Resolutions by the Month update

I went to an extremely insightful lunch lecture before break given by a Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarian on animal welfare. I expected to go to it and hear all about how society is becoming more aware of animal welfare and how welfare concerns are present but that the CFIA is handling them and making things better every day [insert sunshine and unicorns]. The veterinarian, who practiced for a few years before joining CFIA, had always been an animal welfare advocate. She became a CFIA vet and was very committed to welfare and was very bold about her beliefs. She joined a CFIA task-force thing and is currently working solely to improve animal welfare of the millions (billions?) of animals we as a world consume.

She shared numerous pictures and stories that were absolutely heart-breaking. There were some positive points- like how prosecution has been successful and things are moving in the right direction- which was encouraging. But it was such an eye-opening fifty minutes and impeccably timed to coincide with my February goal of eating less meat.

The lecture had a profound impact on me. I thought about her lecture for days. My knee jerk reaction was to never touch another animal product again because I can't stand the idea that so many animals suffer during transporation to slaughter alone (nevermind some on-farm experiences and slaughter experiences). Unlike some vegetarians or vegans, I don't have a problem with killing or eating animals- how it happens is where I get hung up. I haven't done near enough research on nutrition to commit to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle cold turkey (or should I say tofu? Har har har.) but it's something that is absolutely on my mental radar a lot.

I've been doing decently well on February's resolution to eat less meat. I didn't do so hot on break (with Danny) mostly out of laziness/convenience. But now that I'm back home it's a bit easier and I've found a bunch of recipes that I'm eager to try. Brainstorming for March's resolution but I think this one is going to stick with me for a while.