Remember that old nursery rhyme, “Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean…” ? That’s all I remember, which is probably fine as this post is not about nursery rhymes. Today I want to talk about fat. Turns out it was Jack’s wife who was the smart cookie in that house. For the sake of this conversation, let’s call her Jill ( and later we’ll all go up a hill to fetch a pail of water! Sorry, just couldn’t resist that. )

Before I talk about Jill’s culinary prowess, I need to discuss the 2 kinds of meat in the kitchen of life and their differences. Behind door #1 we have commercially raised meat from feedlot animals. Behind door #2 we have pastorally raised meat from locally farmed animals. The animals in the first group are treated inhumanely and are fed a diet that would turn your stomach. This meat is not particularly good for us and the fat does lead to the health problems often cited by dieticians. The animals in the second group are raised ethically and eat the foods they were meant to. This meat is good for us, has beautiful flavour, and the fat has been proven to lower cholesterol! GOOD FAT!

So, back to Jack. Here he is eating only loins and poultry breasts because his doctor has told him to avoid fat. But he’s very sad because there is no flavour on his fat-free plate. Chew, chew, boo-hoo. Now let’s look at Jill. Damn that girl looks happy! She only buys meat from local farmers and ethical butchers and only eats her favourite cuts—bison  shoulder, lamb shanks, duck & chicken legs, feet, pork belly– oh yah, Jill knows where the flavour’s at. And guess what? Not only is she happier than hubby, she’s healthier too!

OK, we’ll let J & J finish their meal w/out our inquiring eyes.

We all need to examine what we put on our plates, and from where it came. As a society do we really want to be supporting Big Business  w/ their chemicals, unethical practices, powerful lobby groups, and fat paycheques for executives. Let’s look at a powerful option, one that is better for us, our communities, and our planet— local farmers are working very hard to produce foods that can enrich our tummies, our souls and our conscience. I love it when logic tastes so good!

Tastefully Yours,

Luke