A Glimmer Of Hope

Yesterday I found an interesting premise over at The Guardian, but I didn’t necessarily think much of the article itself. “Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change” said that “people should have one meat-free day a week if they want to make a personal and effective sacrifice that would help tackle climate change.” And he went on, thankfully, and said “that people should then go on to reduce their meat consumption even further.” 

I can’t argue with that. IF by eating less meat, he meant, it’s a first step towards reducing ALL meat consumption. The article, of course, was somewhat vague on that point. 

I wonder if the “Vegetarian” Doctor’s diet includes any “milk, butter and cheese?” What are the odds?

And what recommendation to eat less meat would be complete without a gentle soothing of the “Omnivores dilemma.” “But eating some meat was good for the planet because some habitats benefited from grazing.” What a surprise! 

But I should mention that the article went so far as to state “vegetarian diets that included lots of milk, butter and cheese would probably not noticeably reduce emissions because dairy cows are a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas released through flatulence.”

Anyway I failed to mention, in my post “There’s Always Next Year,” about my personal distaste for vegan alternatives to staples in the “Standard American Diet.” Fake “cheese” and “meat” especially. I’ll admit it, they taste like ass. And that shit is grossly over processed. Not forgetting to mention, more often than not, possessing a high fat content. But they’re still a little better than the products they imitate from a health standpoint. I guess, there is that.

So last Saturday, while attending the 24th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair, I was firsthand witness to such a promising alternative to satisfying taste and texture. Especially with respect to “cheese” and “meat” substitutes. It was uncanny to the point of me being a little bothered by the resemblance.

First, I must mention again, Sweets From The Earth. A vegan bakery that makes the best bloody blueberry “cheesecake” this bloke has ever had the fortune to try. It’s unreal. But more relevant, to this argument at least, was a mock “chicken” breast I also had. Honestly it was a little creepy. Granted I have little to compare it too, but shit! 

And, alas, it was, even more solidly, proven to me. There is absolutely no reason to bring into existence billions of land and sea animals just to torture, slaughter, and feed upon their disgustingly unhealthy carcasses. 

And yet even more pleasing was what I heard a committed lifelong omnivore say. “If I could eat like this everyday, I’d be vegan.” I’d say those words speak louder than any intended actions to continue living numb to reality. 

And that gives me a glimmer of hope…