Pork Chop Sandwiches w/ a Healthy Helping of Oprah

In honor of Oprah's Vegan Challenge, Puddie and I made pork chop sandwiches (recipe below soapbox moment) tonight and settled in to watch my DVR of her much talked about show.



Much to my dismay, Channel 13 disrupted the entire show with snow news. So, while twitter tweeted away from both ends of the meat vs. no-meat spectrum... I was left to dig around to find out what was said and who said it.



I checked out her site (see link above) and then followed some of the tweet links and found a response from this farmer, this farmer and a spirited post from this farmer all of which shared about the show with a healthy dose of farmer commentary... which I appreciated because as one farmer said on Facebook the other day...



Liberty Swine Farms



When you?re sick ? think: Doctor

When you?re sued ? think: Lawyer

When it?s tax time ? think: Accountant

When you want to know about your food and livestock care, ? think: FarmerYesterday at 5:28pm · Like · 



Growing up on a farm I have always known that animals have made sacrifices for my family's meals, my transportation and many of the necessities in my life. I have always had a respect for the creatures that make my lifestyle possible.



And, I realize that many have not grown up with the same education.



I have also had the great opportunity to visit many farms of all sizes and have great pride and respect for the people who produce our food while treating animals with ultimate care.



Again, I realize that others have not the same opportunities.



And, yes, I have even been present when animals have transitioned with the utmost dignity from living breathing creatures of God into the nutrition He provides for our families.



And, again, I realize even fewer people have had the same experience.



That is why when Hollywood (or Chicago in this case) decides to serve up their version of our story to the masses, my farmer friends and I get leery.



NOTE: The comments below are in general and not specific to Oprah since I was unable to watch her show today due to Snowmageddon11.







Hollywood has no reason to tell it like it is...the complexities of food production aren't sexy (unless you are talking about some of our farm boys...just sayin'), they aren't flashy and they don't fit into nice little sound bites. Given the ultimate sacrifice required in our line of work, the temptation to sensationalize and/or find a bad apple is too much. Nine times out of ten the media fails the food production story.



It isn't all perfect--what is?-- but solutions that involve the generations of farmers at the heart of their field should be a priority over selling an author's latest book...just sayin'



My problem does not lie with those who are curious, vegan, vegetarian or those that dip their toes in those pools from time to time.



I am all for consumer choice. 



So, go meatless on Mondays, but I am going to be serving up a hunk of meat here and I hope you will give me the same respect I give you.



I do hold issue with anyone that insists (or tries to evoke the sense that) our food production is shameful or irreverent which is the furthest thing from my entire life time of experience on farms of all kinds.



It is scary for me to think about what my views would be if I weren't connected with the 2% of people who produce our food. Books and "documentaries" make villains out of a group of people that I have come to know as some of the most thoughtful, brilliant, resourceful, inspiring people I have met.



If something you have read or watched lately has you concerned about your food choices, please get to know some of the great ladies on my sidebar (or here)... THEY are the faces of the people growing and raising your food. And, I assure you they don't have horns and a tail...



Whew... can you imagine what I'd have to say had I been able to watch the show?



Anyhoo... on to some super easy Pork Chop Sandwiches





We like to take pork loins and slice them up for various dishes around the dinner table, like Pork Fried Rice and Aunt Mary's Marynade. It is super economical and one loin can make several dishes.



Tonight we took the last of our loin and sliced 'er up for some lovely sandwiches.