanted to know. You see, by divorcing myself from their history, I effectively dodged any moral dilemmas I might encounter when faced with the reality of their treatment.
All that said, I have been on a journey of late which has strongly impacted the way I eat. I’m not exactly sure how it came about. Perhaps it was watching the movie Food, Inc. Or discovering more about how animals are typically treated in the factory farms most of our food comes from today. Or learning about the huge ecological footprint of eating meat. Or participating in Meatless Monday. Or from all that I have learned from Ben DeVries and the work of not one sparrow. More likely it was some combination of all these things.
The first step in this journey has been one of discovery and understanding. Through the sources listed above and a several others, the curtain has been pulled back. I have learned that there is a deep environmental cost to the meat I consume, especially beef. I have learned that there is a much larger story behind the meat you pick up at the grocery store; that bacon, for example, didn’t begin as bacon but as a pig with a history. I have learned that the image of a laid back country farm where the Wilburs are cared for, loved, and happy is not actually the case. I have learned that as creations and fellow worshippers of God, animals should receive our care and consideration.
In the second step in my journey I really took these things to heart. Between the ugly images of how animals are treated and brutalized and the balanced, inspiring words I have read at not one sparrow, I have come to realize that this is more than meat, it is an animal. And an animal is much more than food, it is a creation of God. I do believe that God has given us animals for our use and consumption. But He has also given them to us for our care. This journey has led me to see – not just in an abstract way – that our consumption cannot be divorced from our care. I have come to realize that I myself am complicit in the poor treatment of animals even if it is indirectly. I have come to develop a newfound respect and compassion for God’s creatures.
The third step has been to put some of this into action. For me it began with a notion that I should cut meat out of my lunches. I did this for the following reasons: to improve my health, to lessen my impact on God’s creation, and to opt of out our factory farm system a bit more . So I now go about 6 days a week without having any sort of meat for lunch.
Then came Meatless Monday. Jon Mestas, fellow blogger at Creation Hope, brought this to our community's attention. Simply put, you don’t eat meat on Mondays. While the thought of becoming a vegetarian seems daunting, I was certain I could go one day without meat.
Lastly, I have made an intentional effort to choose better alternatives. This is less concrete but important nonetheless. Animals with a smaller environmental footprint are preferred. Then attempts at better options based on free-range or not, what they are fed, etc. are made. To be honest, we have a long way to go on this, but we are trying and moving forward.
The amazing thing to me is how easy all of this has been. Perhaps we are not yet doing much, but the steps we have taken have been quite painless. On meals or days without meat, I do not feel less fulfilled as a person. Nor am I less full. Nor has eating less meat affected my manhood or quality of life. While it does take some intentionality, it is not a hard switch.
The remainder of my journey is yet to come. In fact, we are so new to this that I have no idea where it is going to go. That said, my wife and I have been intentional about talking and exploring ways we can further change the impact of our consumption. Here are a few that we are considering (and are open to further suggestions as well):
- Discovering more about how we can consume meat in a compassionate manner.
- Continuing to cut our consumption of meat, especially those with the greatest impact on creation.
- Purchasing a side of beef (probably with someone else) of a grass-fed cow that has been raised locally and treated appropriately.
- Raising our own chickens in our backyard for eggs and perhaps meat in order to ensure that they are well cared for.
- Working to reduce waste to ensure that the cost of an animal’s life is not so that it winds up in a landfill without ever being consumed.
To be honest, I am not ready to eliminate meat from my diet. As of today, I don’t think I ever will do so completely. But that does not have to prevent me from continuing my journey to eat in ways that respect the value and worth of each of God’s animals. I have not eaten my last taco. But I have eaten the last taco while thinking the meat originates at the taco stand.
Tacos are now forever changed for me. No longer is it a carne asada (marinated beef) taco; it is a taco made from a vaca (cow). No longer is it carnitas (pork), it is a cerdo (pig). No longer is it pollo (chicken), it is a gallina (chicken). No longer is it pescado (fish); it is pez (fish).
The meat we consume does not come into existence at the taco stand or at the market. It has a history. It was an animal – one of God’s precious creatures . No matter where you are in your journey, I encourage you to see beyond the taco stand and into the life of the cow, the pig, the chicken, and the fish. What steps can you take to better care for each one of these unique and incredible creations?
(Many thanks to Scott Williams for sharing "Beyond the Taco Stand" with us. Scott administrates and blogs at Creation Hope, which you can find on Facebook and Twitter as well. We've featured Creation Hope a few times previously, including yesterday's post. Photos copyright 123rf.com, video courtesy Meatless Monday)
April 24, 2010
Reader Comments (7)
Thanks for sharing this Scott and congrats on these steps!
Consider reading Melanie Joy's book, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows- An Introduction to Carnism. I think her thesis is major achievement and may help you along your journey.
Thanks for your note, Peter, I'll be sure to pass it on to Scott - Ben
Thanks for a very inspirational and eye-opening look at the way we eat and why it matters.
Thanks for the warm note, Ginni, I'll make sure Scott sees it as well! - Ben
Peter - thank you for the encouragement and the book recommendation. I very much appreciate it. I will definitely look into the book.
Ginni - I enjoyed your kind words. I am so glad that my journey can be a source of inspiration. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Scott - terrific article! I very much relate to your journey for all the same reasons. I took was impacted by such influences as Peta presentations, documentaries, the animated series "The Meatrix", Meatless Monday... and an strange and upsetting experience I had eating meat.
A man came by our home one summer afternoon with his company refrigerated truck. He made us a deal we didn't refuse on a variety-case of vacuum-sealed cuts of meat. My neighbor loves their meat and buys from them regularly. But when I bit into a bite of meat I had cut off my barbecued steak, I could taste "death". That cow had suffered terribly. It made me wonder, even conclude that whatever chemicals are released when an animal is not fed properly, in pain, is fearful and suffers permeates their meat. I stopped eating meat at that time and haven't had a bite of cow, chicken or pig since.
I am a pescetarian (seafood only) at this time in my life and buy my seafood from a reputable market. I have much more to learn about the fishing industry, because I've learned some that it too is fraught with similar problems as the rest of the food industry. I may eventually become a vegetarian. I buy local, eat organic and am incorporating more raw foods into my diet. It's a much healthier way to go being a conscious consumer! I highly recommend it.
Like you, I am making choices and taking action to help ensure the ethical and humane treatment of animals including farm animals, livestock intended to provide food. I am so thankful to Ben here at NOS and contributors like yourself that are changing your perspective and raising the awareness of the plight of animals that suffer from abuse, neglect and the greed of owners, managers, farmers, ranchers and factories that control and determine how they live out their days.
God's Word is clear that we are to care for ALL of His creation - all creatures great and small.
Lee, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I really appreciate you sharing your story as well. I admire the honesty and openness with which you are walking this journey. I am very encouraged by your words and story.