Oysters is a tricky subject though. I got lunch at Sweet Pea (amazing Tallahassee vegan restaurant) with Peter, and told him about my oyster issue. "They're uh...they have no...brains?" I stuttered. After some internet research when I got back to the office I found the word I was looking for: bivalves. What does that mean exactly? Bivalves are a class of mollusks. Clams, oysters, scallops, mussels. I was right about one thing: they have no brains. They lay eggs, usually reside in the same area where they "grew up", and have defense mechanisms. Bivalves are also an amazing pollution monitor. Want to know if a body of water is polluted? Bivalves. They are filter feeders and accumulate pollutants in their tissues. They can't ingest the materials and therefore can't metabolize them, which isn't good for the mollusks themselves. Also, not good for humans.
After my research, I decided I'd probably never eat another bivalve again. At Sweet Pea, I was wondering...since oysters have no brains, do they have feelings? Peter suggested that they feel in different ways. Just because something doesn't have a brain, doesn't mean they can't "sense" or "feel". Which makes tons of sense. He then went on about plants and how they have feelings, and if people aren't going to eat animals or fish should they eat vegetables or fruits? Something like that... Sigh. I don't know if I can get on board with that last part.
Anyways, so it's been over a month of veganism and I decided to throw a dinner party for my friends. They all came over for some bean chili and cornbread.
 |
| Leftover bean chili and cornbread for lunch. |
 |
| Yumtastic. No Earth Balance (spread) needed! |
 |
| Close-up of the beautiful colors. |
That chili looks so damn good!
ReplyDeleteI would probably be a vegan also except that, like your friend, I see plants as having the same consciousness of some animals and perhaps more than some people.
Thanks so much for the comment!
ReplyDeleteI do believe that plants possess a spirit. My belief overall is that humans (being the stronger, more dominant species) should try their best to do the least amount of damage possible. So, after years and years of eating meat (my whole) life, I decided on a plant-based diet. Because, let's face it, a girl's got to eat! Haha.
This doesn't mean that I'm judgmental of those who consume animal products. We all choose our own paths in life, and who is to say that one person's choice is right or wrong? I'm just doing what I believe is right for me. :)
Again, I really appreciate the comment!