First there were the happy cows in California producing “better” cheese. Now there are happy chickens, and if not producing “better” or more eggs, who are at least getting a better night’s sleep. .
California passes a law requiring better treatment of chickens.
Last week Gov. SchwarzenEGGer signed into law A.B. 1437—the landmark “egg bill”—that protects animal welfare and food safety. The law (effective 1/01/15) requires chickens that produce eggs sold in CA to be housed in more luxurious accommodations. Instead of being smashed into cages on top of each other or tangled together like a feather pillow, chicken cages will have to be large enough for “hens able to stand up, fully extend their limbs, lie down and fully extend their wings without touching each other or the sides of cages.”
I don’t eat eggs (hideous taste and all), but ever since I saw the documentary Food, Inc.,which showed the deplorable/inhumane way chickens are treated on the large industrial farms, made me think twice before I eat any chicken.
Only free range for me!
Speaking of eggs, on today’sThe Splendid Table (a splendid radio show about food even if you’re not a foodie like me), the host spoke to an egg expert about the difference in taste between eggs—from the store, from an organic farm, from your own hen house, etc. According to the egg person’s personally-conducted taste tests, there is no difference. A poultry scientist also confirmed the test results.
Doesn’t matter where the eggs came from or what the chicken ate—all eggs taste the same.
Research shows that food made with love makes people get well sooner.
On another food note, and something else I learned from an NPR show, there is a quantifiable difference in the health effects of food based on the INTENT of the person who cooked it. The scientist in this case said that there is indeed a medicinal benefit to those who eat food prepared with love/good intentions, such as a mother making chicken soup for a sick loved one.
That, and I think pats on the head, rubbing the back, holding hands, leaning on a shoulder—the power of touch, which stimulates the immune system—also prove the value (and necessity) of real-life face-to-face human connection.
So much for digital relationships…
Unless you’d rather curl up to your computer!
