If You Eat Meat, Make it Free Range

The conditions for most animals raised for meat or dairy products are deplorable. Over-crowded living environments, tail docking, force feeding…the circumstances under which most animals live are horrendous. However, if you eat meat, eggs and dairy products, there are humane alternatives. Some farmers allow their animals to graze and have outdoor space in which they can roam. When this is the case, the label on the products will state they are free-range, cage-free or pasture grown. rnLook for meat from animals that were: · Raised without added hormones. · Raised without antibiotics. · Never fed animal by-products. · Raised in a humane manner by farmers and ranchers who care about the welfare of the animals and the environment in which they live. Free-range meat, dairy and eggs are available in some natural food stores, from select local farmers and, increasingly, in supermarkets. Beware of labels; remember that organic doesn’t necessarily mean that the animals were treated humanely. However, you can safely purchase meat at Whole Foods® stores, as they have instituted an “animal-treatment standards” program that supports the humane living conditions of the meat and poultry sold in their stores. rnIf you have never had meat that is organic and ethically raised, you are in for a treat. It is far more flavorful and richer than “conventional” meat. “Conventional” is the current phrase being used to denote food that is subjected to pesticides and other current standards in the United States. rnTake turkey breast, for example—the conventional turkey breast you buy in the grocery store is injected with up to fifteen percent of any of the following: salt, sugar, sodium phosphates, turkey broth and flavoring. The turkey is watery and bland. Conversely, organic, free-range turkey has nothing added to it. It is firm and has real flavor—delicious! rnAnimals that have been humanly raised and slaughtered have had less stress in their lives than their unfortunate counterparts. Just as stress affects humans physically, it also affects animals. Therefore, the less-stressed animal will taste better, as their bodies have not been subjected to the levels of anxiety of conventionally raised livestock. rnThe meat, dairy products and eggs from animals that have been treated well have a much higher energy than those that have been mistreated. When you eat this food, that energy enters your body. Think about what the collective energy must be like on a massive hog farm where the pigs are confined indoors with no room to move around, are fed from a variety of sources including their own species, and receive inadequate ventilation. Compare that to an organic hog farm where the pigs roam outside with plenty of room, are fed organic food and can socialize with their neighbors. The difference in the pigs’ energies is immense. rnCows actually seek good energy. When allowed to graze freely, cows will always gravitate towards positive energy fields in the earth. rnAlthough more subtle than meat and animal products, the energy from organic produce and all other organic food is of a much higher frequency than conventional food. Whenever possible, choose organic—for your sake, the sake of the planet and the sake of the animals and plants. rnExcerpt from Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet.