Ethical Meat Sources
Awareness in regards to the well being of our food animals has been steadily on the rise. Personally, this makes me very happy, as I have spent the better part of my life aware of the conditions most animals in our meat production system survive in. For many, many years I lived as a vegetarian/vegan as a protest against this. When my health began to severely decline, in spite of my efforts to nutrient combine, eat organic, limit sugar, etc., I found myself at a crossroads. Having exhausted every option to regain my health, short of western medications (I was fearful of the side effects), I realized I was facing down the reality that I needed to take a hard look at my diet.
In 2012, after 22 years of vegetarianism/veganism, I decided to do a 3 month experiment and reverse-engineer my diet, so to speak. I made the decision to eat a Paleo based food elimination diet for 3 months. If that didn’t work (which I admit I kind of hoped it wouldn’t!) I would take western medications. This was a hard decision, but I was glad markets like Whole Foods were offering grass fed and finished meat and pastured chicken. I was glad I could use my money to support small farms and ranches where people cared about their animals.
Needless to say, this change in my diet worked and all of my autoimmune issues resolved.
Over the past 8 years, the grass roots movement toward ethical family ranches and farms has done nothing but increase. The animals who lose their lives to feed us deserve respect. Below I will share a list of the farms, ranches, and sellers who support the movement back to proper land management with great respect toward the animals who provide for us. Feel free to share this post and spread the word about these ethical food producers- it’s good for the animals, good for us, and good for the planet. Also, if you are interested in how changes to your diet can help you feel better, we would love to see you in our clinic and help you along your path to great health!
Butcher Box
Five Marys Farms- Northern California
http://www.fivemarysfarms.com/
(they have an incredible Instagram account @fivemarysfarms)
U.S. Wellness Meats
Vital Choice- Seafood
Whole Foods carries a great selection of 100% grass fed meats and local sourcing. Nugget Market is a close second, and Sprouts has a growing selection as well.
What can you do? Ask you favorite market to carry ethically sourced meat. Demand creates supply.
And of course- share this article! Most people want to do their part to help this world, their families, and their neighbors be better…to steal Mary’s, from 5 Mary’s Farms, favorite saying- “You can do it!”
-Karen Wright, L.Ac.