Meat Freak Out

While clearing our DVR, my daughter and I were watching last weeks episodes of Master Chef and Hell's Kitchen.  Both happened to be about fish and I commented, "I don't eat fish so I wouldn't know how to cook it."  Later in the evening, while watching a different show, this conversation happened:

"Momma, have you ever eaten fish?"

"No, wait yes, but only from Captain D's."  We no longer have a Long John Silver's and the river fish tastes fishy.

"That's not fish!"

"Yes, it is."

"So, they go out and catch it?"  In a very none believable tone.

"Yes, someone does, then batter it and fry it."

"NO!  You eat a poor fish?!"


"Yeah, it's not like the fish feels it."

"Momma, no, it's so mean!"  Beginning to get emotional.

"You don't think it's mean to the cow for that spaghetti you eat or the steaks."

"Momma, stop,"  real tears starting to form, "I can't believe people kill little animals."

"Well, tell that to the pig as you eat your bacon in the morning."

At this point, she's almost into a full blown emotional breakdown.  Keeping in mind that I didn't know she was seriously getting upset, I continued to name off the cuts of meat she eats and the animal it comes from.  Probably not my proudest "Mommy moment."

I asked, "So are you a new vegetarian or a vegan?"

Puzzled, she questions, "What's a vegan?"

"Well, they don't eat anything from the animals."

"No, I can't live without chocolate milk and cheese, besides it doesn't hurt the animals."

"Don't forget the eggs to go with your pig, I mean bacon."  "You know I'm going to blog this right?"

"No, momma, no!  You can't it's so embarrassing, I'm hurting for the animals."

"Well, I will include my crazy animal/food moment as well."

"Ok, so tell me about it."

I began to laugh as I thought back to being approximately the same age as my daughter is now and a conversation I had with my dad.  We were in the car going from Auburn to Muscle Shoals, to see my grandparent's for the weekend.  At that time is was about a five hour drive, so I normally slept.  On this particular day I was wide awake looking out the window, when I noticed a bunch of large building with fans in the ends.

"Daddy, what are those building?"

"Chicken houses."

"What are chicken houses used for?"

"Well, some are for the mommies to lay their eggs and some are to raise the little chicks up so they can be sent to factories and killed so we can eat them."

"Eat Chicken?"  I was extremely confused.

"Yes, chicken."

"Chicken, chicken.  I've had cow, and pig, and even deer.  Chicken, I don't think I've ever had chicken before."

My dad had an odd look on his face at this point and he said nothing.  Still confused I began to stare out the window.  Then out of nowhere it hits me and I burst out with, "OH!  Kentucky Fried Chicken!"

I think my parents still laugh about this story.  Now, as for my daughter, I'm still not sure if she will turn into a vegetarian or just cry for the animals with each bite she takes in the future.