The Gastrocast

Am I supposed to respect these people more, and myself less because of this?



Just a few of the famous faces who never eat animals …

    •     Alec Baldwin

    •     Paul McCartney

    •     Pamela Anderson

    •     Alicia Silverstone

    •     Prince

    •     Woody Harrelson

    •     Joaquin Phoenix

    •     James Cromwell

    •     Chrissie Hynde

    •     Natalie Portman

    •     Kim Basinger

    •     Shania Twain



Would I get any more respect if I became a Gay Vegan for Jesus? (There’s a search engine hit waiting to happen. . . .)



Is it me, or is there a conspiracy at hand:

"Going vegetarian has never been easier. The explosion of vegetarian foods means that you can pop everything from bean tacos to veggie “sausage” into the microwave and finish the meal with frozen nondairy “ice cream.” You can order a latte with soy milk in the neighborhood coffee shop, enjoy a veggie burger at the ball game, and stock your kitchen with wonderful products we could only dream of 20 years ago: flavored rice mixes; microwave tofu entrées with exotic sauces; soy-based “cheeses,” “mayonnaise,” and “milk”; and imitation meat products that can be used on their own or in your favorite recipes."



Why is there such an attempt at getting people to have a normal diet (at least in looks or feel perhaps)?  Why not enjoy your choice for all that it is? Why, fake sausage, cheese, mik, imitation meat products? Where is the shame . . . ? I think this is just BIG INDUSTRY cashing in on a growing trend and those who are in the trenches have been swept up in the freedom of it all without asking the questions, "WHY?".

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Since humankind has gone to so much trouble over centuries to domesticate animals for food, what is the solution from those who think we should stop eating the "flesh of animals slain in anger"? Obviously, if the world were to stop eating all wild animals, things would pretty much go on as they are, since hunting actually accounts for very few wild animal culls. But I am speaking of Domesticated animals. Sheep–we can get wool from, but that is an exploitation some say. Rabbits are pets. Okay I try not to eat too many of them anyway. Chickens–eggs are exploitation, even if the chickens are as pampered as mine are. Goats, pigs, Cattle–they all become redundant.  Humans have controlled cattle since time began, what are we to do with them? Let them roam wild in the streets, and garbage dumps like in India, where the cow is sacred? No, all these animals will have to–naturally, of course–die off until their numbers are negligible. If left to live and thrive the state of the world would actually be worse than at present where the human appetite keeps the situation in check. If we have a greenhouse gas problem now, think what it would be like if our fields, streets and alleys are crammed with the offspring of unwanted, undigested domestic beasts? Where is the humanity or morality in that. We might as well all drive over the cliff to avoid the sparrow in the road.



Just a thought. A call for ideas on this issue. I think the harmony of the universe can be restored with a little rationality and ingenuity. Moderation.

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Wired Magazine reports this morning that the USDA has developed a way of determining the taste, texture, and firmness of apples, without biting into them–all with the use of lasers.

And what fruit is shown in the photo accompanying the article?  The good ole Red Delicious: the worst "apple" in history. The assembly line production of apple packing where testers stand there and cut open random apples to check their quality is obviously not enough. The apple industry feels they have to use this new technology to remain competative.  Here’s an idea, stop growing crappy apples and start giving us, and the rest of the world QUALITY! I live in Washington State, the nation’s leading apple producer. I buy a few of the apples grown in-state: braeburn’s, fuji’s, pink ladys. They are good. However, I grew up in an apple growing town in CT. In the fall there were at least 20 varieties of apples we enjoyed. In the islands where I now live there are so many varieties it is hard to choose my favorite–I much prefer them to the shiny four just mentioned.

The intensive methods the Apple Industry goes to in order to protect their crops is extreme. If you own orchards in the apple zone–you must spray, even if they are for your own use. The cash crop must be protected at all cost. . . .



I think the apple industry should change its focus from faster, cheaper methods of delivering us blandness to supporting a cooperative of quality growers who can provide us with something which is seasonal and good. The bins of Costco are full of apples. It is May. When were those apples picked? It is one thing to pick a crop and store it in a root celler where it is cool, and they don’t travel around–you can be sure of some tasty eats into the summer. To pick the apples when rock-hard and under-ripe and store them in a facility until they are needed; then to gas them and send them out to stores to sit and then travel home in some one’s back seat means the apples will never taste as they should or have the same bite or crunch. The extra few cents I pay per pound during the season to have local, organic fruit seems well worth the price in terms of flavor, health and enjoyment., no assembly lines, cost cutting or protective eye wear required.

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