Book Giveaway!

Right around this time last year, I ordered a book by John Robbins called "Diet for a New America".  It was impossible for me to know in advance the impact it would have on me, and before reading it, I had very little knowledge of the animal husbandry practices in the United States. I honestly believed that the only animals that were being mistreated were the calves who were being slaughtered for veal, and because of that, I have never eaten it.  I never thought to question the ways that all of the other animals were being treated, and I assumed that by eating chicken 5-6 times a week, instead of red meat, I was being as health conscious as I possibly could be.
Boy, was I wrong.
Without going into all of the gruesome details, let's just say that what I read was enough to make me stop eating meat right there on the spot, and I have never looked back.  I couldn't bare to be a part of the reason why so many animals were mistreated, and the decision is one that I will never regret.  Not only has my decision had many physical benefits, (Yes, I lost weight!) but mentally I have become more aware of all of the things that I put into my body and slather onto my skin.
In summary,  I have become one of those people.
I'll be the first person to preach about all of the reasons you should consider giving up, or greatly reducing your intake of meat, but I also understand why so many of us are afraid to do so.  For years, we have been bombarded with advertisements telling us to be healthy, strong and beautiful, we have to consume animal products.  What would happen to our skin, our bones, our waistlines, if, heaven forbid, we actually stopped eating all of the food the government has been force feeding us?
Could we actually become a healthier nation?  Could obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer become diseases of the past?

That book ignited a passion in me, and ever since reading it,  I have greedily devoured every piece of literature I can find looking for answers to those questions. . I want to know why we have been being duped by our government for so long, and how come the health of our nation is falling to the wayside.  Are the FDA and the USDA really more concerned about making money than keeping us healthy?  Sadly, yes they are.

On Friday, I picked up a book called "Food Matters"  at the library,and it has sort of turned my meatless world upside down.  It's one of those reads that makes you want to strike up conversations with random strangers, and one that causes you to send late night texts to your friends and sisters. It's eye-opening and appalling, and if you can read it and not want to change your eating habits, I would be amazed.  The author, Mark Bittman, is one of my favorite food writers of all time, and in a way that has never been done before, he eloquently shows us that food does, indeed, matter.  Not just to our waistlines, but to the entire future of our planet. Not once does he ask you to stop eating meat, so don't worry, you don't have to say bon voyage to bacon or farewell to a juicy filet mignon, but you do have to make some changes.

Today, because nothing I write here does this book justice, and because I am very passionate about exactly what this book is about, I am giving away a copy of "Food Matters" to one lucky reader. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me how many times a week you eat meat.  Not just red meat, but any kind of meat. 

Weiner will be announced by midnight on Wednesday!  Good luck to ya!

Good luck!
Lana