Before I get carried away...

You should know I'm a vegetarian. I never pressure anyone to become a vegetarian because the decision to become or not to become one is all your own. I do talk about the pros and cons of vegetarianism on occasion, however. I sincerely hope the fact that many of the recipes I share with you all will be vegetarian, doesn't scare you off. Try them. I guarantee you will enjoy them as much as, if not more than, their meaty counterparts.

Why am I personally a vegetarian?
Well, let's see. To keep it simple, I don't believe in today's meat industry..yes, that's what it's become: an industry. Innumerable animals are mistreated and/or poorly fed, which causes the animal, and often times the consumer, pain and suffering. Furthermore, I don't support the negative environmental impact animal rearing for the sole purpose of slaughter has. These are my personal views which you certainly do not have to share! My only goal is to enlighten readers on the facts and allow them to make the most appropriate decision for themselves.

For those readers who would rather not become vegetarians (a perfectly acceptable choice) what strategies would you recommend be utilized to reduce their environmental impact and prevent animal cruelty on farms?
What a great question! ;-) I would encourage anyone who eats meat to cut back! Reduce your meat consumption (particularly beef which tends to be the most environmentally havoc-wreaking), and you'll reduce the damage of your eating habits drastically. In my opinion, this website sums it up perfectly (and elaborates on the topic significantly): {http://www.earthsave.org/environment/foodchoices.htm}. As for choosing the meat of well-treated animals; it's very tough. Phrases such as "free-range" or "free-roaming" are often very vague. In many cases, meat labeled as such is the product of an animal who was allowed, say, an hour outside to freely range. Check this site out for elaboration on the subject: {http://www.cok.net/lit/freerange.php}. My suggestion is to research local farms that sell organic, free range, antibiotic/hormone free, grain (not corn) fed meat (I'm specifically referring to beef in this context) {http://www.ota.com/organic/foodsafety/OrganicBeef.html} is a great site to learn about what makes organic meat different!!

In conclusion, whether you're a full-fledged vegan or meat connoisseur, I urge you to check this site out for local farms. Support local farms and save the environment! {http://www.localharvest.org/}