eveningsout

Meat the neighbors

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

This weekend, it's time for a family splurge. There's a restaurant that just opened nearby, and you're dying to sample the cuisine.

Friends who've been there say the prices are just right and the servings aren't skimpy. Most of all, you've heard this place serves a piece of meat that is heaven on a platter, and you can't wait. But sometimes, although your mouth waters when you get a whiff of supper, you feel a little guilty. That juicy burger once had a face. Your steak was on the hoof not long ago, but what can you do? You like meat.

Read The Compassionate Carnivore by Catherine Friend (DaCapo Lifelong, hardcover, $24), and see what an animal-raising, animal-eating farmer has to say about what's on your plate.

Twelve years ago, Friend's partner, Melissa Peteler, announced that she wanted to farm. So, á la Green Acres, city girl Friend found herself on a plot of land, raising sheep, llamas, chickens and peacocks.

Over the years, though, she began to look hard at the animals she and Melissa were raising and the meat they were eating, which were often one in the same.

"I know it seems odd," she says, "but this is how farming works: We work our butts off keeping animals alive and healthy, then we kill them."

For Friend, it's a conundrum she's struggled with, but she's resigned herself to knowing that her animals lived well. She says she's grateful for them and the meals they become.

But how can someone who loves animals but loves meat at the same time become more aware, more humane about what he or she puts on a plate? Friend says a compassionate carnivore understands that most meat bought in stores is from animals raised in large-scale corporate farms and feedlots. Their deaths might not have been humane.

The trick, she says, to becoming a mindful meat-eater is to know where your meal came from, how it was raised, and how it died. If you can't find out, try replacing factory-raised meat with meat from animals

THE

COMPASSIONATE

CARNIVORE

OP HOW TO KEEP ANIMALS HAPPY

CATHERINE FRIEND

raised humanely, `or eat meatless.

Do what you can, she says, and set a goal. Becoming a compassionate carnivore won't be easy; Friend admits that she still blissfully enjoys her pork despite an unsavory mental image that haunts her to this day.

Take baby-steps toward changing things and remember to be compassionate to yourself.

Mix some gentle humor, hard facts, hotbutton controversy, and a good dose of thoughtful Zen with Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, and you have The Compassionate Carnivore.

Friend examines meat from hoof to hotplate without stepping up on too much of a feedbox and without making all kinds

May 2, 2008 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

THIS SATURDAY, MAY 3RD!

National recording artist

Robin Stone

$5 cover

THIS THURSDAY,

$5 cover

MAY 8TH!

Amy Steinberg

FRIDAY, May 9th!

KARAOKE

A Network Social!

SATURDAY, MAY 10th! Telling Point

Coming soon!

$5 cover

On May 17, A new musical pairing. Cleveland's Alexis Antes and Dayton's Frozen Feet You can call them Ante Freezel

For more info: myspace.com/thenickelbar

nicke

of excuses for loving a good pork chop. 4365 State Road in Cleveland 216-661-1314

Since she's willing to use herself and her farm as examples, readers won't feel too chastised for drooling over that prime rib special, either. If you're an unabashed meat lover, this book probably isn't going to change your mind, but read it anyhow.

For anyone with a steak in responsible eating, The Compassionate Carnivore is worth chicken out.

FUNKTION

The larger, more powerful 2008 Scion xB

Experience the Metro difference!

See or Call

Jim Greenfield New & Used Sales & Leasing Toyota and Scion Certified

METRO TOYOTA SCION

jimg@metrotoyota.com www.metrotoyota.com

W. 137th & Brookpark Road OFF 1-480

www.metroscionohio.com

38 Years of

Sales &

Service Excellence!

216-267-7000

D/D

FREE really?

You deserve a heavy

hitter on your team. That's our stand.

I can help you with your changing insurance or financial needs.

(216) 221-6263

Susan M. Weaver

Attorney at Law

Bankruptcy. Estate Planning

DUI Injury

"Personalized Solutions for all Legal Matters"

Free Initial Consultation

Please make a note of our new number (216) 373-2555

Offices in Cleveland & Rocky River

$20 off with this ad

1216-834-2861

ANYLABTEST

NOW!

740 Richmond Rd.⚫ Richmond Heights, OH 44143 | I www.anylabtestnow.com/cleveland

DON KRAMER 13324 MADISON AVE 14701 DETROIT #120 LAKEWOOD

Allstate