Free-roam or factory farmed, you're still eating something that was once living and breathing. And feeling. There is no reason why human beings need to eat meat. Period.

I love the veggie soup mush sandwich idea! I don't eat meat, I don't want to eat it no matter how it was treated before it died. My BF who does eat meat usually buy meat from Earth Fare, the grocery store that only sells stuff that doesn't have added antibiotics, plus much of it is organic and or/free range. I don't like the way animals are treated, period, no matter what the label might say!

I read your original post about going vegetarian. This stood out to me: "One thing I've kind of accepted is that if you're a vegetarian, there will be times when you have to basically eat junk food instead of a healthy meal" Do you still feel this way?

I've been vegetarian for two years now, and have found ways around eating "junk" food. Eating out you can usually find at least a salad, or pasta. Though to be honest I do eat fish on occasion and that has helped. A lot of restaurants have been great about adding alternative sides too. I've become quite accustomed to choosing the healthiest, vegetarian options at gas stations. Dunkin'Donuts and Subway (there are a million around here)is okay in a real pinch.

Your wrap looks delish! I am a firm believer in eating organic free-roam/range meat-in moderation. I try to get it from small local farms (I live in SF so this is pretty easy for me)that practice sustainable farming. I've read a few books related to the matter, most recently In Defense of Food and a biography on Alice Waters. There are a few movies out right now that I recommend – Food, Inc. (http://www.foodincmovie.com/)and Fresh (http://www.freshthemovie.com/). Both highlight some farms that are doing it "right" so to speak. It's a very personal choice and it's always best to be informed! Happy reading/watching!

If you are really interested in Free-Range meat etc. I highly suggest you see the movie Food Inc. as others have suggested but also Check out articles and books by Micheal Pollan (He is in Food Inc.) My two favorite are "The Omnivores Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food". – My personal opnion is that meat should be considered a delicacy, not a 3 meal a day option. Like everything else in a healthy life it is all about balance!

I'm lucky enough to live in a very rural area. At this point about 90% of the meat that I eat comes from an animal that I met before it was slaughtered. I feel pretty comfortable with that, as I've always felt that if I can't take part in raising and then slaughtering an animal, I shouldn't eat it. I've helped in slaughtering the chickens my family raises, and take turns taking care of a friend's pig.
Of course this isn't the case when I eat out, but I only eat meat in restaurants if it is locally raised. In Vermont, that seems to mean something different than other places in the country- large, wide open fields, strictly grass-fed beef- most of the lcoal, organic farms care for their animals in a very humane and loving manner.

Limiting your meat consumption is important for health and environmental reasons.
You know what else is important (I'm looking at you, anonymous)? Tolerance, and behaving in a non-judgemental way toward other humans. Here is a good reason to eat meat: the very poor family I lived with in rural Jamaica ate primarily fish, rice, and goat meat. They lived on a fruit/vegetable farm, but needed to sell almost all of the fresh produce in order to make money to send their 2 daughters to school. They were able to make more money selling the fresh fruit than selling goat meat/fish.

Sorry, Caitlin, if that sounded rude, but it amazes me how much people care/get angry about what other people put into their own bodies.

I was going to write something else, but then I read the first Anonymous comment and changed my mind. I just think we should be accepting of other people's decisions. I choose to eat meat, and I don't think someone who chooses not to should judge me for that. I do think it's great that some people can go without meat or any animal products at all. That's just not me.

I think it's so great you'll be running this marathon! Way to go, support your friend in sucha great way! Inspiration, Caitlin, thank you 😀

judy – im not trying to "guilt trip" anyone, but i think it's important to be aware of factory farming in general and how our government/corporation tries to "market" more expensive meat to us under the guise that it is more humane.

as i have stated numerous times, i'm not going to judge you for eating meat if you want to eat meat.

as you pointed out, we all have different reasons for eating / for not eating meat, and if you are comfortable with your decision, that's cool with me.

sorry if you found the article to be insulting in tone!

Very creative using soup to make a wrap! Never thought about that.. and everyone is free to their own opinions, so, though I personally do eat meat, I am glad you posted that article..plus the pig reminds me of Babe! 😉

I wish the weather was like that here – it's been pouring since I woke up! It's funny how no two people in Central Florida will ever have the same weather at any given time.

My thoughts on free-range really boils down to health. I understand that not everyone really *cares* about how an animal is slaughtered, and that's fine, I don't expect everyone to go vegetarian and believe in what I believe in. But free range meat is generally healthier because it's not pumped full of antibiotics since they're often raised on organic farms. That, to me, is the ONLY upside of it. If you are going to eat meat, I think it should be organic & grass fed (and typically that tends to be free range, as well) but in terms of it being less cruel, nope, it's not. I'm not saying that to make anyone feel bad because I have VERY few vegetarian friends and tons of friends who eat meat and I never harp on their decision, but I think people need the facts. Though I am vegan, I try to be ethical and I recognize that free range or cage-free eggs are much more ethical than regular ones since the chickens get to roam around and aren't cramped in tiny cages.

Phew, that was a mouthful.

Your soup wrap looks awesome! Great idea.

So fascinating. I'm no expert on free-roam meat but vegetarianism has always been extremely intersting to me. I could NEVER give up seafood, and that really is killing life.. 🙁

On the other hand, I LOOOVE that mashed chickpea wrap. That's a fabulous idea cuz I always wondered how I'd get those things to stop rolling out of my wraps and sandwiches. hahahaha

Hope you have a wonderful day!!!