Here is my secret, I was a vegetarian 15 years ago. For Real! I was also malnourished. NOT because of the vegetarian diet, but because I had Celiacs and didn’t know it. I was eating whole grain bread, and faux meats whose main ingredient was wheat gluten. 15 years ago there were not endless gluten free options on the shelves for vegetarians or anyone, or menus for gluten free choices at restaurants, your options were salad, rice cakes, beans, and yes meat. So when I found out my vegetarian diet was not for me, I broke my meatless ways with a stick of beef jerky and some apple juice.
I am a huge believer in choose your own food path, and sometimes the path is chosen for you. (Every time I walk past donuts…I wish I didn’t have gluten intolerance) I definitely take my time to explore a variety of healthy eating. We’ve had months in our house being raw vegan, gluten free vegetarian, macrobiotic, paleo, primal…but what it comes down to in our house is we eat gluten free whole grains, organic in season produce, and grass-fed, pastured, and responsibly raised meats. We also have our own chickens for eggs.Our family’s diet is the best for us and we feel good knowing that the beef, pork and lamb we eat, we can source locally from Hole-In-One Ranch. There were a number of years where we didn’t eat pork because we couldn’t locally source a pork product, and did not want to support factory farming-which is where the majority of pork comes from.
Eating locally sourced meats, grass pastured raised meats, is best. It may take a little effort in your local area to search them out.
Try internet searching, and websites like www.eatwild.com Lots of ranches have monthly neighborhood deliveries, as well as bulk deals on meats, a freezer stocked reduces trips to the market, especially over the holidays! Thus reducing your carbon foot print driving to and from the market, and gives you more time at home for hobbies or to exercise! (Ask about our deliveries by sending me an e-mail! Or Order Here!)
Ask at local health food stores.
Visit Farmers Markets.
Ask your neighbors and friends! Human interactions are my favorite way to gain knowledge and learn about new ideas, products, and opportunities. You may be surprised when you ask,’ Hey! Where do you buy local meat?’
When you do find your local farmer, and if budget is of a concern, ask them questions. There are so many more cuts available then what you may be used to if you’ve generally bought meat at a market, and so many way to prepare roasts and ground, to stretch meals! (Hint: Add Veggies and Grains to a pound of ground meats, it’ll feed my family of four with leftovers.)
I hope that you’ll find something to inspire you as you look around on my blog today, and that you can do your part to support your local ranchers and farmers where ever you may be.
-Enjoy!
Grass Fed Beef Truckee 