I buy factory chickens

I'll admit it. I buy battery farmed, factory raised chickens. I know Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fernley Whittingstall would be horrified. I've watched both of their shows about the issue. And while I can see why they are passionate about their cause, I can't always share their enthusiasm for shelling out more money to ensure that the bird I am eating got to feel grass under its feet.

Last night I stood at the meat case in the store, looking at an organic chicken (which wasn't even necessarily raised "free range") and a conventional one. For nearly $4 less, I got a bird at least a third larger. That's a good bit more meat that I can use for a second or even third meal, for less money.

It got me thinking. I'd love to buy only organic, free range meat for my family. But financially it's not a reality. We're not going to shift to part time vegetarianism to support an organic meat habit. We aren't interested in eating meatless 3 or 4 times a week. Yes, that is a choice, so I suppose we *could* afford more organic meat if we made some serious sacrifices in our diet. Fine, I'll accept that.

But thinking about Mr. Oliver and especially Mr. Whittingstall, and then looking at what I had in my cart, I realized that I could still feel good about what I was buying. Is it "cruelty free?" Probably not. But each package of meat represented one or more meals that I would be making from scratch for my family. Each piece is a piece of real food that I am feeding my husband and children. Not frozen, pre-package garbage. Not denatured, unhealthy "ready meals." It may not be free range, organic. But it is honest food, made by me for my family because I love them.

Will I never buy organic, free range meat again? I'm looking into options even as I type this. But I will not be consumed by eco animal welfare guilt over buying a chicken that didn't see daylight or touch grass. I am doing well by my family, and taking care of them.

Our children know that meat comes from actual animals, and that fruits and veggies grow in gardens. They will not be ignorant about where their food comes from. I have no fear of that. And I won't shield them from the truth about how it gets to them, whatever the source. They will also know that I am doing the best I can for them with what we have, and that when I can choose a better option, I will do so. But that at least I will always strive to provide them with a childhood built on real food as much as possible.