Being a vegetarian for over half of my life, of course, I have had a closeness and understanding with animals, our environment, food sources and healthy living.
This book takes an interesting dive into our relationship with animals all around the world. Why is it, that “Some We Love (the cute and cuddly ones), Some We Hate (the rodents and insects and scary about and snakey slimy things) and Some We Eat (all of the meats that come across our plate just about every day).
A lot of it is cultural, some cultures eat animals that other cultures did not even think about eating, some of it is tradition or religious practices, some of it’s for so-called health benefits, and a lot of it is from socialization and peer pressure.
Dogs, cats, cute little mice and guinea pigs, most birds such as parrots and parakeets, and a lot of exotic fish and fish aquariums all around the country, we wouldn’t dare think about eating. But, they are food for quite a few other cultures and countries around the world. What makes some animals a menu item, and other animals, not to be considered?
I remember growing up watching the famed naturalist and outdoors person, Euell Gibbons, basically eating just about anything that he could get his mouth around. Stating, that just about everything was edible. And that’s true when you break it down to its raw essence, evening humans have cannibalized humans on occasion throughout history, whether out of necessity, religious practices or outright starvation.
This book will help you think in a broader perspective about why some animals are so important to us and we allow them to come right alongside us like domesticated dogs and cats, and other animals are so repulsive to us that we almost killed them on sight.
I am not advocating a particular lifestyle, or health style, I just know what’s worked for me over the last 35 years or so, and I feel like I’m doing my part in reducing my overall “carbon footprint” and “ecological impact” as I go through this thing called life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I think you will too.
Enjoy!
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
