Growing Up Knowing About the Food

Growing up in a household of very food conscious parents I was always educated on which foods to eat and why. Conversations often veered towards discussing the pros of organic, local, and fresh vegetables, or where the fish on the table came from; Alaska or Canada? Farm raised or wild caught? Going out to eat with my parents would be more of a process than anything else, with my dad questioning the waiter to no end about the origin of the food and if butter is used or salt. I am fortunate that I had the opportunity to live in such an environment where food has never been simply a necessity but more of a lifestyle choice. My parents have been pescatarians for as long as I can remember and in high school I made a moral decision to join them in their diet. This lasted throughout high school and into college. Once in college I had a difficult time limiting my diet in the cafeteria and began eating poultry as well as fish. Since college began I have flip-floped in my diet many times from vegetarian to omnivore and back again. Currently I am eating meat but I attempt to make my food choices thoughtful. It will be interesting to see how the Rights of Animals and Ecosystems course will shape and change my thoughts and views on my own diet and lifestyle.