Silly Easter Hats and Eating My Bunny ~ What's Food & Who's Not

Yep, that's me in my Easter bonnet!  I guess I was 7 or so when this was taken. I'm sure I thought I was real "chic" to not put my arms in my coat... And don't ask what I'm holding! But I think it was a doll...


I do remember one thing very clearly about Easter though, maybe it was the year this photo was taken or the one before.  I remember I refused to eat my gorgeous chocolate bunny that held center stage in a modest basket.  You see, my little mind was very certain that this was an animal and I knew animals shouldn't be harmed.  So long after the cream-filled eggs, jellybeans were gone - the bunny remained in the basket, isolated in the sea of plastic grass surrounding him.

It probably was a lonely sight and after a few days, when the holiday glow disappeared, I remember my Mom asked me, "Aren't you going to eat your bunny?".  I told her no and my reason why.  I remember she laughed... I guess it was cute. A child still too young to completely grasp the nature of inanimate things afraid to harm a chocolate bunny... Yes, I laugh too, looking back at it. (Kids say the darnedest things.) 


I was reassured that it wouldn't hurt "him"... And that he wasn't "real". I was comforted by this and took a huge chunk right out of his ear tips... Each delicious bite confirmed that everything was well in the world.


But what happened was a "secret" sin of omission. I know this because that's what was inside my head.  While I was being convinced that I wasn't causing ill to Mr. (milk) Chocolate Rabbit, the unspoken hidden affair of eating cows, pigs and chickens remained untouched.  It was as if in that chocolate bunny, I was allowed to bury or transfer all worry and responsibility of harming any other "food" animal too!  In a way I think this is when I first embraced a "denial" for eating every animal afterwards.  Somehow I persuaded my gut emotions, to suppress any further questions. I think this was the first time I began to think like an "adult" about my food... I didn't want to know.  


I know, call me overly suspicious, delusional and even paranoid, but in a way I think molding bunnies into chocolate is part of the indoctrination process.  It's an easy leap for a kid to make: Eating bunnies or marshmellow "peeps" is a first step to disconnecting... But I'm glad that eventually and finally, my genuine curiosity caught up to my child-hood "hunch".  I did not think it was right to harm animals then... And I certainly am sure of this now! 


Have a sweet Easter everybody!  
And if you're aren't eating thoughtfully --- Then please! Hop to it now! ;)