Does Lunch Matter?

Does Lunch Matter?

According to Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Deb Fischer of Nebraska, bipartisan leaders of the 60th Inaugural Committee, guests at the Inaugural Luncheon dined on Nebraska beef and Minnesota apples. Nebraska beef, otherwise known as Omaha steak, was the main entrée served with vegetables. Dessert was a Minnesota apple ice box terrine with sour cream ice cream and salted caramel.

Our political leaders tell us this is the kind of luncheon they expect. They like those thick juicy Omaha steaks as the centerpiece of their meal. But the medical community tells us to avoid beef for health reasons. And the scientific community warns us of the dire consequences to the environment when we choose to eat beef. Then the animal rights community reminds us of the suffering of innocent animals in order for us to continue eating meat or animal products of any kind.

I used to eat beef as often as possible, in whatever form was available. I was a committed meat eater. I thought that meat was essential for human health. But a heart attack taught me otherwise and I began to study about nutrition and health. Then I became aware of the suffering of animals on factory farms, and the destructive impact of animal agriculture on the environment.

So I dropped all animal products and turned to plants to meet my nutritional needs. I learned to prepare vegetables, beans, whole grains, and fruit in a whole variety of delicious and appealing ways. My health improved. My desire to end animal suffering deepened. I grew in awareness of the impact of food choice on the environment.

Now I ask, Does lunch matter? You bet it does! Every bite matters. Every meal matters. I invite you to join me in walking away from beef, especially, and all animal products if you can. I encourage you to fill your plate with vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Make vegetable soups, bean soups, grain soups of all kinds, load up on potatoes, eat lots of pasta with tomato sauce or vegetable-peanut sauce and enjoy fruit for snacks and dessert.

Now those are lunches that matter!