Today’s Relax Week task included tearing myself away from the computer to take the puppies on a nice walk before work.

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I think they enjoyed being outside in the sunshine as much as I did!

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It was so nice and sunny out this morning, but now it’s dreary and raining.  I’m glad I got to enjoy the nice weather while it lasted!

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I came home and did some strength moves.   Now that I realize HOW IMPORTANT strength training is for my running, I am pretty dedicated to arm/leg/core work.

 

10 Minute Strength Training

 

  • 40 push-ups
  • 50 bicycle crunches
  • 20 reverse crunches
  • 1/2 of my Physical Therapy moves for the day

 

Afterwards, I made a lovely brekkie:

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Which included Flax French Toast!

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Plus blueberries and blackberries:

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And then I got to work.  I don’t think I mentioned this before, but not only do I only have a four-day work week this week, but I am also working shorter hours at my full-time job (8 opposed to 9).  It’s a nice change; I wish it would be like this always!

 

Lunch was something a little creative:

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I had 1 serving of veggie and potato soup leftover from this weekend.  I drained the broth and added 1/4 cup chickpeas to the mix before microwaving and mashing.  Then, I stuffed it all into a wrap….

Viola!  Veggie Soup Wrap:

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Plus, a plum:

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Free Roam?  Not So Much

 

When I announced I was going vegetarian, many people in the comments section remarked that I should simply just eat "Free Roam" meat.  I recently stumbled upon this interesting article of free-roam pork.  Check it out for a thoughtful comparison between the evils of factory farm and free-roam farming.

Pig grazing in field.

Highlights from the article:

 

As responsible consumers, it’s easy to decide to avoid factory-farmed pork. The hard part is what to make of the most acceptable alternative. Does free-range farming justify the mutilation that’s often required to keep pigs outdoors? As an ethical matter, the question is open to endless debate. What the conscientious meat eater can take away from it is not so much a concrete answer as a more nuanced way to think about our food choices. In this age of deeply convincing attacks on factory farms, consumers must be careful not to immediately assume that every alternative to factory farming is as "all natural" or humane as its advocates will inevitably declare. The alternatives might require still more alternatives.

 

Thoughts?

{ 23 comments }

 

  • Anonymous June 30, 2009, 8:26 am

    Free-roam or factory farmed, you're still eating something that was once living and breathing. And feeling. There is no reason why human beings need to eat meat. Period.

  • Jennifer @ His N' Her Health June 30, 2009, 8:36 am

    Free range still get slaughtered the same as any other animal. I don't really buy into all of the free roam stuff. I don't think there is an adequate definition of it for the farmers to follow. I also don't think it is regulated by the government like they say it is.

  • recipesforcreativity June 30, 2009, 9:06 am

    I love the veggie soup mush sandwich idea! I don't eat meat, I don't want to eat it no matter how it was treated before it died. My BF who does eat meat usually buy meat from Earth Fare, the grocery store that only sells stuff that doesn't have added antibiotics, plus much of it is organic and or/free range. I don't like the way animals are treated, period, no matter what the label might say!

  • runnerskitchen June 30, 2009, 9:16 am

    Have you seen the movie Food, Inc? I think you would find it interesting! Even my meat-loving boyfriend was affected by the movie. We're both trying to make more conscious food choices. Congrats on the decision to run the marathon!

  • hstryk June 30, 2009, 9:16 am

    I read your original post about going vegetarian. This stood out to me: "One thing I've kind of accepted is that if you're a vegetarian, there will be times when you have to basically eat junk food instead of a healthy meal" Do you still feel this way?

    I've been vegetarian for two years now, and have found ways around eating "junk" food. Eating out you can usually find at least a salad, or pasta. Though to be honest I do eat fish on occasion and that has helped. A lot of restaurants have been great about adding alternative sides too. I've become quite accustomed to choosing the healthiest, vegetarian options at gas stations. Dunkin'Donuts and Subway (there are a million around here)is okay in a real pinch.

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 30, 2009, 9:18 am

    hstryk – i have been trying to choose restaurants that i KNOW offer nice veggie options, but sometimes i'm not in control of the restaurant choices and yes am forced to eat something extra cheesy or unhealthy. but honestly, it's not big deal. it's easier now that the hus is veggie, too!

  • Squish June 30, 2009, 9:19 am

    Your wrap looks delish! I am a firm believer in eating organic free-roam/range meat-in moderation. I try to get it from small local farms (I live in SF so this is pretty easy for me)that practice sustainable farming. I've read a few books related to the matter, most recently In Defense of Food and a biography on Alice Waters. There are a few movies out right now that I recommend – Food, Inc. (http://www.foodincmovie.com/)and Fresh (http://www.freshthemovie.com/). Both highlight some farms that are doing it "right" so to speak. It's a very personal choice and it's always best to be informed! Happy reading/watching!

  • Trainer T.s Fitness June 30, 2009, 9:47 am

    Caitlin,
    First I have no idea how you find time for all this, your amazing. I love all the pictures you post and the ideas of your food.

    I am not a vegetarian, but I eat little meat mostly chicken or boca. I do eat fish as well and I don't know if I could go total veg so good luck with that choice and I hope you continue to share your ideas on this.

    Where do you order the grass from?

  • lilybeans June 30, 2009, 9:56 am

    If you are really interested in Free-Range meat etc. I highly suggest you see the movie Food Inc. as others have suggested but also Check out articles and books by Micheal Pollan (He is in Food Inc.) My two favorite are "The Omnivores Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food". – My personal opnion is that meat should be considered a delicacy, not a 3 meal a day option. Like everything else in a healthy life it is all about balance!

  • brandi June 30, 2009, 10:17 am

    i love the soup wrap idea! Maggie and James are so cute 🙂

    Meat is meat – you're still eating something that was once living.

    I do know that raising organic meats is much more expensive, many more animals are killed as a result that can't be used for food (since they can't give them antibiotics if they get sick, etc), and there are still things ADDED to meat that can pass the FDA as being "natural".

  • Eliza June 30, 2009, 10:40 am

    I'm lucky enough to live in a very rural area. At this point about 90% of the meat that I eat comes from an animal that I met before it was slaughtered. I feel pretty comfortable with that, as I've always felt that if I can't take part in raising and then slaughtering an animal, I shouldn't eat it. I've helped in slaughtering the chickens my family raises, and take turns taking care of a friend's pig.
    Of course this isn't the case when I eat out, but I only eat meat in restaurants if it is locally raised. In Vermont, that seems to mean something different than other places in the country- large, wide open fields, strictly grass-fed beef- most of the lcoal, organic farms care for their animals in a very humane and loving manner.

    Limiting your meat consumption is important for health and environmental reasons.
    You know what else is important (I'm looking at you, anonymous)? Tolerance, and behaving in a non-judgemental way toward other humans. Here is a good reason to eat meat: the very poor family I lived with in rural Jamaica ate primarily fish, rice, and goat meat. They lived on a fruit/vegetable farm, but needed to sell almost all of the fresh produce in order to make money to send their 2 daughters to school. They were able to make more money selling the fresh fruit than selling goat meat/fish.

    Sorry, Caitlin, if that sounded rude, but it amazes me how much people care/get angry about what other people put into their own bodies.

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 30, 2009, 10:42 am

    eliza – i don't think that was a rude comment, it was very well organized and thoughtful.

    i think you are right. we need to decide what is best for ourselves and should not judge others.

  • Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now June 30, 2009, 11:16 am

    I was going to write something else, but then I read the first Anonymous comment and changed my mind. I just think we should be accepting of other people's decisions. I choose to eat meat, and I don't think someone who chooses not to should judge me for that. I do think it's great that some people can go without meat or any animal products at all. That's just not me.

  • kilax June 30, 2009, 11:22 am

    I haven't read the article yet (I will). BUT, I just made the vegan switch, because as much as I want to belive in free range (or roam), it is still an animal that is being exploited.

    I am grateful the article mentioned that free-roam farms need to be examined closely.

  • Courtney June 30, 2009, 11:27 am

    I think it's so great you'll be running this marathon! Way to go, support your friend in sucha great way! Inspiration, Caitlin, thank you 😀

  • Anonymous June 30, 2009, 11:45 am

    The article you linked to strikes me as another attempt to guilt trip people who eat meat. (Very much like the Anonymous comment at the top of the post). Eating meat – or any animal product – does not make someone irresponsible or ignorant, and their personal reasons for doing so (everyone has different dietary needs!)are exactly that – personal. The point of the article that "hey, you still have to look into these things!" is kind of insulting. Its yet another obvious point like "hey, organic doesn't always mean healthier!" Newsflash: WE HAVE TO LOOK INTO EVERYTHING WE EAT.

    So why the constant analysis of meat eaters? It seems that in the food blog community there is much harsher judgment towards those of us who eat meat.

    – Judy in Minnesota

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 30, 2009, 11:50 am

    judy – im not trying to "guilt trip" anyone, but i think it's important to be aware of factory farming in general and how our government/corporation tries to "market" more expensive meat to us under the guise that it is more humane.

    as i have stated numerous times, i'm not going to judge you for eating meat if you want to eat meat.

    as you pointed out, we all have different reasons for eating / for not eating meat, and if you are comfortable with your decision, that's cool with me.

    sorry if you found the article to be insulting in tone!

  • Cuts and Curves June 30, 2009, 12:42 pm

    What a great idea – the soup wrap. I'm going to have to try that!

  • Joelle (Chasing Pavements) June 30, 2009, 12:56 pm

    Very creative using soup to make a wrap! Never thought about that.. and everyone is free to their own opinions, so, though I personally do eat meat, I am glad you posted that article..plus the pig reminds me of Babe! 😉

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) June 30, 2009, 2:54 pm

    I feel like the majority of "free-range" meat in the mainstream supermarkets around here are no better than the rest. Like that article said, the animals still do endure harsh conditions and it simply does not sound humane to me.

  • Heather June 30, 2009, 4:33 pm

    I wish the weather was like that here – it's been pouring since I woke up! It's funny how no two people in Central Florida will ever have the same weather at any given time.

    My thoughts on free-range really boils down to health. I understand that not everyone really *cares* about how an animal is slaughtered, and that's fine, I don't expect everyone to go vegetarian and believe in what I believe in. But free range meat is generally healthier because it's not pumped full of antibiotics since they're often raised on organic farms. That, to me, is the ONLY upside of it. If you are going to eat meat, I think it should be organic & grass fed (and typically that tends to be free range, as well) but in terms of it being less cruel, nope, it's not. I'm not saying that to make anyone feel bad because I have VERY few vegetarian friends and tons of friends who eat meat and I never harp on their decision, but I think people need the facts. Though I am vegan, I try to be ethical and I recognize that free range or cage-free eggs are much more ethical than regular ones since the chickens get to roam around and aren't cramped in tiny cages.

    Phew, that was a mouthful.

    Your soup wrap looks awesome! Great idea.

  • leslie June 30, 2009, 4:55 pm

    i don't trust the free-roam name, just like cage-free eggs, for instance. the stipulations for what can actually qualify for that title are very very shaky. it's sad that we can't trust the labels we see, but it's also the truth. interesting topic!

  • luckytastebuds July 1, 2009, 8:41 am

    So fascinating. I'm no expert on free-roam meat but vegetarianism has always been extremely intersting to me. I could NEVER give up seafood, and that really is killing life.. 🙁

    On the other hand, I LOOOVE that mashed chickpea wrap. That's a fabulous idea cuz I always wondered how I'd get those things to stop rolling out of my wraps and sandwiches. hahahaha

    Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Healthy Tipping Point