What Are We Eating?

When is enough, enough? What lengths are we willing to go for the simple pleasures in our lives when they are using and abusing animals? Can we justify these actions? More and more undercover stories and clips are coming out each week showing the extent of animal abuse taking place, all in the name of culinary satisfaction.

Over the past few weeks there has been a video leaked and articles released showing the torture received on a daily basis to animals, from those who make some of the UK’s most popular fast food restaurants and popular energy juice companies. Dairy suppliers for Burger King have been filmed jumping on the heads of their cows, dragging them by the neck behind tractors, being brutally smacked with metal bars and being used as a live trampoline. What happened to the saying “treat others how you wish to be treated yourself? Or does that not apply to when animals are the ones being abused? While watching these videos it’s not only the abuse we can see, but the horrendous living conditions they have to endure, standing in concrete pens, not being allowed to graze outside in the fresh air, standing in their own muck. What kind of life is that?

A cow only produces milk when she has a calf (which is then slaughtered after a few months as they are a by-product of milk) and as soon as it is born the farmer takes the baby away so that the milk can be stolen and sold in supermarkets and shops. When a dairy cow starts to give a smaller amount of milk, she is returned to a bull so that the process can be repeated again and again. This shows we are not only using these animals but now, we are also abusing them too.

This shows just how vicious a race we have become and for what? To provide cheese to a fast food joint...  is that a good enough excuse? 

A study done by Longhorn Cattle Company has found that in our energy drinks there is an ingredient called Taurine which has caused a major concern. This cause of concern has come because Taurine is found in bull liver, urine and semen... yes while gulping back these drinks we are swallowing bull urine and semen without even knowing. Yum. Bulls are put in a pen with a female and just when the bull becomes aroused a container is placed over his genitals so that the semen can then be collected and later combined into our drinks. You may think again before purchasing an energy drink to give you that extra boost now you know it’s full of bull. 

               
With more shocking culinary discoveries being found, what is next to be discovered? What else don’t we know that we are actually eating and drinking?

To help stop this cruelty sign the petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/burger-king-stop-torturing-cows-for-cheese

Something Worth Fighting For

Last night I watched a really disturbing documentary called ‘The Cove’ which has motivated me to write this blog as I feel the subject needs more publicity.  I felt so ashamed and disgraced to watch the footage recorded in the documentary and find it hard to believe that another human being is capable of being this un-caring and inhumane towards another living creature. This documentary sickened me to my stomach and destroyed my dream of swimming with dolphins which I am so glad about. These animals shouldn't be in little pools, they should be free out in the sea with their families where they belong.

For those who haven’t seen ‘The Cove’, it is a documentary created in 2009 which follows activist Ric O’Barry and a team who help expose and try to stop the secret slaughter of dolphins, porpoise and whales in the inhumane town of Taiji in Japan. The documentary highlights the brutality which takes place with the ongoing murder of innocent dolphins; all for the sake of selling them on to trainers all over the world so that we may take pleasure from swimming along-side the dolphins and being amused by watching them perform in shows. The documentary discovers that around 23,000 dolphins and porpoises are killed in Japan every year by Japan’s whaling industry. Those unlucky migrating dolphins which are not picked, instead of being set free, are herded into a cove where they are netted and murdered with spears and knives. These dolphins are then hacked up and shockingly sold as meat to the Japanese public, under different names, in shops and markets. Dolphin meat is extremely un-healthy as it contains high levels of Mercury; this means that the Japanese are literally poisoning their own people. How smart.

 

Another documentary I have recently watched is ‘Blackfish’ which was released in 2013, (this had me crying my eyes out from start to finish.) The documentary focuses on the orcas (killer whales) which are in captivity at Sea World, mainly one, Tilikum; the largest male orca in captivity in the world, who also happens to have killed 3 people. Don't judge, after watching the documentary it is not surprising that these deaths happened and the whale should definitely not be to blame. I was honestly horrified by what was shown on film and it just goes to show that these beautiful creatures should not be locked away in their glass prisons. 'Blackfish' helps show how much grief and the trauma the whales go through with being separated from their families and forced to live in captivity. Tilikum was stolen from his family in the wild at the age of 2 and has been transferred through different parks his entire life making him perform, then he was harassed and beaten by other whales in the shared tank, no wonder he snapped and became aggressive. 

It disturbs me how Sea World covered up the deaths and blamed the deceased when they couldn't defend themselves. In my opinion, Sea World are the real murderers for keeping the deaths hidden and allowing fellow employees to swim with Tilikum after knowing what he is capable of. Instead of now letting Tilikum live a life in a sea pen where he cant harm anyone else and can live in peace, he is locked up in a small tank in the back of the park where he remains by himself every day. That is no life for such a beautiful animal to live. 

For those who want to watch these documentaries, and I so wish you would it will change your views, the links are below:

http://viooz.co/movies/21942-blackfish-2013.html

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/cove/

Here are petitions to help stop these tragedies happening in Taiji and to free Tilikum so he can live the rest of his life peacefully in a sea pen:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/724/210/624/

http://www.change.org/petitions/seaworld-inc-humanely-release-the-orca-whale-known-as-tilikum-to-a-seapen-for-rehab

Oregano Salad Recipe

I really fancied trying to start eating a bit healthier this year (lets see how long this lasts...) so I began looking up different salads which I could make one night for supper for me and my gran. I was skeptic about making one as I didn't believe a salad would fill me up and thought it would be rather bland... Man was i wrong. This salad tastes amazing! and also doesn't take that long to make = BONUS!!

 INGREDIENTS - 
FOR THE CHICKEN:

• 1 lemon, juiced (3 tablespoons of lemon juice)

• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin oil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• A couple good pinches salt

• 10 grinds black pepper

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  

FOR THE DRESSING:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 

• 1 lemon, juice (3 tablespoons of lemon juice)

• 2 cloves of garlic grated 

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 3 pinches salt

• 10 to 15 grinds black pepper
  

FOR THE SALAD: can vary depending on what you want

• Lettuce 

• 1 cucumber, cut in 1/2 lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-inch chunks

• 3 vine-ripened tomatoes cut into 1/2-inch chunks

• 1 carrot sliced thinly 

• 2 handfuls of kale 

• 1 medium stick of celery

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

• A couple pinches of fresh parsley
  

DIRECTIONS 


1. Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper and mix together. Add the chicken breasts to the dish and rub both sides in the mixture. Cover the dish with clingfilm and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.

2. To make the dressing: combine all the ingredients in a resealable container and shake vigorously. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Assemble the salad: Cut the lettuce into 1-inch strips and place in a bowl that is large enough to hold all the salad ingredients comfortably. Scatter cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, carrots, celery, kale and feta over the top. 

4. To cook the chicken: Heat a grill pan over high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook, turning once, until well browned, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Let the chicken rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.

5. Give the dressing a good shake and pour it into a bowl. Toss salad just before serving and fan chicken out on top.

And the finished result......

TA DAAAAAAH!!

Disney's Frozen

Well after a long and torturess wait I finally went to see Disney's new(ish) film - Frozen. WOW I absolutely loved it, it's embarrassing to say that I cried I think at least 3x during it!! And what's worse was the little girl sitting in front of us never... Something just isn't right there! Frozen has definitely gained a place in my top 5 Disney films at number 3. My only regret is not having seen it sooner!! 

This is Disney's first film where the princess/damsel in distress doesn't need a man to save her - FINALLY! Instead it focuses on the importance of family and sisterly love which in the end manages to save a life. It also sends the message to viewers that being different or unique like Elsa was, should be embraced and not hidden away. 

My favourite character was a tie between Elsa and then Olaf- the snowman. Elsa had such a transformation from being timid and afraid until breaking out from her shell and becoming an independent and sassy woman. Olaf was so clueless, cheeky and just adorable, really what's not to love? His obsession with heat and summer was just the cherry on top of the cake, seriously checks the wee dude out!

 

I would definitely give this movie 5 stars, it was fun, uplifting and is such a powerful film. I just can't wait for the DVD to be released so I can watch it on repeat for days!! (saddo i know...) 

xo