Eating Less Meat (Part II)

Now, about this whole "eating less meat" thing. I feel the need to clarify. I am not saying I am going to stop eating meat. I have no plans to become a vegetarian. I was raised in Wyoming, in ranching country. I eat meat.

What I am saying is that a lot of the meat that's available in the store is ... well, questionable, to say the least. What with meat recalls and that fuzzy gray cast certain steaks take well before they should, with the nasty conditions chickens and cattle are raised in when they spend their short lives at a CAFO (if you can all it "raised," since they don't exactly live long happy lives), it just makes sense to me to stop eating so much factory-produced meat. Instead? How about more tasty vegetables, fruits, grains, what have you—so that when I do eat meat I can begin working to ensure that it is quality meat, good meat? (Which often means forking over more money; yes, I know.)

Let's be realistic here. I'm not saying that I want my piggies or cattle to have manicures and pedicures and lots of time to bask in the sun without a care in the world. But I do think it's reasonable to expect that they won't live their lives confined, basking in their own excrement, with zero exposure to real grass or fresh air. (Gross, but a realistic scenario.)

Despite the fact it's inhumane, it also affects the quality of meat we eat—and by extension, our own health. Those animals that spend time outside, that get to move around, that eat food such animals are meant to eat (also known as grass, folks), produce healthier, tastier meat. Animals that are raised in large-scale factory farming operations aren't healthy in the least bit (unless you call feeding cows tons of corn mixed with a hearty dose of drugs so they can stomach said corn, when their bodies aren't made to consume corn in the first place, healthy).

I want to know where my meat comes from, perhaps if I'm lucky to even meet the fellow (or lady, if you will) who was responsible for it.

Is that too much to ask?

Now the trick is finding these local sources. Anyone know where I can get great local meat around L-Town? I haven't seen much (or, rather, any) in the local grocery stores, so fill me in on where I should be looking. Am I just missing it? Hook a girl up.