Archive for January 2011
The Case for Controlled Atmosphere Killing
The current process of killing chickens is quite extensive that can be riddled with many mishaps. Most slaughterhouses employ the use of electrical water-bath stunning in which the feet of chickens are put through metal shackles. Since these leg openings for these metal shackles are pretty much “one size fits all”, chickens with thicker legs may struggle, causing bruising and swelling. As the chickens are hanging upside down, the metal shackles steer them to the first part of the slaughtering process: a water bath energized by electricity.
The chickens are dumped headfirst into the water, and the electric charge is supposed to render them unconscious. Further investigations, however, have shown that not all chickens are electrocuted properly, and some make it through the electrocution phase alive – and in pain. In addition, some chickens make it out alive because they lifted their heads just as they were lowered into the water. Then, there is the chance that some chickens who happen to be touching another chicken that is getting electrocuted gets stunned as well.
The next part of the system takes the chickens to a neck-cutting machine. This machine is supposed to make an incision across the neck of the chickens, which is quick for the chickens who were successfully knocked unconscious by the stun bath, but not quick enough for those chickens that are conscious post-stun bath. There is also the chance the chicken misses the machine and is still alive to endure the last phase of the killing process: the scald tank. At this point, whether or not the chickens are dead, unconscious, or alive, they are dumped into a vat of scalding hot water. Chickens who miss all of the previous steps will enter the tank alive and will drown in the process.
In a controlled atmosphere killing setting, chickens are rounded up into crates and placed in a setting where the breathable air’s content is altered, thus causing them to lose consciousness and then eventually die of oxygen deprivation.
Don’t get me wrong: I am not endorsing the chickens be put to death, but, given the options, I opt for the most humane method available, and it sounds like controlled atmosphere killing is the best option. You may be asking, “Why does it matter?” and I understand that point. After all, how the chicken is being treated prior to its death is a moot point because the chicken is now, in fact, dead. Well, it does matter. It matters because it is the least we can do so we can feed off of the flesh of the chicken who unwillingly gave up its life for us. It matters because of basic compassion and respect for all things living on this planet. It matters because the life energy of that chicken in the time of its “violent” death passes on to you.
For a good read on slaughterhouse issues, click on the image below to pick up a copy of Gail A. Eisnitz’s Slaughterhouse:
Posted in Food, General, Pets and Animals | 
Tags: cak, chicken, controlled atmosphere killing, eisnitz, electric immobilization, gail a. eisnitz, humane, slaughterhouse, stun bath | 
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Pure Synergy – The Ultimate Superfood
Pure Synergy’s Ultimate Superfood formula is amazing!
It contains minimally processed aquatic greens, freeze-dried fruits, berries, and enzymes, freeze-dried sprouts, herbs, and vegetable powders from the most trusted “green” food sources, such as kale, alfalfa, parsley, collard greens, and wheat grass, making this formula one of the most potent superfood formulas I’ve ever tried. The directions suggest to start off slowly with a quarter-teaspoon and then gradually increase the serving to a full teaspoon daily. I take about three-quarters of a teaspoon every other morning just to give me a little kick, and it gives me the little boost I need to take on the day. Some of the benefits I’ve noticed include enhanced mental clarity, focus, and improved energy.
Pick some up by clicking on the image above or by clicking here: Pure Synergy Ultimate Superfood!
Here is the nutritional information:
Facts about Pure Synergy Superfood, courtesy of The Synergy Company:
* Pure Synergy is the original superfood product made with organic and kosher ingredients. Its unsurpassable formula has been refined and perfected during 30 years of clinical research and use.
* Pure Synergy is produced in our own award-winning, wind-powered FDA-registered production facility, where we are certified to manufacture organic and kosher products.
* Pure Synergy ingredients are carefully dried using unique cold-temperature technologies that naturally protect and preserve the vitality of the valuable nutrients, enzymes, and other compounds in all our greens, herbs, algae, sprouts, mushrooms, and berries.
* Pure Synergy offers a wider variety of algae and sea vegetables than any other superfood formula and provides you the broadest spectrum of health-enhancing aquatic compounds available.
* Pure Synergy offers an abundance of Western herbs and Asian herbs and mushrooms, carefully formulated to maintain the energetic balance of Pure Synergy while contributing optimal tonic benefits.
* Pure Synergy contains blueberries, raspberries, papaya, and whole apple—some of the richest sources of potent antioxidant phytonutrients, such as anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, quercetin, and ellagic and phenolic acids.
* Pure Synergy contains 100% grass juices — no whole grasses or grass fiber. This eliminates the nutritionally empty fillers commonly found in other superfood formulas while providing all the vibrant enzymes and nutrients of purifying greens in their most digestible and easily assimilated form.
* Pure Synergy does not contain any maltodextrin, rice bran, flax meal, barley malt, lecithin or other inexpensive fillers.
* Pure Synergy ingredients are subjected to over 600 quality control tests to verify their purity and potency.
* Pure Synergy is vacuum-packed in glass. Our unique, state-of-the-art Ultra Fresh Packaging ™ ensures unprecedented protection for all the valuable phytonutrients in Pure Synergy.
Posted in Food, Health & Beauty | Tags: b12, nutrition, pure synergy, superfood, supplement, synergy | No Comments »
Ethical Vegetarians, Vegans and Companion Animals
For some, the reason for being vegetarian or vegan is for a purely ethical reason: the adopted lifestyle is for the sake of the animal. That is why the meat of an animal is not eaten, her milk not used as a beverage, his skin not used for leather boots and jackets, or her body parts not used for products, such as cosmetics, foods, and industrial items. Causing harm to another animal is avoided as much as possible… even if that means not purchasing products from a certain company because the company tests on animals or has been known to abuse animals in the past during food production.
The issue is the animal is being subjected to an activity that he most likely does not want to do. Does the pig volunteer to be turned into bacon and pork? Does the cow line up with the other cows to be executed so he can be turned into a hamburger? Does the chicken run to the giant room that uses controlled atmospheric killing? No. The animal will fight and scream to avoid pain and death. The animal should be able to choose what they want to do with their life: if the animal decides it wants to run in the field, it should run in the field without feeling restricted.
With this view, where do you draw the line for vegetarians or vegans who have pets? Animals have been domesticated for centuries for human pleasure, entertainment, and assistance. Is it unethical for an ethical vegetarian or vegan to have a companion animal? At what point does this become an issue of animal enslavement?
Animals will continue to be domesticated so we will continue to have pets until probably the end of time. People will always find a way to use animals, if not for personal pleasure, then through food, science, production, medicine, or other “useful” purposes. The reliance on animals for food and products has been constant for as long as man has lived on this planet.
My take on this issue may not coincide with the opinions of others for I say that it is okay, under certain circumstances, for an ethical veg to have a companion animal. There are hundreds of thousands of animals at rescue shelters that, if given the chance to speak our language, would most likely declare they wish to live at a human household than to be put to death. Personally, as long as the animal is well-cared for, is not being abused, and is loved, then I believe it’s okay. Sure, a cat would prefer to live in a “free” environment where he can chase mice and be as active as he wishes, but our world isn’t exactly a safe sanctuary for these domesticated animals.
Sound off – what’s your take on ethical vegetarians and/or vegans who have companion animals?