Are You In Integrity with Your Beliefs Around Food?

This weekend, I heard a powerful Hay House World Summit Interview with Ocean Robbins, and it got me FIRED UP!

I've always been an animal aficionado and a meat eater. I support vegetarians and vegans, but in all honesty, that's not currently a lifestyle that I personally want to pursue. Bacon is my love language, and I very much enjoy steak once a week. 

I know that horrendous stories abound about our food production, in the way that animals are raised and treated; and I've felt at odds - loving animals and detesting animal cruelty; yet appreciating buying chicken in bulk at Costco. 

During his interview, Ocean said something so simply profound, it gave me goosebumps. Essentially, he gave permission to those of us who are animal lovers and meat eaters to be BOTH; not and/or's. I LOVE and/or's! 

And, he gave some very practical tips on how to make decisions that are more in alignment with your personal values.

1. Cage-free and free-range do not equal animals that have lived a happy life. Look for foods that are labeled pasture-raised. 

2. Better yet, go out and personally meet the farmer of where you'll be purchasing your meat/eggs from. That way you get to experience first hand the conditions in which your food is raised. 

3. Join a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) - that way  you're eating locally, seasonally, and free of pesticides. 

Prior to moving to AZ, we ate a lot more grass-fed, farmers' market and CSA-bought products....and, admittedly, have just gotten more lazy in the quest for convenience. But, that's changing right now! We're researching all of the great local options and will be purchasing only pasture-raised meat and egg products. And, joining a CSA and making trips to the farmers' market part of our regular schedule. 

It doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, shopping locally and at farmers' markets and CSA's is often more cost-effective. And, you don't have to be to one extreme or the either. Every choice you make creates change! 

How can you begin to make choices (not just food related) that are more in alignment with how you want to feel, what you want to be, do, and have? What's one step that you can take today to move towards being more in integrity with your values?