Pinko Rubbish

“Why do animals have to die?”

We were tucking into a beautiful venison hotpot setting it off with a select red and savoring every mouthful.. The rich aroma streaming throughout the house, the rain beating down on the tin roof outside and a slight chill in the air – a perfect winters evening…

We both looked at Morgan. He knows full well where the meat we eat comes from. He has helped with the cutting up of the carcasses on my parents property. Death and the cycle of life is not a taboo subject and is discussed in an open and frank manner. He has often asked what type of meat we were eating and has his preferences. We try to ensure a large percentage of pesticide free meat we have comes from my parents property. I really hate buying chicken as I have issues with its production and don’t even start me on any pork product.. If it wasn’t for crispy bacon I wouldn’t touch the stuff… Morgans insight on why Ham is not called Pig was a refreshing, honest one – because people don’t want to know they are eating an animal with a name.

So this questions was not out of the usual. It was not unexpected and it was one he had obviously been thinking about a lot before formulating it at the dinner table. Morgan is only just 5. I know most parents would disregard a comment like this and not acknowledge that there was any reason behind it.

We asked him which animals in particular he was concerned about and then talked about farming methods and choices we can make. Adrian and I both supported his decision not to eat the meat on his dish tonight. We talked about other choices he can make and said its up to him with where he feels is best. Thankfully Morgan likes most veges and will eat them without any fuss. However at the moment we have issues with onion and tomatoes.- this will pass I am sure and it will be carrots or something else.. I am not concerned about lack of protein or any of that other rubbish meat eaters try to force down prospective vegos necks. Our nut and legume intake will just increase and it will be a better health choice for all of us.

I can’t imagine questioning our meat choices when I was a child. Both for the reason I grew up on a farm and it was the tradition, it was in the blood and our culture, but also I think that kids today are so much more advanced in thought processes and worldly aware.

I remember I brought a friend from Uni stay the weekend. She was a vego and I had told mum this before we arrived. I will never forget the worlds colliding. At that time, I don’t think anyone in my village had heard of a vegetarian. Mum had made her famous spaghetti and served it up. She whispered to my friend that she could pick out the meat chunks and put them on a plate she had put beside her. I had not realized that Mum had mistaken my friends vegetarian choice as one who just didn’t like the taste of meat. In no way would she be the only one in this situation… Many years later, I was watching a movie – my big fat greek wedding – and the prospective husband announced he was a vegetarian. Mumma made him a special dish – with lashing of lamb.