locavore, the myth of the vegan

There's something terribly naive or perhaps optimistic to imagine that one can simply decide they are 'vegan'. It's terrifically untrue that not consuming animal products means no life is lost. The myth of the vegan theory. I'd argue that in some instances being 'vegan' and meeting all nutritional needs means far more global destruction and harm than eating seasonally, locally and carnivorously.

I've read and can well believe half the world's wildlife has been estimated ultimately wiped out through soy and cotton farming. Eating (imported fermented soy) natto for essential vitamin K2 must surely be more destructive on a global level than eating the minute portions of fermented goat cheese that would otherwise ensure K2 needs are met. And Tofu? Who ever imagined tofu as a healthful food? Goodness. It's a vegan Kraft cheese slice. I truly think, the more I tinker with my diet and research, that eating what's here in my own true land, with a bit of effort, ALL nutritional needs can be met. Hungry? Head to the seashore closest to you. Despite scare stories about pollution, Britain's beaches are some of the most maintained in Europe. Edible flowering plants, seaweeds, mollusc's, crustaceans - and not even a fishing line in view and a whole meal with every vitamin and mineral one could desire all in. My dh once accused me after one of my long winded rants about the individual and global benefits of eating locally - of being one of the few 'rich' people able to try to do so. I knew exactly what he meant, and I know our little Island can support only 5 million or so people. With a population busting over 55 million it's hard to see how mass importing, intensive farming and GM foods can be avoided. BUT. These bare little harsh facts take account only our island's attempts to feed us through the counted 'farms' (animal, grain, vegetable). No one has estimated what might be possible if we forage and eat the free foods right there staring us in the face every single day if we open our eyes and learn how to look. How much can we consume of our seashores and woods and hedgerows without depleting natural resources? That I'd like to know. Nettles and brambles I imagine might makes everyone on earth a meal or two every year (if my little garden is enough to go on, and I was inclined and thrifty, I could probably managed to feed all five of us for half the year on just those with a few of our eggs thrown in).

The simple truth is that the true-blue vegan is really no such thing. (I have been one so I can talk). Animals still die, whatever food choices you make. A true vegan couldn't meet their full nutritional needs at all living in this country. Heavy supplementation and imported goods are a must. Anything else is a cobbled attempt and cracks will eventually turn to gaping nutritional holes. Cup of coffee? Each cup equals a dead songbird. Most vegans I know are weighed in moral and ethical dilemmas about their food choices. Meaning they too care as deeply as I do about the environment and animal health and welfare. But the huge flaw in their attempts is that they can't meet their needs locally. That to me is point proven. Every population and culture have always instinctively managed to meet needs with what they have, from fermented alpine butter, seal blubber, wild boar and coconut to fish heads stuffed with wild soaked oats. I'd rather gnaw at my free range locally reared pig's trotter than eat processed imported soy any day of the week. Eating flesh can be a considered choice, as much as any other. The animal can be your own, raised with care, or a local one you can trace and view and get to know. We have ice age physiologies and ice age woman certainly ate a bit of flesh.



Learning to recognise wild plants as foods is such a learned skill that hardly any of us know how to do it. I feel it's more important to know this (and show my kids) than it is to know the in's and outs' of trigonometry or grammar. More than any other time it seems it is now that we need to start learning about our coasts and woods (squirrel sandwich anyone?) and what they have to offer. Growing our own food. Asking local farmers if they have a bit to spare you could use or rent. Check out the river cottage Landshare attempt for this in your local area. Every medieval peasant had a veg garden a pig or two and a clutch of hens. Now it's a sign of luxury. A little weaned pig costs £35, hatching eggs and the hire of an incubated a couple of pounds. Field costs to rent can be as little as £50 a YEAR! It's true.



I can't truly practice what I preach all of the time. I am wondering at my use of superfoods, and questioning the cacao butter on my shelf. Do I really need this? can my need for this fat be met in another more local way? I am working towards it. It's in my mind's eye when I make food choices, future plans. But I have supplemental mangosteen, MSM, virgin coconut oil in my kitchen. It's tricky to think about replacing them when I am now so accustomed to them. The normal things I enjoy are warped things, not designed for me to eat (I see things I *should* eat as things I can physically get to). The abnormal is the true 'norm' and so it's a striving effort. But it can be done. I am as positive about it as I am about my own health being restored/remade. If I can direct my body towards self healing it's one step closer to healing the world (and vice versa). I see myself and essence in the pods of peas in my garden, the flowing stream, the chickens I will raise to eat. I give thanks to their lives, given, to assist mine. Vegetable, animal, mineral. Namaste. Living takes life. I celebrate that pure circular fact. It's liberating. I love you dear chick, you will have a lovely wild life and one day if you prove to be male, we will celebrate, trill our voices and watch your blood drip. Not gruesome. With reverence and soul felt thanks. The exchange not in a shop, not with silver in hand but right here already part of our lives. You will be cooked, stripped of meat for many meals your bones and skin will make a stock, we will have a week of food from you. Not a bit will be wasted and that will be our true hands together bowing down of thanks. The air I breathe is the same you do to. It's the link between every living being on earth. The connected threads start at home. I like to loftily think I am free from labels (don't we all). I'm not a vegan or vegetarian nor I am I vicious unthinking carnivore. I am all and none. Locavore, aspiring. Now, that? What a label! I'd gladly wear that badge.