All the while growing up, when we questioned my parents on the differences in people whether it be, the color of skin, differences in religion, or very apparent physical differences, my sister and I seemed to get two "canned" answers. These answers are the same ones I seem to pass on to my children 1. "Because that is they way God made us" 2. "It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round"
This week in particular it seems these answers fit well. Whatever side of the marriage equality act you sit on you can't argue those two statements above aren't true in this circumstance. If we are made in God's image then each one of us, no matter what, we reflect Him. And, in regards to the second statement, what fun would this world, this life be, if everyone were the same? These differences between all of us humans make us think, form opinions, and beliefs. It makes the world interesting. Are we right? We'd all like to think so, but who really knows, until the point is mute. Remember, we aren't the judge.
And I digress...So, how does all of this all relate to food or animal agriculture?
I think both my parents' statements about differences fit food choices, too. I truly believe God made us all a little differently as far as our abilities to digest food. Some comes from genetics, some comes from environment, and some just is plain weird. Our bio mechanics are so unique, so individualized, how can one way of eating be any "better" than another? If I look to my friends for a small scientific pool I have a diverse group each choosing their diets for many reasons.
To the plant based extreme, I have a refereeing friend who eats a vegan diet. Very hard to do in SWKS. No dairy, or meat, not ever. Not because of some weird cult or extreme environmental or animal rights beliefs, but because they lost a family member to cancer, did some research and concluded it best, for them, to restrict animal products in their diet.
I have a high school friend who has been a vegetarian since jr. high. Over the years their reasoning has changed, a little, but for the most part they sight environmental reasons, health reasons, as well as their plain lack of taste buds for meat.
Next I have a running friend who eats mostly a plant based diet with a few meaty meals from grass fed beef to wild caught fish. They suffer from an autoimmune disease and has found the "cleaner" foods they eat the better they feel, to the point they have eaten their way off of medication.
Then, at the other end, would be me, the virtually carnivore, dilemma-less omnivore. We eat animal proteins with almost every meal. Whether it be eggs, pork, BEEF, cheese or milk. We practically inhale them.
I chose these individuals because we all lead a very active lifestyle. From yoga, to running, biking to swimming. It seems what we fuel our bodies with is as different as the hairs on our heads, yet we still successfully live in an active, healthy,and fit way .
So why is there lots of hubbub around what people fuel their bodies with when each of us are incomparable to each other? Who knows. It is quickly becoming a hot button issue like politics and religion for the simple fact of availability and choices. We, in the United States, have so many available food choices compared to most country's two: eat it or starve. With choices comes opinions, and with opinions come differences, with differences comes hubbubs...
Because of my efforts to tell agriculture's story, some think I am very narrow minded and slant to the omnivore end of the spectrum. People don't realize I entertain all kinds of foodie friends. Some judge me. They judge me wrong. Because of my efforts to tell agriculture's story I've learned everyone has a daily choice, 3 actually. People make a personal choice in what they fuel their bodies with for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is an extremely personal choice, almost as personal as religion or politics, taking all kinds to make the world go round.
