Peoples ideas about meat..

[Happy]

I've been stuck too. I was raised in a city. I was taught NOTHING of self-sufficiency and little of how to interact socially (so I'm sorry if I come across as less PC than people prefer). I didn't drag myself partially out of it (still stuck, but in a better place). I've been on the unemployment roller-coaster working as a temp at Amazon for 4 years. I'm currently supporting a family of 4 on less than $100 a week AND trying to get a rabbitry started with NO materials and NO way to get them without pulling favors for people. The fact is that I actually somewhat envy her, as she is the only one who pays when she takes a defeatist attitude, whereas I have three other people depending on me who will suffer for it. I really am sorry that I'm too blunt because I like everyone here. I've not seen one single poster I didn't like, even when I disagree with them. This DOES include sky. Were I trying to be a jerk, I'd have mentioned that shooting the dogs and rabbits would loosen up some finances, but I know how people feel about their animals and I know people are willing to make sacrifices for them. I'm sorry my tone is harsh, but that's because I can't add inflection and body language to my speech. At the end of the day, it's sink or swim. We have to do for ourselves because NOBODY will do it for us. When my circumstances are bad, i cut off the unnecessary portions of my circumstances. I don't go online and use them as a defense against an insult that was never made to me.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Hey, SkysTheLimit is a NICE person. I am, myself, "stuck" in a less than ideal situation, but-- with SKY's help, it is better than it was!!!

Now, I Love meat-- I don't mind handling it-- I can cut up a chicken, I wish I could afford to eat more meat.

I have 5 kits out in the shed--But now they are out there-- they are not gaining as fast. Why? Safety reasons--my physical safety does not permit me to be quite as attentive as I would like with the weather being the way it is. Oh, to have more 'dirt' to put gardens on, to put outbuildings on-- Everything I bring on this lot right now, MUST be portable to the next location--

We omnivorous people remain that way by choice. Vegans, vegetarians, fruititarians,(yes, they exist) etc, MAKE THE CHOICE. I eat meat-- but can't stomach the idea of eating tripe (Pun intended!!)

Individualists Unite!!!!

 

[Happy]

Sky has already shown tremendous strength to overcome a bad situation. On a shoestring budget, and with a severe aversion ot butchering, has managed to open and maintain a small rabbitry for her beloved dogs!

Sky, remember that next time you want to say "I can't" because you've already proven yourself a VERY strong women who CAN!

 

[Frecs]

I've been following...and posting...to this thread. I fail to see where anyone has attacked or picked on Sky. Sky made comments to which others, including myself, have responded to in what was intended to be a conversation. I'm sorry if anyone has been offended by this discussion but we are adults (I think) and should be able to handle a friendly discussion of opposing views.

I've been "stuck"...I've been in a position to have to walk away from home and possessions and start over with what I could pack into a car. I can tell you of a year when my diet was largely rice and beans because that is all I could afford. Yes, now I have a small, very humble, home on a half acre. It's not mine but I have living rights to it. But, I've lived in small apartments, condos, and townhouses with postage stamp yards and HOA rules so stringent that I had to be careful how I breathed. But, rather than have the attitude of "wow is me" or "I'm trapped and I can't get out"...I always had a plan...a way to improve my self-sufficency.

I know Sky is a teacher and lives in an urban area. None of my comments were aimed at her specifically. I was commending on the notion that people have no hope because they made a certain penitence of an income. My point being -- it is much less about the income and much more about the attitude one takes about it. I remember a well known Christian financial advisor telling of four couples in Atlanta. The first came to him and said "you just can't live in Atlanta on $20,000 a year, if only we earned $40,000 we'd be able to do better". He looked at their expenses and said, "you are right, you can't live on $20,000". The second couple said, "you just can't live in Atlanta on $50,000 a year, if only we earned $70,000 we'd be okay". He looked at their expenses and said, "you are right, you can't live on $50,000". The third couple said "you just can't live in Atlanta on $75,000 a year, if only we made $100,000 a year, we'd be okay." He looked at their expenses and said, "you are right, you can't live on $75,000". The fourth couple told him, "you just can't live in Atlanta on $100,000 a year, if only we made $150,000 we'd be okay." He looked at their expenses and said, "you are right, you can't live on $100,000". So, was his point that in order to live decently in Atlanta, one must make $150,000 a year? Nope. His point was that the problem for each couple was in their expenses. Each was living beyond their means.

We have poor people in this country who believe they should have smartphones and cable tv and xBoxes and new cars and ....they think that these are needs and necessities. So, they don't have money for taking steps to improve their situation because what money they have is going to such "necessities". You can not eat a smartphone. I don't really even blame the people for this situation. It is a societal problem that has been created by a government who has secured their power base on the back of entitlements and by Hollywood and advertising and all the power-mongers who build their wealth by convincing people they can not live without their produce or a certain lifestyle.

I don't have cable tv nor a Wii nor many of the "necessities" people I know think they can't live without. Instead, I spend that money on items I need to build my homestead and my self-sufficiency. True, I still have internet but would dump it if I needed to. I have three dogs who are not herding dogs or guard dogs -- their only job is to be my and my mother's companions. So, I'm not without a few luxuries. ;-)

And, this all relates to the OP in that it is part of what brings us to a point where people can't deal with meat that isn't on a plastic butcher tray. People are too removed from the true costs of their lifestyles. No, not everyone should have to butcher their own food. But, it wouldn't hurt to have an understanding of what it takes to turn a chicken into a chicken nugget. But, see, cameras aren't allowed in slaughterhouses so people can't know what it takes.... unless they can go to a place like Polyface Farms and watch the process (or even help) on butcher day.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I just read an article the other day about how so many vegans are causing clearcutting and poverty in Peru

The sad truth is that no matter what our ideals, we are all hypocrites in one way or another, often times without even knowing it.

We all have different values and focus on those that are most important to us personally. There is no way that anyone could possibly live up to each and everyone's combined ideals.

All we can do is decide to focus on what we think is most important and try to live our lives as best we can, knowing that we are fallible humans and will falter even then.

Butchering animals is not rocket science. In a TEOTWAWKI situation, I doubt many people will starve if they can wrap their hands around the neck of a chicken, dog or cat. They may not do a very clean job of butchering it, but they will do well enough and will improve the next time. Even the girl that Zab started this thread about would be capable of it if she were truly starving.

As for the revulsion of handling raw meat, even that barrier will be overcome in a truly desperate situation. We have all heard of situations where people will cannibalize their dead companions, even eating them raw if there is no way to cook the flesh.

For those that choose not to do the deed themselves, unless stranded alone, there is always the barter system.

 

[Miss M]

To Happy and Frecs and the rest of the participants in this thread:

To make sure I was correct about my assessment of the direction of the thread, I just finished rereading the whole thing.

I discovered that I was wrong. I'm not sure what caused me to think that Sky was being attacked, but I was wrong, and I apologize for threatening to lock the thread.

Just so y'all know, I am not a fan of political correctness. While I believe that everything should be spoken respectfully and tactfully when possible, I also believe that grownups should be able to speak freely about different topics. My husband used to be a member on a forum where if you posted about an issue that might be remotely controversial, the thread was locked immediately. I appreciate just as much as anyone else here the openness of this forum, and the fact that we discuss many controversial issues here civilly.

Nothing to do with PC caused me to say I might lock the thread. It was only that I had gotten the idea that Sky was being attacked. I was wrong, and I am very sorry.

 

[MaggieJ]

You make some valid points, Frecs, about what people perceive as "necessities". We are living on a very marginal income... and to make it worse there are great fluctuations in it because we are self-employed. We have become pretty good at the old Depression motto: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without". There are so many things I just never buy anymore... In fact, it sickens me a little to see the useless consumer products on store shelves and the junk (not just food) that goes into the carts in Wal-Mart. Oddly enough, we eat better than we ever have with the garden, the eggs from the chickens and the rabbit meat. We do still buy most of our meat at the supermarket and I wish it wasn't so... and we are trying to reduce this, but at our ages there is a limit to our endurance and capacity for physical work.

I'd love to see an integrated program in the schools so that the upcoming generation learns about where food and clothing come from, both now and in the past. I'd love to see schools have programs where the kids garden and raise chickens for eggs on the school grounds. They used to do this in Britain. The result could partially support a school breakfast or lunch program. It would offer some hope for the future.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'd love to see schools have programs where the kids garden and raise chickens for eggs on the school grounds.

http://edibleschoolyard.org/

 

[MaggieJ]

Oh, very cool! Thanks for posting that link, MSD!

 

[Happy]

Nothing to do with PC caused me to say I might lock the thread. It was only that I had gotten the idea that Sky was being attacked. I was wrong, and I am very sorry.

And I also apologize for misinterpreting your position.

 

[Marinea]

So many people these days get an idea into their head and *bam*, that's the way EVERYONE must do it! And if you don't, you are lazy, stupid, depressed, or insane. To that, I say this....pfffffft.

Everyone has their own life, their own experiences. If someone asks a question, and I feel I can contribute, I give MY opinion based on MY experiences. I would never presume to tell someone that that's the way they HAVE to or SHOULD do anything. And if the person takes a road different from the opinion I shared, I don't wait with baited breath for them to fail so I can say "I told you so".

I understand the basics of how an engine works. Do I repair them? No. Why? No interest in doing that. I raise chickens. For the first time, we will be butchering some of them. Am I looking forward to it? No. Am I sure I will be able to handle or eat the meat? Truthfully, I am not. If someone else has a different view, good for them. My life experiences are such that I believe what I believe and feel what I feel.

What is the point of my ramblings? I only hope that this microcosm of people from different situations can continue to realize that we are not cookie cutter people with the same backgrounds, situations, knowledge, abilities, financial resources, living conditions or family situations. We are here to share ideas with each other to make all of our individual situations better, not make them all the same.

Just my two cents.

 

[camanojim]

As a prepper on a very limited budget, not only am I funding our day to day needs but am trying to fund ( prepare ) for the future. Skills are the best prep for a shtf future. Raising your own food is only one skill ( a huge skill ) but the teacher, the mechanic, the carpenter and all of the people who have learned a skill that can translate into a failed economy are going to be our heros. I work on high speed printing systems. I need new skills to make it in the future.I am ready to learn from all of you good people and I thank you

 

[mystang89]

I'd love to see schools have programs where the kids garden and raise chickens for eggs on the school grounds.

http://edibleschoolyard.org/

That's very cool. I think with more programs like this it would go a long ways towards getting people back in the mindset of providing for yourself and might also lesson the amount of influence PITA and other ARA groups having.

 

[bigbunns]

I rarely butt in on these threads, but this whole thread struck a chord, since the same sentiments are being openly stated around the world, not just the U.S. I read this this morning in a letter to the editor of a European newspaper, written by a man who is just totally fed up with the difficulties of the economy when it comes to raising a family.
"While a spoilt, bratty and wealthy few are cementing themselves to the tarmac to protest the fur trade or invading school cafeterias to protest the drinking of milk (Peta does these on a ...regular basis), the rest of the world are too busy worrying where their next meal is coming from or how to feed their children to waste too much time trying to win lobsters the right to vote." It is a global issue now and more and more people are frustrated trying to put their own meat on their own table. But it is more necessary now then ever.
Have a good evening.

 

[Miss M]

As a prepper on a very limited budget, not only am I funding our day to day needs but am trying to fund ( prepare ) for the future. Skills are the best prep for a shtf future. Raising your own food is only one skill ( a huge skill ) but the teacher, the mechanic, the carpenter and all of the people who have learned a skill that can translate into a failed economy are going to be our heros. I work on high speed printing systems. I need new skills to make it in the future.I am ready to learn from all of you good people and I thank you

We are trying to do much the same. We've been doing the rabbits for a few years now, but now that we have a little land, we are accelerating. We are raising laying hens now, and plan to get into dairy goats soon. We'll be planting very soon. I've learned how to sew, and I'm learning to can.

I rarely butt in on these threads, but this whole thread struck a chord, since the same sentiments are being openly stated around the world, not just the U.S. I read this this morning in a letter to the editor of a European newspaper, written by a man who is just totally fed up with the difficulties of the economy when it comes to raising a family.
"While a spoilt, bratty and wealthy few are cementing themselves to the tarmac to protest the fur trade or invading school cafeterias to protest the drinking of milk (Peta does these on a ...regular basis), the rest of the world are too busy worrying where their next meal is coming from or how to feed their children to waste too much time trying to win lobsters the right to vote." It is a global issue now and more and more people are frustrated trying to put their own meat on their own table. But it is more necessary now then ever.
Have a good evening.

Wow, very interesting! The author of that letter is absolutely right. At a time when things are really heading downhill economically, governments are working to make it even more difficult to survive.

Quite a first post there, Bigbunns! Welcome to RabbitTalk!

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I raise my own meat for the table... I have laying hens for my eggs, I have a pig for the table that i am raising now.. I do meat birds every year.I make my own bread.. I have a garden . I also can my veg or in the cold spot. But sometimes that isnt enough. I am still at the grocery store to much... I am trying to do is not to be there anymore than once a month.. For my flour,yeast,sugar,milk, spices, ect. Some day i will do it.

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

I raise my own meat for the table... I have laying hens for my eggs, I have a pig for the table that i am raising now.. I do meat birds every year.I make my own bread.. I have a garden . I also can my veg or in the cold spot. But sometimes that isnt enough. I am still at the grocery store to much... I am trying to do is not to be there anymore than once a month.. For my flour,yeast,sugar,milk, spices, ect. Some day i will do it.

You are who I want to be a year from now! This will be my first year for meat birds and I am about to get my rabbits. My gardening skills still need some refining, but I am getting there. I don't think I'll ever be able to avoid the grocery store, but only going for staples a couple of times a month would be great.

 

[BroodCoop]

I honestly believe that you would be better off if you never again ate anything made with flour. Same with vegetable oil.<br /><br />__________ Tue Jan 22, 2013 6:19 pm __________<br /><br />But they just said on the news that the economy is doing great, Wall St is up. They don't understand why people are not rejoicing.

I am moving toward smaller rabbits that eat less and produce just as much meat.

 

[Frecs]

I honestly believe that you would be better off if you never again ate anything made with flour. Same with vegetable oil.

__________ Tue Jan 22, 2013 6:19 pm __________

But they just said on the news that the economy is doing great, Wall St is up. They don't understand why people are not rejoicing.

I am moving toward smaller rabbits that eat less and produce just as much meat.

Generic 'vegetable oil' should be treated like the poison it is. Olive oil, coconut oil, nut oils...stick with those.

You know, they keep saying the economy is great but I fail to see how my situation has gotten better...my paycheck has larger and larger gaps between paydays...great it ain't!

 

[Happy]

The economy on the whole is doing better, but part of that is corporate leaders cutting back on how much of that "trickles down" to those of use who rely on the economy to be healthy. HOPEFULLY, though doubtfully, the "trickle" will be on its way down.