The Big Question

Yes, from a meat lovers perspective (mine or UKC DH) the quality of the beef pales in comparison.

End result is a less juicy, sure probably less fat - but less flavorful meat.

Not all meat lovers would agree with you.

Not to get too political or environmental, but isn't grass what cows are supposed to be eating?

British beef is predominantly grass fed; American either corn or grain fed - requiring much more scrutiny as to when/where/how they get fed.

Not all meat lovers would agree with you.

Not to get too political or environmental, but isn't grass what cows are supposed to be eating?

Yes to both.  People pay a premium for grass-fed in the US, including a lot of ultra-low carbers and primal/paleo eaters.  Here it's the norm, and I really hope that doesn't change.  Although I don't agree with the preference of buying the most ultra-lean beef, and I think that buying habits will eventually change, it's not all down to feed.  Corn and soy is not proper cow food.  Cows didn't eat it until very recently.

You just need to get used to grass fed beef.  It's what your ancestors ate. And trust me, once you're used to it, grain fed will taste off to you.

Yes to both.  People pay a premium for grass-fed in the US, including a lot of ultra-low carbers and primal/paleo eaters.  Here it's the norm, and I really hope that doesn't change.  Although I don't agree with the preference of buying the most ultra-lean beef, and I think that buying habits will eventually change, it's not all down to feed.  Corn and soy is not proper cow food.  Cows didn't eat it until very recently.

You just need to get used to grass fed beef.  It's what your ancestors ate. And trust me, once you're used to it, grain fed will taste off to you.

I imagine the milk tastes different (and ice cream, etc.) as well?  I can't really remember what milk and ice cream in the US taste like compared to UK anymore.

My main concern is that if cows must be killed for meat, milked for their milk, that they live a comfortable, natural life.  And if people are eating milk and dairy that they aren't ingesting hormones (but that's a different topic).

Well, there probably can be humane treatment of animals even on a grain/soy based diet.  It could be the tastiest thing to them, but usually grain fed is also coupled with feedlot fattening.  But even a lot of the feedlot beef comes from cattle which spent a chunk of their lives pastured and are brought to the feedlot to be fattened up for slaughter.  At least that's my understanding of how it works.

I don't taste a difference in milk, but I don't really drink a lot of it.  And I lived in an area where milk came from pastured cows.  There could be other reasons why processed dairy might taste different though.

[slightly more contentious opinion]
Here in the UK it's a lot easier for most people to find out about the lives of the animals whose produce or whose meat we eat.  My husband and I don't eat much meat simply because we're trying to save money and refuse to buy meat that has come from animals who've not had a comfortable life.  I am not against animals dying.  We can't prevent animal death any more than we can prevent the sun from rising, but we can make choices that promotes a healthier life for the animals we do eat. [/opinion]

Well, there probably can be humane treatment of animals even on a grain/soy based diet.  It could be the tastiest thing to them, but usually grain fed is also coupled with feedlot fattening.  But even a lot of the feedlot beef comes from cattle which spent a chunk of their lives pastured and are brought to the feedlot to be fattened up for slaughter.  At least that's my understanding of how it works.

I don't taste a difference in milk, but I don't really drink a lot of it.  And I lived in an area where milk came from pastured cows.  There could be other reasons why processed dairy might taste different though.

[slightly more contentious opinion]
Here in the UK it's a lot easier for most people to find out about the lives of the animals whose produce or whose meat we eat.  My husband and I don't eat much meat simply because we're trying to save money and refuse to buy meat that has come from animals who've not had a comfortable life.  I am not against animals dying.  We can't prevent animal death any more than we can prevent the sun from rising, but we can make choices that promotes a healthier life for the animals we do eat. [/opinion]

All very interesting points.  And on the point that it's easier for us in the UK to find out about the lives of the animals whose products we eat, Brymoor Dairy in Yorkshire must have some of the happiest cows around!  They make their own ice cream onsite and the cows and their barns are spotless!  Happy cows = yummy ice cream.

Well, there probably can be humane treatment of animals even on a grain/soy based diet.  It could be the tastiest thing to them, but usually grain fed is also coupled with feedlot fattening.  But even a lot of the feedlot beef comes from cattle which spent a chunk of their lives pastured and are brought to the feedlot to be fattened up for slaughter.  At least that's my understanding of how it works.

I had never even heard of a 'feedlot' until maybe 10-12 years ago or so, when I went to visit a friend in Oklahoma, and she wanted to show me where she worked... in the admin office on a feedlot.  I was like, ok.  Having never heard of it before, I assumed it was like a big storage facility for animal feed.

I felt sick when we got there and I saw all these beautiful cattle, thousands of them, crammed into these pens and corrals.   It was shocking.

Dressing/cream or no dressing/cream with a salad?

I don't like dry salad with no dressing, so yes - dressing please!

On television - documentary programme or reality TV show?

I don't like dry salad with no dressing, so yes - dressing please!

On television - documentary programme or reality TV show?

It depends on what the documentary is on.  If it's something boring (to me), then reality.  But not reality as in 'Big Brother' or any of that nonsense.  I do like stuff like MasterChef.

For vintage clothing, 1930s or 1950s?

That is a tough one, because I love the styles of both. I will say 1930s because the clothes were so classy. I don't dress 'classy' very often because I don't feel comfortable in it, but I love the look of it.

Because I desperately want summer..... shorts or a short skirt?

That is a tough one, because I love the styles of both. I will say 1930s because the clothes were so classy. I don't dress 'classy' very often because I don't feel comfortable in it, but I love the look of it.

Because I desperately want summer..... shorts or a short skirt?

I don't have the legs (thighs, really) for either.  Can I go with rolled up jeans?

If you had to learn a 'dead' (no longer spoken) language, which one would you choose?

I don't have the legs (thighs, really) for either.  Can I go with rolled up jeans?

If you had to learn a 'dead' (no longer spoken) language, which one would you choose?

Latin, 'cause it relates to so many modern ones. 

Green eggs or ham?

Hmmm... I've had green eggs.. and blue, yellow, red, pink and orange... on Easter because of the dye soaking through the shell, so I suppose green eggs. The thought of green meat is a bit odd. 

Liquid fabric softener, or dryer sheets?

Hmmm... I've had green eggs.. and blue, yellow, red, pink and orange... on Easter because of the dye soaking through the shell, so I suppose green eggs. The thought of green meat is a bit odd. 

Liquid fabric softener, or dryer sheets?

Liquid.

Sweet or salty?

That is a tough one. Mostly sweet, but occasionally slightly salty, unless it is pretzels. They are in a food group all their own, and should be consumed often.

Blackcurrant or grape?