Friday, May 13, 2011

Kosher Products and Labeling

It was suggested by a reader that I help people to better understand the Kosher practices and product labeling of the foods deemed appropriate for human consumption by a rabbi. Thanks so much for your suggestion! I love the feedback, and this topic is perfect for me to dig into because my mother's side of the family is Jewish. Let hit some basics here:


A product can be deemed non-kosher due to the presence of an "unclean" animal or an animal that was not properly slaughtered. Most commonly, when people discuss non kosher animals, they immediately think pigs. Yes, according to Jewish beliefs, pigs are off limits. The guidelines say that "anything which chews the cud and has a cloven hoof is ritually clean, but animals that only chew the cud or only have cloven hooves are not" (Leviticus 11:3-4) Confusing, I know. Make is easier on yourself here. Rabbit and pig are probably the only two animals you will come across in your daily life....unless camel is something you snack on.... Also know that anything that "crawls the earth" is unclean (no spiders) and birds of prey, including the fish eating ones, are a no no. Fish are also totally fair game.


Usually when Kosher foods are spoken of, people are referring to the slaughter of that animal. Jewish Dietary Law dictates the exact fashion in which an animal should be killed. Most importantly, you CANNOT eat an animal that has died of natural causes. Also, before and after slaughter, each aspect of the animal is inspected for good health, including the organs. This stems from the thought that the animal had something wrong going on inside, so therefore, it is unclean for you to ingest those diseases. This is a long, very detailed process. I highly recommend you look over this article and read about the in's and out's to inform yourself a bit further:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shechita

For your reference, these are some common labels used on Kosher food packaging
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Now, with all that said, this is a great place for new veggies to start. Obviously, at this point your are still eating meat. Much like the organic label, you should be skeptical about what you are actually buying. Organic products endorsed by the USDA only are questionable. Keep in mind that those rules are really suggestions and the organization itself is run by the people that produce the products. They WILL have their own best interest in mind. Kosher foods should be viewed with a chip on your shoulder as well. Many of these supervising rabbis are not on the property 100% of the time, are being paid by a meat processor to do their job and maximize profits, and also do not witness the entire slaughter and health of the animal each and every time. Like I said, this is a great way to start eating responsibly, but seriously question where you get your products from!


<3 J


  

Monday, May 9, 2011

That Annoying Question

"Why are you a vegetarian?? I could never give up meat."

First of all, bullsh*t. You just don't want to try.

But honestly, I get asked this question, give or take, about a bazillion times a day. Im most surprised that people I've already told keep re-asking like I changed my mind in 24 hours. My standard I don't want to argue with you right now response?

"I want absolutely nothing to do with the factory farming industry."

I find that this answer is the best way to avoid the hostile confrontation that some people seem to want. If it truly is someone that wants more information or to understand further, they will ask you. Very few have pushed beyond this response for more background, while everyone else just tends to make some comment about how they love steak and couldn't leave it behind.

Everyone knows the saying "Ignorance is Bliss". I couldn't agree more, especially in regards to what eating meat really means. Eating factory farmed meat is being willing to turn a blind eye to unimaginable horrors, illness, and to pump your own body full of the same chemicals and antibiotics that pig was fed. Frankly, I am no longer able to pretend that I do not know my food. To be educated about anything is to hold a new light to your life.

That being said, when someone asks me why I am a vegetarian now, I do my best to explain that my number one priority is to separate myself from the awful things thats are companies like Tyson Chicken. Animal welfare is at the top of my list because it encompasses so much more than that. It is cruel to fill a calf full of growth hormones and antibiotics and by choosing not to consume this meat, I do wonders for my own body in not taking in those same chemicals. I don't contribute to methane air pollution. I don't have a hand in sewage runoff into our rivers and lakes. I don't watch overfishing of our oceans change entire ecosystems without doing a thing. I love being my own person.

It is hard to take a stand, let alone stand up to those who doubt you. I am very proud of myself at the end of every day when I haven't contributed to ground beef sales.

Hang in there everyone!! Speak your mind in a political and educated manner. Stand your ground and use these every day opportunities to educate someone else.

<3 Jaime

PS... if you haven't read this book yet, FREAKING DO IT! (and then let all your friends read it too)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Fresh Roasted Salsa and Guacamole!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I want to share my safe guarded recipes for  my homemade salsa and guacamole. I hope you enjoy them!!

Fresh Roasted Salsa 

8-10 Roma Tomatoes
1 Jalapeno
2 Cloves Garlic - peeled
1 Poblano Pepper
2 tbs Cilantro
1/2 Onion
2 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tbs Fresh Lime Juice
Salt and Pepper to taste

Disclaimer: I like my salsa HOT! I add an additional jalapeno and about half of a habenero. If you aren't into spicy, be sure to remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno and poblano to reduce the heat factor.


  1. Preheat oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with tin foil
  2. Cut tomatoes and all peppers in half. Place them and the garlic cloves on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper
  3. Roast veggies for 20 minutes. At this point, remove the garlic. Give the peppers about 5 more minutes, and the tomatoes another 10. Allow veggies to cool slightly
  4. In a food processor, rough chop the onion, cilantro, and lime juice. 
  5. Add the roasted veggies to the food processor party and pulse until chunky smooth. Add salt to taste.

Enjoy! This salsa is AWESOME while it is still warm, so eat up!!

Easy Guacamole

2 Avocados - Ripe
1/2 Red Onion - Minced
1 Jalapeno (or Serrano) Pepper - Minced
2-3 tbs Cilantro - Finely Chopped
1-2 tbs Fresh Lime Juice
1 Tomato - Chopped (try and leave some of the juicy insides out. Runny guac is icky)
Salt and Pepper to taste


  1. Scoop out avocados, mash with fork until smooth
  2. Add in the rest of the ingredients and gently mix until combined
  3. Eat. Now how easy was that!?
My fiancé and I like to eat this guac on a bagel with a little cream cheese and sprouts. Sounds odd, but trust me, its a meal in itself!!

Happy Snacking!

<3 J

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Are you ready to actually MEET what is on your plate?

Here are some sad but true facts about your meat.


The pollution from animal waste causes respiratory problems, skin infections, nausea, depression and even death for people who live near factory farms. Livestock waste has been linked to six miscarriages in women living near a hog factory in Indiana. (Home Sweet Home for yours truly...)




Concrete or slatted floors allow for easy removal of manure, but because they are unnatural surfaces for pigs, the animals often suffer skeletal deformities.




Ammonia and other gases from manure irritate animals' lungs, to the point where over 80% of US pigs have pneumonia upon slaughter.




Overuse of antibiotics in animals is causing more strains of drug-resistant bacteria, which is affecting the treatment of various life-threatening diseases in humans. The Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences has estimated the annual cost of treating antibiotic-resistant infections in the U.S. at $30 billion.




Factory farms are also referred to as the following:
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)
Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) 
             .....This totally sounds like things I want to eat. Gross.
Industrial Agricultural Operation (IAO)
Industrial Livestock Operation (ILO)




Pigs are as smart as or smarter than a 3 year old child. This means they fully understand they are in a horrible situation and sense death through the screams of other pigs. 




Understand the $h*t you eat, take a stand, make a change
<3 J








http://www.organicconsumers.org
http://www.sustainabletable.org



Monday, May 2, 2011

A Good Point....

JulesMM this post is in response to your comment to the "Why?" entry on my blog here. First of all, thanks for sharing!! That's really what I want this site to be. This should be a community for people to get real answers from others that actually are or have gone through the same thing. Anyways, on to my advice. I want to focus on this part..

"...I don't plan to go fully veggie unless I'm sure I can do it without getting sick. 
What I have really been trying to do is go as long as I can or want to without meat."

I personally tried to do this twice before I decided I was totally ready to do this for real. Most importantly, being a vegetarian and being healthy is very easy. There are amazing tasting meat substitutes that provide A TON of nutrients and goodies that your body needs. I highly recommend getting a book or two and educating yourself on the foods your body needs and also to keep around for reference later on. Try these:
  














I also love the fact that you are going as long as you can/want. You have to WANT to be a vegetarian for one reason or another. If you aren't into going veggie, then it will not last. Personally, I adore buffalo wings and any form of buffalo chicken sandwich. My fix? Morning Star "Chicken" Nuggets with Sweet Baby Ray's Buffalo wing sauce. Find ways to sub out meat in the meals you crave. As it turns out, my craving was really for the sauce, not the chicken. 

Thanks again for being vocal!! Let's hear from some others!!
Why are you going veggie?
What are you struggling with?


<3 J