Comments on: The Chicken or the Ache? http://jcarrot.org/the-chicken-or-the-ache Jews, Food, and Contemporary Issues Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:20:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Roberta Schiff http://jcarrot.org/the-chicken-or-the-ache/comment-page-1#comment-17094 Roberta Schiff Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:09:07 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=7871#comment-17094 It always makes me sad to hear people say they used to be vegetarian and now eat meat (even if they don't eat a lot) I deeply regret not raising my children as vegans, but I came to it later in life. One of my daughters became vegetarian and then vegan before I did. Once I allowed myself to truly take in the hideous reality of animal agriculture, I stopped consuming all animal products. From my attendance at the past two Hazon Conferences, I find a great emphasis on grass-fed, kosher, organic meat. Not only is this elitist, as only a few can afford it, it is not humane, rather somewhat less inhumane. Slaughter is slaughter. So many young children make the connection between the chicken on their plate and the chickens they read about or may be lucky enough to see, then their parents either gently, as you did, or firmly talk them out of it. I am sorry to hear that you have abandoned John Robbins. Michael Pollen is good for those who have everything to learn and is reaching a wide audience. I suggest you obtain a copy of "A Sacred Duty"(downloadable from jewishveg.com) and let me know what you think, robbie@mhvs.org It always makes me sad to hear people say they used to be vegetarian and now eat meat (even if they don’t eat a lot) I deeply regret not raising my children as vegans, but I came to it later in life. One of my daughters became vegetarian and then vegan before I did. Once I allowed myself to truly take in the hideous reality of animal agriculture, I stopped consuming all animal products. From my attendance at the past two Hazon Conferences, I find a great emphasis on grass-fed, kosher, organic meat. Not only is this elitist, as only a few can afford it, it is not humane, rather somewhat less inhumane. Slaughter is slaughter.
So many young children make the connection between the chicken on their plate and the chickens they read about or may be lucky enough to see, then their parents either gently, as you did, or firmly talk them out of it. I am sorry to hear that you have abandoned John Robbins. Michael Pollen is good for those who have everything to learn and is reaching a wide audience. I suggest you obtain a copy of “A Sacred Duty”(downloadable from jewishveg.com) and let me know what you think, robbie@mhvs.org

]]> By: Cheryl http://jcarrot.org/the-chicken-or-the-ache/comment-page-1#comment-17074 Cheryl Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:44:50 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=7871#comment-17074 Eric: I love this question, and it's one that I'm struggling with right now - as the parent of a one year old who is still a vegetarian. I do eat meat - at this point - very rarely and only kosher organic, and ideally local. And I don't know if my son will be a vegetarian in a year - or two - but I am committed to making sure that he knows that it's important to know how the animals were raised - and ideally who raised them. Mostly I appreciate your raising this issue & I'd love to hear from others! Eric: I love this question, and it’s one that I’m struggling with right now – as the parent of a one year old who is still a vegetarian. I do eat meat – at this point – very rarely and only kosher organic, and ideally local. And I don’t know if my son will be a vegetarian in a year – or two – but I am committed to making sure that he knows that it’s important to know how the animals were raised – and ideally who raised them. Mostly I appreciate your raising this issue & I’d love to hear from others!

]]> By: Ruby Roth http://jcarrot.org/the-chicken-or-the-ache/comment-page-1#comment-16964 Ruby Roth Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:49:59 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=7871#comment-16964 Hi Eric! My name is Ruby Roth, I'm the author of the brand new children's book "That's Why We Don't Eat Animals" (North Atlantic, Random House, dist.). It is the first of its kind to address the emotional lives of animals, factory farming, endangered species, and the environment. I've found kids to be very receptive and insightful about the subject. And never once have I witnessed a child overwhelmed or upset by a discussion that bridges the gap between the animals we grow up loving and the animals that end up on plates. My experience (and the approach my book takes) is that honesty without a whole lot of sugarcoating is always the best answer. And whether you are proud of the reasons why you don't support the meat and dairy industry or you feel guilty about your meat-eating, you can say so. It's okay not to have a perfectly justified answer. They can handle it. All they need is some honest information in order to draw their own conclusions. Empowered with information, children choose wisely. Thank you for the discussion! Ruby Hi Eric!

My name is Ruby Roth, I’m the author of the brand new children’s book “That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals” (North Atlantic, Random House, dist.). It is the first of its kind to address the emotional lives of animals, factory farming, endangered species, and the environment.

I’ve found kids to be very receptive and insightful about the subject. And never once have I witnessed a child overwhelmed or upset by a discussion that bridges the gap between the animals we grow up loving and the animals that end up on plates. My experience (and the approach my book takes) is that honesty without a whole lot of sugarcoating is always the best answer. And whether you are proud of the reasons why you don’t support the meat and dairy industry or you feel guilty about your meat-eating, you can say so. It’s okay not to have a perfectly justified answer. They can handle it. All they need is some honest information in order to draw their own conclusions. Empowered with information, children choose wisely.

Thank you for the discussion!

Ruby

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