My Name is Mommy

I always thought it was interesting that Christians quite often celebrate Easter with a dinner focused on a ham…..which I believe was not a food that the Jews were permitted to eat.

Anyway, Happy Easter. As I mentioned before, Bald Man and I fasted from meat for the period of Lent this year. And while that means I could technically have meat 32 minutes ago, I wanted to reflect a bit before I broke my fast.

Bald Man and I were listening to a speaker on the radio today, a minister whose church was choosing to fast in a different way this year. She said something to the effect that so often Lenten sacrifices tended to focus on the person sacrificing, and not on the Lord. She wanted to change that this year, so she and some of her congregation were choosing to fast from their carbon consumption this year. Obviously not completely, but some were choosing to line-dry clothes instead of using the dryer, some were carpooling, and things like that. They were choosing to give up conveniences in order to cause less harm to the environment and God’s creation. I thought that was pretty cool.

Anyway, while I obviously made a dietary fast, I think that it really has opened my eyes in ways that I, too, can have an affect on the environment, locally and globally, and serve those living here with me.

The first lesson learned was that we don’t need so much meat in our diet!!!! And, don’t get me wrong, I love it, but I certainly don’t need as much as I consume. Paying less for meat and exchanging some of that cost for beans (sooooo much cheaper!) can free up some cash to donate more to our favorite charities, especially much wanted beans and grains for those who have nothing.

Another reminder. Even if I never had meat again, I live where there is so much abundance of food that I would survive and probably still be overweight. Cheese and chocolate are not made of meat (and I was thankful for that!!!). Still, moderation is good, whether meat or beans or cheese or bread. Maybe next year I need to fast from cheese instead.
We’ve really wanted to support local farmers and providers who we know are treating their animals properly (right before they kill it and we plop it on our plates), and are not stuffing them full of hormones and antibiotics. That meat is more expensive. But cutting out the amount of meat we eat, we would better be able to afford the meat that is locally grown and is good for us. That seems a good trade.

So, while I have no desire to go vegetarian, I’m hoping to plan more meals for my family that contain whole grains and beans, lots more veggies and fruits, and stick more to the animal flesh that can’t be classified as “mystery meat.” I’ll let you know how that goes.

Happy Easter.