irizary:
you're right; not everyone does what i do, not everyone even thinks about these issues. but, while not everyone does this for themselves, i'm capable of doing it myself and sharing the information with others.
Since i work as a yoga teacher, people ask my advice (nutritionally/dietary) all the time, so i may suggest considering vegetarianism (by giving hte Why vegan? pamphlet), but i also tell them that it may not be for everyone and that there are great alternatives (we have our own pamphlet about local farms, consciencious omnivorism). As i'm moving into personal training, nutritional consulting, and other aspects of health/fitness--using my yoga/ayurvedic/thai massage training as my basis or foundational theory--i'm going to have to listen to individuals very closely to see what sort of changes they're really open to and how to teach them to eat well and healthfully, while still paying attention to other issues. For me, it's whole-system health: body, mind, spirit and reaches beyond physicality to consciencious living in general. So, being prepared helps me help others.
This saturday, for instance, i'm taking my friend to where i shop and the farms that we go to. It's part of her change to a healthier lifestyle (i'm also working as her personal trainer, etc). for me, grocery shopping takes two-three hours a week. I have to drive about 1. 5 hours of that time to get to where the products are. We're going shopping together so that i can teach her what to look for on labels (such as organic pasta sauce or something), and then what to look for in quality product from the farms. so, i'm educating her all the way. Also, her diet is changing to meat once a day--instead of two or three times. That's a huge reduction for many people, and thta's also a good pro-animal change.
so, for me, i have the opportunity for huge impact, but i also have to be mindful and introduce subtle changes, see how people feel, talk about the changes, and see what other changes they may want to make. some might become vegetarian; some may not. to me, it's not as important as their mindfulness in the process. so, i need to know, i need to know how to share what i know with others.
as for dairy:
in our region, most of the dairies (of the organic/biodynamic kind) do not necessarily remove calves from their mothers. When they do, it's for medical reason, but more often, it's after they've started to wean. in this area, calves are kept with their mothers. males are neutered relatively early, and those who are not neutered are removed once they start to mature. these bulls are often traded among farms to keep herds genetically healthy.
Not all farms are ugly. i want to avoid ugly farms--i think others do too, even if they're nto going to be vegan or vegetarian. So, we have to look around, find alternatives for our friends who may not be ready to "take the plunge" into something that really challenges individual and cultural notions. . .to something accessable and really healthier for them.
interestingly, there are many "land o lakes" owned small dairies in our area. Small farmers who couldn't compete were going to have to sell their land/businesses. LoL subsidized them. now, these dairies run a lot like the biodynamic (in regards to calves), but the cows are given antibiotics and hormones, and are machine milked. But, for some elements, the cows are well treated, though i wouldn't necessarily buy LoL because it is paturized, which i think is less healthy.
anyway, just information.