Mark Bittman: Infuriating and/or Encouraging?
Although my already married cousin is dying to marry Mark Bittman, his recent article, Why I’m not vegan promoting his new book vegan before 6, infuriates and encourages me.
1. Mark Bittman is not eating for ethical reasons. By choosing to eat vegan before six is not a decision for the animals because you can eat whatever the hell you like after six. Murdering the cow after six is okay in his eyes. Well, he may not truly even be thinking about it. Animals are just food to Mark Bittman.
2. Mark realizes there are inherent flaws in our food industry and he is not going all Paleo on me. He believes red meat is the most unhealthy; he believes eating a plant-based diet is the best for our health.
3. Mark Bittman has self-control or must not understand being out of control. I have no self control when it comes to sugar. If it is in the house, it is in my mouth. It is the god awful truth and I suffer for it. Saying meat is allowed after six, for anyone that struggles with food as I struggle with sugar, is offering an open invitation for binging. No sugar until six? I can do that and at six, I eat non-stop sugar.
4. Mark Bittman believes the carrot is healthier than beta carotene and I agree. Eat the whole damn food. Why the heck are we messing with our natural foods. Let’s not eat chemical vitamins… eat the food. The food is broken down in our bodies in ways that we don’t understand and the beta carotene may work best when combined with the cellular makeup of the rest of the carrot.
5. Bittman says, “We produce most animal products in deplorable conditions, and some of our health and environmental problems can be traced both to dominant production methods and our over-consumption. But we like to eat them, and they’re a pleasurable and even healthy part of many traditional diets and even sound agricultural practices.” So pleasure trumps health, the environment, and deplorable conditions.
6. There is much of America that is still on a heavy meat and potatoes diet. The SAD diet. Maybe people will begin to question the crazy consumption of meat that is happening in this country. We live in a country where people eat chicken but complain if there is a chicken claw in the package. People are upset about e.coli on spinach but don’t understand where it is coming from. Maybe vegan before six is a start… a shift in the right direction to obtain the masses.
7. Cheating and ignorance is never good. The information is out there. Ignoring it does not make it go away. So as he laughs off cheating and drinking milk, I think about the mother cow that had no choice in this: No choice or even instincts took place to get pregnant. No ability to use her instincts to care for her young. No ability to rest while on the job. Breastfeeding mothers can attest that pumping and nursing is exhausting work and does a number on your body.
8. Mark Bittman and I also agree on processed foods. It leads to too much sugar, fat and a lack of health. “A vegan diet is no guarantee of a good diet, unless the only goal is to avoid killing animals. Sugar-sweetened beverages, French fries and doughnuts can all be vegan.” Well, a meat eater can fall into the same pitfalls. However, eating a whole foods plant-based diet is …proving to be awesome…. ” Mark Bittman states, “Just this week, for example, a new study was published showing that plants may be protective against cancer. I include this not because it’s conclusive but just to show that the work is ongoing.” So why do you encourage Meat after 6 Mark?
Does Bittman’s article encourage or enrage you? Or both?
Also, don’t forget our Kickstarter Campaign! Ready for a new vegan option in the East Bay? We’d love it if you’d consider backing and/or sharing. Every dollar and every share helps. Please check it out here. We have great rewards such as dinners, tastings, classes, and even a vegan wedding reception!
PS, now my cousin is reconsidering her wish.
We need help please! We are over 30 percent funded on our Kickstarter Campaign for Sanctuary, a new plant-based bistro to open this Fall in East Bay. Please check it out and consider backing and sharing with your friends. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/473325024/sanctuary-bistro-a-plant-based-bistro-in-the-eastThank you!