Eat Mor Tofu?!?

I'm sure the Chick-fil-A cows would be more than relieved to know that I've recently decided to kick the beef out of my diet. I'm sure that founder S. Truett Cathy would be less than pleased to know that I'm kicking the chicken habit too--well chicken, fish, and pretty much anything that could have looked at me at some point in its life. After reading chapter 6 of the New York Times Bestseller, Skinny Bitch entitled "You Are What You Eat", I decided that the senseless and inhumane slaughtering of animals is against my personal beliefs. I also realized how much I agreed with authors, Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin that you inherit many of the emotions of the animals.

In this chapter, testimonies from real slaughterhouse workers are listed graphically and spare no detail; accounts range from dragging and skinning conscious cows to sodomizing hogs with electric probes. In short, they proposed that the emotional distress [not to mention physical sickness] that is built up in those poor animals during the killing process is quite possibly transfered to consumers. This bad energy can be responsible for much more than just heartburn and an occasional upset stomach. Try anger, hostility, and fear... talk about your MAD COW DISEASE!!! Freedman and Barnouin also cite scientific studies that found pain relieving chemicals in fish. By now you're probably asking yourself why fish need their own brand of Tylenol? Well, why do humans need meds? Clearly it points to the ability to feel pain. So give the fish a break too.

Since reading the testimonies in Skinny Bitch, which are absolutely disgusting, I attempted to quit cold turkey and had to back up. I swiftly realized that becoming a vegetarian or vegan is a process. Even though I now picture tormented chickens going down the line, I know that it takes time to get years of a carnivore's mind and habits out of my system. My slow-starter plan is no pork or beef and maybe an occasional chicken or fish meal, hopefully mom won't make her famous roast. Once I get there I'll probably turn to tofu as a great alternative.

I tried a few recipes from the book as well as one particularly yummy way to cook pan-fried soy protein provided by http://blog.vegcooking.com/:

Pan-Fried Tofu

1 16-oz. pkg. firm tofu

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

•Remove the tofu from the packaging, drain, pat dry, and cut into 1/2-inch squares.
•Place a medium sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoonfuls of oil.
•Add the tofu and cook until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Be sure to turn or toss often.
•Once cooked, add the soy sauce, then toss to coat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring often.

Makes 4 servings
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I think it's particularly important to add the need to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and leave the canned products alone. Who needs all those preservatives and additives?!? No one who values their health :)

So, now you have a perfectly PETA friendly meal that you can enjoy while exercising a good conscience and good health sense.