From de Islands

It's amazing how many people think that island life is easy and laid back, and that we don't have a care in the world. Nothing could be farther from the truth. 

In recent times some people are now getting to experience island life as a result of the work travel visas, an initiative which is consequent of the pandemic we've been experiencing from early 2020 through to current in 2021. It impacted the globe, and NO ONE was prepared. 

They are realizing though that it's not all coconut water and rum with Caribbean edibles to eat all day long. Here we actually work, some quite hard. Many live here and hardly get to put their toes into the water at the beach, let alone even get to walk in the sand. 

Barbados was recently seen on a listing among the most expensive countries in the world. Yet, that does not mean that people here are rich or wealthy. 

Living on the islands, we have to pay twice as much to experience half as much. Fortunately, we tend to have a good work ethic which does not permit us to compromise the standards to which we have become accustomed. Are we where we need to be? No! Success is a journey, not a destination. 

As we reopen, visit the islands, there are no two alike, and experience the events, food, beverages, culture, arts, crafts, people, and sights. I have found and have often described "Barbados, my island home, as the pendant of the chain of islands, where you can fly over, drive through, sail around and dive under." 

That being said, I join with all the other citizens of the Caribbean and say, welcome to paradise, where the experiences you will have is from de islands. 

Rabbit - clippings from across the globe

 

As I continue to examine alternate foods and their sources. I will look today at rabbits as a food source. However, the approach will be different since I will take clippings from articles I will look up and present them here so that you can form your own opinion based on what others around the world have observed. 

So today, I looked up rabbits in restaurants; here's what I found. 

What is rabbit called in a restaurant?

Senior Member. There was a word for rabbit meat which I think would be understandable today: "coney". In the same way that beef, pork, and venison all are from the French, so was coney.

Boston, USA has managed to incorporate rabbits into the menus. We found an article that shows seven (7) restaurants that serve rabbits on their menus. 

But why eat rabbits? In searching Google, this information which spoke to the nutritional content of rabbits came up. 

Is rabbit meat good eating?

They have a light impact on the earth, and they're healthy, all-white meat.” Rich in highly-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and minerals like calcium and potassium, rabbit meat is also lean and low in cholesterol. Of course, its lack of fat means you need to take caution when you prepare it.

My curiosity went further, yes I live in a tourist destination, and here's what I found:

What country eats rabbit meat?

Rabbit meat is popular in countries such as Italy, Spain, France and China. These countries consume the most rabbit – about 8kg per person – and are the best export markets for rabbit meat.

When wondering why rabbits are cultivated as a food source. This came up:

Why is rabbit meat not popular?

Rabbits have never had a purpose as farm animals, meaning they did not have the same opportunity to become a popular meat in American households. Since rabbits never became a popular meat in the agricultural industry, a stigma was attached to the meat itself.

Additionally, when asking; Is rabbit a cheap meat?

Rabbit meat is expensive because fryers are not able to be effectively fed in large groups, require a more expensive feed ration than most other livestock and processing costs are higher per pound of meat sold.

So what would justify countries in the Caribbean adding rabbits to their menus? The answer may prove that we need to think more high-end even though rabbit was initially a poor man's food. The benefits outweigh the costs. 

In 2019, it was published that: 

First off, it's healthy: Compared to beef, pork, lamb, turkey, veal and chicken, rabbit has the highest percentage of protein, the lowest percentage of fat and the fewest calories per pound. Unlike other meats, it contains high levels of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.

Additionally, just this year 2022 it was concluded by another researcher:

It also takes a fair amount of time, effort and expertise to raise rabbits for food, which makes it more expensive than other meats. They are not bred & raised in factory farming conditions, so there is higher marginal cost per pound.

It was found that, Rabbit meat has a great taste and is highly nutritious. Although any type of meat lover will love to have a bite, it is best suited for people who want a more robust tasting and healthier meal than chicken. Rabbit meat has numerous health benefits.

What does the future of food look like for people who are lovers of meat and need to have protein requirements met? Here are the top 8 meats globally. 

When looking at food supply and food security, it's going to be increasingly necessary to examine the sources of food and its origins. 

Will you join the ranks of those eating rabbit meat? I have had some before and it's pleasant to the tastebuds when prepared well. I hope that this article enables you to find out how you can save economically. Enjoy your meals and make new dishes. 

Monkeying around with diets

As we grapple with our crops being destroyed by monkeys, some people in discussing ways of controlling populations have become quite creative in their suggestions. I happened to be around a conversation once where one was overheard saying that monkey tastes good. 

After getting beyond my initial shock, and realising the gravity of what we face with the ever-increasing monkey population, I thought I would look to see if there is any merit in adding monkey meat to our diets as suggested. 

It was a thought originating from the pending scarcity given the supply chain interruptions based on the Ukraine/Russia war which has a global impact. It was further supported by seeking ways to reduce import costs and eventually, given our numbers, explore export opportunities. 

According to this article by Aaron McDonald - entitled Monkey Consumption..., monkey meat is considered bush meat. This article outlines a number of species and the regions where they are consumed. Never once does he mention our local Green Monkey. The article has some cautions for our safety though which we will do well to consider. 

You can look up just about anything nowadays, here's what is said by people who actually consumed monkey meat.  In an article that speaks to the benefits of consuming monkey meat in terms of benefits, the costs of this diet can be quite high and dangerous for humans who engage in this practice. See this article. 

In short, I hope that this article helps those who were curious about this bush meat. My conclusion is that the risks far outweigh the benefits. I wouldn't mess with it. You now know the risks.