It’s been a sober day-
I harvested Shadow- the Muscovy Duck for our Thanksgiving meal.
It seems like I’ve been harvesting my own meat for a long time- but it’s only been a few years.
I was 24 when I first started raising and harvesting my own meat. Prior to that-
I was a vegetarian for about 7 years.
I grew up in the city eating food from the grocery store and when I first learned about the industrial meat market- I chose to no longer eat meat until the day that I began raising my own.
For the past 13 years I have raised and processed many different types of animals from chickens, to rabbits, to beef, to goose, to sheeps and turkeys.
I would rather know the person who birthed, raised and harvested the flesh that I am eating than not know about where my food comes from.
Being a part of the cycle of life means that I am responsible for hunting or birthing, caring for and butchering the animals i eat
It takes a lot of knowledge and time to be able to manage the animals, taking care of their needs as well as the needs of the land.
Harmony is reached when I become a part of the cycle of life where everyone benefits by the relationship.
My relationship with the cycle of life is beautiful.
It can be sad and challenging at times- but overall-
I feel very satisfied to have the knowledge and the skill to be an active participant in
The cycle of life for my food and sustenance.
–
As I reclaim the wisdom and the knowledge of the ancestors-
I reclaim my power and return harmony and balance in order to bring right relations.
–
Whenever I am butchering an an animal-
I speak a prayer until the life has left their body,
“Thank you so much,
Thank you,
i love you,
Thank you”