A few years ago I realized I need to be eating meat in the wintertime, because my body needed it. I was vegetarian for the better half of close to 10 years and a vegan for 1 year, but I still never felt how I felt like I "should." If I could be vegan and feel honestly strong and healthy in my body, I would, trust me, I would... and I'm sure it is possible. But the honest truth is, our farming in America does not supply us with the food we need to survive.
Vegetarian, Vegan, and Carnivore
It has taken me over a decade of trial and error to even get close to understanding how to eat in a way that makes me feel stronger, healthier, and happier.
I have been hearing a lot about the carnivore diet and how it can totally heal pretty much all sickness and disease, and I honestly believe it. As someone who has done vegan, and now eats meat, and was vegetarian for many years... I honestly don't see why there is such a debate over all of it. Food, is food. Our ethics are what is f*cked up.
I remember eating a piece of salmon after not eating meat for so long, and it literally felt like my body just put gasoline in the tank after living off of air. You can eat all the whey you want, and you won't come close to getting what meat can give you, I just see that as a fact now. And if I could live on just vegetables and eggs, I would! But I think my body was starving, and has been starving for a very, very, very long time. Not starving from calories, starving from nutrition.
No, I did not feel comfortable eating meat at first, but I noticed pretty quickly how much it helped my anxiety around eating. For literally decades, I never felt truly full. I could eat all the "healthy" stuff I wanted - fruits, vegetables, granola, nuts, beans - but I never. felt. full. and felt like I had to eat so much and dedicate so much time and stress trying to think of how to feed myself.
When I was in the grocery store last year, I heard a voice say "I would rather you eat my body, than the body of the machine." I heard it pretty loud and clear, and took that as an understanding from God. In an effort to begin to heal myself, I listened, and began eating meat again.
Fish, chicken and eggs
I only buy organic meat (mostly chicken), organic or homegrown eggs, and wild caught fish. When it is available during the year I buy it from local farms, but in the winter I have to go to the grocery store.
I keep in mind that I only try to eat meat I would feel comfortable maybe someday harvesting myself, I know that sounds a little crazy, but should any of us be eating meat we wouldn't be comfortable killing ourselves? That is why I don't eat beef, I could not do it myself. I would love to raise my own chickens and harvest eggs! And I want to fish as well - there are designated fishing areas in my region which are stocked, but that is more sustainable than getting flown in from around the world. Baby steps, they're big steps.
I do make exceptions, but only because I am also trying to heal from an eating disorder, as well heal my gut and physical body. Eating more animal fat allows be to do both, and I am still learning. I have been eating organic humanely raised and harvested bacon which eating with breakfast, really helps me stop having cravings. I have been trying to eat much less carbs, and cut out sugar when I can. I eat mostly a whole foods diet, so eating bacon is a luxury that I am so extremely thankful for, and don't eat often. When healing from eating disorders, cutting anything "cold turkey" (no pun intended) can be dangerous. It has taken me years to get this far and I am making a lot of progress, and I have to be flexible here and there because I am doing this for long term health, and that takes time and patience. Looking at how far I have come is awe-inspiring, even to me, so I would rather go slow and steady.
Prepping your own meat at home
Preparing all of my own meat gives me such a feeling of stability. I know I will be fed, healthy, and happy thanks to the animals that gave their lives to me. That is pretty incredible when you stop to think about it, and it makes me feel more connected to the world, and life. I don't take it lightly. I make sure to treat it with respect, do the best job I can, and never waste anything.
Saving money
Eating organic is more "expensive," but you would be amazed at how much less I eat, because I make it a priority to choose options that are better for my body and the planet. It's all a choice. I actually end up saving money, because I make all of my meals at home now (I love my cooking, and it's healthier, and I save money), and I'm also more aware of not wasting any food, so I only spend money on what I actually eat. I honestly probably spend half the amount I used to. Plus, it just makes me happy. This is my healthcare. The fact that we are lead to believe that eating anything other than organic is okay, is a bigger problem to think about. I'm not perfect either, but it makes you think!
Let's get to the point
Okay, so here is an example of how I prep my meat. This will last me at least a few weeks. It's an amazing system for me. I am only cooking for myself, but I am also mindful of wanting to cook for others someday as well. So, you can easily double, triple, quadruple, etc. and feed as many mouths as you need to with this. It's so simple. Prepping/cooking like this has helped me with my anxiety as well. I usually do this on Sunday (unless I still have meat in the freezer) and just take out what I need during the week, on the day I want to cook it. It is soooooo easy and makes cooking more fun! I also re-use all the plastic bags by washing them. You can also add marinades to the chicken and fish - just take out what you want in the am from the freezer, add your marinade to the bag, and let it thaw and marinade in the fridge until you cook it later in the day! If you are in a hurry, you can just lay the frozen meat in a shallow bowl of warm water and it will thaw in a few minutes. Doesn't get easier.
You can easily do this with any meat, and any size portion you want. Having single size potions like this is amazing when you're just cooking for yourself! No waste, and the food is always fresh.
Bell and Evans air chilled organic chicken breasts, Norwegian farm-raised salmon (only fresh option from my local grocery store), and North Country sugar free organic bacon.
I have found Bell and Evans organic chicken breasts to taste awesome and are always high quality. This is my second time trying North Country organic bacon and it is amazing. Salmon is such a beautiful fish - my favorite! One time I was lucky enough to have smoked salmon from Kodiak Island, Alaska given to me by a friend and it was the best thing I have ever eaten in my entire life. I am not exaggerating, I have never eaten anything like that before, and I have a love for Alaska too! Knowing where it came from, and how far it came just to be enjoyed by me was something really special. I felt very lucky. Salmon is my power fish!!!
I wash the chicken in cool water, trim the chicken breasts using shears, and butterfly with a large, sharp knife to make 2 portions from 1 breast. Place each portion in its own clean ziplock bag for freezer and lay flat.
Cut strips in half, adding 4 small strips for 1 portion, equalling 2 pieces of bacon per serving.
Cut single portions of salmon using kitchen shears. Wash each piece off in cool water to remove any loose scales and lay on towel to remove any water. Bag each portion and lay flat.
And that's it! Store in your freezer and take out whatever you need. Don't forget to give thanks - we are so very lucky to have the resources we do. Eating like this in the winter months keeps me healthy. It has helped me save money and make more conscious choices and choose more sustainable options. Putting effort into cooking my meals at home helps me in so many ways. I hope to share that with other people!
You can see some frozen veggies in the back :) I have a bag of frozen onions, peppers and mushrooms leftover for a stir fry, and I also have a container of frozen spaghetti squash which I can add to pasta with sauce, or as a side with butter, salt and pepper. I also have some other frozen meat - I have also leftover prepped chicken drumsticks for oven baked crispy chicken legs, some fresh sea scallops, and a serving of fresh ground turkey which I could make meatballs with, or use for a Mexican night! It's all so easy and simple. Learning how to cook has bettered my life.
Your health is worth more than gold. Make better choices, even if they aren't perfect, and always strive to do the next right thing.