Bizarre…and appalling!

Andrew Zimmern, Host of "Bizzare Foods America""So whether it’s pig uterus hot dish in the Twin Cities or muskrat pate in the Motor City, Andrew’s advice remains the same; “If it looks good, eat it!”, says Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizzare Foods America.  And therein lies the problem…I'd suggest taking a look at Andrew.  Andrew Zimmern…I would call you a disgusting pig (at least in terms of your behavior)…but I cannot insult such an intelligent species…(Pigs are usually rated 4th in overall intelligence, behind chimps, dolphins and elephants).

As someone who once embodied that way of life, as an "evolved" and more educated individual…I must make certain connections…

First, we must examine…or shall I say reexamine "what looks good".  It's always been easier to look at our pretty packages of dead cow, pig and sheep in the meat section of the market, or our brightly colored dairy sections peppered with beautiful pictures of farms and happy animals (often with our favorite Disney characters)…yet we avoid having to think about the suffering the animals went through for our pleasure, the torturous behavior…and let's not forget…we never asked them if it was ok.  Ahhh…but of course, we are the more intelligent species right?  In some eyes…but not my own…I am no longer blinded by what others wish for me to see.

Josh's daughter treating animals how she was taughtOn a recent airplane flight, I picked up the Delta magazine and looked at it with my 8-year old vegetarian (by choice) son…we saw an advertisement for the show Bizzare Foods America…my son was aghast…guess those images don't look good in his eyes either.  I couldn't help but think about his future, how if this "vision" of our food chain continues to become more jaded…where will that leave us?

I also find it incredibly irresponsible, yet a product of our financially driven western culture, that The Travel Channel would even air such a show…but hey…it's all about the ratings..and about advertising dollars…so question answered there.  However, regardless of what other travel related entertainment might have interested me before on this cable channel…I'll just have to say "pass" in the future. (Oh how I love that you can block channels on my remote)!

Josh & HudsonAs a vegan, I obviously have an opposition to the content of this show.  And, although it explores culture and societal behavior as it relates to food…(which from a historical perspective I understand), I cannot however understand, that it highlights and promotes the same behavior which has the US (the intended target audience for this show) at the top of the charts for heart disease, cancer and a plethora of other ailments.  Ailments, which can be most certainly be improved by a plant based diet…not to mention the promotion of a far more peaceful existence with the animals we share this planet with.  

Being kind to animals, at least for me, comes far ahead of the health benefits derived as being vegan. And, it is what I will teach my kids…that our choices impact us, impact other beings and impacts our planet…I am a vegan by choice.  It is the philosophy I live by.